“A choice?” Kai questioned.

Spinning his head around, he felt multiple strong presences nearby. Even without a sensory ability, there was a blaring change in the atmosphere around him, like the air got tighter and was trying to squeeze him. From inside the mists, a dozen kitsune crossed the boundary onto the mural floor. The sight was awe-inspiring. They were all in their true forms and easily towered over him as they approached. Despite their new forms and nine tails, Kai could identify each of them by the patterns and color of their fur. Even though Akane was considered their matriarch, she was the smallest of those present, but something told Kai she was the strongest among them.

“Sigma, Ursa, Canis, Proxima, Vela...” Kai started naming the kitsune strolling toward them. It was intimidating but read no malice on their fox faces, only humor, and intrigue.

“So, the little pup has grown,” a masculine voice entered his mind. Kai looked around trying to figure out the owner of the voice, but none made gave any motion that it had come from them. They surrounded him and Andromeda in a loose circle.

[Nine Tailed Kitsune - ????]

[Nine Tailed Kitsune - ???]

[Nine Tailed Kitsune - ???]

[Nine Tailed Kitsune - ???]

[Nine Tailed Kitsune - ???]

Only Sigma was four question marks, the same as Akane. I guess it’s Andromeda now. Going to take some time to get used to it.

“So, what is this about? I already told Andromeda that I’m not tasty,” Kai jested.

Throaty chuckles vibrated the air from multiple sources, but unlike the capital’s cobbled stone flooring, the muraled stone below didn’t even crack or shake.

“Very few in the village come to know of our true nature. Only those we deem worthy or like you who find out in extreme circumstances know of our existence.”

Kai simmered at the slight, but he knew he was truly nothing in their eyes. Only a Forging realm brat. One of millions, perhaps billions.

“Normally we wouldn’t have revealed ourselves to you until your ascension to the fifth realm at minimum. It is only because the matriarch favors you that we appear before you now.”

Kai had enough of getting ragged on. “Alright, so tell me what is this choice that Andromeda mentioned?”

“A moment more little pup, we will have additional guests joining us before we discuss your options,” Akane said in a teasing tone.

Through the mists emerged three human silhouettes that Kai immediately recognized as his family. His father, mother, and grandfather had apparently come to join the super-secret meeting.

His mother ran to him the second he was in sight, completely unfazed by the gathering of giant nine-tailed kitsune. His father and grandfather merely shook their heads as they watched Kai being swept up in a hug.

“MY ADORABLE SON,” his mother squeezed hard. “I’m so proud of you. Making it to the finals,” she squeezed harder.

“Mom,” Kai choked out, hugging her back.

He thought they would be less sentimental, but his father and grandfather both hugged him tightly as well. It was a little awkward since he was still in his alderlite armor.

“I’m so proud of you, son,” his father said.

“You guys know about all of this?” Kai asked the obvious question.

“Of course, we are descendants of the village founder after all. Your father is head of the guard and his marriage to me also makes him in the “know,” his mother air quoted the last word.

Kai absently nodded. While Kai had lived two lives, this was still a lot to take in. The destruction of the city had only occurred a few hours ago. Now he had to wrap his head around his family being tenants? He didn’t really know what they were considered. They lived in a village filled with near godlike monsters. The silly village tale had turned out to be real. This was a lot to take in even after a second life.

“Ok...” Kai drawled. “Not that I’m not happy to see you guys or anything, but I’m honestly burning with curiosity about why I am here?”

“It’s nothing bad son,” his father said, picking up on Kai’s tension. “We want to discuss your future, specifically your immediate future.”

“Right...” Kai drawled again. “I thought the plan was to attend the Prime Academies if I won first place in the tournament. I know I didn’t exactly win but that was be—”

“We know you did wonderful Kai. And certainly, you qualify for our deal if that is what you still desire. Just listen to Andromeda for a minute.”

“Life is certainly about choices. One single choice after another, all leading to the present time. Most choices are of non-significant value, and sometimes they could lead to tragedy. And boons on occasion,” Andromeda started.

He gave her a stare as to get on with it.

“There is a point to all this monologuing,” Andromeda claimed. She projected seriousness causing Kai to focus. “By the gods, the young are impatient… Because you have two very caring parents, they are willing to provide you with options such as attending the Prime Academies, but there are other alternatives. For instance, you could join the adventurer’s guild immediately or do anything else really. Whatever your heart desires.”

“But if you choose to attend the Prime Academy, I have a favor to ask of you.” Andromeda’s eyes glowed crimson for a moment, more than usual. Another presence joined them as it entered through the mists. All of the kitsune and humans turned to watch the newcomer. It was another kitsune, but it appeared as a fox. Crimson fur covered most of the body. Each foot had black fur appearing as if she was wearing boots. Even though Akane was one of the smallest foxes in the village, this one was even smaller, about a third of the size. The little fox looked absolutely adorable.

[Kitsune – Foundation Level 65]

It had a different identify tag than Akane’s fox and true form. Did that mean it was a different species or was there something else going on?

The little fox looked cowed and nervous, more so than Kai despite being surrounded by those of what he assumed were her own kind.

“Kai, meet Asteria. Asteria, meet Kai,” Andromeda introduced them. “Asteria is my daughter.”

A huge bomb was dropped on Kai’s head. “What?! When?”

“I had her a few months prior to you leaving the academy. You noticed my absence if I remember. She has been hidden away until now. Asteria say hello,” Andromeda gently nudged the tiny fox over.

Asteria was the first to initiate contact. A moment later he heard a timid feminine child-like voice speak inside his mind. “Hello.”

“Hi,” Kai responded.

There was an awkward silence between the group. Everyone had been watching their lackluster interaction.

Breaking the silence, Kai asked, “Shouldn’t she be in a higher realm or stronger?”

Andromeda shook her massive head. “Many races of monsters will give birth to strong children, including dragons,” she hissed that last part out. “Kitsune must grow from the beginning like you humans. They gain one tail for every realm they ascend until the ninth.”

Kai saw that every Kitsune here had nine tails, meaning they were all in the paragon realm at minimum. Sigma and Akane at the very least were probably higher. They were all existences that could single-handedly topple an empire.

“Only one year old, Asteria here is very special. She is the first Kitsune born since the great war.”

Kai did a double-take between Asteria and Andromeda. “Wait... the great war ended 2139 years ago. There hasn’t been one born since?” By the Nine, how old are these kitsune?

“No,” Akane growled. The other kitsune also growled in response to his question. There was a clash in the air as each kitsune growling caused a disturbance in the mana and the air. Barriers spawned around each human and the small fox. Apparently, it was a touchy subject.

Kai held his hands up. Deciding to get back on the subject, he asked, “What does this have to do with me?”

“If you intend to travel off-planet to the Prime academies, then I would ask that you take Asteria with you as a companion. Together you would train and ascend. Having a companion would slow your personal progress more than if you were to fight alone, but at least you would have someone to rely on.”

His parents and grandfather said nothing and had no reaction. Likely they had all discussed this before, meaning Kai was the only one finding out about this.

“I’m... not sure I understand. Why can’t you come with me or us? I thought we were a team.”

“As much as I want to, child, I cannot.”

“How can anyone stop you?” Kai was very confused. This was not how he saw his day going. And now he was finding out he was going to have to part from a companion that he had grown very fond of.

“I know you won’t be satisfied without an explanation so I will give you a brief one. We of the Kitsune Clan are exiled. We cannot leave this world. In time you will learn about the sixth great war. A war so massive in scale that it encompassed all of the planets in the Myriad of Worlds. The sentient humanoids weren’t the only ones affected during this time, even the monsters of the worlds fought. There was so much death and chaos. The estimated number of lives lost during those 42 years of war is incalculable. There were scuffles between the kitsunes and the dragons, that eventually led to the two sides fiercely fighting against each other, with no less than the extermination of the other. Hundreds of dragons fell, but so did many kitsune.”

Fierce bloodlust leaked from every single one of the kitsunes present except for Asteria. Kai felt himself choking. His muscles froze, even his brain felt like it had shrunk so much that it was nonfunctional. Pain flared in his chest. He wasn’t sure if his heart was still beating. He had felt bloodlust before, but never like this. Through his eyes, he could see that even his parents weren’t unaffected as they gritted their teeth.

“Enough!” his mother screamed a few seconds later.

The bloodlust subsided. The kitsune turned away perhaps embarrassed for their outburst.

“I will spare you the details, but we lost the war. The remaining kitsune were spared and exiled from our ancestral home on Titan Prime. We have made this planet our new domain. But, if any of us were to step a foot off, they would come for us to finish the battle.”

Kai’s mind processed everything.

“Wait though, wouldn’t they come for you if Asteria travels to Titan Prime with me?” Kai asked the obvious question.

“No. The pact only applies to those who were alive when the battle ended. Asteria may travel freely with you, though you should still take precaution should you wish her to join you.”

“Why me? I don’t understand why you can’t help Asteria level up, or even you know me?” He gave her a winning smile. From the side, his parents laughed.

“I certainly could help both of you to level, but then while your level may raise, your personal growth will wither. Progress without challenge would cause you to become deficient. What if one day, after I assist you in leveling up and you find yourself against a powerful foe and I am not there. Without experience and adversity, how can you improve and become your best selves? I helped you with a few levels because of the convenience of it, but that will never happen again. I would be holding you back from your true potential if I was there to save you at every fight or did most of the work for you. You must earn it. But I think you know that deep down,” Andromeda rumbled.

Kai gripped his hair. This entire conversation was stressful. “What if... we die?” It was one thing if Kai died in battle, but now he felt fearful about letting down the kitsune. If the worst happened and the first kitsune in over 2000 years to be born died while under his care, he would never forgive himself.

“Then that is simply fate. But Kai, of all the people in the village, I chose you. I purposefully joined you during the last year to judge and observe you. I have found you capable and worthy of protecting and raising my daughter.”

Kai’s breathing became heavy. It was a lot of responsibility and trust to place on someone in the Forging realm. Did she not see him struggle throughout the year? She must have, which meant she still trusted him with something so precious. It was too much.

“I will ask one more time Kai. Will you let Asteria join you on your journey?”

Kai didn’t know how to respond. It was an incredible offer to have a monster with such potential join him. When he looked down into the inquisitive face of Asteria, he knew his answer.

“Yes,” Kai choked out. He nodded his head as well. “I do want to go to Titan Prime and I will be happy to let Asteria join. I will protect her.”

“Protect but do not coddle.”

The group returned to the village, or more specifically they teleported there nearby. It was his first-time teleporting. It was a surreal experience to see the land before your eyes change in a split second. It was also very nauseating. All the foxes were back into their smaller forms, the villages none the wiser.

Entering the village through the western gate, Kai immediately noticed a change. Dark and black fur-covered foxes were roaming around, some traveling from shadow to shadow.

[Shadow Fox – Foundation Level 93]

“From the forest?”

“Yes, Proxima saved them before the forest was purged.”

They had integrated into the village well. Already some had partnered up with a few villagers. There weren’t as many shadow foxes compared to the kitsune

“They were quite easy to domesticate. While their wild tendencies exist, they do not try to harm anyone. We leave tomorrow at sunrise. Say your goodbyes to your family before then.” Akane padded away abruptly.

Kai watched her with a longing gaze. I guess that means you too. He shook his head and caught up to his parents down the road.

The next morning, he was saying goodbye once again to his mother and siblings. Garren was missing in action as usual.

Holding onto him as if her life depended on it, Arielle had her arms wrapped around his neck, and her legs around his waist, as she was attached to him on his side.

“Noooooo!” Arielle howled. “I won’t let you leave.”

Pulling her off finger by finger, he placed his hands on her shoulders and kneeled on one knee. “Arielle, this is important. It’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go. Please be happy for me.”

She looked like she was struggling not to cry.

“I have a request. Akane will be staying behind. She is going to be lonely too. Will you keep her company and watch her for me? Please?”

His request seemed to reach her, as the next moment she nodded ever so slightly.

“Jacob.”

“Kai.”

The two brothers hugged.

“If things don’t work out, you can always return home. Or even if you want to visit. We will be waiting,” his mother choked out, tears spilling down her face.

Kai felt his stomach squeeze seeing his family upset. It was a tough decision but he needed this.

Venturing out into the mists Kai, Andromeda, Asteria, and his father teleported with Akane’s powers. Through his closed eyelids, he could feel the sun brightly shining. As if that stark difference wasn’t enough to tell him he was no longer in the Ashbourne Kingdom, the air pressure and humidity had changed. The air was dry and about 20 degrees colder than his tropical volcanic kingdom. Even the ground had a different feel.

Opening his eyes, he was amazed by how crystal clear the light blue sky was. To his right, the sun was just beginning to rise even though it had only been right after dinner time when he left. Just how far had they traveled in a matter of seconds?

On the opposite side of him was a city contained by massive white walls. Kai would have thought those walls impenetrable just a day before, but now he knew the truth that monsters lurked out there that could easily wipe out kingdoms despite all the gains made by humans. The walls before him didn’t even look as tall or sturdy as Verdia, the capital of the Ashbourne Kingdom. Unlike the Ashbourne Kingdom, there was a gentle calm in the air here.

“The city of Alexandria,” Akane informed. “The only city on this planet with a world teleporter capable of taking you to Titan Prime or others.”

Akane was already in her smaller form, snaking her way around Kai’s neck. Taking a deep breath, he took in her scent and feel, knowing it might be many years before he saw her again. In his arms, Asteria was napping already.

Entering the city was easy, and it was a straight shot to the center of the city where the teleporter was located. Kai followed his father. Together they bought two tickets to Titan Prime. One for Kai, and the other for Asteria.

“Of before I forget. Hold out your hand,” Akane said.

Doing what he was told, he held his hand out palm up. One second his palm was empty, the next it was holding a plain metal ring.

“A ring of storage. One and a half cubic meters of storage. Filled to the brim with food and other items.”

“You got me a ring? Not to be ungrateful, but we really could have used one earlier this year.”

“I know, I was using it. It was a gift from… Alex. He left it with me when you became distracted by your friend.”

“What the fuck. And only now you give it to me.” Kai gave her a fierce glare that he knew did nothing to her.

When the time came, an announcement the world teleporter was shifting to send the next group to Titan Prime. The next trip to Titan Prime wouldn’t be for six days. Apparently, there was a strict schedule they had to keep. Miss the transport and you would have to wait or find alternative means.

“Son. You have everything you need in your ring. When you get to the academy find a teacher named Niles. He is your sponsor. He will help you. Good luck,” his father gripped his shoulder. His eyes were filled with concern for his son. Kai would be traveling so far away, that no one would be able to reach or save him.

Handing over two glyph tickets, Kai walked onto the platform with Asteria still in his hands. She was awake and her attention was on Akane. If they were communicating, he wasn’t privy to it.

Finally, Akane’s voice flowed into his mind. “Kai no one must find out about Asteria being a kitsune. Illusions are inherent for us kitsunes. She can mask her identifying tag from almost anyone even in the foundation realm. The only time she can become exposed is when she would have to use her full powers, transforming and causing however many tails she has at the time to emerge. It would become very dangerous for you if word got around. She would be coveted and hunted. And if you are on Titan Prime, I would not be able to help you.”

Kai acknowledged. He would do his best to be careful.

“And Kai, that doesn’t mean I won’t help or train you, but as you are now, you’re too weak. Come back after you have attained at least the fifth realm.”

From the platform, he could still see his father and Akane who was balancing on his shoulder. Waving to them, he felt a change in the mana around him as the world began to shift.

“Goodluck... Ben.”