That was definitely a lot more of a mess than I expected.
Who would have thought that the church already would be after us. Just another thing to add to my shit list I guess. At least Rachel helped get us out of there. I don’t know how we’d have handled ourselves after that adventurous teleport. I’d rather not do that anytime soon to be quite honest.
How’d the church find us though I thought we wouldn’t be spotted until we were checked or something by a local missionary or wandering templar. If they can locate us even from a distance this is just going to keep getting better and better.
Where am I though? I looked around and I seemed to be in the middle of a dark forest with trees that seemed to swallow the small amount of light around me.
Well this is definitely odd I thought I was in a wagon, and why am I alone? They didn’t move me, did they?
“Rachel? Matt? Elizabeth? Teage? John? Lennie???”
Well, this is definitely becoming odder by the second. No one is here except me from the sound of things. Wait! What was that? Is that a pair of eyes? Where should I go? What do I have to defend myself?
After a quick pat down I fail to find the knife Teage made or anything that I could make use of.
“Great lost and alone with nothing to defend myself with. Things can only get better from here right?”
Nope, I’m never that lucky. ‘HOWL’ Great so more wolves, why is it always wolves.
I then heard a rustling behind me. Turning around I faced pairs of red eyes that grew ever closer to me.
Okay, guess it’s time to RUN! I then bolted away from the wolves diving straight into the woods.
The trees were tightly net together and impeded my run from the wolves immensely. The Wolves on the other hand nimbly threaded their way towards me encircling me with ease.
I then tripped on a root and face planted into the ground cementing my fate. I was now surrounded by wolves with no weapon and had no escape. This was probably not going to end pretty.
“Haha, nice try young pup. But you ain’t getting away from me that easy kid.”
I turned to see a wolfman with a weird smile on his face. Knowing I was at his mercy I was a quite scared.
“Who are you?”
“Do you really not know? Of course, you wouldn’t sorry about this. My name is Jacob the pack leader of my group. And you?”
“My name is Brenner. Where am I and what do you want with me.”
He kneeled down to me and looked me directly in the eyes. He looked me over like he was trying to take me all in. I tried to suppress my fear but I was totally at his mercy.
“Well young pup I’m your dad, and I’ve been looking for you for quite a while now.”
“So your Velouria’s husband … and my dad?”
“She was my mate, we never married. She was a blast to be around but left immediately upon realizing she was pregnant with you. I knew she must have had her reasons so I tried to find her and get her to explain. Her illusions made it hard to find her though. One day though you vanished and lost her trail. I’m just glad to know that you're alright after all these years I thought you were dead. Sorry, we had to meet here I couldn’t wait to see you so I tried setting up a soul dream. Didn’t expect it to work, to be honest, but Samuel owed me a favor and helped me set it up and here we are!”
“Where are we though, and aren’t you here?”
“It’s only a dream pup and our time is up. Until next time kid. Try to find me in the Union if you get the chance.”
He then turned to leave leaving me on the ground alone.
“WAIT!”
I woke up screaming aloud panicked this was all too much to take in just two days.
“Calm down Briana you were just having a nightmare it’s okay.”
I opened my eyes and looked around in confusion. I was now in some kind of nomadic hut with Elizabeth.
“What happened? Where are we?”
“We managed to shake off the church’s pursuit for now and are now in hiding out in a nomadic village. Rachel had to leave and asked me to look after you.”
“Well that’s good at least we’re in the clear for now.”
My stomach then rumbled in hunger at being forgotten after having ejected all of its contents the night before.
“Got anything to eat?”
“No. But they should be having a feast right now. Let’s go outside and get some before it all gets eaten.”
She lifted me up to her shoulders and walked out of the tent before I could voice a word of protest. Leaving me at her mercy for better or worse.
“The divine fox princess has awoken! Go tell everyone and let us feast to her health!”
Divine Fox? Am I now some kind of local deity due to being a kitsune? Argh, I forgot to set my soul defense before I walked out. I need to take a moment and fix that. Let me close my eyes for a bit and focus … focus … focus … there, that should do it.
I open my eyes and see myself in front of a large crowd of beast men that have congregated around me. They all stare at me with eyes of admiration and wonder.
There was a wide variety of beast men from wolves to horses, rabbits, and even what looked to be Buffalo. The variety was definitely noticeable. I thought there would be separate tribes for each, but they must live together for protection.
From the looks of things someone played on the locals religion or something and made me some kind of deity. I’m going to guess it was Matt or Teage. That probably meant John was still asleep or puking his guts out. Cause he wouldn’t stand for this willingly.
Their elder (from what I can tell) then walked towards me before bowing to me followed by the entire crowd.
“Welcome, Princess. Thank you for gracing us with your presence. When we heard you were being pursued by the church we gladly took you in. They have been pressuring us for years to convert and have only brought lies and trouble to us. Any enemy of them is a friend to us.”
Great so I now have two choices play the part and hope I don’t mess up or come clean and tell them the truth. Telling the truth though probably won’t work either though cause they’ll just twist my words and hoist me into the spotlight regardless because of just being their divine fox.Guess we’ll play along and see how it goes.
“Thank you for your hospitality elder I greatly appreciate it immensely.”
“Your praise is too great princess. It has been ages since one of your kind has graced our tribe. I don’t know how to react to this. I’ve never really been the center of attention before.”
“Can you set me down Elizabeth I’d like to say something to them all.”
“Our honored guest wishes to speak my friends. Let us hear her words of wisdom.”
Okay, time to improvise. I got to say something wise and … helpful? Okay, let’s just see how it goes and if I just end up embarrassing myself.
“I wish to say again to you all. That I am thankful for the shelter and food that you have provided me. It is much more than I deserve and I want you all to know that. I wish I could have come under better circumstances. But as you know the church is after me for reason I do not know why. I am on a quest right now seeking ancient ruins. At these ruins, we seek knowledge of a coming storm that approaches us. For I have read a great prophecy that speaks of a light that will burn this world. I do not what it is or when but it is coming and I seek to stop it. So I hope to gain your help in my adventure and to bring this threat to a close before it can begin.”
“Wait so the omens were true?”
“It can’t be by the gods is it really coming to pass?”
“No this can’t be happening!”
Apparently, I was missing something cause everyone's’ smiles and beaming faces turned to fear. Something had to be up.
“Am I missing something?”
“Yes princess, we have seen omens in the heavens and from our spirit walker. They both prophecies of this coming light. It just saddens us that their omens have been confirmed by someone such as yourself. We’ll gladly share what information we have with you. If it is as dangerous as the omens say then we must deal with it with the utmost urgency. You have our support without a doubt though you have my word.”
So that prophecy wasn’t just some old relic that didn’t mean anything. It was an actual prophecy that talked about a deadly flame that would spread across the world. GREAT! Just what I needed after coming to terms with what is happening to me. Just great! Let’s turn this back around. I came to get food. Not to talk about doomsday prophecies.
“But for now let us eat and enjoy each other's’ company. We’ll save that talk for a later time.”
“You are right princess. LET US FEAST!”
Well, that went better than I hoped. I just hope no one else was around to see that silly display.
“Nice speech Brenner I didn’t think you’d pull it off that well.”
I jumped in surprise and turn around to see Alice in some ranger cloak hiding in the shadow of a tent.
“Sorry to scare you I just came online to take care of some business. I got the rundown from Rachel texting me earlier. I just finished my afternoon nap and before you know it it’s four in the morning and you slept for twelve hours on accident.”
“I didn’t know you were there Alice you scared me. Who came up with the idea?”
“I think it was Celica’s idea, to be honest. Rachel had to get off as soon as she got back so she kind of dumped you on her and she decided to play around with the locals religion and see if it worked. I bet she’ll be thrilled to know it did though. She invested quite a bit of money in these small kitsune plushies. I’d stay away from her or you might get stuck in one of her marketing schemes.”
Of course, she’d do that. Though I doubt these nomads have the money to buy her plushies or the want to for that matter.
“Hey, nice work kid.”
I turned to see Teage and Matt come over with mugs in their hands drinking merrily.
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“I honestly didn’t know how that would go, but you did a good job.”
“They even provided me with some nice materials to examine since I’m a companion of yours.
They have a ton of good resources we could use to find some ruins nearby.”
“Who are these people Brenner?”
“They are my bodyguards. I did a few quests and they became my traveling companions after I gained their trust.”
“Really! That’s quite nice. I thank you all for looking after him in his travels.”
“I believe it’s her, lady. She’s clearly a girl.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot you got a girl character didn’t you.”
“More like I was forced to become one. But, nothing I can do about it now. Anyways where is
John, you guys?”
Elizabeth turned to the side and wouldn’t look at me.
“He’s … asleep, yeah that’s it.”
“You guys tied him up, didn’t you. He wouldn’t go along with your religious manipulation would he.”
“Well yes and no lass. He didn’t like the idea, yes, but he’s not here because he’s … well still quite sick.”
Matt looked disgusted when Teage said this and added.
“He hasn’t been able to do anything but dry heave for the past eight hours.”
“We gave him some food and water, but everything we give him just comes back up a second later.”
“Has Elizabeth not tried using her healing voice or whatever?”
“NO! Why would I go near him when he’s puking like that! I’ll get covered in his gross bile and I don’t want to have to clean that from my scales.”
“Oh course you’d say that you miss princess.”
“I’m not the princess here, Briana is, and you don’t have scales. So you don’t even know what it’s like to clean them.”
That reminded me of something. I was filthy. I hadn’t had time to clean myself and guessing from what I saw that wasn’t out of the norm. But it just felt wrong to be this dirty. Maybe it was some girly thing or whatever but I wanted to get clean.
“Is there anywhere to take a bath or something?”
“Yeah, I think there is a river nearby with a few trees why?”
“I want to take a bath I feel so … dirty and my fur definitely doesn’t help with that.”
“Ah! I see what the matter is. Follow me we’ve been using an area that we’re renting from the inhabitants over here to clean. I don’t understand the games need for all this detail though. It seems quite a bit excessive.”
“The more realistic the better I guess?”
“Can I join you to Briana?”
“Sure Elizabeth, I don’t mind, just don’t do anything weird.”
“Why is she calling you Briana?”
“Long story I’ll tell you later.”
“Guess me and Matt will have to go enjoy the festivities a bit more than while we wait for you. Don’t enjoy yourself too much ladies.”
Matt and Teage then went back to the feast and grabbed some more food trying to try out all of the new foods before them.
That’s right I forgot to eat anything after my speech didn’t I.
“I’ll be right back I’m going to go grab something to eat real quick I’m starving.”
“You haven’t eaten yet? You know the hunger debuffs aren’t something to laugh about go get something to eat and then come straight back.”
I run back towards the food and try to grab a few pieces of bread before turning back around and heading back. Before I made it back though two men were being dragged through the camp by the camp’s guards.
“What is the meaning of this! Unhand us at once! We mean you all no harm. I just need to find God’s prophet. The world depends on it I tell you. You’ve seen the signs haven’t you?”
“Uncle just shut up. They won’t listen to a follower of the church.They’ve been hurt too much by them in the past to take any chances.”
“They still don't have to arrest us for just having our holy texts on us.”
“They see that as us just being spies you know. Which isn’t going to help us. Just let me do the talking will you.”
“Quiet prisoners! The elder will be here soon to decide your fates.”
I pushed my way to get a look at the two men. One looked to be around forty or so and the other looked to be around my real age. They had rope binding their hands behind their backs and were surrounded by four tribesmen with spears. The elder then came before them with a stern look on his face.
“Why have you two come here and what do you want with us. Tell me men of the church.”
He didn’t look happy at all to see them. I wasn’t sure if I should intervene or not. They didn’t look hostile, but I couldn’t be sure.
“We were just on a journey through the plains researching the local flora and fauna. You can check our bags. There are sketches and samples inside of them. We just came to see if we could trade for some supplies. We went through our salt stores a lot faster than we thought and wanted to see if we could get some here.”
“I very much doubt that humans. We were attacked just yesterday by your so called peaceful church. How can I be sure you aren’t one of them.”
“You can check my guild badge that’s in my bag it is from Blazing Eagles. I am his escort during his travels through the area. I didn’t realize he had his holy texts on him, dear elder. We will leave now and be gone from your site immediately if our presence troubles you so.”
“Then leave our site at once we do not wish for your presence to remain here during our festivities. If you come back I will have our guards ordered to kill you on site.”
The older man looked annoyed but kept his mouth shut during the exchange. But when he said they had to leave he finally broke his silence.
“But the Lord’s prophet is here they arrived here last night did they not. I must see them immediately. There is information I must tell them at once.”
The elder look turned sour and his face hardened.
“How do you know that she is here.”
“I must tell them -” (Whack)
The elder smacked the man across the face. Before ordering his guards.
“Kill them immediately! They must not be allowed to find her and take her. We promised to protect her with our lives did we not.”
Okay, this is going a bit far I stepped out from the crowd.
“What is going on here elder?”
“Princess! I did not see you.”
He kneeled with the guards following suit soon after.
“We were just taking care of some of the church’s spies. These men would have altered the church to your presence.”
“These men did not pursue us, and I wish to speak with this man.”
I pointed to the man who had gotten smacked by the elder whose face was swelling from the impact.
“I wish for these men to be treated as fellow guests. This will not help you pursue peace with the church, and will only give them an excuse to send more men. Will it not?”
“You are right princess! I am sorry for my rash actions.”
“It’s okay elder, but before I deal with them. I wish to eat and clean myself so I will be back later.”
“Of course princess! You have my promise.”
“Then if you'll excuse me.”
I turned to where I had left Alice and took a bite of my bread without looking back. I was sweating up a storm. That was bad those people had almost been killed because of me. I’m not too sure what to think about it, to be honest. I knew these people were devout. But enough to kill for me? I feel like I’m digging myself deeper into trouble with every new person I meet.
“What took you so long Brenner. Thought we’d lost you for a minute there.”
“I had to stop them from killing these two men who had entered the camp. They thought that they were going to alert the church to my location.”
“What did you do to piss off the church?”
“I’ll tell you later. Anyways where do we go for these baths?”
“This way you two. I’ll show you guys our caravan real quick.”
She led us through the maze of tents before coming across an area that had tents embroidered with what looked to be dancing reeds. They had four tents and three carts are strewn about. The camp was empty though as it was probably the middle of the night in IRL.
“I’d have you greet everyone, but they're all offline at the moment. So I guess that means we’ll have the bath to ourselves.”
“Wait you mean there's only one bath?”
“Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that. How will we decide who gets to go in first?”
“I call dibs first I don’t have a lot of time and I still have to talk to those two guys that they captured. I just gave them diplomatic immunity. I still have to figure out what it is that they wanted.”
Elizabeth then smiled and came up with a with a ‘brilliant’ solution to our problem.
“Why don’t we just all have a bath at the same time?.”
“NO WAY!!! I am not sharing a bath with the both of you. It’s immodest and I’m a guy. So forget that this second. I don’t take that long to bath anyways. Can’t you just wait.”
“No! You are going to take your sweet time exploring every part of your body are you not?”
“This body is that of an eight-year-old. How the heck am I supposed to get off to that and also getting off on myself is weird as all hell, to begin with.”
“Fine, just hurry it up. I want to get my EXP bonus from washing up before logging out.”
“That’s a thing?”
“Look up the guide book when you log out. I know you wanted to go in blind but you still need to know the basics at least.”
“Fine, I’ll look it up today when I get the chance.”
I then walked into one of the huts and washed up after figuring out how to use all the magic appliances that were inside. It took longer then I thought to dry off though. Having fur made it harder to dry off than I thought. I then put my dress back on and went outside to see Alice dejected to the side while Elizabeth was grinning happily.
“What did you guys do?”
Alice looked at me in depression before answering.
“We made a bet on whether or not you’d do anything weird while you were bathing. I bet you would and Elizabeth here bet otherwise. So I snuck in with my sneak ability and checked up on you -”
“YOU DID WHAT?”
“Ah…nevermind. Here’s your prize Elizabeth.”
She tossed Elizabeth a comb as her ‘prize’.
“I’m going to get back at you one of these days for this Alice. Mark my words!”
“Yeah, yeah, I won’t do it again I promise. Come on Elizabeth it’s our turn now.”
“Thanks for the comb Alice and you want me to do your hair before I go Briana?”
“I’m in a hurry maybe later.”
“Are you sure it’s quite a mess. It’s a lot longer than your usual hair. It won’t take but a minute.”
“Fine, I’ll let you brush my hair real quick.”
I stood up as she brought a stool and started brushing my hair. It felt nice and was important thinking about it. I couldn’t go around with unkempt hair being their ‘god’ after all.
“There all done! You can go run off now.”
“Why do I feel like you're treating me like a child.”
“Because I am.”
“Well, at least you're honest. See you later Alice.”
I then ran off back to the festivities and my two ‘guests’. I found them being escorted by two guards. They were enjoying the food while under the intense scrutiny of their security.
“Hello, gentlemen I am back. Let’s get down to business, shall we. Guards can you take us somewhere private so I may speak to these gentlemen in privacy.
“Right away princess.follow me.”
The guard then lead us to a tent and opened it up and went inside. I followed him in and saw what looked to be his home.
“You may use my home princess just let us know if you need help we’ll remain on standby should the need arise.”
“Thank you, sire you are go kind letting us stay here.”
He then bowed and left the tent leaving me with the two gentlemen. Time to see what they want from me now I guess.
“I don’t think we’ve properly introduced ourselves so I will go first. My name is Brenner what is yours?”
The older gentlemen spoke first to no surprise.
“My name is Remus and this is my nephew Raven. I wish to help you prophet in your quest.”
Prophet? Quest? What the hell is he talking about.
“So you know what my quest is. What is it then?”
“To stop the coming threat is it, not your soul fits with the prophecy of the coming light. I only know a little myself but from what I’ve gathered you are an important part in stopping this coming light. The church has lost sight of what it once stood for and I believe something is doing something in the shadows and I was given a message by God to support you and your quest in bringing a stop to this.”
Okay… This guy might just be a nut case.
“Look I don’t know exactly what this vision you had was. But I don’t know anything about this coming light of yours. I’m on a personal quest to find a way back home (in a sense). I’d appreciate your help, but I have no idea what I’m doing to be quite honest.”
“Are you sure this is your ‘prophet’ uncle. She may be a kitsune. But she has only one tail. Aren’t they supposed to have nine or something?”
“She is the one. The prophecy might not be fulfilled soon but it is coming that I can guaranty you. Brenner, I wish to join you and your party in your journey. I can provide you healing and wisdom you won’t find anywhere else, and I can help you deal with the church as well. God has pointed me on this path and as such I must do my utmost to fulfill his mission for me.”
“Are you absolutely sure uncle? I promised to guard you to find this prophet but I did not promise to join some doomsday quest. I expect to be paid the entire time I’m following you for this and I want a danger bonus if things get too hairy you hear. I don’t want to get killed over this. I could just as easily take some caravan guard details.”
“I will pay for your services nephew don’t worry about that. All I ask is that you give this one month and after that then you may decide whether or not you wish to go back.”
He sighed loudly before agreeing to his uncle's conditions. The extra help will be nice it’s just going to be weird having to deal with them since I won’t be online every day.
“I will gladly accept your help then. For now, though I must go again to take care of some things. I will be back sometime tomorrow and we can leave then how does that sound?”
“Excellent I feel I will learn a great deal under you great prophet. I won’t let you down.”
He bowed and smiled from ear to ear at the news. I just hope this doesn’t come to bite me in the ass.