AN: Let the battle commence! This is about 3000 words, folks, and it has a bit of the kitsune at the beginning.
As always folks, thank you for reading thus far. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, let me know down below.
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"You're insane," muttered the hooded bright elf, who stared at the kitsune with fear and sorrow.
"I was, yes, but I got better," replied the kitsune, who gave a small sigh, then drank from his cup once more. "I've done many things in my life. Some I regret, others I would have wished to forget, but," he stared into the eyes of those present, "where there is darkness, there is always light. For now, rest a while. We shall continue within a demi-turn." In saying this, he stood up, and left the gathering of adults, who began to discuss this new information.
"Is anything he said verifiable?" Asked a small Lamia who began to stretch her limbs after sitting coiled up for so long.
"There is a human city at the southern tip of this continent," came a reply from a silver-black wolf beastman, "They worship a giant skeleton with four arms, but none of their books and scriptures ever said this skeleton was coated in poison." He sighed slowly, then scratched his neck-fur quickly, "I don't know. He's never lied to us before, so I don't think he's lying now."
"If he did what he said he did," said a small voice near the hooded bright elf, "Then why does he shine brighter than our day-star?"
"What do you mean?"
"I can see his...," the voice struggled for the right words for a time, "Essence, I guess you can say. Another word for it is aura, I think. Anyways, it's a really bright white, brighter than anyone's I've seen. This leads me to believe him to be pure, good, and just. It would have been marred with greys and blacks, if he did what he said he did. Which is why I am confused."
"There is no light without darkness, no day without the night," Kara, the pink kitsune, spoke quietly, hushing everyone's voice. "I believe he's telling us this, so that we may learn and grow in the knowledge that our own Ageless is not the perfect being we all thought he was. No," she shook her head slowly. Then, walking towards a window, she peered outside to spy on a scene of joy and happiness. It was the golden kitsune, playing with a small blue, fluffy creature who was happily squealing as it was tossed into the air, then caught in his arms.
"No," she repeated once more, turning back to the small gathering of individuals, "Within every dark heart is a spark of light. You need only grasp hold of it with both hands, and one can change for the better. This I do believe. This I do see."
*****
It wouldn't be until a week later, and during this week, we had prepared for every event that could happen during our raids upon homes and compounds who had dealings with the "Mistress". It was during this time, however, much of the populace began to grow restless, as though sensing some great event was to occur soon. The news of a secret hunt began to spread around amongst those that dwelled beneath the might of the monarchy. Many from this "underworld" had been recruited, although they were sworn to secrecy as what it might entail. As such, rumours began to appear throughout the commonfolk of an impending attack within the city. Of course, none knew if it was true or not, as it was just a rumour.
However, up in the castle, I had my hands full with a curious little feline girl-child, who demanded she be taken with myself and Nox. We were, of course, about to raid the city down below, but she and he did not know this. He was told we were going on a hunt, and she wanted to journey with us. Although he did say she could come, I, on the other hand, forbade her.
Puella began to pout and use her "puppy-dog eyes", but I was as immobile as a mountain, never moving from my stance on the issue. She was visually upset, as I would usually cave into her request, and began to cry. Yes, I did apologise. Yes, I did promise her I would take her on a Father-Daughter outing on a later date. For now, though, security was being tightened, as we prepared for our journey.
"Where are we going, Father?" Nox asked with excitement in his voice. His disappointment will be quite entertaining to watch, once we've arrived at our destination.
This thought caused me to grin, as I became my human self once more. "Somewhere close by," I replied slowly.
"Will it be the forest?" His wolf-bear tail had begun to sway quickly.
"No, but it is close, nonetheless."
Nox's eyes grew wide at this small revelation, and he whispered, "Is it a dungeon full of monsters?"
My left eye twitched as I turned towards his body, "No. Such a place does not exist upon this continent. However, where we are going is much more dangerous, so be sure to bring your staff and blade attachment. You will need it before we are done."
"Yes, Father," his form was gone, as he dashed away to retrieve his belongings.
"You did not tell him what we were hunting," came a singsong voice above my head.
"No," I replied, not looking for the owner, "I did not."
"He will be so disappointed in his father when he finds out."
"Perhaps, but this is to break him from the path he may try to walk. One full of sunshine, rainbows, and smiles. I would rather have him choose the paths we take, as opposed to becoming something of an annoyance later down the road."
The voice giggled maniacally, and floated down to my left side. Turning towards the owner, I noticed the long, flowing hair of darkness tinged with blood flecks. The skin of such was an abstract white, that only seemed to enhance the deep, crimson ocean that was the eyes. The nose was sharp, and curved upwards, and the mouth below it was small and smiled an ironically crooked smile. The entirety of the face was sharp, with only a few rounded edges. The body below was that of a female's, but small when it came to her chest and curves, as this one tended to wear clothing that left nothing to the imagination.
"Do you like what you see?" She asked with a mocking smile.
This turned into a frown when I replied with a, "No, but it gets the job done." She twirled around, intending to leave, but was stopped by my hand gripping her arm. "When the night is over, you are to see me. You need to be taken down a peg, and I know just how." Her laughter filled the room the moment I let her go. She then laid her arms around my neck, and forced a kiss upon my lips.
Yes, the night with her will be quite amazing.
*****
By evening, we set out on horses and carriages, but not before Nox and I received a hug from Puella. The carriage was for myself, as no beast would take me. It seems most, if not all, of them knew I was a dangerous monster. To this, I shrugged, even after people begged for forgiveness. Truly, I did not mind it, and told them so. However, many were still upset by these turn of events, and did their best to annoy my person. To which a thrall came and shoved them away. Nox, on the other hand, decided to ride with my person. if I wasn't going to sit on a beast, then neither was he.
We chatted for a time, while the carriage was moving, and I began to inform him of what we were hunting. "Nox," his eyes turned towards my person, wide and expectant, "We are hunting the most dangerous prey of all." He sat on the edge of his seat, "Criminals," and blinked.
"Criminals, Father?" He was confused, and rightly so. Why would we need so many Undying and hired help if we were hunting a few criminals.
"Yes, Nox, criminals. These people have evaded the law for too long, and we are heading to one of their compounds now to silence them forever."
His eyes became wider than saucers, as he realised what that would entail. "But... But what about justice?"
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"Justice?" I hid my sneer from his eyes, "These are criminals, Nox. they are to be removed from the face of Terra for defying the country's laws. If there is any justice to be had, it is for any victims under their thumbs, or people they would have attacked for whatever reason."
The carriage ride had become quiet, save for the occasional squeaking. It was a short ride, to be honest, as we made our way towards and through the Red Light District. Of course, it wasn't devoid of life, but it was quiet as we made our way through. Then the whisperings began once we stopped our procession in front of the "Mistress's" brothel house. Those that I had sent to investigate this place confirmed the torturer's story. There was an orphanage behind the main brothel house, and in it were many children with dead eyes. Those who informed me said that when they tried to approach them, the ones with dead eyes started to remove their clothing, while all others ran away in fear.
It was here that would begin the night of terror for the people of New Wair, it is here I shall begin breaking Nox away from his supposed path of goodness and light, and walk the path of darkness and shadows.
The place itself looked as though it were more of a compound, rather than a building, and was as large as this entire village is. It even hosted what seemed to be an army to protect itself from intruders. There was a wall of wood and stone surrounding the compound, and several guards were seen nervously milling about its walls. Others had begun to gather about us, as I and Nox stepped out of our carriage. A few females glanced our way, looking past my person to stare at my son with hungry eyes. This caused him to shake with nervousness at those stares.
A herald appeared before the guards of the compound, unfurled a scroll of parchment, and began to drone on and on about this and that. Most of which was false, but for the most part, it was an announcement that allowed us to disrupt their business, and shutting it down for good. This, of course, was signed by Queen Delilah of New Wair. The doors then began to shut while many of the guards began to prepare themselves for what seemed like another drawn out siege. Apparently, they had gone through with this before, and their "Mistress", of whom they did not know was dead, smoothed things out with the late king.
Oh how wrong they were.
"Mages," I called out to those who were employed by myself, "Tear down those walls." Large orbs of ice, fire, and stone began to batter the walls and gate, while I turned towards another group of mages that were wearing dark robes. These were, in fact, Enchanter who knew some of my own magicks. "Enchanters, call upon your shields, and protect the others with your runes."
All began with the spell, "Minor Armour," then began to trace runes within the air above themselves and others. These runes then began to gather up stones from the earth, and shear them into replicas of a standard tower shield. These shields would then maneuver in front of the mages who were casting their spells, and defend their bodies against enemy projectiles.
A few began to pelt towards my own body, but glanced off my arcane shield. These actions dismayed Nox, who tried to run, but was rooted by my grip. He was terrified, yes, and desired to flee with his tail between his legs. Unfortunately, he had to endure his fear, whilst standing in the open like the massive target he was.
"You see, Nox?" I began slowly, "They are trying to kill us, even though the queen said we are to shut down their establishment. They seem to think they are in the right, but they are wrong.
"Is everything ready?" I growled towards the shadows of a nearby alleyway.
"Ready when you are," came the singsong voice from before.
"Then do it. Let us begin the slaughter." The voice of the woman laughed melodiously, and I could see her lithe figure dash across the rooftops with more than a dozen others following her wake. They then pounced onto the walls, and began butchering their way to the gatehouse. This, then, alerted the guards, and began to maneuver some of their forces towards her and her group. Unfortunately for them, they were dealing with trained assassins, ones who swore allegiance to a new god of death and destruction.
Me.
I do not revel in being called a god, but it does have its perks. Such as having an army at your beck and call, and having a monarchy in your control. There were too many benefits to being called one, especially when you are practically immortal, and the continent did not have any way to combat the Undead.
The patron god of these humans wasn't known for his holy magicks, but that of ingenuity, beauty, and art. Though, his standards of beauty are much to be desired, seeing how most of the men have block shaped skulls with cleft chins, but that's beside the point. Yes, there was holy magicks in the world, but only for healing, and yes, it was applied to myself, but did nothing except heal a few hairline cracks in my bones. It was odd, because normal healing magicks would cause damage to ones such as I, but I digress.
The assassins, all, were insane to some degree, and had been kicked out of their respective clans for a number of reasons. So when they heard of a new god of death was born, they flocked to this city in search of it. What they found, however, was myself in my cathedral, and, unfortunately for them, I found them quite easily. I was about to execute them on the spot, when they professed their worship for myself. Yes, I was bothered by it, but they wanted to follow and obey me. As long as they get to kill, they do not mind what I did to them.
Truly, they were insane, and showed this to the world by laughing as they butchered the unfortunate guards atop the walls. One even had a wickedly curved scythe, and became a whirlwind of death and destruction. So much so was their chaos, that even those around me commented with, "They're insane."
"Tear down those walls," I roared at those that still hesitated and watched the slaughter. "Now, while the guards are distracted."
A few others began shouting at everyone, whilst they intoned, "<
Once there, they found an even greater army of almost one hundred strong humans and demi-humans blocking their way, much to the glee of some. The animated armour then began to march forwards, raising their shields high, as mages and Enchanters began to into their own spells.
"Come, Nox," I began to push him towards the fighting, "We must not dally and miss your first fight." He was pale and shaking, as I pushed him towards the opening, a grin plastered upon my face. Once inside, there was gore, blood, and limbs strewn all over the ground between the wall and the first building. Screams could be heard from within, as the battle continued to wage on. We even stepped on a few organ meat, much to the dismay of my son, who seemed to jump out of his skin.
I called out to a pair of Undying, who were torturing some poor human by slowly cutting off his limbs centimetre by centimetre. They weren't happy to be singled out, but dragged their screaming victim with them. Nox, on the other hand, simply stared at the unfortunate human, by the look of it, and begged me to intercede on his behalf. We stared at him with disgust and horror as he said this, which quieted him down considerably. It was beyond belief that he would utter such nonsense, especially when he knew I wouldn't tolerate it.
"Make him participate," I instructed the Undying, who grinned evilly. "I must go and rescue a few of the unfortunate. If you need to find me, I'll be somewhere around the orphanage. Oh," I raised up a finger, then pointed it at my son, "Make sure he participates, and doesn't escape to 'help' the enemy. I would very much not enjoy hearing how he did this, only to end up dead or captured." His face paled at this, and began to shake, "Be a good boy, and do what you are told, Nox. I would hate to lose you, and Puella would be very upset by this."
His body stiffened at this, but didn't hear the threat like the Undying did. What they heard was, "If he doesn't help with the slaughter, he is to die." The pair were a bit angry, but would follow the orders given. If not, then they would be the ones who would die, instead.
Turning around, I sauntered off with a light step in my pace, whistling an old tune from my first world.
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AN: Ah yes, throw away characters with the MC's spells and abilities. Something happens to them in a few chapters, and it is not pleasant.