Walking through the endless tunnels belonging to the great Cavern of Abryssa, I am making my weekly Inspections. Oh, I'm not some Kind of Officer, but i am watching over the remains of someone i held dear to me.

My name is Aaron Geyser, I am over 9230 years old and one of the 6 Ancient Dragons in the current Era. Like everyone before me in my Family, i have black scales and eyes, Resulting in me being seen as a Dark, or even Evil Dragon by the Humans. Honestly, i don't understand Humans that only look at things once and already come to a conclusion, of course we dragons do so too, but we at least wait and see if our opinions are correct before we take decisive Actions. The Greatest Bully i knew while i was still a youngling was actually a white Dragon, also seen as a Holy Dragon by the Humans. What does Appearance have to do with Status? Being on the Topic, how does he even hide himself to survive the Night in the forest, when his white scales already scream "Here I am!"? I personally Prefer practicality before beauty.

Well anyways, Being Alone for the most part of nearly 8500 Years is bound to make you weird, isn't it. Well, me speaking to myself is probably one of the consequences. As I walk through the dark tunnels, going deeper and deeper, I can feel the pressure of the MP in the air. Normally, I can’t get too close to the Dragon-Vain, but since most of the Pure MP is absorbed by Lumi’s crystal and the vain is slowly dying away, I can withstand it. Walking into a large cavern, there floats a massive Crystal over a completely transparent Pool beneath. Waiting at the Entrance, I watch as the Crystal is slowly rotating, creating a mesmerizing scene. It’s hard to believe that this crystal was still pure white and gold with a size of a small rock, just about 8000 years ago.

„You have reached perfection, and yet, what will happen to you now? “ (Aaron)

Silently asking this question to the one I once called my niece, I stand up and walk back to my home, here underground.

Seriously, I’m wondering how everything has even come to this. First the thousands of years of peace, and then suddenly; The destruction of the whole fox-clan overnight. Closely followed by the Conquering of 3 more Continents by the Humans. Humans are despicable and greedy creatures, yet some of them show heart and even benevolence.

I do Accept them as neighbors, but I’ll never forgive them. But now, what use is it to ponder about what passed long ago. I believe I’m losing my ability to think ahead. When was actually the last time I visited the Dragon Mountains to the North… 180 years or so? Well anyways.

While waiting inside my humble home, I pick up the Book I was reading just before I went for my inspection of the Crystal. It’s a History book, and it tells the History of how the Fox-Kin and the Dragons were connected.

I know the Book already by heart as I read it every century or so at least once. It tells about how the Great Divine Dragon fell in love with the Fox-Queen of the Fox-tribe of ancient times. The Story ends with the 2 clans being allied and even having a deep Friendship over the course of many years.

But even if the History of long ago is beautiful, it doesn’t change what happened more than 8000 years ago. The Fox-Clan was under attack by the Humans, and because they caught all the informants we were notified too late. I was just a normal True Adult Dragon back then with being just barely over 1000 years old. But we were too late, the clan was destroyed, the Empereal Family killed and the heir fled. Tracking their Movement we only arrived to see the last known existing royal Fox, Lumi, fall to her doom together with her attackers.

We were too late, our Allies were dead, and every high-ranking fox was killed or hunted down in the process. We moved as to safe as many as possible, but we only managed to retrieve two 7 Tail ones and a dozen 5 tailed ones at most. But that wasn’t the end of it. Most of us, me included, were blinded by rage and started to massacre every City in the Surroundings, before the Humans could even react. Of course, there was resistance. But if an Army of over 300 Fully Grown Dragons with even 2 Ancient ones suddenly attacks, there is no way to defend yourself. Even Fleeing would be hard.

Only after quenching our Blood-thirst, did we retreat and check the Cavern she fell into, as to look for her remains. What we found was a Dragon-Vain which not even our Strongest Brethren could resist. You fell unconscious in a hundred meter Radius and died when you got closer than 60.

This Dragon-Vain was insane, not even we, the species it is called after, could get closer. Normally we can even bask ourselves in one, but this was abnormal. Even so, in the Middle, there was her crystal, floating above her dead body as it gathered the mana from within it. Normally it should have exhausted itself after about 30 minutes, but even the next day, when we went to check, did it not stop. As the others left to return to Dragon-Mountain, I remained to watch over her “inheritance”. The Kitsunes, as the Humans called them, were officially Extinct as a Race. Of course, 5 Tailed ones and beneath could still occasionally be found, but they have become a rare sight. Most of them live with us in the Dragon Mountains for Protection, as Humans see that place as taboo. But their true lineage died out.

Lumi’s crystal is our only hope in that matter, but as we can’t get there, I just volunteered to watch over her until the Dragon Vain ceases to exist. Sadly, even now that the vain is no longer active, the essence left behind and the pool beneath make the pressure still too great as to interfere.

Finishing my thoughts on that point, I Close my Book and go to sleep.

In the middle of the night I suddenly jump up, I felt a very strong distortion in Space, no wrong. I believe it was too strong to be just a Space distortion. Could it be…

Adjusting my eyes to the darkness, I run down the Tunnel into the direction where I felt the distortion. Increasing my speed, I realize that it is in the direction of Lumi’s crystal. Cold sweat runs down my back as I run the fastest I have since about 1000 years.

It has to be understood that my massive dragon Frame just barely fits through the Tunnels, but with me running right now, I made dents and holes everywhere. Shrinking my dragon-body to its minimum size of 2 meters, I run without destroying the tunnels, but still at very high speed.

Arriving in front of the Crystal-Cavern, my body shook. What I saw before me was not a distortion, nor a missing crystal, but a seemingly normal Human boy, encased inside Lumi’s crystal. At first I wanted to run forward and stop whatever is going on, but as I close in, an enormous Wave of magical Power hits me, flinging me back. Suddenly a thin fog rises from the pool beneath and a young Human woman with fox-like features appears before me. It was not just an Image, but the Soul-print left inside the body, an Echo. Only fulfilling multiple condition could someone ever get to see one.

But seeing this seemingly Fragile Girl, which, due to my negligence, died many years ago, look at me with warm eyes moved my heart. Tears started to gather in my eye as my sight got blurry. There wasn’t sadness, but only love and happiness there for seeing her once more. I dreamed of this day for many years, yet here it is, right in front of me was the girl that I saw as my own family. She was just standing there, surrounded by glistening fog. She looked like a fairy who rose up from the pond, yet she released an aura that made her look like a goddess.

Standing there dumbfounded, yet overflowing with tears of happiness, she slowly approaches me and calls me by the name I waited so long to hear once more.

“Hey Uncle Black” (Lumi)

Yes, uncle Black. It was such a simple Name, yet it was able to tug on my heart like no other. Breaking out in even more tears, she comes closer and gives me a soft hug, wringing her thin arms around my dragon-neck. As though responding automatically, my Body assumes it’s Human form with Tail and Horns as I Hug her back.

Resting my Head on her shoulder, I cry loudly. She just pats the back of my head and speaks softly into my ears.

“Uncle black, it’s nice to meet you once again, but I don’t have much Time.” (Lumi)

Hearing her words I look up at her with tear-filled eyes. Yes, she was only a Soul-print, so she couldn’t support the Physical Body for long. But even though I knew it, I refused to accept it. It hurts too much to lose her again.

“Uncle Black, please listen to what I have to say.” (Lumi)

No! I don’t want to, please don’t…

“Uncle Black, we both know that I am already lost since long ago, and I am truly thankful that you stayed all these years here with me. But I don’t have any future left, so let me ask one last thing from you. You see, the kid inside my crystal is not from this dimension, he is scared and confused. He is weak, yet struggles to go on. I think he is different from the other Humans we know.” (Lumi)

I don't look her in the eyes, but I can hear every Word clearly, why...?

“Also, he grew up as an Orphan and struggled even with disabilities. He never felt familial Love, and I want to provide him with it, so I ask you, please look after him once he is freed, will you, please?” (Lumi)

Looking into my eyes she has a serious, yet soft look. I can sense the Emotions she feels, and they are probably more than I have ever seen from her, but...

“But he is...!” (Aaron)

“A Human? I believe he is by far more than that. Also, you know about Evolution right? That boy before you got directly brought here from a dimension where there is no magic, I couldn't imagine a better heir to my bloodline. So please, treat him like you would as if he was my own son. Please, Aaron.” (Lumi)

She called me by my Name, she only does that when she is serious...

“Fine, but he has to prove himself worthy...” (Aaron)

Grumbling to myself, Lumi just giggles and slowly starts to fade.

“That's so like you, hahaha... but of course, he is my son from now on after all!” (Lumi)

Lumi nearly yelled that, as her face brightened up like the sun, with a smile that is even more radiant.

“Thank you for everything, Uncle Black.” (Lumi)

Lumi says so and fades into mist. Before I could even say something, she was already gone. I understand that there is nothing I can do, but still.

As I am kneeling on the ground, tears keep flowing down my face and my sobbing reverberates inside the cavern.

As my heart calms down, I look up to the Crystal, still floating above the transparent pool surrounded by Flowers. My heart clenches by the thought of it, but by seeing the youth inside the Crystal who's clothes I've never seen before, I calm down and start to plan my next steps.

“Boy, if you truly are her son, then I shall welcome you on the day we meet.” (Aaron)

Saying these last words, I turn around and walk towards the exit. Seeing the massive movement of MP and Mana in the surrounding, I believe that he will stay inside this crystal for at least half a year, maybe even longer. But for fate to be like this, or is it just a coincidence? I don't know, but I have to admit one point, inside this maelstrom of Mana and MP, there really is one Pure soul hidden away.

Lightly Laughing, I leave the cavern behind, seal the entrance and trace my steps back to my home. On the way home, I repair the damaged tunnels, no one saw it, right?

Arriving at home, I send a short notice to Dragon Mountains Ancient Guardian Dragon. Her Name is Scyrra, Scyrra Snowfall, and yes, she is a white Snow-Dragon. She acts as the Guardian of the Dragon Mountains, as well as Supervisor over the different Tribes.

Anyway, she is older than me by a few thousand years, she is 12'000 years something I guess? Anyway, she didn't manage to ascend into a divine Dragon when she reached the age of 10'000, but she still looks over us like a grandmother looking over her grandchildren.

Even so, I write her about the details I received from Lumi, and ask her not to interfere for the moment as I first would like to see what he is like. But she could prepare to welcome him anytime, should he pass my tests.

Putting away my quill, I send the Letter into the Message-Slot. A convenient tool the foxes once made, It utilizes Space magic for quick messaging, but it is useless when the enemy interferes as then the message would just appear somewhere random. Luckily, the Humans lost the ability to do so long ago.

Resting my back against the chair, I think about the events today. Slight excitement filling me, I go to bed, I hope I can sleep...

(1 Year Later...)

I Watched as the Boy slowly changed throughout the year long process, and I learned a lot. First, he is unique. He carries 10 Tails, making him actually not just a Royal-Fox, but a Sage-Fox. A Kind that was announced extinct over a 100 millennia ago. Seeing the Crystal slowly splitting apart and giving the boy free, I leave the area and choose an appropriate place to watch over him.

Actually, now that I see him awake and up close he looks cute. He kinda reminds me of Lumi, especially the silver fur. As he rests he would sometimes play with his Tails, consciously or not. I watched as he got more and more used to himself as he would react the way a child would when he discovered something new.

He doesn't seem to understand Magic-Energies as of yet, but when It leaks even a bit, it pressures me. What the heck kind of Mana-Pool is this... wait... mana? Doesn't feel like it, somehow different. Well, maybe a trait he gained?

A day passed and he learned how to use his 1st and 2nd Form and even change between them. Though I wonder why he hasn't taken on his beast-Form yet. Is he maybe unable to do so yet because he is a former Human? There are many Questions but no answers. Probably not even he himself knows the answers.

As I am watching him walk along the tunnels he suddenly perks up, he must have sensed the Crimson Wolf that lives near here. Seeing him Hide behind a rock I am slightly disappointed, but hey, he is just 8 years old and had this form for not even 2 days, what am I even expecting, I should be proud he noticed it already!!?

Even though he tries to hide, it is done poorly, at least he tried to hide his ears and tail, making him harder to be seen, but little one, a wolf's senses are too good to be tricked by this.

Afterwards, what occurs is a Fight between the two of them. Surprisingly; the boy seems to have found a resolution and breakthrough as he activates his Instinct without losing himself, especially the last sentence he made was intriguing. He seems to have accepted his new Form as well as his old one, only the last few words felt like an act, maybe to look cool?

Well, he is a kid after all.

However, his moves and tactics are a bit too advanced for someone fighting for the first time, ususally even in instinct-mode they would rather fight strait on without much tricks and tactics... maybe it's Lumi's influence, his fighting-style currently resembles hers from back then. Yet, I believe it must be a temporary thing... guess we will find out, cause if it isn't, he may never learn his own true fighting-style, but that isn't important yet.

After the fight he is nearly being devoured by the Crimson-Wolf, but honestly, I am Proud. He fought without losing himself and did not blindly attack him but tried everything he could to defeat the Enemy. Truly, Lumi you were Right about him. Might as well go greet him. Oh, the Wolfy is still there, let's send it away, Dragon-Style.