Chapter 1
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“ARES!” I hear my sister’s shout ringing throughout the house. Knowing exactly what she’s mad about, I decide to do the only thing I know is safe when my sister is mad.
“MUM!” Remembering mum was outside hanging the laundry, I make a dash for the back door.
“Oh no you don’t you little shit!” Damn it I shouldn’t have yelled, I gave my position away. This is going to be a close one! Turning around the corner I can see the back door, I can see safety. However I see a flicker of a shadow, which I assume is my sister who is just about to turn the corner as well.
Putting all my power into my legs, I give it my all, my life depends on it. I’m only a few metres away now but I can hear my sister right behind me, and frankly I’m to scared to check. 5 metres. 4 metres. 3 metres. 2 metres. Hahahahaha I’m going to make it! Yet again, I’ll get away with it!
Suddenly a hand clasped around my tail, pulling me off my feet causing my face to smack the floor.
Letting out a pained cry, I quickly tried crawling for the door only a metre in front. However I couldn’t shake the hand which had me by the tail.
“I’m going to kill you!” Such evils words being delivered by an angelic voice, truly terrifying. Rolling over onto my back with a struggle, as my sister still hasn’t released my tail. I can usually tell how mad my sister is by her expression; hopefully it’s not too bad.
Looking up too see my sister, taller than most of the boys her age, a head and half taller than me. Her blazing red hair hanging below her soldiers, the red hair being the trait of our clan. Everyone tells me how beautiful my sister is, but I honestly don’t see it. She is looking more like mum as she grows, which is weird because mum is beautiful but she is ugh. Maybe I’m a little biased, but her life goal is to bully me so why should I compliment her.
She’s 15! 3 years older than me, yet has no shame in using her power over me. I’d say if I was her age I’d at least be able to fight back but I know it’s not true. Watching the three tails standing up right behind her, reflecting her anger; then looking at my single tail. A one tailed fox would never be able contend with a three tail, as much as it annoys me, it’s just the way of the world.
Finally, looking at her face to see judge her anger, I see her fangs bearing through the part of her pink lips. Hey blue eyes staring daggers into my soul.
Well, she’s mad. Guess it’s been fun world, maybe the next life will be better. Closing my eyes, I lay there waiting for inevitable.
“Come on, go easy on him.” A deep voice comes from behind where I lay. Feeling my sisters death grip on my tail let go, I get up and turn around.
“Cassius!” My sister completely forgets my existence and run off to my older brother Cassius.
Filled with joy as I stare at my older brother of 7 years, making him 19. If there was phase to describe him, it would be lady killer. The girls of the clan have always swooned him, always gossiping about him from a distance. His blazing long red hair pinned up, looking more like a scholar than the fearsome warrior he is. His features more in line with mums than fathers, expect height. His only a foot shorter than father at 6’3 a two and half feet taller than me. The most impressive thing about my brother though is his four tails, the only natural born four tail since father.
“Brother!” I shouted while I ran over to him. It’s been months since I’ve seen him. He constantly leaves for periods of time with father ever since he was 18, serving under father in the imperial forces.
“Hahahaha Lynn look how beautiful you are! More and more like mum every time I come home.” Cass picks Lynn up and twirls her in a hug.
Lynn has such a childish smile on her face as she giggles to my brothers praise. It's creepy seeing her like this.
Cass puts her down and walks over to me and puts his hand on my shoulder. He used to pick me up in hugs as well when I was younger, but that stopped ever since he was enlisted into father's unit. Warriors don't hug other men.
“Woah, look how tall you are now! Won't be long before you're taller than me!” He still talks to me like a child, but it does feel good to hear.
“Just you wait Cass, I'll be looking down on you and father! Hahaha” I might be doomed to be the weakest, but surely I can at least be the tallest. Can't I have just that?
“You wish brat” Lynn chides in with a snark reply. Glaring at her, I go to retort but Cass goes first.
“Come on Ares… You're not still holding a grudge against dad?” Frowning as he asks me.
“You wouldn't understand Cass, you're father's golden child and Lynn’s his little princess. You know I'm the disappointment in his eyes.” Being the first single tailed born in our lineage, not quite the most praiseworthy of achievements.
“Well you are a disappointment.” Lynn not missing her chance to have a dig.
“Hush Lynn.” Cass reprimanded her, and she actually fell silent. I need to learn that skill. Cass turns back to me. “Ares you know that isn’t true. He just doesn’t know anything else besides being in the forces, he just struggles to find common ground with you.” As much as I idolise Cass, it is annoying how defensive he’s over father.
“Well if he actually tried maybe he’d find it.” I know I’m not the smartest in the village, but it’s easy to see father’s opinion on me.
“Ares you’re still young, soon you’ll realise everything he does is for you and the clan.”
“Where is papa?” Lynn interrupts, always excited to see father.
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“Your father had to go see grandpa first. Cass my baby, how I’ve missed you.” Mum suddenly walked through the door, and embraced Cass in a hug.
“Mum! You’re even prettier then when I left.” He truly is a master of using flowery words.
It’s true though, mum is the most beautiful woman I know. Only a few inches shorter than Cass himself. Many traits similar to Lynn’s, or well rather many of Lynn’s traits are similar to mums. Long legs, slim and curvy with beautiful long red hair hanging halfway down her back. Her eyes as blue as the ocean, or so I imagine, never actually seen it. Even the fur of her three tails looks so silky and smooth. Mum truly is the best.
“Oh I don’t think I’ll get use to you going away. Has your father been feeding you right?” Mum does this everything he comes home, always worrying.
“Haha nothing’s changed from the last time you asked mum.” Cass answer while brushing mums hand off his cheek. At least mum doesn’t discriminate when it comes to babying us.
“I worry is all. Now where is that father of yours?”
“He should be here an…”
“I’m here.” Argh, looking over I see father stride down the hall into the room we’re all currently in.
He still looks the same, short cropped red hair with a neatly trimmed red beard to go along with it. Tallest in the family, standing at 6’4 he towers over the family. His arms thick with muscle, his chest so dense that you can see his pecs protruding through his loose shirt. His skin darkly tanned from being out in the sun too long. His eyes as a light grey, striking in comparison to his red hair. His shoulders sit back, chest sticking out and chin held high. Exactly what one would expect from an Imperial officer.
Father’s the greatest talent within a 100 years, being naturally four tailed. He has already grown his fifth and has high chances for a sixth, which no one else but grandpa the clan chief, currently has. Also fathering 3 is already a great benefit to the clan, as it’s already joyful enough if a couple can birth two kids. His career is filled with achievements and honours, especially fathering a son who might be even more talented than himself, Cass obviously.
Truly the only shame to his name is fathering an incompetent son, me. Everyone remarks how similar I look to father, I’m sure that just gets on his nerves even more. He probably would rather Cass to resemble him more than his disappointment.
“Honey!” Mum runs over and jumps into fathers arms as is she isn’t a day over 20.
“I’ve missed you so much my beautiful wife.” Father leans down and plants a kiss on mum’s rosy lips. I look away because the whole ordeal weirds me out.
“Papa!” Lynn also rushes forward and jumps into his embrace, already starting to suck up.
“Hahaha how’s my princess?” Father lets out a laugh he reserves purely for Lynn, almost becoming a different person than his usual uptight self.
“Happy! I’m so glad you’re back papa!” Lynn releases her hold and says with an innocent grin on her face, but I know behind the grin she is sucking up. She knows she can get away with anything when father is home.
Father’s eyes than dart towards me, meeting my eyes. His smile turning into a slight frown, I quickly look down hoping he just skips by me.
“Are you not going to greet me, Ares?” Father’s deep voice sounds in my ears. Damn, I knew he would have to say something.
I walk in front of father, a metre in between us. Not looking up as I’d rather not make eye contact lest he finds something to complain about.
“Welcome home, sir.” I diligently say, not giving away any emotion in my voice.
“Have you been training?” He immediately asks. Should have known he’d ask, he needs to remind me why how much of a letdown I am.
“Yes sir. One hour in the morning and two hours in the afternoon a day.” I respond, awaiting the criticism.
“You haven’t put any muscle on. Are you sure you’re working harder enough?” There it is, his way of subtly telling me I’m not up to standard.
“Yes, there’s been heaps of improvement in my stats scr…” Knowing the mistake I just made, I shut my mouth and hopes he ignores it.
“You’re still on about this status screen of yours? You’re 10 years old now, stop acting the part of a child and grow up. I expect nothing but the best from you. You hear me Ares?” Why does no one believe me about the status screens? Looking up to meet his eyes for the first time in the conversation, I argue.
“It’s true! I do have a status screen!” I sound like a brat even to myself.
“Enough! I don’t want to hear anything of the sort from you again. Ok?” His voice growing loud and stern. I look up at him in defiance, how I wish I could just prove it.
“Ok!?” He repeats, growing angry.
“Yes sir.” I mumble before running outside. I keep on running until I reach the edge of the village, the forest. Not allowed any further due to the dangers of the forest, I sit down and try and calm my anger.
Who does he think he is! Telling me what he knows nothing of! Argh!! I slam my first into the bark of nearby tree, taking off a fair chunk of bark with it.
I’m not crazy, I do have a status screen. I open it to reaffirm my sanity.
Status Screen
Name:
Ares
Level:
1
Gender:
Male
Race:
[1] Tailed Fox
Stats Screen
Strength:
19
Wisdom:
13
Agility:
23
Intelligence:
20
Vitality:
21
Charisma:
12
Dexterity:
22
Luck
15
I do have a status screen!
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