AN: Last bit of the fluff, folks.
As always, thank you all for reading thus far. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to voice them.
_____________________________
The Foxwoman stuttered, not knowing how to proceed, as she and the Wolfwoman were led into the area with the long table and told to sit. For as they sat, wooden bowls with intricate designs of children attached to the tails of a joyful, nine-tailed fox appeared before each who sat upon the chairs surrounding the table. Wooden spoons also appeared to the right of such bowls, as the Kitsune appeared wheeling a large pot of the stew upon a cart of some sort. Whereby he did ladle out large portions for each of them, and a special mixture of smashed vegetables and meats for those who are far too young to eat as the rest.
These were hand few by the male who smiled softly as all others gorged themselves upon the food before their persons. "Ah, before I forget," his arm waved at the table before his person, and small, steaming rolls of golden brown bread appeared to the left of each bowl. Many were confused as to why this was there, but he was not done, as wooden cups filled to the brim with some sort of fruity liquid appeared a little to the right of each bowl.
"The liquid in the cups will never run out. So eat, drink, and enjoy yourselves." The older children took a sip at the liquid, whilst a few drank the entire mixture only to watch with widened eyes as the drink slowly refilling itself. Others clambered over one another in order to watch such an occurrence, but were told to sit down by the elderly Wolfwoman.
This would continue as he spoon fed mash to those too young for solids, but old enough to no longer need the bottle. Whereas those who do need the bottle were simply nestled into each of his nine tails as they drank until they were full. Soon afterwards, the bottles would vanish and their tiny bodies grew sleepy until finally falling into the arms of their dreams as they snuggled into his soft fur.
The other children who had finished their meal had also felt the effects of sleep wash over them, but it was not because of something added to their food. No. This was simply a reaction to having full bellies of warm, good food. To which each who noted the sleeping young soon waddled or crawled over to his person with the intent of desiring a hug or to sleep against his body. Of course, he obliged their selfish demands with a warm smile as he sat upon the ground to receive each and every one of them.
To which many did mew and whimper as they nestled into his fur with a yawn before falling asleep. This led to him humming a soft tune as he stroked the heads of two Kobolds females who were the first to crawl into his lap. Of whom held smiles upon their lips as they softly snored, whereas the Wolf and Foxwoman simply stared and conversed amongst themselves as to what had happened.
"Mara," began the Kitsune, of whom was the least accepting of the two, "who is he, and why is he doing that?" She did not understand at all of what has happened. First the male appeared, used some sort of magick upon their home, and now the children seemed bewitched by something he did. Although the food he gave them was delicious, she still could not accept his presence.
"Ayanna," began the other called Mara, "Do you remember the priest who came here so long ago in order to bless and heal one of the littles?" At her nod, she continued with, "Do you also remember the gods he called upon?"
"Yes," the Foxwoman replied, "It was Anoyra, the Goddess of Medicine, and Anuk, the God of Holy Light. Why?"
The other shook her head slowly, "No, child. That is not all who he called upon."
"Then who-?" Their eyes trailed towards the golden Kitsune, who was still humming a strange tune whilst the energy about his person shimmered softly around the sleeping children. "Him?" She seemed appalled at the notion of him being a god.
"Yes, him. If you were to recall the old stories told to you as a child, and the dreams you had, you would know it to be true. For each child who begins to dream is given one with him in it. Which is why each of the children knew instinctively to call him 'Fox King'.
"That one right there is the one called the Wandering God of Terra, as he chooses to simply walk amongst us instead of watching upon high as all others do. Because of this, he doesn't need a church, shrine, or temple dedicated to himself as all will simply know who he is as soon as they acknowledge his presence. Which you have not done, Ayanna. Once you do this, then you will know my words to be true." In so saying, the elder stood up slowly in order to hobble closer to the male. Whereby she did try to kneel before him before being halted.
"Peace, young lady," the Ageless's eyes sparkled with amusement at such a gesture, "If you know as much as you do, then you should know I detest the worshipping of others towards my person."
"But My Lord God," she began, but was responded with a light chuckle as his right paw reached into the air to pull out a small vial of a golden, viscous fluid. To which her eyes grew wide, her mouth agape as the vial was placed into her quivering hands.
"For your dedicated service towards those who are my charges," he began as his voice was echoed by a multitude of angelic voices, "I gift unto thee the Elixir of Extended Life, and offer you a chance of being a part of my Chosen few."
Tears welled up in the Elder's eyes, as she hugged the vial to her chest, slumped to her knees, and openly cried before one such as he. This led to a few of the children to waking up and crying just as much as she once they found the source, which then led to nearly all others to awaken and begin to shed their own tears. Of course, none of this affected the Kitsune, as he gave a soft smile whilst resuming his humming which calmed the children considerably before they each fell back asleep.
Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.
"I have looked into their hearts and minds, young one," his words continued, as the other Kitsune rushed over to hug the Elder and glare at the other, "They love and care for you as though you were their own mother and grandmother. Hence the reason why you were gifted with the Elixir. So drink, young lady. Drink and continue your service with little fear of Lady Death coming for you."
"Thank you, My Lord High God," she began, fumbling with the vial, "Thank you so very, very much." However, upon placing it to her lips, it was snatched away by the other female who glared at it and his person. Whereas he looked towards her with a sorrowful gaze.
"Return her property, child," his voice was tired, whilst the Elder stared at the younger as though she were mad.
"No. This is poison," growled Ayanna, who then lifted it high and threw it as hard as she could upon the ground.
"No!" screached Maya, as the vial sped towards the floor, then gasped as the vial merely clinked softly against the stone. "What?"
The Ageless sighed heavily, as a duplicate of himself flowed from his sitting position in order to retrieve the vial and place it back into the paws of the Wolfwoman. Of whom clutched the vial tightly to her chest, and was bade to drink from it before the other tried to snatch it away. "That was a very foolish idea, child," spoke the duplicate, as the original watched the Elder slowly swallow the small mouthful of the golden liquid. Whereupon the second golden Kitsune did meld with the original, as the Elder's body was filled with a golden light almost as bright as Terra's day-star.
"This is not a poison, child," spoke the original the moment the duplicate's essence flew into his body, "It is simply a potion which extends the life of those who drink its contents one hundred fold. In other words, she will live for a very long time.
"But... But..." she began slowly, backing away as a multitude of eyes appeared around his person to stare at the light show before them.
"But me no buts, Ayanna," spoke a younger voice from within the light. One which was full of the strength and vigour of youth. Of whom was revealed shortly afterwards, and in the form of a younger, red furred Wolfwoman. This one, instead of wearing the stained, linen dress, was now wearing a robe of white wool with intricate designs made from golden strands in the garment. Each of these designs were an enchantment of some sort, and the male noted one which guarded the fabric against stains and dirt. To which he smiled softly upon her.
"This is our Lord High God, and He has returned to us."
*****
"Must you leave, My Lord High God?" The red furred Wolfwoman was holding a pair of curious female Kobolds who tugged on her robe and poked her muzzle. She stood within the foyer as the male Kitsune smile upon the children of whom demanded hugs and head pets as he made his way out the door.
"Unfortunately so," he gave an apologetic grin, "I have other duties to attend to, which includes a cleanup of the mess Brutus and his offspring had left when I was away." After saying his words, he bade farewell to the others with a promise to return as soon as possible.
Once he was out of their sight, the shadows surrounding the buildings leapt from their positions, and swarmed his body with glee. For which he slowly began to transform his person into a terrible visage of a monstrous skeleton. This was done so as he walked steadily onwards, first revealing a draconic head with a mixture of an Ogre's head. This led to a pair of large arms attached to a massive pair of shoulders. Of which came a barrel shaped ribcage, followed by a smaller pair of shoulder blades attached where the final two lower ribs were supposed to be. From here came his lesser arms and two pairs of clawed hands which flexed slowly.
Afterwards came the short, immovable tail which was used as a counterbalance so he may remain upright as he journeyed forward towards the alabaster castle which was nestled upon a large cliff overlooking the city below. The last to appear from the shadows were his skeletal legs and clawed feet, which left imprints in the cobblestone streets. However, soon after he walked past such imprints, a silver mist seeped from the ground in order to repair the damage before disappearing the same way it came.
Those who looked upon such a creature did little beyond gawking and scrambling to remove their persons and items from his path. If a much larger object was in his way, such as a wagon which blocked the path, he simply teleported to the other side and continued forward. Yes. Many of those gawkers did follow his monstrous self, as he made his way up the long slope towards the castle. What is more, they seemed to be even more surprise when its gates opened wide to receive his person.