Mikangleo
He did it. We did it. Against all odds, we outlasted the vampire's relentless hunger and survived to tell the tale. The air shimmered with a metallic tang as blood-soaked earth drank in the emerald flames, painting the ground with unnatural life. My muscles locked at the sight. This day had twisted far from what I imagined.
I left home bracing for the usual ridicule from my Project Anvil peers, their sneers echoing in my mind. But if they learned I'd faced a vampire and lived, their eyes would never look at me the same. Vampires are the apex of demonic terror, so when Marktavious, the fox beastkin, stood his ground, I was certain he'd chosen death.
The man we fought prior was dangerous, and we had to escape to save ourselves. I had hoped we would follow a similar tactic, but we didn't. Either out of pride or stubbornness, Marktavious continued the fight. He went head-to-head with a vampire, a foolish endeavour, and now he lay collapsed next to him on the grass. My heart quickened at his ridged features.
"I am a Kitsune."
His words echoed in my mind as I replayed the day's chaos. Marktavious's strength was otherworldly, eclipsing any fox beastkin I'd ever met. His arrogance, I realized, was earned. Still, his claim to be a Kitsune unsettled me. Vampires are infamous for their cruelty, but Kitsunes are whispered about as something even darker.
They are arrogant and peculant. Rebels to the one true god Cyto, and his fated enemies, so why did he choose to save me? Why did he offer me his hand in partnership? Was this a ploy to earn my loyalty and deceive me, as his people are known to do?
Something within my chest told me that this wasn't correct. Despite the opportunities to escape, he had laid his life on the line and protected me, a person whom he had barely met. In normal circumstances, I would never ventured deep within this cursed domain, unless I had a death wish, but something about him changed him.
Was it his confidence and brazen behavior, or was it something more magical in nature?
I couldn't wrap my head around it, but my heart told me to follow him despite my better judgment. I scrambled to my feet, causing pain to shoot across my lower back. It seems I sustained injuries from the backlash of their magic clashing. I had witnessed the magical display of several powerful mages during my time on the road.
I have partied with a few in Project Anvil, but I've never seen or sensed such immense magical power as I did today. Just thinking about it brings a chill to my spine, and my fight or flight instincts whirl into gear. '
'Demonic beings really are worthy of fear...'
I reached for my dagger, half-buried in the grass. The moment my fingers brushed the hilt, green flames flickered to life around it. I jerked my hand back, wincing as pain shot through my back.
'What in the world is this power?'
At one point, the kitsune had claimed he was a novice when it came to utilizing magic. However, I believe that there is more beneath that surface. Everything I have witnessed contradicts every word he has spoken, yet a part of me still believes him. If he had such powerful magic, then why didn't he utilize it against our previous assailants?
My resolve hardened as I committed to picking up the dagger, and found that no harm came to me. The green flames spread slowly, revitalizing the grass that the vampire's dark magic had rotted only a few minutes ago. I stood, and curiosity had gotten the better of me. I glanced around and realized more patches of those green flames had sprouted to life.
There was no heat from the fire, which I found peculiar. Fire is used to destroy that much is well known. Magical fire burns with more efficiency than regular fire, so I had no idea how Marktavious's fire was revitalizing the environment.
'Is he touched by a nature deity? He spoke earlier about serving someone known as the All-Mighty. Is that being capable of incredible magical feats like Gohenta or Izjun? If he is a kitsune, then it is possible that he is far older than he appears.'
I moved to stand over Marktavious and noticed that his face twitched with discomfort. His hand clenched his chest, and his tail weakly flicked underneath him. His wounds were mending, but there was no sign he would be waking up soon. Crouching down, I placed my fingers to his nose and found that he was still breathing.
'Good. He needs another one of my potions.'
I rummaged through my coat, hoping at least one potion vial had survived the chaos. The glass was magically reinforced, but even that has its limits. Every vial was shattered, their contents sticky in my pockets. I sighed. There was only one choice left: get Marktavious to the noblewoman.
She could heal, and with the danger gone, we needed him awake. Summoning what little strength I had left, I tried to haul Marktavious upright. He was heavier than he looked, and every muscle in my body protested as I struggled to get him onto my back.
"You owe me for this, so you will answer my questions once we get out of here," I told him, but he was too busy being unconscious to respond.
It was a struggle carrying him, but I learned something through our trek back toward the Kick-Rat village. The sheer catalystimc dark magic of the vampire was being undone right before my eyes. I could sense that the lingering traces of the foul miasma were not merely fading away. It was being converted back to mana, and I wasn't ignorant enough not to realize what was going on.
Marktavious's presence was casting this effect on the forest. Just by existing, his mana appeared to be covering the miasma as he travelled through it. Patches of grass devoured the sickly, blandled brushes, and the color of the trees was returning. I even spotted fruit being born on the branches of some of the healthier trees.
'This has to be the work of a nature god or goddess, but from what pantheon would bless a demonic being?'
That would be one of the questions I'll demand answers for. I brought us out of the forest and found myself overlooking the Kick-Rat village from the hillside. What awaited me was destruction far beyond what I expected. Mangled roots jutted from the ground like twisted spires, and holes of dirt were carved from the earth. A combination of magic and nature leveled a section of the plains. It was likely the doing of Marktavious, since I'm aware he was capable of casting such magic, but I was unaware of the event.
There is a hole in my memory that bothers me, but it was likely the doing of that vampire. Being around such demonic beings was rumored to mess with your mind and shred your memories. I was like that briefly, until I came to. It wasn't easy coming to grips with reality after I regained consciousness, but I did realize the situation we were in and acted. All I can do now is hope that my efforts finally earn me the respect I deserve.
'What am I thinking about? I don't need his respect, nor do I need a noble's respect. What's gotten into me?!'
"The time of running away is over, as the mistress of opportunity has come to your door. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and the defining event in your life. You want to prove that you aren't a coward? You want to prove that you aren't a fool? Then your decision should be obvious. Join us, lend Claire your strength, and explore your potential! The yellow brick road is right here, and you'll find me on it if you have the courage."
'I am no coward! I never was nor will I ever be! You see that, don't you? I hope you do. I saved your life, whether you have the courage or decency to acknowledge it or not. I will show you and them that I am not a fool.'
Opportunities are only given to those who exist at the pinnacle of society—those who are blessed by the divine and granted skills from their poxiomity to their parents. Nobles and heroes are given opportunities. People like me have to fight tooth and nail for every scrap of respect tossed our way.
'I know that to be true, so why does a part of me latch onto your words, Marktavious?! All men aren't created equal in this world of ours. Laws decreed by our great savior, Cyto, state that your kind are among the intolerable. Kitsunes and their ilk should be beaten and put in their place. They are a great evil, who deceive and reach for power that doesn't belong to them. I should plunge my dagger into your chest and rid this world of you as my savior decrees. But-'
As I glance over my shoulder at the resting Kitsune, I feel something I haven't felt in a while: hope. His words and actions have shown me that maybe there is more about his kin than I realize. Faced with being at the bottom of society, Marktavious dares to look upward and strive for more. He dares to be arrogant and act with confidence befitting a noble. You would think he was a noble himself, but I don't invoke that same disgust that I have from actual nobles.
He is different, and despite his current strength, he desires more. He does not wish to be helpless in this world; instead, he wishes for my strength to accomplish his goals. I needed his conviction, but the words of the past will not remain silent.
"Sorry, Kid, but you're not good enough to be with us."
"It's dangerous around here nowadays. We can't have a mage with no offensive capabilities running in our parties. You'll be a liability."
"Some people aren't built to be adventurers. What kind of a fool calls himself a mage, but can't use magic? Are you a new type of idiot?"
"You're useless, but we could use a meat shield. You don't seem like the type to have anyone looking for you."
My lips began to split, and the taste of blood made me realize that I was biting them. Rage boiled within me, and I wanted to curse the world. However, I didn't. I collected the blood in my mouth and spat it aside. I will not think about this too much in the future. Bracing myself for the pain, I slowly slid down the face of the hill with Marktavious on my back. My goal remained the same, no matter the inner turmoil that cursed me.
We made it to the bottom without falling over, but I had to readjust the heavier man on my back. His weight and height made it more difficult than I would have liked, but there was no point in complaining. My gut told me he would have done so for me. Crossing the distance, I made my way to the location where I had left the Kick-Rats and the noblewoman, and found them all there.
The trio was residing under the shade of a structure made entirely of twisted roots. I, too, was underneath it when I woke up, which told me everything I needed to know about the man I carried on my back. '
'Perhaps... there is good even within the most delusional of demonic beings...'
This brings me to a single question that I must ask myself. Is there any validity to those claims?
They each had likely seen better days, but each jumped to their feet upon seeing us. Well, to be accurate, the hairless Kick-Rat with telepathic magic was the first to do so. The other Kick-Rat was weaker, but he sat up with a concerned gleam in his eyes. Lying between the two of them was Claire, the Angea noblewoman.
I despised her ilk, but for some reason, Marktavious saw beyond her crooked family. He trusts a noble, which likely will be a decision he regrets. Just as I made it to join them, the hairless female shared that feature before her voice invaded my mind.
"You're back?! No...The Great Fox! Is he okay?"
The first time her voice echoed in my mind, I nearly jumped out of my skin. I'd heard of mages with such power, but never imagined a cave-dwelling monster could do it. Stranger still, she spoke my language. But after today's madness—a Kitsune, a noblewoman, and now this—nothing seemed impossible anymore.
"He is," I responded before lowering him next to his partner.
The Kick-Rat, Scurra, as she told me, waddled over to Marktavious and pressed her paws against his chest. She began checking out his injuries and started sniffing him. My legs gave out underneath me, and she turned her head to look at me. I sat next to the creature as she checked on Marktavious as if she were an experienced healer.
'Concern from a monster... I would have never imagined I'd see the day.'
"Do you know much about the Great Fox?" Scurra asked, refocusing on the kitsune.
"I know little about him beyond what he has told me. We have recently met. Considering you refer to him as 'The Great Fox,' I understand you know of him."
Scurra nodded her head in acknowledgment, "My lady has informed me of his arrival today."
Her words made my eyes widen. I studied the Kick-Rat's face for any hint of a lie, but found only sincerity. She was either honest or utterly convinced. That realization unsettled me even more. I tried to compose myself as I leaned in.
"You knew he was arriving today? Did you know that we will be coming to?" I asked, leaning toward her.
She shook her head, disappointment flickering in her eyes. I exhaled in relief, though I couldn't say why. If anything, my curiosity only deepened.
"I was only recently made aware of The Great Fox. The presence of the Great Vampire was a surprise, but not wholly unexpected. My mistress would have known and provided this challenge to the Great Fox. I believe his victory proves that he is the one she spoke of."
"You mentioned this mistress. Who is she and how did she know about Marktavious's arrival at the Hidden Grotto?" I asked.
Scurra tilted her head at me as if she were confused by my question. There was a delay in her response, one that lingered longer than I anticipated. She eyed me from her peripheral vision carefully before climbing onto Marktavious's chest. She stared into his face before turning to face her friend. He nodded with unspoken understanding before waddling out of sight.
"Come closer, human."
I jumped at her mental intrusion before pulling myself closer to her. Her tail moved gently against Marktavious's chest while her paws explored the newly grown fur on his neck. It was peculiar to watch this creature caress him so intimately. I was about to comment when her head snapped in my direction with startling speed.
"My mistress is an ancient lady of unfathomable power. She resides in a world of ashes, and her power is beyond our understanding. She is like you, but different. She's wiser and calmer, but her power is clear. I sense that same power flowing within the chest of the Great Fox. He is her vector, no doubt."
"Her vector?"
I had no clue what she meant, but her reverence was unmistakable. She spoke of Marktavious—a supposed fox beastkin—as if he were a legend. He claimed to be a kitsune, and I'd started to believe it, but hearing a telepathic Kick-Rat speak of him like a hero was surreal. There was no doubt in her mind that he was this 'vector.' I knew he was powerful, but a link to an ancient lady of ashes? That I never saw coming.
Before she could reply, the other Kick-Rat appeared, pulling his cart underneath the structure. His eyes were weary, but he continued to press forward. He sorted through the pile of items, which included fruits and other items. I blinked at the kinds of items that I recognized, a few of which were in the pile.
'Wands...Crystals... rings... are those grimories?'
Locating items that are rich in magic is incredibly rare in this region. I have only seen a handful of mages within the realm capable of managing the immense power of a grimoire, but even fewer had the wealth or financial backing to possess one. Yet, right before my eyes, I spotted four of them stacked near a pile of reocot fruit.
I couldn't believe my eyes, but I could trust my hands. I pulled myself closer to the sled and was greeted by the generous hands of the larger Kick-Rat. He shoved several of the reocot fruit into my hands and pretended to chew.
"Eat them all. Your strength will be replenished by the radiant mana that resides within its seeds, so ensure that you swallow them specifically," Scurra said, looking back at me.
Her focus went to her kin as he rummaged through the pile. They appeared to be speaking telepathically, but I paid them no further attention. I only followed her advice. I had refused to partake in the fruit when he had initially given me one an hour ago, but Marktavious trusted him. I thought he was mad and beyond reckless, but it appears he was aware of something I wasn't. My teeth sank into the fruit, and instantly my mouth was filled with its juices.
The reocot was delicious, absurdly so, but that is not all it did. Within my chest was a stir, and I felt my injuries begin to tingle. There was mana present within the fruit, and much like a healing potion, it had started to mend my wounds. That would explain why the larger Kick-Rat was waddling without issues. This fruit was something beyond my wildest imagination, and to think it was down in this dungeon this entire time. If one were to sell this fruit, then it would go for twenty-five silver easily, and yet, here was a pile of that fruit right before me.
I continued munching on the fruit and hesitantly swallowed the seeds as instructed. That only accelerated my healing further, and I even began to feel energized.
As I ate, the larger Kick-Rat dug through the pile and unearthed a jagged aquamarine crystal. It glimmered beneath the roots like a star caught in shadow. I'd never seen its like, but the magic radiating from it was unmistakable—far stronger than anything the vampire had wielded.
"What is that?" I asked, pointing at the crystal.
Scurra's nose wiggled as she received the artifact in her hand. Her tail began to wag excitedly as she rested the crystal on Marktavious's chest. The whole ordeal confused me, but she didn't provide an answer. Instead, she placed her palms on the crystal and closed her eyes.