It took a while for me to finally get my emotions back under control. Using myself as support, I forced the Vulpine's body to a sit. I could still feel the tears down her cheek, the rattling of guilt in her heart.

"I guess I'm doing this again huh?" I forced her mouth to speak, as I stared upon my abyssal self. First time connection was always hardest. I'd learnt cutting off my ocular sense as a scythe helped, meaning the yellow orbs I knew as my eyes were sealed by grey metal. In this state, I could only perceive the world through her senses.

It felt strange, to actually feel again. As a scythe, I could feel things like a pressure hitting me, but there was no texture, no actual feelings that the beings of flesh had. I'll admit to being a small amount happy to have sensation again, but it still was outclassed by my grief.

"So let's see who I am then, I guess..." I again forced her mouth to say in melancholy. Due to absorbing the soul of my host, I also gained access to any abilities that soul contained, as well as memories. Wait... something's not right here...

"My name is... Seraphina...Seraphina who...? Seraphina Evermore...I'm a Vulpine, a Vixen if we go with gender denomination,, but I don't need her memories for that. I am a noble? That seems about right... and there seems to be a lot of pain... but where are most of her memories?! I've only got the basics!" I started to panic out.... before stopping.

I looked down and (while hiding my blush) took a look at the top of her chest through the hole I had made by stabbing her. My mark was there, in all its murky, sandstony yellow, a runic abstract image of an eye, with eyes around it, with lines leading down from the main one and flick out, each eye filled with a blank slit pupil, with no straight lines. I had seen this mark many times before. It was what marked someone as my wielder.

So why couldn't I access her memories. Her soul has definitely been replaced by my "self", the mark being quite enough evidence of that. So I obviously shattered her soul... but failed to absorb it...

Wait... could that mean "SHE'S STILL ALIVE?!" I felt myself say in her voice. Maybe my holding back did some good. Despite her soul being shattered, there is a chance that it can be repaired. I have no idea what would happen to me if that were to happen, but I don't care. If it means I can save her life, then I'd be willing to do anything.

"Let's see what else I know then..." I say before looking through the little I knew. It seems that she has a very minor affinity towards all types of Mortal magic... wait, this isn't in her memories but I swear... in order to survive the amount of Abyssal magic in this room, she'd need to be at the top end of Abyssal affinity. Something to think about later I suppose.

"What else...?" Ah, it seems she is a first year in Veranes, just turning 16 a little time ago. Veranes is a massive academy city, and from what I can understand, seems to be built on top of my sealing ground...sheesh, who could be so idiotic. Wait... an ARCHMAGE is the headmaster?! That's...that's very good! If anyone would be able to fix her soul and find a way to break me, an Archmage would! That's my goal then, get in contact with the Archmage of this school as quickly as possible. I'll save you yet, Seraphina.

I decided to stand up. I started a bit wobbly, using my real self as a support. It was slow and shaky, as despite the body and its mind being used to standing up, I wasn't. I was still getting used to all the sensations that are new to me even despite my past lives. Most notable was the weight on my chest, the lack of anything between my legs, the large bundle of fluff coming out of my tailbone, and the large ears that constantly moved to sound on top of my head, rather than on the side. It was all very strange.

"Abyss:Seal" I muttered after I was happy I was able to stand on my own. My real self suddenly turned to yellow dust and entered the mark on my chest. Suddenly the pupils were filled in, and the mark looked like there was something wriggling imperceptibly underneath it. I had no idea how people here would react to something like me, so it's probably best to hide myself for now. Next I should repair these clothes i ruined. I at least know something of decency. And that's that wrecked clothes are a no go.

"Terras:Repair" I again muttered, and the hole I had created sealed up, leaving no trace, and allowing no one to see my mark underneath it. The last thing will be that her left eye has turned my shade of yellow, meaning that ill need to repress letting my power flow freely. With this all done, other than being a tad messy, it looked like I was just as normal as ever. And when did I start referring to this body as mine? Oh well, it saves me trouble, so I won't force myself not to.

"Wonder how long it'll be before I'm back here. It has been a millennia since I was last outside here. It might've been boring, but you were still home. I guess I'll see you later" I said while waving goodbye to the grove that, at some point down the line, I had come to see as home. I silently (or as silently as moving through plant matter and stone allows one) moved back through the entrance my new host had come, with hope for the future ahead of me.

I had three things I need to do. One, figure out how to save this girl. Two, figure out how to change my nature, or how to destroy me. Three, complete this girl's stolen wish. That should be easy enough...

Argh, who am I kidding. This is going to take a while. Might as well get started now. 

I soon came upon the door to my home, and for the first time in hours, it opened. I guess saying the second time after a millennia is more dramatic, but what can you do. Stepping out to the other side, I instantly started coughing.

"So...dusty"

It seems I had gotten a bit too used to the clean air of my grove for the few hours I could actually taste it. The air out here is much thicker, and probably only less heavy due to my grove being stocked full of hypercondensed Abyssal magic. To me though, this air was heavier, due to the passive resistance to Abyssal magic I have. The room itself was dimly lit, though my Vulpine eyes could see perfectly, filled with small stone shelves that held nothing but pottery and cobwebs, all long abandoned. There was a single entrance, that lead out to a bright lit hallway, the entrance marked with magic, probably some form of perception blocking.

As I stepped out of the hallway, I noticed it was scarcely populated, the red walls probably denoting the area of the building it was a part of. Hopefully it meant 'DANGER!' and our foxy friend here just was a bit silly. I'd hate to think that a magically sealed door and perception blocking was literally the only safeguard they had against me. It would kind of ruin my pride as a highly destructive and dangerous weapon.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Putting aside dangerous thoughts, I decided it would be best to find this 'headmaster' before it gets too late. As a Vulpine, I should be able to stay awake far longer than regular humans or elves and the somesuch, but it comes with the downside of having to sleep it off for longer. Of course, I could be wrong, as my knowledge of the race is purely from an outside view, but naaaaah. It can't be anything else right?

Anyhow, I've been walking for a while now, maybe about ten minutes, and I still haven't found anything of note. The hallway just seems to curve ever onwards. Surely... it can't be... did my host have a terrible sense of direction? If so, that's bad, that's very bad. That means currently, I have a terrible sense of direction... but it seems I can always tell which way is north. That is silly. 

Finally coming across a map on the wall, I find to my relief that I merely need to turn right to get to the outer sections. Upon doing this, the walls turn to a more wooden material, at least on the inside with long Windows lining it every so often. Around here, there was a plenty amount of people, and this made me nervous. So far however, none of them seemed to have noticed anything off about me, and I just blended in seamlessly into the crowd.

I continued walking and was able to pick up on several conversations. Probably due to these large Fox ears of mine. There were many conversations about. Like who's the strongest, the newest make-up, some sort of summoned hero, some form of new abyss being found, having people help with homework. None of these things particularly seemed important, so I continued on. I could see the doors that lead to stairs in my sight, so I soon knew I would be at my destination.

"Well, if it isn't little miss trash" came a burly voice from behind, as a large gloved hand grabbed my shoulder. I couldn't help but feel incredibly creeper out. "Did you think you could just disappear all night and get away with it, little crybaby?" Wait night?! Looking out the window, I did indeed see it was morning. I swear it was the evening when she grabbed me... then I was wallowing in self-pity for that long!? Sheepish, I need to get myself together.

"What? Too scared to say anything? I would be too if I were you. After all, the weak has to fear the strong." I hear him whisper next to where my ear would be as a human. HA! Fear you? You can't even tell my ears on top of my head, and to top it all off, I contain more magic in one square centimetre of my blade than you do in your entire body! I guess this guy is a source of Seraphina's pain. That means I'll have to deal with him eventually. But right now, I've got something more important to do.

"SPEAK TERRASDAMMIT! I'M TALKING TO YOU!" He roared when he realized I hadn't replied. Oh yeah. You're meant to do that in conversations between flesh. Make noise.

"I'm sorry, but I've got more important things to do than deal with people too engrossed in their own delusions of grandeur." Is all I say, and his face starts steaming. I should probably eject before he gets violent.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY YOU MANGY MUTT! I'LL KILL YOU!" He shouts, foregoing holding me for pointing at me. "I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL, RIGHT HERE RIGH-"

"No thanks" I merely say as I start walking away. This just seems to break him, as he just stands there, trying to catch flies, as if he hasn't realized what has happened. I can't help but giggle to myself, and some strange sense of elation comes from seeing him like this. I then swiftly start ascending the stairs, floor by floor, so that he won't follow in case he somehow fixes himself. All the shocked looks on the people's faces were priceless.

 I quickly ascend the stairs in order to reach the top floor.  On the top floor, I just notice the room looks like a large plate. It was designed with red and ornate gold. In the centre was a lone spiral staircase. With nothing much else to look at in this room I quickly ascended the spiral staircase, which lead to a lone wooden door. This out of place door was locked shut, and had many powerful enchantments on it. I see no way I'm going to particularly get away with breaking down this door, no matter if I can do it or not. Which means i have to do that thing that flesh beings do. What was it called again? Ah yes, knocking.

"Come on in!" Came quite the young sounding voice from the other side, before I even managed to start knocking. I, of course, obliged, opening the door to find it unlocked. As I stepped through the unassuming portal, I expected to be greeted by an old man with a long grey beard, and some young servant. I did not expect to see a young man with a grey beard with an old man as a servant. It kind of threw me off.

I took in the dark room. It was circular, in the fact that it wrapped around the column in the middle. The walls were made of stone brick, and the floor was carpeted. There were tables littered with tools and equipment, and stacks of messy paper with varying amount of dust on them. The room was filled with strange alchemical steam and sounds, and my nose felt irritated, and I could feel my ears flop down onto my head, so that nothing would get inside. Just the thought of that made me feel weird. Eewwwwww.

"Seraphina, isn't it? What brings you here?" The young man inquired, while somehow switching on the lights. This caused me to have to shut my eyes, as my now quilted light sensitive eyes adjusted. "No. That's not quite right is it? I should say be saying Vala, The Wishstealer of the Abyss."

I was instantly on alert when he said this, and I could literally feel his smug grin. He turned to me, his amber eyes pointing in the now lit up room, his silver hair slicked back. His beard had no length, though I knew this, and his face was the very definition of 'so I'm correct'. 

"How do you know?" Was all I was able to mutter out in a moment of brilliance. I was met with an increase of intensity from the smirk.

"The fact that this place was built around you is knowledge that has been passed down between headmasters since the inception of this academy. You could say it is this academy's greatest secret. I saw Seraphina enter through there when she tripped the alarm spells. She came out again, and acted strangely. Hence I could only assume it was you..." he let every word hang on the air.

I was trapped, and he knew it. There was no way out, and I had no idea of his capabilities. Fighting him her would be stupid. I'll have to find some way to distract him and th-

"So what can I help you with?" He said sitting down, his tone now taking one of cheerful countenance. If I was drinking I was sure I'd do a spit-take. I managed to catch myself however.

"*ahem*, I have reason to believe the Seraphina girl is alive" I say, putting on as much of a holier than thou act as possible, trying to gain some control of the situation.

"Ah so you are keeping her hostage then?" Was all he said, and I instantly broke my act.

"Wha-no-what? NEVER!" Was what came out of my mouth in the next second. I could see the amusement clear on his face. I seem to still lack control over the emotions I gained by controlling flesh beings over the years, and this body certainly isn't making it any easier. Yes, let's blame that, and not my incompetence. "I merely want to request your help in saving her, her soul has been shattered, and i care not what happens to me, as long as she is returned to herself."

He seemed to ponder his actions for a while. "A spell to heal a soul shattered by the Abyss? Such a thing does not exist. You are basically requesting I make a new spell out of nothing? I can try, yes, but you need to do something for me as well." He suddenly gave me a stern serious look.

"And what would that be?" I asked, suddenly feeling great unease.

"You will continue Seraphina's life here at the school, and you will help the summoned hero." Was all he said. "I'm sure it will help with the wish you've stolen."

How much did this guy know? It was starting to severely creep me out.

"I can understand the first one, but why would you want me to help a summoned hero? Why is there even a summoned hero?" We're the thoughts I voiced. He wiped a speck of dust off his red robe before continuing.

"The Abyss has been acting as if being controlled. The attacks are growing more precise, and Voids seem to be evolving at a rapid rate. This can only mean one thing. An Abyss King has been bought into existence"

And just like that...

...I felt the weight of the world.