-Afternoon. Erina's POV-
While unexpected events may be interesting for an old beast, and today some fascinating secrets that make me excited about the future were revealed, it all can turn dangerous and despairing in moments. Many things can occur in a single day with frustrating results as our fates aren't completely our own despite the rank we achieve, so how can allies not be important?
*BUm-RUm! Thu-RUshh!* I dash through all sorts of terrain in a hurry to find Nefiru.
CURSES!!... I knew something would happen, but not this soon! Grrr...I've failed... I should have assigned a lookout as soon as I got back to our territory... I regret being slow at taking action. Just what transpired in such a short time? Who dared attack an awakened dragon and upper-class humans? Is the danger over now? Did the other dragon stay behind protecting his brother? I wonder recalling their plans to take a walk.
It can't be a simple clash... Even a typical dragon with scales reinforced by me wouldn't be easy to injure and overpowering would be at the cost of many low ranked casualties. But Nefiru holds even more advantages being a knowledgeable former human with versatile affinities, so he should know how to fight them better than me, and his mana reserves were full... Unless...it was High Rankers who ambushed, and he fled to the forest where his siblings helped killing the remaining humans. I conjectured following the dragoness trail.
Hmph! At least those two dragon runts proved useful after everything Nefiru does for them. I asserted. Although I admit the dragoness awakening this early is impressive and was probably wind affinity judging by her drained Mana which helped her seek me out faster... I commended the convenient ability.
I hear from behind the pack members who received my emergency call and expect the healers are also coming in case the dragon is severely injured while continuing the pace through the forest.
I just hope it's not too serious, but with his record... I surmised fearing the worst.
Past the middle of the afternoon, and outside our territory on a path through the forest, I find a dragon pulling a wooden structure with Nefiru tied on top giving off a dying smell.
*Thunk!* The dragon drops the mounted logs and stepped aside before crouching down.
With the perimeter safe, I approach right away before inspecting Nefiru's condition.
W-what a terrible state they put you in...we almost didn't make it... Mhn, your siblings did a good job and your body refuses to let go of your soul...still producing the necessary lifeforce to keep you in this world. The heart beating, but these cuts interrupt blood flow...the flesh on your neck will starve at this rate... Even if a dragon can survive this, it would remain invalid for some time. I analyzed with a probe.
"WUUuu..." The young dragon on the side whined calling my attention.
I know... He doesn't look good, but help is coming. I reaffirmed and turned to back.
*Burururu...* The members from dozens of packs arrive forming a circle around us which alarmed the crouching dragon but didn't move.
"Earth Elder! What's the emergency?" Mid-Dark 7 of Dark 9 greeted before asking.
Nefiru doesn't like these designations, but after our Divine died and the war started, it was convenient to organize and assign forces... I assert the militarized names we opted.
"You are looking at it," I replied with a glare. responded
I noticed some beasts looking surprised but refrain from saying anything while others stare at the other scared dragon.
"T-the injured dragon?" He meekly asked.
"Yes. Are the healers coming?" I confirmed losing my patience.
"It's Realm Dragon..." Low-Wind 7 of Wind 8 revealed. "Many others are busy with their duties and have yet to meet him..." He affirmed looking at the beast in question.
"The rumored foreign ally...it's the first time this happens..." Dark 7 looked at Nefiru and sniffed before speaking again. "Lightwater 6 will arrive shortly with Low-Lightwater 7 and Lightwater 3, but Mid-Lightwater 7 remained with the other three elders who await a report of this." He informed.
"Good," I said looking in the direction of the late beasts.
"Elder... If the emergency is for the healers, what are we doing here?" Wind 7 inquired.
Retaliation, of course. I don't like intruding in human lands any more than they want us there, but some fools aren't taking Nefiru seriously...there need to be consequences. I vowed.
"Spread out and search everywhere except inside the nearby town, then bring me all humans, dead or alive that you find. You have until sundown, then come to me by the large square structure on the south. I'll decide what to do with them." I instructed.
"If they resist?" High-Dark 6 of 8 asked instructions.
"You bring their corpse." I declared a simple solution.
"But Elder, I dare ask the need to mobilize such a force outside our territory for this dragon?" Dark 7 asked about the special treatment.
"Your ignorance is understandable as we have kept this matter a secret to avoid attention from the fire divine who is listening in our conversations," I revealed hearing low growls between them.
"WHAT? But that means...we didn't have a traitor?" Asked Mid-Dark 7 of Dark 8.
"We did not. It was the dragon who discovered this for us and Wind 8 confirmed it." I elaborate.
"""Ooohhh!""" They voiced pleasantly surprised.
"So, that's the reason we were ordered to cease talking about sensitive matters unless in the presence of Elders." Mid-Dark 7 of Dark 9 said out loud.
"I know it looks like a lapse in our judgment, but this blue Dragon already proved he's no mere beast and 'we' four are pleased with the results so far. Our tribe has remained in a constant state of decline for too long, but all that has started to change recently, only, we kept lessons small for now." I answer their possible queries.
"He's our way to prosperity..." Low-Wind 7 of Wind 8 proclaimed.
"Sounds risky...and worth it!" High-Dark 6 of 8 commented eagerly.
Hoh... This one is the one who attacked Nefiru before... I recognized.
""Indeed."" Affirmed Mid-Dark 7 of Dark 9 and some others.
"What about Great Elder?" Asked Mid-Dark 7 of Dark 8.
"Dark 9 is working on convincing her, but we are prepared to use force..." I replied.
"That's betrayal..." The darkness wolf said lowering his ears.
"I'm not blaming Tribe leader for our situation, but we are tired of her attitude. The dragon might even be able to help her advance to Divine, but right now, she would just kill him, and that's unacceptable." I explain our reasons.
"The dragon must not die..." Low-Wind 7 of Wind 8 asserted.
"A precious resource must not be lost." Mid-Dark 7 of Dark 9 reaffirmed solemnly.
"NO! He's family!" I rebuked making them twitch.
They look at each other surprised then back at me.
"You dummies!" I reproved gazing at them. "I'm not talking about mating...I didn't know what attracted me to him at first, but now it's all clear after knowing his secrets. ...We have finally found someone to guide us, and he can be considered a Divine in that regard, so whatever he asks--you comply!" I explain before coercing them.
"""Yes Elder!""" They respond.
"Do not treat him like an outsider... He's one of us, understand?" I reaffirmed glaring back at each one present.
"One of us...ONE OF US!" They repeat.
"Good! Now, GO!" I ordered.
*Burururu...* They spread out and rush south leaving the three of us alone.
Moments later, the three healers arrive and look around before I step aside for them to see the wounded beast.
"Earth Elder! I'm here. Wh--ah! Realm Dragon! What happened to him??!" Lightwater 6 asked rushing to Nefiru's right side.
"Humans," I reply walking to his left side.
"Was he betrayed?" He asked while the other beasts surround Nefiru.
"This Dragon again..." Low-Lightwater 7 grumbled looking at the wounds on the scaly beast's back.
"I guess I'm healing Dragons now..." Lightwater 3 commented inspecting Nefiru's front.
"Unlikely. His human companion would die for him." I conjecture.
...Their soul bond is something that I cannot compete with. I admitted. I should check what became of that girl later too since her value is unknown, and possibly the reason they were attacked, but healing Nefiru is the priority. I asserted.
"Did you send help for the humans then?" The healer inquired.
"No. The tribe members went to fetch any person running around suspiciously. I will head over to the closest human settlement after the dragon's condition improves." I detailed.
"Right. It's a good thing he doesn't have broken bones, they are very hard for us to heal, and the respiratory ways are also fine. However, the blood paths are a mess with foreign particles inside that we must remove, and...well, he's on the verge of bleeding to death... This could take three of us quite some time." He reported.
"Yes. It's inconvenient out here... First, stabilize the Dragon's condition, then we'll move him to the River Lair and finish healing. It's a good place to recuperate as well." I instructed.
I didn't take days building a normal lair... I made that stone construction as solid as possible with many layers of different materials capable of enduring an attack of a Divine. I review the protective structure.
"Replenishing elementals at the river will surely help." Lightwater 6 affirmed.
"But Elder... Splurging Mana on a badly wounded dragon is risky. What if the enemy attacks again and we have injured? It would be better to take it slow." Lightwater 7 reasoned.
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"No objections! The divine probed not long ago and we won't take long." I dismissed. "Use as much mana as needed to fully restore him back to full health," I ordered.
"Yes Elder." He complied.
The three healers worked on the blue dragon simultaneously and before long, his body was working at what they considered suitable for the consciousness to resurface, but...he did not wake up. After trying different methods, we gave up on forcing him awake, and we carried his body back to our territory, then with much difficulty into his stone lair where the healers continued treatment. Once in a safe location, I set out towards the human place from this morning...
-Afternoon. 3rd POV-
A distortion like ripples on the water occurred in the clouds tens of miles above an ocean, and pushed away the strong wind before three humanoids took shape.
*Zooom!* Two adult beast folk and a baby appeared huddled together. *Whooo~* The wind whistled around a barrier where they stood.
"You idiot! We are almost 6 million years in the past!" The wolf-girl dressed in white angrily scolded while her nine tails glitter as they wave behind her.
"Hey, it's not my fault!" The copper-skinned Foxman wearing a black Tunic protested. "I only use this body for lovemaking and experimenting on small stuff. It was certainly NOT intended for time-travel with precision to hit a single page of a book inside a library nearly infinite from the other side of the Cosmos." The Foxman shrugged with his nine blue tails puffed behind making the air tremble.
"But you MISSED by several bookshelves away!!" The woman holding a naked baby fox girl in her chest rebuked while narrowing her silver eyes.
"Geh! It-it can't be helped after so many space-time jumps. But I don't think I missed since the beast Cores are supposed to appear around this time-period." He informed with a concerned tone.
"What?! Are you going to waste MORE energy fixing this time gap?" She questions the Foxman worriedly.
"Yes... I'm not leaving to chance something that could affect our future." He nodded confirming and looked into the distance.
"You idiot! Can we even make it back...?!" The woman demanded.
"It's alright." The fox man assured wrapping tails around her waist. "I can use these clothes made from Blackie's scales to send you back." He replied pointing at the Black Tunic made from tiny glittering scales.
"You idiot! Don't treat that body like a disposable tool! I have too many memories to lose it like that..." She admonished.
"Says the girl treating this body like a toy since it was created." The dark-skinned man retorted.
"Hmph! For me who endured watching others please your main body, this Fox had a lot of emotional significance. I just treated it like your real body." She confessed.
"But when you mess with the Fox, you get the knot! Haha!" The man teased.
*BAAM!* The wolfwoman smacked the guy in the face with a tail sending shock waves that dispersed the clouds.
"Hmph!" The wolf girl uttered with her mouth closed in contempt and turned away. "That's for reminding me of that embarrasing moment." She scolded with her puffed tails moving around slowly.
"Owww..." The Foxman groaned rubbing his cheek and removed the protection on the baby. "Well, you could always seal those memories." He shrugged.
"Yeah... But that's how much it means to me this body of yours." She affirmed with a warm smile.
"...Better?" He inquired carassing her cheek.
"Yes... I'm sorry." The white wolf apologized. "I know we had to take precautions to protect our timeline, but I'm sooo tired after giving birth in that wretched place! It took all I had after finding the conditions..." The woman grimaced recalling.
"And who's fault do you think it is that we have so many people on our tails??" The young man accused squinting his purple eyes.
"Guh! H-how should I know the implications of my awakening back then? I just... needed more strength to take you back." The wolf girl countered and pulled him closer with her tails. "However, I'll definitely devour Lumino's existence and become Luminas, the Sovereign of Light!!.." She proclaimed before her body started glowing.
*Shiiiiiing!* The sky became incandescently white for thousands of miles, and returned to normal moments later.
"That's lovely dear... Continue evolving on that path while I keep devouring... But don't forget we are in the past...you could've vaporized the world, and aren't you tired?" The foxman approved and reminded.
"Oops?" The girl uttered mischievously and blinked. "It should be alright. This reality is quite flexible and can assimilate many changes this far back in time." She asserted.
"That may be so, but we aren't the only ones who can time-travel, and the Timeline is ALWAYS changing inintentionally or accidentally like right now. Just how many arrengements have we made to survive these alterations? And it gets increasingly dangerous...remember the last time I kicked that Dragon whelp off a volcano...? I got lucky... We can't keep monitoring the Timeline forever!" The foxman lectured.
"I-I know... Our timeline isn't like normal Gods. Which is why She's our last contingency for the most unstable time period...this is the last time we come back to this world..." The foxgirl affirmed looking down at the sleeping baby in her arms.
"Yeah, we can focus on our future survival now that her existence is completed." The man said with relief.
"Can we go now?" She requested looking into his eyes.
"Yep. Just about done editing the DNA of all organisms that qualified." The Foxman informed and looked into the distance. "Okay... Aiming at the planet's future location in spacetime corresponding to the year 1146 of Alkalis calendar on the Fox clan..." He muttered and disappeared with the other two.
Almost six million years later, on a cloudy afternoon, outside the wooden walls of the Firefox clan, the air vibrated for a split second.
*Zooom!* The three beast folk reappeared and the adults stood on the ground with their bare feet.
"We--Uff! Are here...Huff!" The foxman informed with ragged breaths and his tails hanging.
"...She and I have Mana. Use it." The girl proposed.
"Oh, right... she'll slap the Firefox Divine to death like this..." He said and held hands. "There... Her Body and Soul are restricted to this plane's laws, but her growth isn't..." The tired fox recovered and informed.
"Are the 'lure' and the core with the message ready?" The woman asked approaching the wooden wall.
"All set. Only he can understand the instructions, and only him will find her scent an irresistible delicacy, so they'll meet eventually, and probably get eaten..." He reported.
"...What a harsh life awaits her." She said and slowly placed the naked girl on the dirt before walking back to the fox.
"What about us? She's the most troublesome daughter ever!" He protested.
"See you later, Inuyami~" The mother waved goodbye and held hands with the fox.
The two beast folk stared at the girl for a moment in silence and disappeared when the first rain drops made their way to the ground.
*Krshhshh!* The falling rain awoke the girl and her cries were heard by a passing sentinel.
-10 years later. Firefox Tribe. Marie's POV-
I watch the warm rays of the sun dye yellow shades the mountains while sitting on a high rocky cliff surrounded by tall trees with thin trunks swaying in the wind inside the Blazingdance family's property. I wonder once again what's attracting me on the south that has me unease all day, and if one day I'll be able to leave this mountain to find out where my future lies.
*Zawaa~!* The leaves rustle from the strong wind high up in the mountain.
Despite being a fox person, I'm different from everyone else here and having water and light affinities won't get me far in a tribe that favors fire magic... While talents and women are sought after, marriage is out of the question for an unappealing girl considered low talented after the awakening didn't change any of my body's features. I tried being useful by putting effort into Ranking, but learning healing only intensified harassing as they won't trust an outsider to properly teach or allow freely consume resources.
It was made painfully clear that I do not belong here, yet leaving is forbidden unless a mission is assigned to it, and escaping can even be punishable by death.
I could end it all by jumping down from here, but Miss Ayumi and big sister Anayu will be sad. I'm grateful to them and their family for taking me in as a baby, but I blame my parents for abandoning me here. Did they leave me because I was a defect? All the foxes around say so, but no one knows who my parents are. I ponder with a melancholic mood when a voice from the entrance.
"Hello? Servant!" A teen shouted calling.
Uggghh! Not him again! Zorbaz... I recognized the cousin with disgust. He won't stop bothering Miss Ayumi after she performed a fire dance in her 17th birthday last quarter season, but being related and with a prominent family, there isn't a good reason to reject him. Still, getting close to Ayumi is not gonna happen with rumors of throwing your fiance off a cliff. Plus, you are obviously after her well-developed body, shiny red hair and fluffy tail--you are not marrying her! I affirmed hoping the detestable person goes away.
"What rudeness! Not even answering the gates." The teen complained out loud.
Ack! It's a good thing leaping over the fence is trespassing. Arrgh! But it's my duty as a maidservant to greet guests... I had to be the one tending the door today... I grumbled getting up.
"Sighs... I'm sick of this person..." I muttered dusting my clothes and tail. "COMING!" I yelled before rushing on the trail towards the main path.
*Tap! Tap!* I reluctantly walked over to the entrance.
I reach the iron bar gates on the stone road and see Zorbaz being escorted by two beast people along with a golden and crimson fox beasts.
"Good after afternoon, Sirs." I greeted. "What may be the reason for your visit." I politely inquired.
"Hmph! You know why I'm here." The red-haired boy scoffed before saying. "Where's Ayumi?" He demanded.
"I'm sorry, but the young Miss is out today in the main town," I informed holding both hands in front.
"HA? You are not lying to me, are you, Muddy?" Zorbaz threatened.
Argh! Stop calling me that! Just because I was found in the mud as a baby--my name is Marie! Big sister Anayu named me after her grandmother who passed away and had large ears like me. I recall the origin of my name.
*Klang!* He grabbed the gate bars with an interrogating look.
"Eeek! I-I-I wouldn't dare!" I spoke cringing away under his gaze. "M-miss Anayu and Miss Ayumi went to the main town to fetch supplies," I informed while he probed my words.
I recalled the sister's location at the foot of the mountain to the west hoping they come back soon.
"Tch! I didn't hear anything about this. We could have gone together!" Zorbaz complained crossing his arms and looking at his attendants.
Yeeeah--No way they are going to inform you. Please leave...pleeease! I begged throwing a pleading gaze.
"S-sorry Boss. But maybe this servant didn't warn you." The orange-haired boy proposed.
"Yeah! Muddy probably forgot or refused to relay the message." The red-haired beastman assumed.
"Eh?!" I uttered confused. "Th-that's not true! I-I-I wouldn't bite the hand that feeds me! I humbly serve this family." I objected waving my arms anxiously.
The Blazingdance family treat me well...unlike the rest of you who only harass me for having a beast core and being different... Hypocrites! You all scorn humans for making beast people into slaves, but I'm treated worse than that. I recalled bad moments with a somber expression.
"Hmm... She did take too long to answer..." Zorbaz ponders.
Ack! J-just because of that? I question while my body trembled under their malicious glare.
"Well, what do you expect from a beastfolk with a Core?" The orange-haired beastman spoke contemptuously.
Guh! Beast people with high intelligence might not need a Core, but it doesn't mean I have to be dumb! I protest at the insult. Also, the Divine doesn't know what my core is exactly, though it did help me mold magic normally and I wouldn't be just Rank 3 with your mana crystals... I review the usefulness of the crystal ball in my chest.
"Boss, why don't you get Miss Ayumi another servant and kick this one out?" The boy with orange coat suggested.
Urk! That again... I hate to agree with you, but I also want to leave this place... I affirmed my desired freedom. Though even if I could leave, Ayumi absolutely can't... I recall her blood ties to the tribe.
"Truly...incompetent servants cause so much trouble. Her masters need to punish this freak more often lest it forgets its place." Zorbaz declared.
Oh-oh, I don't like where this is going... I determined backing away slowly.
"Yeah! Let's teach this freak a lesson!" The red-haired henchman declared.
"That way, we won't waste the time coming here." The other boy said smirking.
I watch the visitors with expressions showing ill intentions and realized the immeninent violence.
"Hiiiii!!" I shrieked running away. *Tak! Tak! Tak!* I dash with my wooden shoes over the rocky path.
However, the stone below my feet moved by the magic ability of the large golden fox beast and tripped me.
"Ohmph!" I fell face-down the stone road. *Sssssk!* I slid on the ground and kept crawling towards the house.
*SWOOSH!* Flames stuck on my back and engulfed me.
"AAAGGGHH!!" I scream being scorched while rolling on the ground.
It hurts! It hurts! It huuuurtsss! I cry out from the excruciating pain that even forgot to use magic.
I managed to recover my reason and used water magic, but with the aggressors being Rank 5 while mine only 3, I could only mitigate the damage.
*KKSHHH!* The ice vaporizes as soon as it's made.
"Can I eat it?" The giant firefox beast requested.
"Of course. If it dies since we'll need to dispose of the evidence." The leader replied casually.
"P-p-please stooooop!" I beg for mercy.
"Hahaha! Look at it burn!" The orange-haired boy said laughing excited.
"Gross! I can't even tell what gender this freak is unless you look at the crotch and even then, it's still doubtful to be a female." Zorbaz remarked.
"Gyahahha! You said it, Boss. This thing is a clay doll." The second beast person agreed.
"Boss! I smell the sisters coming!" The other beast fox informed.
"Ah, shit! Bail!" The leader ordered and they quickly disappeared.
*Tsssg!* The fire finishes burning leaving me covered in soot.
"Huff! Huff!" I pant trembling from the burning pain in my back and tried to get up. "Ack--uUWAAAAHH!" I wailed on the ground while shaking.
I lie on the ground, hugging my body calming down before enveloping myself in water and began treating the burned skin while it's fresh to avoid scars, then moments later, Miss Ayumi and big sister Anayu appeared.
"What happened here? Someone lost control of fire? Our garden..." Questioned Anayu unlocking the gate.
*Klank! GIIIIiii!* The iron gates open and they walk on the stone path.
"MARIE!" Shouted Ayumi dropping bags and rushing to me lying on the garden.
"Gwuuu... Awumi... Whyyyy thish keeps haphenin to me-ee?" I sniveled hugging the red-haired fox girl as my tears wet her dress.
"Shhh... It's okay. It's okay. We are here now." She soothed patting my head while we both kneel on the grass.
"Sniff!" I sniffle shaking with my tail covering my privates as the clothes burned away.