Kyle floated in the endless darkness, something he was strangely growing used to. He could clearly see his own body yet the lightless plane around him gave no way for his sight, no matter where he looked he couldn’t see a damn thing.

Although he found himself in this strange situation his mind was focused on other things, (“This…is my trial?”) he asked himself while staring down at his changed skin when the changes suddenly disappeared.

Kyle flinched at the sudden change “What the hell…” he spoke out loud as he stared down at his hands when his vision suddenly went blurry. The darkness around him changed in a sudden burst of colour, the blackness gave way as the sun’s light shone through the forest’s trees down onto the grassy ground below.

Kyle suddenly stood amidst a forest of green, glancing around all he saw were trees, bushes and long grass. “Where…am I?” he asked no one in particular as the forest’s sound engulfed his senses. From chirping birds, squeaking animals, the flap of wings and rustling of leaves Kyle spun in circles as his mind was overwhelmed.

Then he fell, tripping over something he fell back and hit the grassy dirt with a thump ending the overwhelming sounds that surrounded him. Kyle groaned as he moved to stand, rubbing the back of his head from the fall.

A squeak alerted him to it’s presence to his left. Kyle stopped moving briefly before looking to his side and there it stood, no more than a foot tall the white fox stared at him curiously. It had blue strands of fur and both it’s two tails and ears ended in a patch of blue, it’s eyes shined with intelligence a deep blue themselves.

Kyle raised a brow at the creature’s resemblance to his true form and it snickered at his surprise, as if enjoying his confusion. He moved to stand and it bolted away and out of sight, Kyle tried to follow it with his eyes but the creature was too small to be seen in the foliage.

“Alright…” he sighed and looked around again but saw no obvious direction he could take, looking up at the sky through the branches and leaves the sun seemed to be perfectly in the centre disabling him from figuring out compass directions.

Taking it all into account Kyle came down to one conclusion (“The Ancients…they sent me here to deal with my trial…So does it matter which direction I go?”) he thought long and hard on that question yet his mind kept drifting elsewhere (“That darkness…What is…happening to me?”) he thought back to the shadows that had encased him earlier.

“Is it…is it still…” Kyle stared down at his hands eyes wide as he wondered whether the Nogitsune was still affecting him. It would explain the rage that had filled him, it would explain the darkness that had encased him.

A snickering caught his attention to his right, turning around Kyle briefly saw the white fox holding onto a tree’s bark before scurrying away. He frowned at the creature’s behaviour then decided to follow it, he had no other means to figuring out a direction anyhow.

Kyle pushed aside low branches and kicked through thick bushes, tall grass seemed to entangle around his legs, the branches stood in his way entirely while the bushes’ lone existence seemed to be to slow him down. He swatted them aside, kicked them to the ground or tore them from the dirt as he pushed forward through the thick forest.

The snickering persisted as he caught glimpses of the fox as it smirked at him, how it easily moved through the forest yet he had to tear down anything in his path. Kyle felt himself growing annoyed, his movements growing more rash as he forced his way after the fox. The stronger he kicked through the grass the more it seemed to entangle, the more he pulled or pushed at the branches the more they seemed to stick around and the more he excessively stomped on the bushes they also seemed to become harder to get through.

Annoyance turned to anger as he flared his fire at the green, his flames devouring anything they touched clearing the path for him. Kyle willed his flames forward after the fox, at where he had just seen the creature’s smug smirk the blazing inferno moved tearing down trees, devouring leaves and turning the grass and bushes to ash.

Kyle took erratic breaths as he glanced around the burned down forest, looking for his quarry he spotted the little fox sitting down to his left. Kyle turned as flames raged around his body, he met the creature’s calm and solemn stare.

“What?!” Kyle shouted at the little beast “What are you looking at!?” it’s cold stare was unmoving as if judging his every action. He stepped closer to it as his anger turned to mindless rage, the creature’s very existence antagonising him.

The little fox stood and stepped back as it’s fur stood on end yet it didn’t run, it stood it’s ground and bared it’s fangs at him. The small weak creature wanted to fight, it was challenging him to fight. Kyle glared down at the fox as it snarled at him, through his senses he felt it’s hatred at what he had done. He suddenly backed away from it, it’s cold hatred all he could feel for a brief moment.

Kyle looked at his surroundings, where once stood a lively and beautiful forest now rested it’s burned down ashes. He looked down at the hands that had burned it down, the pitch-black flames that engulfed his body were lashing out at anything within range as the patches of shadow returned to his skin.

The little fox continued to bare it’s fangs at him, it’s hatred seating through and filling his senses. Kyle stepped back and away from the small creature, his rage disappearing as it had appeared only to be replaced by guilt and fear.

“No…” Kyle spoke in a croaked voice as he backed away from the fox, it neared closer smelling his fear. He swatted away the black flames that covered him yet they stuck, he clawed away at the shadows on his skin yet they remained.

“It…it’s not me! No! I’m not!” Kyle fell to his knees dispersing ashes as he hit the ground, he clutched his shoulders with both hands as he stared at the small white fox while it neared ever closer. It’s fangs bared and eyes open wide, no longer judging him it now stood against him.

Kyle shook his head “No…It can’t be…This can’t be…” panic spread through his mind like a wildfire as he hugged himself, try has he might to bring the flames under control they continued to spread further burning away at what remained of the forest in the distance.

Kyle now understood, the Nogitsune was not affecting him no more, the fox was not the beast in this moment. “I’m a fool…I’ve…been such a fool…” the shadows that made up his body, the black flames that acted on his rage, each indicated to one cold truth.

Through his hatred for the monster that ruined his life, through the rage that followed he himself began to become the monster. “I…” Kyle dared not look away from the fox as it stopped baring it’s fangs at him, it sat down and looked at him with a renewed calm.

(“Is it too late?...”) he asked himself “Have I already…become? Why is this happening? Where have I gone wrong? Was I wrong on hating it? Why? What is so wrong with hating something like it?” he asked several questions none directed at the fox but all at himself.

What was wrong with hating the creature that ruined his life? What was wrong with hating the monster that tricked and used him? These questions floated through his mind as his eyes continued to stare into the judgmental fox’s.

Kyle suddenly slammed his fists into the ground sending ash up into the air “Why…How can I not hate it? Is this what it means to…Is becoming a monster the only way to kill one!?” he shouted out as fear, guilt and anger dangerously mixed within him.

He stared down at the ash, it’s use far gone, the life it once stood for no more than what it now is. Kyle suddenly looked up as he noticed the little fox closer than ever, mere inches away from his face it sniffed his hair curiously with ears reared back.

Kyle didn’t understand, where did it’s hatred go? He had destroyed it’s home, turned it’s whole life to ashes yet here the little beast stood letting it’s curiosity move it closer to the being it should regard as a monster.

It glanced around his face, eyeing him curiously before licking some ash off his nose. The fox reared back in disgust as it shook it’s head with tongue shaking limply out. Kyle stared at it in a daze, he felt his heart wrenching as the foolish animal turned to continue staring at him.

(“Of course it doesn’t hate me…it’s just an animal…a beast…It doesn’t know any better.”) he thought to himself in slight relief, when a sudden thought occurred to him. (“But…I know better…I should know better.”)

Kyle stood up and looked down at his hands, the dark flames had disappeared but the shadows remained as patches on his skin. Because of his sudden movements the fox scurried away following it’s instincts to be cautious on movement. Kyle watched as the fox ran around left to right before leaping into a thicket disappearing from sight.

He looked up at the sky, his eyes squinting as the sun’s bright light continued to shine down on him. Even though this entire forest was burned down to the ground, even though so many beings must have lost their homes the sun shone just as bright as ever almost uncaring. Kyle let out a long breath of relief “There is nothing wrong with being angry, it’s only natural…After all I’ve been through it’s only natural…”

Kyle clenched his fists and looked down at his arms, claw marks spread out through the shadowy patches “Yet I should know better than to let my anger lead me.” He solemnly told himself “I won’t let my anger lead me.” He promised himself.

“And so you’ve perceived your true nature.” A voice spoke from everywhere at once “There is nothing wrong with feeling hatred, there is nothing wrong with feeling anger. Yet it is up to you to perceive them, to deny them from changing you.”

The world around Kyle melted away as he suddenly rose from the pool, taking a deep breath as if he was just drowning Kyle found himself standing in the pool within the library. The liquid reached up to his chest as he stood up within it, glancing around he saw each of the founders staring down at him proudly as his aunt sighed in relief.

“Well done little fox.” said Terrance “You have passed the second trial.”

“What…just happened?” Kyle asked as he swam back towards Celica and Durin.

“I apologise for the sudden actions we took, yet we were left with little choice. The Trial of Perception threatened to blacken you, it’s properties quickening your ailment.” Gerald apologised with a bow.

“Blacken me huh?...” Kyle pulled himself out of the reflective pool “I understand what was happening, I now know what the trial was and what it’s objectives were but…what the hell was that place?...” he asked while staring down at his own reflection in the pool, the black patches nowhere to be seen.

“That is Spirit, every drop of it. Everything here is made of Spirit but that pool is more, condensed Spirit made from every Spirit Beast here.” Durin explained as he crouched down next to Kyle “The Spirit revealed your deepest consciousness, what did it show you?“

“It showed me what I could become…The monster I hate so much, how close I was becoming to it.” Kyle solemnly replied as he reminisced on it. “Thank you…” he covered his face as he thanked not only Durin but everyone that stood in this hall. Kyle didn’t know what would have happened if they hadn’t acted, his anger could have consumed him. He hid his tears, ashamed of himself.

“It is a fine thing to show appreciation but be not ashamed of yourself little fox.” Terrance spoke from the other side of the pool “Instead be proud of yourself, alone and without training you withheld against the Nogitsune’s power. You survived, you denied it’s grasp.”

“He is right Kyle, you did what none of us could do. You denied it, you fought back!” agreed Celica as her expression grew solemn “You are strong and it’s the strong that tend to fall hardest. You know what I mean, you feel it now that you’ve noticed. You’re turning into a Nogitsune yourself.”

“How do I stop it? How do I defeat it without becoming one myself?” Kyle asked as he stared down at his hands, his eyes bloodshot from the heavy tears.

“Training both your mind and soul, it will take time too. Lots of time.” replied Celica “Due to the state of your soul, this session is taking place at the same time as reality. For you to grow stronger without breaking further, you must remain here and train in the old ways.”

“How long? How long do I have to stay here? War could be upon my friends, I cannot leave them to fight without me.” Kyle stood up and stared back at his aunt.

Celica shook her head “Days, maybe weeks. Your friends will have to fend for themselves until then, I’m sure hell won’t let loose without you.”

Kyle snorted “I wouldn’t be so sure of that. So…what now?”

“For this training to be successful, your mind is not enough.” Terrance spoke now “You will return to the realm of the living, with body, mind and soul together you will then travel back here.”

“How do I do that?” Kyle asked sceptically.

“By selecting a sub-class we will use the power of the Avatar within the obelisk to fully transport you here. Choose wisely.” said Terrance as he waved his right hand forwards, suddenly everyone and everything around Kyle began to dissipate into smoke turning his world into darkness once more.

---

Kyle woke up with a start, opening his eyes and sitting up he found himself on a luxurious bed inside a luxurious room.

“You’re up?!” exclaimed Karnage from his left as she sat by his side.

“MASTER!” Screamed Lilior as she suddenly leaped onto him in her full height, as she embraced him Lilior smirked back at Karnage who grimaced in annoyance.

“Lilior you’re choking me…” Croaked Kyle as he fully took in the room.

“Yo he’s up.” said Skill from the corner of the room, he spoke into his VCD before walking up to Kyle’s bedside “You completely passed out back there, gave us a fright.”

Kyle smiled apologetically “Yeah…sorry about that. Guess you had to carry me for once.”

“Pfft, sure.” replied Skill with a shrug as he stored his VCD “The others are in the dining hall.”

“Wait, where are we? How long was I out?” Kyle suddenly asked as he pushed an over-dramatic Lilior off him.

“Eight hours.” replied Karnage as she glanced away from him.

“What she said, we’re in the Noble’s district by the way. Negotiations went through just as we planned, they even gave us this nice ass house here.” Skill explained as he walked to the door.

“Huh…Damn eight hours?” he asked before glancing over at Karnage “What are you doing here anyway?”

She almost jumped as he spoke directly to her “Oh…Ah…Zaahr wanted to hear the outcome of the negotiations first hand! I should probably go!” she announced before storming out of the room.

“Sheesh...Can’t tell if you’re actually that dense or if you’re doing it on purpose.” Skill chuckled as he pointed at the now open door.

Kyle shrugged “You wouldn’t understand. So everyone’s here?” he then asked while standing up from the bed, Lilior held onto his back by entangling her arms around his neck while half her normal size.

“Pretty much, we’ve got Sly on call and everybody else is sitting by talking things through. Karnage and Zaahr are here though so they’ll probably leave some stuff out for later.” replied Skill.

Kyle nodded “Good, there’s something I need to tell you all. Lead the way.” He followed after Skill with Lilior having shrunk down to her Fairy size and back on her usual perch.

“Right this way.” Said Skill as he lead the way through several corridors, the entire mansion was sleek and seemingly brand new.

Kyle followed as his mind drifted off, staring down at his right open palm he wondered what they would say (“I have no choice, I cannot allow myself to become that…thing.”) He was so afraid of turning that he didn’t want to even think of the Nogitsune for it might cause him to enter another fit of rage.

“Here we go.” Skill pushed open a set of cherry wood double doors revealing a large dining hall. A chessboard like black and blue tiled floor with carved wood walls and archaic drawings on the ceiling. Across the dining table every member of the guild sat by staring at their direction, even Sly as he looked through the VCD that was placed standing on the table.

Along with the guild others were also present, Zaahr and Karnage sitting next to each other on one side and two Kyle barely recognised sitting on either side of Birse. Caitlyn sat to Birse’s right with a warm smile and wearing a plain blue dress while Samala squirmed over her chair to his left, looking anxious while wearing an expensive looking black shirt that reached down like a dress with long sleeves.

“So sleeping beauty is finally awake.” Joked Steph as the three entered the room.

“Better late than never.” Said Sly from the VCD, Kyle had a double take as he took in the horns and wings.

“Good of you to join us for dinner.” Said Samala as she carefully inspected him.

“Well dinner for you and breakfast for me.” replied Sly.

“So what happened?” Kyle asked as he took a seat between Ch and Soren.

“You passing out like a damsel in distress you mean?” Steph continued on with a snicker.

“I’d give a guess that you mean the negotiations on our standing with the Dezol…” said Caitlyn as she took a sip of her wine.

“Yeah, that.” Kyle skipped over Steph’s obvious jabs wanting to leave that for later.

“The Alliance has dissolved.” Stated Birse before chugging out of the wine bottle.