Chapter 5: Setsuka's birth

The moment Kuzunoha felt the final pulse within her womb, she knew the time had come. The sanctuary glowed with divine energy, the light radiating from every corner as if the world itself was holding its breath. Her nine daughters had gathered, their usual banter subdued by a mix of reverence and anticipation. For a millennium, they had waited for this moment—their new sister, forged in the Ethereal Cradle, was about to take her first breath.

Kuzunoha’s form shifted from her humanoid shape into that of her divine fox form, her nine tails fanning out behind her like a halo of silver light. She lay on a bed of soft moss, the ancient earth beneath her sanctuary pulsing with energy. Her daughters stood in a loose circle around her, their fox forms mirroring their mother’s as they watched with a mix of awe and excitement.

The process began with a low hum, the sound reverberating through the sanctuary as Kuzunoha’s breathing deepened. Her silver fur glowed faintly, the light intensifying with each exhalation. The divine energy within her surged, and the sanctuary responded, the stream that ran through it glowing with the same ethereal light.

A sharp cry broke the stillness, followed by a series of soft whimpers. Kuzunoha’s body tensed, her breath coming in short bursts as the final surge of energy passed through her. With one last push, a small, trembling figure emerged, its fur damp and glistening under the sanctuary’s radiant glow.

Kuzunoha turned her head, her glowing blue eyes softening as she beheld her newborn. The pup was tiny, its fur as white as freshly fallen snow. Its eyes remained closed, but its small form quivered with the effort of its first breaths. Gently, Kuzunoha used her muzzle to nudge the pup closer to her, her warm tongue cleaning its fur with slow, deliberate strokes.

“Setsuka,” Kuzunoha whispered, her voice a soft rumble. “Welcome to the world, my little one.”

The sanctuary seemed to exhale, the tension dissipating as the glow of divine energy dimmed to a gentle warmth. The nine sisters, still in their fox forms, stepped closer, their tails swishing softly behind them.

“She’s beautiful,” Yuki said, her voice reverent as she lowered her head to nuzzle the tiny pup. “Mother, she’s perfect.”

Naomi’s starry eyes sparkled as she approached, her movements light and eager. “She’s so small! Oh, she’s perfect, Mother!”

“Small, yes,” Chiharu said, her voice calm but tinged with warmth. “But I can feel her presence already. She will grow strong.”

Akari, her fiery fur catching the remnants of the sanctuary’s glow, tilted her head as she observed. “She’s got Mother’s eyes,” she murmured. “And that fur... she’s stunning.”

Hana, leaning against a moss-covered stone, smirked. “Adorable. Let’s just hope she doesn’t turn out as mischievous as Naomi.”

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“Hey!” Naomi protested, her tone playful. “I was never this small. Or this quiet.”

Kuzunoha chuckled softly, her muzzle brushing against Setsuka’s tiny form. The pup had calmed, her breathing steadying as she nestled into her mother’s warmth. “She’s everything I dreamed of,” Kuzunoha said softly. “And more.”

The days following Setsuka’s birth were filled with quiet joy. Kuzunoha remained in her fox form, rarely leaving her new daughter’s side. She would often lie by the glowing stream, her tails wrapped protectively around the tiny pup as she slept. Setsuka’s fur, once damp and thin, grew fluffier and more radiant with each passing day. Her small yips and movements brought life back to the sanctuary, filling the air with a sense of renewal.

Her nine sisters took turns visiting, each one eager to bond with their newest sibling. Yuki, ever the caretaker, was the first to approach. She lowered her head to nuzzle Setsuka gently, her silver fur brushing against the pup’s soft coat. “She feels like she’s always been here,” Yuki murmured. “Like she was meant to complete us.”

“Don’t hog her, Yuki,” Akari said, her fiery tail flicking impatiently as she stepped closer. “She’s our sister, too.”

Kaede sat quietly nearby, her green-tinted fur blending with the mossy ground. “She’s connected to all of us,” she said softly. “The Cradle has woven her essence perfectly. She carries a part of each of us within her.”

“She’ll be unstoppable,” Chiharu said, her voice steady and confident. “With the bonds we share and the strength of her lineage, she will surpass even the greatest of us.”

Naomi, her tail swishing excitedly, grinned. “I can’t wait to show her the stars. She’s going to love them. Don’t you think, Hana?”

Hana shrugged, her smirk softening. “Maybe. But let’s not overwhelm her. She’s barely had time to open her eyes, let alone think about the stars.”

As the weeks turned into months, Setsuka began to show signs of her unique nature. Though still small, her aura was undeniably powerful, a blend of divine energy and something deeper, more ancient. Kuzunoha often found herself marveling at the small miracles that seemed to follow her daughter. Flowers bloomed where Setsuka’s paws touched the earth, and the sanctuary’s stream sparkled more brightly when she approached.

But it was not just her divine presence that set her apart. Setsuka’s bond with Kuzunoha was profound, almost symbiotic. The pup rarely left her mother’s side, her tiny form often curled up against Kuzunoha’s chest or nestled within the protective circle of her tails. Kuzunoha, in turn, seemed to draw strength from Setsuka, her own energy renewed by the pup’s unwavering love.

One evening, as the sanctuary was bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, Kuzunoha lay by the stream with Setsuka resting against her side. The pup had grown slightly, her legs now steady enough to carry her short distances. She looked up at her mother with wide, curious eyes, her tail wagging softly.

“Setsuka,” Kuzunoha said, her voice gentle, “do you know how special you are?”

Setsuka tilted her head, letting out a soft whine as if to ask for more.

Kuzunoha chuckled, her tails curling around her daughter. “You are my tenth star, my brightest light. One day, you will shine so brightly that the entire world will see your brilliance. But for now, stay here with me. Let me hold you a little longer.”

Setsuka let out a small bark, her tail wagging more enthusiastically. Kuzunoha smiled, her heart swelling with a love that felt boundless. In that moment, the weight of the centuries, the sorrow of Mythos’s end, and the uncertainty of the future all faded away. All that mattered was the tiny, radiant being at her side, the miracle she had waited a millennium to meet.

“You are everything I hoped for,” Kuzunoha whispered, pressing her nose gently against Setsuka’s head. “And more.”