Chapter Twenty-One
The Difference Between Brothers
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“Where is SHE?!” Kurai roared, his face burning a furious red. His voice thundered through the empty hallway, causing anyone within earshot to freeze.
“She is safe,” a calm individual approached the seething Kurai with a patient, understanding demeanor. His gentle and reassuring tone aimed to calm the raging storm.
“Yushin, why did you even show up here...?” The sorcerer with shaggy gray-white hair sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
“This was a stupid idea. I should never have trusted you. ‘Oh, I’m a Spirit Walker, he’ll trust me!’” Kurai spat, getting in the Spirit Walker’s face, fury blazing in his eyes. “Why did you not bring her back with you?!”
“I’d really recommend leaving,” Enoxon called out to Yushin.
“Let me out of this stupid bubble, Enoxon!!” Kurai snarled, his voice laced with venom. His usual amber eyes were now blood-red with anger, not a single color in them. The demon could feel the heat building inside him. He lifted his hands and whispered an incantation, feeling the power of the spell surge through his veins. “I should tear you apart right now for your stupidity,” He threatened.
Yushin remained unfazed, his calm demeanor contrasting to Kurai’s explosive rage. “I understand your anger, Kurai. But you must trust that this was necessary for her growth,” he said evenly, maintaining eye contact with the furious nogitsune.
Kurai's eyes narrowed, his body trembling with the effort to restrain himself. “Necessary? Necessary to abandon her in a world she knows nothing about? To leave her vulnerable and alone?” His voice cracked with a mixture of fury and desperation. “You’ve put her in unimaginable danger! I am going to murder you as soon as I get out of this!”
Enoxon’s eyes began to glow blue as he desperately tried to tighten the seal around the fire. Without oxygen, Kurai couldn’t produce magic. Enoxon knew how powerful Kurai was, especially with his five tails. He poured more energy into the spell encasing the fox demon. Still, with a resounding crack, the spell shattered and dissipated.
The fire engulfed the surrounding spell shield and blazed more fiercely as oxygen fed the flames. Kurai seemed to have control over his fire—mostly. However, random fire spits bounced off him onto the surrounding furniture, setting the household ablaze. Enoxon was stunned by Kurai’s sheer power. The intense heat radiated waves that made the air ripple like a mirage. It was a mesmerizing yet dangerous sight. He knew he had to act, but what could he do? Without a doubt, Kurai would win any direct confrontation.
“I will burn you to the ground until you are nothing but ash, Yushin,” Kurai spoke darkly. His flames grew more prominent and soon reached the sides of the house, embracing the living room couch. “Mark my words.” The air crackled with magic from the fox. Fiery energy bolts flew from Kurai, illuminating the darkened home with flashes of brilliant light.
A wicked smirk appeared on Yushin’s face as he matched the Nogitsune’s volume. “And why could you care so much about a human anyway?”
Kurai paused, staring wickedly at him.
“She’s just a human, remember? You wanted nothing to do with her, her life, or anything. You knew what this contract was - you let her whole world burn while your tribe burns, too.”
“That’s enough, Yushin!” Enoxon snapped at him, giving him a cold glare. “Why are you doing this?”
Yushin glanced at his friend before turning away, focusing on the man who was embraced and surrounded by fire a few feet before him. “You let everything else around you burn; why not let her burn?”
Kurai's anger flared as he was pushed to his limit. Without even saying anything, fire erupted around him with renewed intensity. The flames roared to life, fueled by his rage, and the entire room seemed to shudder under the onslaught.
Kurai’s eyes burned with fury as he took a menacing step forward. “You know nothing, Yushin. Do you think you can provoke me? Do you think you can manipulate me? I will protect her, no matter what it costs me.”
The heat became almost unbearable, and the air hummed with raw magical energy. Kurai’s flames lashed out, scorching everything in their path. The furniture was reduced to ashes, and the walls began to blacken and crumble.
Enoxon, feeling the intense heat and seeing the escalating destruction, knew they were running out of time. “Kurai, stop!” he shouted, trying to break through the inferno of emotions. “This isn’t helping her!”
“She’s safe, Kurai. You’re absolutely going overboard with this for little to no reason. I know exactly where she is and who she’s with,” Yushin sighed, putting his hands behind his head. He was still not intimidated, even though the house was probably burning.
“Kurai, you must stop this before the house burns down!” Enoxon snapped at him.
“And what about you? Are you useless as a Sorcerer? You should’ve found her by now, out of all the damned demons in this underworld. Do you think you’re just ‘the most powerful sorcerer?’ Please. You can’t even find a human. 100 years, and you’re still as stupid as you were when you had your black magic.”
Enoxon’s eye twitched, and he felt stunned when he said that. That memory was not one he wanted to bring up. “Watch who you’re talking to, Nogitsune,” he said, anger beginning to taint his voice.
“There is nothing wrong with Snow. She’s with the Celestials-”
“THE CELESTIALS?!” Kurai hollered.
Yushin took a step back, finding breathing in the household more challenging.
Smoke began filling the home, making breathing hard, but that didn’t stop Kurai from flying angrily off the handle. He was utterly consumed by rage, not even realizing that he was burning the house down. Anger had utterly overtaken the Nogitsune, releasing the darkness within him.
“I told you not to let her go with him. He’s the traitor, and you know it!” Kurai howled, fiery claws extending from his hands.
“Then why didn’t you stop her?” Enoxon challenged, standing up to him with narrowed eyes, readying himself for a battle that would not end pleasantly. Enoxon’s blue magical energy surrounded his body, protecting against the flames consuming the house. “I am just as angry as you, Kurai, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to burn our house down.”
“I will burn this underworld to the ground for her. You should be doing the same!” Kurai snapped. He hurled fire bolts at the wizard, each more powerful than the last, until the ground of the house shook, and the air was filled with the deafening roar of their magic and smoke.
The sorcerer understood how much Kurai cared about the human girl, especially after discovering their pasts were linked and knowing that he was her guardian. There was no calming Kurai now—not even slightly. Enoxon could keep his cool far better than the burning fire fox-demon, aware of the kind of magic that could be unleashed if he overstepped the boundaries he had placed for himself.
“Kurai, please,” Enoxon murmured, “take a step back and look at what is happening to you. Snow wouldn’t want you to react like this.” The sorcerer tried his hardest to distract the demon, who was extremely angry and unrecognizable. His entire posture had changed, and all five of his tails had appeared instead of the one that usually lingered. Studying those angry eyes, he could see a chakra symbol in them—full of rage. This was the demon’s proper form, not the graceful fox he usually appeared as.
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing she’s not here to see me kill her precious little Spirit Walker, isn’t it?!” Kurai’s voice boomed in the house. The house had gone up in flames; everything was burning now.
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing she’s not here to see me kill her precious little Spirit Walker, isn’t it?!” Kurai’s voice boomed in the house. The house had gone up in flames; everything was burning now.
“You’re going to leave me with no choice, Kurai,” the sorcerer sighed and held out his hand. A black sphere appeared, and from it emerged a long staff. The black wooden staff, genuinely magical, had a stunning blue gem at its top, glimmering in the light, similar to the gem hanging around Enoxon’s neck. The sleek and smooth wood was seemingly crafted to fit perfectly into his hand. “Kurai, I do not wish to use this type of magic,” Enoxon warned.
“Your magic is useless against mine,” Kurai snarled.
“Can we just leave? Like, get him and us out of here,” Yushin hollered, his calm demeanor finally shaken by the amount of smoke.
Immediately, Kurai turned all his attention back to the Spirit Walker, who observed him and was ready to react to any magical threat. The demon had already wholly engulfed the house in flames—it was time to leave.
Enoxon shook his head in disappointment and sighed, “Alright then, this was your choice, Kurai.” With a simple incantation on his lips, he closed his eyes and focused all his energy on their destination. The sorcerer pictured the dark and foreboding structure of the underworld castle, its walls made of black obsidian and its towers reaching towards the sky like jagged teeth. Suddenly, he felt a rush of wind and a tug at his very being. When he opened his eyes again, he found the three inside Lord Mundus’s Castle, right in the throne room.
The three stood in the middle of the throne room in front of Mundus and Astaroth, frozen entirely in confusion.
“What is the meaning of this disruption, Enoxon?!” Lord Mundus hollered.
“This belongs to you,” Enoxon said, bowing in respect to the lord. “Please contain him while Yushin and I tend to the destruction of the house. Thank you.”
A chuckle of anger escaped Kurai as he turned immediately toward Yushin and Enoxon, his eyes still dark and blazing with rage. A wicked smile on his face appeared as his proper demon side was released. “This is just like you, you pathetic piece of shit,” His voice hissed to the sorcerer a few feet away from him. His ears were no longer ears on his head; they had turned into sharp horns, and his body demeanor seemed to have shifted entirely. The nogitsune was in full mode of uncontrollable anger.
“What? Did you drop Nova off with Mundus too? So he could contain her?!”
Enoxon’s fist clenched as he heard the name that brought back painful memories. Nova was his everything.
“Oh, did I strike a nerve? Are you going to fight me now?” Kurai laughed mockingly.
“You’re still the same demon that burned the village down,” Enoxon hissed, giving Kurai the coldest glare.
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Astaroth, standing near Mundus on the throne, watched the confrontation unfold. The second-in-command was confused but kept his eyes focused on the Spirit Walker beside Enoxon. A curious thought crossed his mind as he stared through Kurai’s flames and made eye contact with Yushin.
Where is she?
Safe with Mati.
Astaroth gave a quick nod and then turned his attention back to Mundus. “This is your fight, my Lord.”
Enoxon took a step back, gave the Lord and Astaroth a sad smile, and then grabbed Yushin, disappearing into a flash of light.
“Bastards,” Lord Mundus sighed, rolling his eyes. His cold blue gaze fell on Kurai, his so-called ‘brother,’ currently engulfed in rage and fire, lighting up the dark, ominous black walls. As Mundus stood up, the air around him seemed to chill instantly, frost forming on the throne and creeping along the floor. He raised his hand slowly, and with a snap of his fingers, an icy wind swirled through the room.
The flames enveloping Kurai flickered and died out as if snuffed by an invisible force. Suddenly, crystalline chains of ice materialized from the ground, slithering up like serpents and coiling around Kurai's wrists and ankles. The ice sparkled with an otherworldly glow, each chain link emitting a cold mist. The chains tightened, forcing Kurai to his knees.
Kurai’s eyes were locked on Lord Mundus, glaring with disgust and anger, but the icy chains held him immobile. His breath came out in visible puffs, the temperature around him plummeting. The chamber's dark, ominous black walls seemed to absorb the cold, making the room feel like a frozen abyss.
“Kurai,” Lord Mundus spoke emotionlessly as he approached his brother, who was now shackled by chains of ice. “Why are you so angry?”
Sitting beside Lord Mundus, Astaroth gazed down at the nogitsune, eyeing him over. “I’m assuming it’s due to Snow’s disappearance,” he stated. Though Astaroth knew what was happening, he didn’t know the specifics, so he trusted Yushin’s judgment.
“Snow disappeared?” Lord Mundus questioned his duke.
Astaroth nodded to Lord Mundus, his purple stare shadowing over with resentment.
“Your power is truly incredible, Astaroth. Thank you,” Lord Mundus replied. He crouched down to his brother, gripping the chain around the Nogitsune’s neck, finally realizing his eyes were returning to normal.
With his gaze finally returning to normal, no longer holding any hatred, Kurai dropped his head and breathed heavily as he felt the cold seep into his bones. “M-Mundus,” he murmured, feeling a twist of guilt unsettling.
“Astaroth, I see that you helped to ensure the fire was contained. We don’t need to start anything or raise the suspicion of the rest of the Underworld now, do we? Also, bring Yushin back when you are finished,” Lord Mundus dismissed his duke and turned his full attention to his brother.
Astaroth bowed his head in respect and put his hands together for his simple teleportation spell, disappearing with a flash of white.
This left Lord Mundus and Kurai alone.
“To be brought into my castle while completely engulfed in your anger and to worry everyone that you know so dearly,” Lord Mundus began, standing back up and releasing his brother's chin. The Lord’s heart sank as he looked upon his brother. He had always held high hopes for him, but now he was confused. His brother had let him down and had failed to meet his expectations. Why was he so close to the human girl? What was so special about her, and why was he not understanding it? It was a bitter pill to swallow, but the Lord knew he had no choice but to accept it. He could see the disappointment in his brother's eyes, too, and it pained him to see that she had caused it.
Kurai gazed back up at his brother, now entirely calm and feeling fearful rather than angry. He wasn’t afraid of what the Lord could do to him physically but of the decisions he could make—the ones that could shatter everything around him.
Lord Mundus was Kurai’s adoptive brother, who had taken him in and treated him like family when no one else would. Despite his deep-seated resentment, Kurai knew that Mundus was the only one who truly understood what he was going through. They had trained together, shared struggles, and formed a bond, albeit a complicated one.
Kurai resented his brother, even if they weren’t related by blood. This demon lord's choices could destroy everything for Kurai. He promised to keep Snow safe; only Lord Mundus knew its story.
Lord Mundus knew exactly who this girl was, her story, and why she was here. “Your bond with Snow is surreal—a pact forced between a Guardian and a Human. Correct?” he questioned.
“What’s your point?” Kurai heaved between breaths, staring at his brother.
“Have you failed to protect her?” Lord Mundus asked, his tone unwavering.
Quickly, Kurai objected, his eyes turning icy. “She’s not injured. She’s just gone.”
“The pact that was created between you and the human. That’s her, isn’t it? That’s why you’re desperate to keep her safe, brother?” Lord Mundus demanded, his voice hardening. “Have you failed your tribe once more?”
Kurai’s breath increased as the thought of failing everything once more hit him.
The bond was not broken; Kurai could still feel her presence but couldn’t track or find her. The fact that the portals had been activated again when she was with the Spirit Walker made him worry about what Lord Mundus could want with her. Would he dare lock up Snow, the daughter of the Rumaki Sorcerers, just like the chains he had once been in? Kurai was conflicted. His main fear was seeing Snow imprisoned—it would go against his promise to the Rumakis.
“Oh, don’t worry. I could never harm the daughter of the Rumakis,” Lord Mundus stated. However, the power she holds within her and her ability to activate portals put us in a tight bond.” The Lord let out a gentle sigh and turned away from his brother, his long, ice-white hair flowing behind him as he approached his throne again.
“Who cares if she can activate the portals? That doesn’t mean anything,” Kurai dared argue.
“I care, of course. The demon that’s hunting your little Snow cares.”
Kurai’s eyes grew wide as he looked up at him. “How did you…?”
“I’m not stupid, nor am I blind. I am the Demon King, Brother. I have eyes and ears everywhere. But this demon, the one who has her marked, the one who has destroyed your home and your entire tribe—kept us in this tight bond. The demon who—”
“Shut up!” Kurai bellowed in defeat, his head dropping again to stare at the chains he was bound in.
“Feisty little fox, aren’t we? The day the Celestials found out about the demon who had the power to destroy an entire tribe of Kitsune Gods and some of the most powerful sorcerers in the Underworld was when we were forced into a snowbound,” Lord Mundus explained. “For all we know, Lord Zonoth and Lady Serelia’s lives were taken by the same demon.”
“They were weak,” Mundus continued, his voice filled with disdain. “They couldn’t protect themselves, let alone their people. Their deaths were inevitable.”
Kurai’s head snapped up, his eyes somewhat saddened. “Don’t you dare speak of them that way! They were not weak! They fought with everything they had to protect us, to protect this realm!”
Mundus scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. “Protect us? They failed, Kurai. Their failure led to the destruction of your tribe and of countless others. They were supposed to be our leaders and protectors and couldn’t save themselves. Why do you think my brothers chose me to be their rulers?”
“They didn’t choose anything!” Kurai snarled.
“You know nothing of the truth, do you?” Lord Mundus scoffed. You really are weak; those. Those five tails seem to mean nothing. Perhaps I should take one?”
Kurai's eyes widened in shock and defiance. “You wouldn’t dare,” he muttered, his voice trembling slightly.
“Oh, but I would,” Mundus replied, his voice dripping with menace. “You see, Kurai, power is not just about strength but control. Something you’ve clearly never understood. Sure, they may not have been fit to rule, but that doesn’t mean they should’ve been murdered,” Mundus stood back up on his throne and approached Kurai, examining his long black demon nails. With a swift motion, Mundus extended his hand, and an icy blade formed within his grasp. The sight of it sent a shiver down Kurai’s spine. “You think your defiance makes you strong, but it only makes you a liability.”
“They were betrayed,” Kurai stated, the fox ears on his head flattening ever so slightly. They raised us, Mundus. They took care of the entire Underworld, rightfully so. You have no right to insult their sacrifice.”
Mundus’s eyes narrowed, his expression icy. “Sacrifice? Is that what you call it? They were outmatched, outsmarted. They would have found a way to overcome if they truly deserved their titles. But they didn’t.”
Kurai struggled against his chains, his voice rising with emotion. “They were more than their titles! They were our family, our leaders. They gave everything to keep us safe. You weren’t there, Mundus. You didn’t see the battle, the devastation. You don’t understand what they went through.”
“Tch. You are weak; that human has brought you to your hands and knees to chase her. Pathetic,” Mundus gave him a cold glare before grabbing the chain that linked around the Nogitsune’s neck, the only thing that kept him from his fire raging and engulfing the castle. He forced his brother to look at him. “You bring her back here, Brother. She’s apparently important enough to you and the Spirit Walkers,” He hissed at him. “Perhaps I could take her in under my own contract,” He grinned wickedly at his brother.
Kurai’s eyes flared with a mixture of fear and fury. “You wouldn’t dare,” he growled, his voice laced with defiance and desperation.
“Oh, but I would,” Mundus replied, his grin widening. “You see, Kurai, power is not just about strength but control. Something you clearly lack. That human girl, she’s a tool—a means to an end. And if she’s important to you, then she can be used to bring you to heel.”
Kurai’s heart pounded in his chest. He knew what Mundus could do, and the thought of Snow being under his brother’s control was unbearable. “She’s not a tool, Mundus. She’s a person with her own will and strength. You have no right to use her like that.”
Mundus’s grip tightened on the chain, forcing Kurai to wince. “Rights? You speak of rights to me? You forget your place, Brother. In this world, power dictates rights. And I have the power. If you want to keep her safe, you will do as I say. She’s a human.”
Kurai’s mind raced, torn between his desire to protect Snow and his refusal to bend to Mundus’s will. He knew that giving in would only mean further manipulation and control, but resisting seemed equally perilous. “I will never let you touch her,” he spat, his voice filled with determination.
Mundus’s eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. “You seem to be under the illusion that you have a choice. You don’t. Bring her to me, or I will find her myself. And when I do, I will ensure she understands the consequences of aligning with you. Now, get out of my sight.” Lord Mundus commanded his brother. Not even a flicker or snap, the ice chains were released from the fox demon, and immediately, he was teleported out of the castle and back home.
Kurai sat there, hands dropped on his folded knees. He stared at the white ground, wondering what could have happened to Snow. Where did she go after she teleported to the human world? He had yet to get the full story from Yushin. However, he was afraid if he spoke to Yushin, he’d go into fiery oblivion again, destroying more than just a simple home.
The young Nogitsune barely raised his head at the ashes of the fire he could not control. He felt weak from the ice that twisted into his body, freezing his internal instinct for fire and cooling his body down to nearly below freezing. He was cold, and that fire would take some time to spark again.
Kurai clenched his fists, his breath visible in the icy air. He knew he couldn’t stay like this. Snow was out there, possibly in danger, and he needed to find her. But first, he had to regain his strength.
Summoning his little energy, Kurai slowly rose to his feet. Each movement was a struggle, the cold sapping his strength and will. He stumbled to a nearby tree, leaning against it for support. His mind raced with thoughts of Snow, Yushin, and the ever-looming threat of Mundus.
He closed his eyes, focusing on the remnants of warmth deep within him. He had to reignite his inner fire, not just for himself, but for those he cared about. He took a deep breath, concentrating on the memories of warmth and light, trying to draw them to the surface. He entered the half-destroyed home, where he was teleported in front.
“You’re back, Kurai!” Enoxon’s cheerful voice sounded from off to the side of the crisped house. “Welcome home! Well, it’s not home anymore—but Astaroth has invited us to stay within the castle until we find a new place.”
Kurai completely ignored the Sorcerer, his gaze flickering over to the Spirit Walker, who was putting out one of the last few flames as best he could. It was stunning to see that he hadn’t been bombarded and tackled by Astaroth, as the Duke was very anxious to meet him and have a conversation with him. Then again, he knew Astaroth would obey Lord Mundus's demands out of respect. The fox demon shuffled to his shaky, frozen-feeling legs. He stumbled over to the Spirit Walker, desperate to find Snow.
Yushin’s turquoise eyes fell on the stumbling fox-demon, watching him as he approached. “I will explain what I can if you allow me to, Kurai,” he muttered to him.
Astaroth stepped towards the Spirit Walker, clearly fascinated—as if he’d never seen it before. “Spirit Walker Yushin, Lord Mundus has requested to see you,” he explained.
Yushin declined almost immediately, “The Crimson Prince will have to wait. We have bigger problems, Astaroth. You can take the story back to him.”
“I do not think that making Lord—”
“Astaroth,” Yushin interrupted, his voice firm but calm. I understand your loyalty to Lord Mundus, but right now, Kurai needs answers. And so do I. If Mundus truly wants to resolve this situation, he will understand the necessity of this conversation. You are one of the Seven, Astaroth. Stop acting like you’re dust,” Yushin sighed to him.
Astaroth hesitated as he heard Yushin state that. "I think you are mistaken," He told him.
"No, I'm not," Yushin sighed, pinching his nose. I'm a Spirit Walker. I know a lot about the Underworld and the Celestial World," he replied in an obvious statement. I see a lot more than you think I do. I may have been gone for so long, but I've learned a lot."
Astaroth was clearly torn between his duty and the moment's urgency. Finally, he nodded. “Very well, but do not keep him waiting for long. You know how he can be.”
Kurai’s body, still frozen from Mundus’s strength, barely made it to the three. “... I’ve already discussed means of finding Snow with Mundus,” Kurai retorted, glaring toward Astaroth. “Yushin is right; we have other priorities,” he told him.
Completely taken aback by Kurai’s comment, Yushin blinked at him and stood still. “Y-yeah! We do!” He said, feeling somewhat nervous.
“Let’s discuss our plan while we enjoy a nice drink at the Wet Rose!” Enoxon chirped. That way, no one can start a fight or fire. Do you wish to join us, Astaroth?”
The duke sighed in defeat. He glanced over to Yushin, who offered a friendly smile. As much as he respected Lord Mundus, he’d been off lately. “Fine... just so I can return my answers to Lord Mundus,” he replied.
“GREAT!” Enoxon howled as he grouped everyone and brought them to the Wet Rose.