【 CHAPTER 2: PARENTAL GUIDANCE (I) 】

The sun glared across the vast land on this fine morning. In a certain forest, a dark figure sleeps comfortably. Titan-like trees stood around this figure, and patches of sunlight came through the empty gaps of the forest touching the fair skin of this being. Suddenly a slight movement can be seen from this mysterious figure as they awaken from their slumber. Slowly sitting up, the appearance of this figure was shown. The mysterious being was a young woman who had shadowy and inky markings covering parts of her body. She then looks around her surroundings trying to find clues about her whereabouts, but she didn’t recognize this place. The only thing she found beside her is a weapon. A long dagger almost resembling a sword. An obsidian colored weapon with golden markings engraved on it. As the young lady approached it, the weapon melted into an inky matter, wriggling about as if it was made out of liquid. It slowly crawled beneath her, becoming her own shadow. “At least I didn’t lose my favorite weapon,” she let out a sigh of relief.

The young woman then looked around once again, curious about where she was. A huge breeze then interrupts her curiosity, shaking the leaves of the titan-like trees resulting in a sound similar to the ocean waves. She stared at them with longing eyes while welcoming the patches of sunlight. As she was about to get lost in her own little world, she was abruptly interrupted. Her expression changed right away, it was a look that was fully aware of reality. Turning around, she was met with a black wall.

A shadowy creature towered over her with clothing on its head. It spoke to the young woman with a serious look on its face.

“Here, wear this for now.” The tall figure dropped the clothes on the young lady’s hands as she reached out for them.

“Where are we?” She asked.

The shadow creature sighed, and approached closer, transforming into its smaller form.

“Somewhere in Ixdum,” the creature licked its companion’s thigh that had dried blood on it, showing familiarity and a concerned expression.

“...How’s your wound?”

“It healed already, don't worry.” She patted the creature on its head and smiled.

“I’m just glad we’re out of that place now, aren’t you?”

“Of course, I am but,” the creature paused and then turned its back as the shadowy matter that was surrounding her body was now dissolving on the ground and joining the blackness beneath her.

“But?” the young lady asked, even smiling more knowing what her companion was worried about. She then took the clothes to change. It was a worn out, white clothing that seemed to shape like a dress.

“I still think we should have killed them all-”

“Stop it.” The woman glared at the shadow creature’s back. It definitely knew she was staring as the creature tensed up.

After putting on the clothing, she then started walking and gestured to the shadow creature to hurry along. “We need shelter right? Let’s go.”

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The two started walking. Catching up to her footsteps, the creature hesitantly continues on, “You know very well you have the right to do anything you want…Rezochi.”

The lady who kept walking stopped in her path, and looked at the concerned shadow creature beside her.

“And here I thought you wouldn’t say my name nor accompany me anymore after escaping that place.” Rezochi chuckled and continued walking. The shadow creature followed.

“What do you mean by that? You know I’ll always be there for you!”

Rezochi looked at the creature as they walked along the path they found in the forest.

“It’s just…”

“Just?!” The shadow creature looked worried.

“I thought you had another agenda to attend to, no?”

The shadow creature stopped at its tracks and shouted.

“YOU BRAT! HOW LONG DO YOU THINK I TOOK CARE OF YOU?! I’M BASICALLY YOUR PARENT!”

Shocked, the shadow creature was now being hugged by Rezochi.

“Thank you.” She said softly, making eye contact with the creature.

The two walked and looked for shelter in this huge forest. Rezochi now had a serious expression on her face. One that had determination of surviving no matter what.

Rezochi knew what she was. She is a hybrid.

A hybrid between a Shadow Being and a Heavenly Kitsune.

Not that being a hybrid matters, but to her parents’ clans specifically, it was something of great concern.

Shadow Beings who were nonexistent hundreds of years ago suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Their purpose was obviously shown in their actions. To protect the balance of nature and the powers of other beings. They had laws like any other beings that resided in this world. Though there is one certain law: not to mate with any other beings. This law’s purpose was not to let other beings gain the power of what the Shadows have been blessed with. It was also to not cause grief to other beings as the Shadows are closer to something unknown, it would mostly affect the offspring and its survival. It would seem that in most cases, the offspring would die as it cannot contain the shadowy matter that would soon become one with them. Mothers of such offspring would also be affected; they go mad and in the end become a “Fallen”. However, “Rezochi” is alive. She knows that the Shadows see her as an abomination and would want to see her dead, yet the very thing that’s helping her right now and has always been with her are shadows. Worries about the clans doesn’t stop there as the Heavenly Kitsunes are also looking for her whereabouts.

Lost in her thoughts about her origin, Rezochi realizes something tugging at her clothing.

“Seriously, I’ve been calling out to you, kiddo!” The creature tilted its head, wondering what was going on in her mind.

“There’s a small cave under that huge tree.” It pointed out the location.

“Oh, that’s perfect!” She replied happily.

Rezochi jumped off from the huge tree branch she was standing on and landed perfectly on the ground. The shadow creature followed and already guessed that Rezochi was lost thinking about many things. The creature then stopped at the entrance of the cave as Rezochi was looking around inside. “I’ll keep guard for tonight.”

The shadow creature dissolved into inky matter on the ground then swiftly went on a patrol outside. “He could have just stayed, we both know the area is clear by now.”

Rezochi leaned against the cave wall, “A parent huh?” She smiled at the thought. “Thank you.”

Sitting down, Rezochi remembered about the illusionary training her companion gave her growing up. She never thought she would actually see the outside world for real. Her eyes suddenly felt heavy after some time and minutes later she was sound asleep.

The night slowly came to reign over the whole place.

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