-3RD POV-

The Rank 10 firefox concentrated replenishing his magic resources with the others while the golden wolf limped closer. However, the foxes finished before the earth user reached the optimal distance for her attack and trotted away. Zarion looked up at the sky mobilizing elementals in his feet and ignited a rocket-like jets gauging holes in the ground before pushing him upwards.

*Friiiusssshhhh!!* He took off without the Axe and glanced once last time at his dead partner on the ground silently thinking goodbyes.

NOO! I was so close... SO CLOSE! The golden beast regretted watching the fox fly away.

The Rank 10 stopped at 60 meters high up in the sky, then extended both arms to the sides expanding his magic in an 8-meter wide sphere. *ChhhiOM!* The fire user created a 2-meter-wide compressed core of reactive chemicals in front of him before producing flammable gases. *FwoooOOSSHHH!* A fireball combusted with the Foxman in the middle and turned bright yellow outside before he rampaged his elementals. *BWOOOOSSSHH~!!* All the chemicals controlled by the airborne fox ignited and the fireball expanded to 50 meters wide in a blink of an eye. *THUoOON!* The enlarging blazes created a shockwave of hot air that formed white loops as the firefox plummeted to the ground with his elementals drained and began gathering anew from the battlefield to slow his fall.

"HYEEEP!" Erina shuddered and whimpered backing away under the massive ball of fire covering a great portion of the sky making her small in comparison.

""HUOH!!? GWHUO!?"" The battles nearby stopped and the fire or water users contemplated the raging large-scale fire attack while others ran away.

*THUOOSSURURUOOSSHH!* The bright continuous combustion spewing flame tongues like miniature sun started descending slowly while radiating heat on the hillside roasting the fox beast corpse and the golden wolf.

"S-somebeast HELP MEEEE!" The frightened she-wolf howled desperately for any assistance looking around and tried to run away.

However, only the foxes hiding in the surroundings revealed themselves in a circle around the wolf hundreds of meters wide while the rank 10 firefox comes out of the fireball with the red-hot steel armor scorching his skin and tail burning.

"TURN TO ASHES, BIIIIITCH!!" Zarion endured the pain and shouted approaching the ground 50 meters away from the wolf.

*Bang! Bang! Bwuang! THOMP!* The firefox made consecutive explosions slowing down and a last one on the ground to soften his landing. *Fwoop! Fwoop! Fwoop! Frururu...* The high-ranked foxes combusted over a hundred fireballs and continue to enlarge them in preparation to fire at the center.

"Not you idiots! And your partner will become ash too!" Erina stopped and retorted without seeing any ally coming to help. "Curses... I hate fighting alone..." She reaffirmed saddened with hopes crushed, and could only focus on finding a way out herself.

I can't evade or defend against that effectively, but it is moving rather slowly... Maybe I could've outrun it if not for that bunch surrounding me. Is there no better way...? The she-wolf analyzed and pondered for a moment before lying eyes downhill. Weun, I don't plan on dying here... Now, where is it...? She resolved and limped closer to the fox beast corpse while searching for a landmark.

*Tarsh! Tarsh! Fwump!* The lone wolf advanced on the inclined rocky terrain and stopped before looking up with eyes squinted contemplating the descending inferno while seeping magic into the ground. *FwoooOOSSHH~!!* The foxes in the encirclement shared a signal and threw their fireballs simultaneously at the bottom part of the raging inferno already less than 10 meters from the ground, and took cover.

Arrrgh... More pain... The golden beast affirmed lowering her body trying to avoid the intense heat as she controlled the earth beneath her body for several meters down.

*Srrrsssrrrssshh! KSSHHH!* The earth softened like sand and the wolf sank slowly holding her breath as the ground started melting and the exposed metalized fur over the surface scorching just a moment before her back disappeared under the heat glow. *BWUOOOSSSHH!* The fireballs thrown by the foxes combined with the large one on the spot it touched down heating up the air to high temperatures. *KROOOOOMMM!!* The heavy ball of fire smashed the ground making a brilliant shockwave with powerful tremors that shook the beast underground and gauged a crater on the hill approaching her location.

Uwoo! By the Gods! That was more powerful than I thought! Erina reviewed sinking deeper and commanded the earth above her to solidify. Still going...?!? She noticed the molten ground drawing closer to her back and kept trying to sink ahead of the carving fiery force.

*Srrrub--THOOM! Brururup!* The large wolf slid out of the rock and landed inside one of the tunnels leading north, then stabilized her body and shook the dust off. *BRRROOOOMMM!* The fireball stopped 10 meters above the tunnel and exploded with a loud fiery shockwave reverberating quakes through the landscape as it blew dirt and rock at high speeds.

"HUUUuuuf~" Erina sighed relieved and recalled as dust falls from the roof. "AH! I'm supposed to be ashes..." She realized and relinquished most of her Mana. "It's not much for a pseudo-Mana-wave since I didn't have much left anyway, but it should buy me enough time to make a comeback..." The earthen beast determined and started limping towards the northern exit.

The beasts stopped to look once more following the disappearance of the high ranked wolf beneath the rampaging fireball that gauged the ground for nearly ten meters deep and left a crater 30 meters wide of molten rock. The foxes rejoiced after witnessing the ultimate attack of their leader while many wolves became anxious fearing such powerful figures partaking in the fight, and avoided combat as others continued their fights.

On a field of tall grass two miles northwest from the large explosion that shook the earth and created clouds, three darkness wolves led by the youngest Elder flee from eight magical fox beasts and five riders less than a hundred meters behind.

""HA-HUFF! HA-HUFF!"" The high ranked wolves pant exhausted while avoiding a fiery bombardment and losing distance.

*ZiiuuUM~BOOM! ZiiuuUN~BA-BOOM!* Constant fireballs fly by the canines and explode on their sides sending rock and dirt flying while leaving holes and burning grass behind.

"Tch! Aim better!" A Foxman criticized at the front of the group.

Says the highest rank that can't hit either... The other foxes thought sarcastically.

*Thu-rum! Thu-rum! Pa-rash! Pa-rash!* The wolves left the grassy field and headed towards a round stone fortress fifty meters wide with sharp rock formations reaching up to ten meters as walls. *Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoop! THUMP! THUMP!...* The black canines passed through a six-meter-wide gate and jumped once inside a dark cloud hiding the insides.

"Che! I want three lines to chase them inside." The leader clicked his tongue and ordered.

"Erm... What about traps...?" The Foxman on the left asked unsurely.

"We didn't bring Earth users to check and we can't probe inside..." An older Foxman on the right cautioned.

"Tch! That's right..." The strongest Foxman acknowledged and turned back. "Tieko, take these four and peel right to flank them or cut their escape." He instructed the sub-leader before appointing two riders and their beast partners.

"I will not fail, Mr Roniez!" The fox acknowledged and separated from the group.

Hmph! Overly motivated teenager from the main family... The glory shall be mine! The leading foxman derided.

*Brururururu!* The two beast groups advanced in a formation of three to their respective target locations when the fortress gate started to close. *Krrrrururum--BRAM!!* Two rectangular stone slabs reaching five meter high slid on the gravel from the sides and slammed into each other sealing the entrance.

"Hmph! Like that frail gate is gonna stop us!" A red-haired Foxman derided and pointed his spear.

""HOUUU!"" The main group cheered and stopped thirty meters away from the gates.

*Fwoop! Fwooop! Fwoop! Fwoosh~* The three beasts in the front opened their mouths before creating compacted fist-size fireballs with different layers of substances and spew them at the stone gates. *Whooosh~* The red fireballs enlarged to human head size and converged in one spot. *KA-BROOMM!!! Thonk! Tururunk! Brak! Prashhh...* The combined explosion broke the limestone gates apart and crumbled into rubble.

"I can't find a back door!" The sub-leader informed closer to the rock formations on the east.

"Fire one round over the walls," Roniez ordered in growls and closed his eyes concentrating on detection.

*Fwoop! Fwooop! Fwoop! Fwoop! Fwoosh~* The magical beasts near the fortress sat with their mouths open towards the sky and launched explosive spheres over the wall and into the black cloud. *Fwooom! Fwoom! Fwoom!* The largest wolf inside the fortress fired microwaves from her mouth at the fireballs arching in the air. *Bwosh! Bwoosh! Bwoish! BOOM! Kra-krek-krack! Tushhh!* Three projectiles were destroyed while the last one touched down and exploded making small cracks in the floor.

"GRRR!" The she-wolf snarled annoyed.

The wolves lost control over their magic formation and the dark cloud flickered for a moment creating a gap for the firefox leader to detect six distinct high-ranking Magical beasts inside.

"Good work! Get ready to follow after us." Roniez commended and instructed in growls again. "Aim at the three wolves up north and leave the three that just entered on the left to our back group. Let's GO!" He ordered and pointed his hand forward before shouting in Stilus.

""HOUUU!"" The main group cheered and rushed into the fortress preparing explosive fireballs in their mouths.

*Pa-rash! Pa-rash!-- WHOOP! THUMP!...* The beasts ran on the gravel and jumped over the rubble.

"They won't escape this time--" The firefox boasted probing the ground closeby and his face changed after detecting a hollow space through the cracks. "STOOOOP!" He shouted with a horrified expression gripping the saddle's horn and hoping to cease their advance immediately.

However, it was too late... The wolves had flawlessly lured half the enemy forces into a chasm hidden under a thin layer of earth and filled with sturdy, metalized and poisoned rock spikes coming from the front wall inclined towards the entrance of the fortress.

*Trrrrssshhh...! BAM! WHAM!* The three foxes in the front tried to stop on the sandy ground when the ones behind slammed onto them. *SHRACK! SHRUACK! KA-CHAK!...* The metal tips on a dozen spikes pierced the tough hide of the first beasts in their necks close to a feet deep and their bellies close to half a meter before stopping. *Shrack! Shrack! Shruack!* The two beasts in the back of the formation tumbled to the sides and tried stepping on the sharp spikes to avoid falling.

""GRRAAK!! JYAAAN!! GHYAAAK! Gah! Uggrk! Agggh!"" The three skewed magical beasts in the front yelped in agony and their riders hang from the saddles above the hole disoriented. ""YIAUN! KYHIIIANN~"" The beast on the left behind wailed as he sustained injuries on his legs attempting to gain a foothold to jump back out while the orange fox on the right moaned in place with a metal spike lodged in each paw.

The attack the foxes were preparing vanished, wasting mana and elementals before swallowing the produced compounds, then instinctively used explosions on the objects impaling them.

*BOOOMM! BOOM! Kr-KRAAKK!!* The trapped creatures managed to break two stone pillars in the last struggle before the paralyzing substance in the bloodstream affected the nervous system and couldn't muster enough control for advanced magic. *KruaK--THONK! Thrukk! Donk! Tusshhh!* The two metalized rock spikes broke to pieces and fell while the trap remained intact with a dozen more in place.

"Ahhh--Oof! Omph! Uwaa--ack!" The rider on the left screamed as he fell from his saddle slamming onto several spikes on his way to the bottom of the pit accumulating poisoned blood.

""KYUON! It hurts... PYUN... So painful... HYEEN! C-can't move... F-fire... Firewall..."" The fox beasts wailed in pain and spasmed while the poison slowly invades their body and brings them closer to death's embrace, but some were lucid enough to fight back.

*FwuoowhoooSSHH! TSSSURURUG!* The fallen beasts managed to envelop themselves on fire as a desperate means of defense with whatever concentration they could muster.

""UOOOO!"" The second group reached the southern gate gathering flames into spinning spheres in their mouths and

*SRRrraash!!!* The three beasts slammed their paws and froze by the rubble at the entrance before jumping.

"EH...!? W-what's going on in there?!" The sub-leader blurted and shivered hearing the miserable wails from within the darkness.

"Smells death... Poison..." His partner beast informed holding a fireball in his maw.

"Another trap? They tossed their pride aside to lure us like weaklings!" The furthermost left rider in their formation derided.

"What!? But Nito, we just saw the wolves run in there!" The rider on the right retorted.

"Maybe we have a traitor? No... This reeks of humans..." The Foxman replied.

"Damn it all! Is it too late? Where do we attack Lalo?" Tieko asked advice desperately from the older fox beast.

"...The sides." The beast answered what he knew.

North of the trap occupying half the fortress, two wolves are lined up with the biggest one reaching four meters tall while three tired canines remain on the west.

"What magnificent screams! HAUUF~ HAFF! HAFF!" A Mid-Rank 8 darkness she-wolf appraised panting aroused with her tongue out.

"Elder Damya, can we do something about those?" The second largest wolf eagerly requested with his ears perked, a lowered stance and tail slowly wagging.

"Yes, yes... I don't feel like a beast taking lives without my fangs and claws!" The easternmost beast declared.

Oh? Tired of waiting... Understandable. It doesn't feel like a real accomplishment to kill your prey with traps and tricks. But Nefiru doesn't want casualties today because it's a waste of potential... The highest ranked sympathized and nodded.

"Have fun Deiyan. Remember to kill them slowly~ I'll maintain the darkness cloud and suppress their probes as much as possible." She ordered and assured.

"Yes... Let's go, everyone!" The upper rank 7 accepted and called into action.

*Ba-rash! Ba-rash! Whoosh!!!* The five wolves dashed around the hole in the ground to converge at the entrance.

However, even if it looks like our roles have reversed now, the foxes will be prepared next time...our war will become more complex. We must learn more from the dragon... Darkness can't be a useless magic... The she-wolf contemplated.

While the wolves converged at the entrance, the Western fox beast in their line flickered his ears and focused on the ground vibrations.

"Enemy incoming from the left!" He informed.

"From the right too!" Lalo confirmed on his side noticing as well.

"Eh? Fire at your sides! FIRE!" Tieko commanded hurriedly.

*Fwoosh-BOOOM! BOOM! BOOM!* The three beasts spew their fireballs into the darkness and immediately prepared more.

""HYEK! HYEK! E-EEP!"" Three wolves cry out injured in the legs and forechest.

*Krrrrsshhh!!! Frurururu~kshh!* The black canines stopped while the three continued to burn and opened their mouths in return charging an attack. *FWOOSH! Fwoomm!!! Bwuosh!!!* The firefoxes spew another fiery round that was countered by microwaves which destabilized the fireballs into harmless vapors and continued towards the entrance. *KSSHHH!* The beasts standing on the rubble were exposed to high-intensity light which briefly vaporized the water in their hide before using fire elementals to mitigate the damage.

""JYAN! KYUN! Arggh!!"" The fox beasts and the two riders temporary sufferings were drowned in the noise from the others.

"Oww! Fire shield! Block that annoying buzz and move back!" Tieko recovered and ordered.

*FwuoosSHH!* The fire users created firewalls to contain the microwaves and retreated outside before setting fire on the entrance. *TSSSURURUG!* A thick flame wall burns above the rubble keeping the wolves from leaving the fortress.

What to do? We're outnumbered... What's happening inside? We need help... The fox sub-leader wondered with uncertainty and concluded before turning to his left.

"Distress signal!" He ordered at the beast without a rider in the middle of their formation.

"WuaAROOOooo!" The fox howled trouble.

The wolves ceased their aggressive actions and put out the fires on their fur with the paws.

"GRRR! We all can't fit through..." A high-rank wolf growled irritated on the west.

"I don't want to get roasted in a narrow entrance!" Another darkness wolf on the west complained.

"Who designed this lair? It's terrible!" A canine on the east protested.

"The dragon did... Let's go complain to him later. For now, hold your position, Darzo..." Deiyan announced and moved closer to the fire.

"Boring... Should we try 'that' to get rid of the fire? I want to see their expressions!" The eastern burned canine requested.

"No. Don't waste mana just yet. I reckon that we'll get an opening soon. But only three of us can fit..." The second high ranking wolf assured and noticed. "Diemo and Dechewy--can't you do something about that name?!" He retorted calling the two wolves.

"Let me at 'em! I'll bite them! I'll maul them reeeaaal good." Dechewy said snapping his jaws at the fire on the side.

"Nevermind..." The older wolf realized and continued. "You two, dash on my signal." He informed the two medium ranked beasts.

""Woof!"" The beasts nodded approving and stayed in their pouncing stance.

Meanwhile, the riders of the first group realized that their partners whimpering and frothing had been poisoned, then decided to abandon them. The firefox leader and an older fox aged with scars of battle got off their saddle and climbed down the hole to rescue the fallen Foxman before the poison affected him as well. They ditched the armors and quietly climbed up using the stone pillars sticking out of the northern wall under the cover of darkness and magic interference hiding their presence.

Bastards are enjoying this... Roniez thought clenching his teeth and straining his senses.

"...The wolf up there must be their youngest Elder. We should be able to sneak from below while she's distracted and strike at vital points..." The leader whispered standing on a ledge inside the chasm.

"About that... I lost my weapon... W-what about Feloz?" The Foxman on the left revealed apologetically before quickly diverting the subject.

"Regrettably, Aremis, me too..." The older Foxman on the leader's right answered shaking his head.

"You fools! Can't you feel it? Our partners are agonizing while using magic to keep us hidden, but it's a matter of time before we are found out!" The leader admonished keeping a low voice.

""Uggguhh!"" The two foxmen uttered as guilt dawned on their faces.

"Hah... It's going to be a challenge piercing beast hide of that rank with only a tempered dagger..." He said touching the sheathed weapon on his waist.

You lost yours too!! The two lectured foxmen retorted.

"W-we should've blown this place to rubble from afar. But we had to get carried away after lord Zarion killed their strongest Elder." The foxman on the left commented.

"Hopefully the squad leaders and him can turn this situation around..." The elderly foxman said raising an eyebrow doubtfully.

"Heehh... It'd be nice to get rescued..." Aremis muttered whishing for a glimmer of hope.

"You idiots! We must attack the Elder and draw attention so that Tieko can attack." Roniez rebuked containing his anger.

"Undoubtedly. Neither of us can fly out of here." Feloz acknowledged with his ears lowered in shame.

"G-got it... We'll be the diversion..." The foxman on the left approved and resolved to get into action when a change occurred.

The skewed beasts quivered in place as the strength to whimper leave their bodies and the sound of panting prevailed creating an eerie atmosphere. The fox sub-leader got impatient thinking the worst after tracing the magic energies within the darkness and decided to take action against the strongest foreign aura.

"There you are... Comrades, forgive me..." Tieko muttered and clutched a sword in his right hand. "Fire vortex... THERE!" He ordered pointing the sword at the wall of fire blocking the gate.

*SwoooOOOOSHH!* The foxes converged yellow flames into a three-meter wide ball and burst it into the darkness taking the shape of a spinning cone. *FWUOOOSHH!* The horizontal fiery tornado moved over the downed beasts skewed in the trap as it expanded towards the solitary she-wolf.

No! They musn't hurt you... Hurt me, instead! The orange fox enduring the poisoned spikes judged and leaped ahead to his left.

*SHWOOP! BAASHHH! Whoop!* The fiery vortex blew the reckless beast the rest of the way across the chasm while the darkness wolf stepped back. *THO-ROMP! Srrrsssrrrsssh~* The fox landed tumbling down and slid on the dirt doing a half rotation before finally stopping with his rear by the wolf's paws.

What's ... this!? This one's resistant to that poison...? Were you in a hurry to die or did you tried to save me from that weak attack? The she-wolf wondered inspecting the upsidedown beast in front of her.

"Did we do something? Someone answer me!" Tieko questioned unable to see far ahead in the darkness and called out.

"That bafoon! We almost had her..." Aremis cursed grimacing.

"..." Roniez silently ponders with eyes closed and focused on his other senses.

"Well, this situation was unexpected even for old foxes like me," Feloz admitted.

"And he's as inexperienced as they come. Oh, the privileged..." Aremis retorted scrunching his face.

"At least he's not running away." Roniez finally spoke and opened his eyes. "I have worse news though. There are no signs of reinforcements coming either from the squad leaders or the borders." He revealed.

"That is most disturbing..." Feloz muttered as he frowned troubled.

"T-the boss is joking, right? Right...?" Aremis asserted nervously.

"Aren't they just delayed--It can't be! The wolves gathered at the borders instead of here...!? Hohoho~ You naughty wolves are confident in the outcome of this battle, aren't-chu?" The older firefox realized and conceded grinning.

"Certainly. That would explain why they aren't in a hurry to finish us off..." Roniez affirmed pinching the bridge of his nose.

"W-wait... The invasion failed??!" The younger fox demanded confirmation.

"I don't know. They might be waiting for our victory..." The leader asserted in a grave tone.

"N-no way... I'm not famous enough to die! Nor do I have children to remember me and brag about my heroic tales--" The younger foxman uttered holding his head with both hands.

"About how you fell into a ditch and we had to rescue your sorry tail? Hohoho~" The older fox mocked before smirking amusingly.

"Geh! More about heroically fell into a mighty trap and climbed from the pits of despair using the pillars of torment to attack the monster of insurmountable strength!" He countered gripping a fist while holding with the other.

"You were hugging a rock about to cry and I literally pulled your tail up. Hohoho~" Feloz teased further relieving his stress.

"S-sh-shut up!" Aremis blurted embarrassed.

While the three foxmen that were forgotten or presumed dead analyzed the situation, the black she-wolf moved her right paw to the rear of the beast sprawled in submission and pressed her claws in his genitals.

"KYHIIIANN~" The orange firefox wailed in delight.

He likes ... pain?! Interesting... Heellooo~ My new toy... Damya mused wagging her tail happily and loomed over the beast opening her maw.

I feel it... I feel your intentions through our magic. I found you! I finally found you...the one that'll fulfill my desires...my soulmate! Kufufufu! The medium-talented firefox rejoiced before his excitement turned into arousal with stronger heartbeats shooking his body.

*Krish! Whap! Kru-krukk! Grack!* The wolf claws pierce the fox hide and her fangs pierced up the bones on his legs leaving bleeding holes before moving to another spot. *Shhlap! Shhhlak! Shlurp!* The she-wolf slurped the blood and approached the shivering fox's neck without noticing his sexual excitement.

"KYUUUNN~" The fox moaning wails resounded within the enclosure causing bewilderment to all those in the area.

"Huh?! What in the blazes is that deviant mutt doing?! Wait... How is he still alive...?!" The leader discovered contrary to his expectations and questioned irritated thinking of his companion.

"He's quite the resilient fellow... Don't you know him, Aremis?" Feloz commented and asked.

"Yes, him, huh? Simon is probably being 'himself' in the wrong time and place. Those antics is why his family poisoned him since little and ultimately send him alone to the border. They didn't know he had a low-Water affinity and couldn't get poisoned easily..." The fox on the leader's left explained. "I can't believe he still cares for his family though. I would've killed them all..." He added twisting his lips appalled and gripping the stone wall strongly.

"Tch! Disgusting sack of bones." The high rank clicked his tongue and derided.

"Yes, but he's keeping busy that naughty Elder that's toying with him. We can use this to our advantage." The foxman on the right pointed out.

"Hmm... You're right..." Roniez conjectured when a change occurred.

The last Rank 7 fox beast inside the trap succumbed to the poison and dropped on its left side breathing heavily before the fire enveloping the poisoned beasts dissipated. *PLOP! THRUASH! WHOooosh...* The first three poisoned foxes bled sufficiently from their wounds and drew their last breaths letting go of their grip on the mortal world before their Mana was relinquished in a serie of waves that made all those present twitch with various emotions.

"W-what happened!?" The sub-leader outside the fortress questioned trying to come up with an explanation.

"Every...one..." The fox leader at the edge of the trap mourned with a trembling voice and ears lowered.

"Much blood spilled on this day... People we laughed with. Beasts we knew since little. Warriors who protected us. My third partner... Maybe I'm really cursed..." Aremis solemnly announced parting words.

"Such is our way of life. Hoo..." Feloz consoled placing a hand on the leader's shoulder and sighed.

"Alright, men... We waited long enough for help... It's time to reveal our fate." Roniez perked his ears recovering and said. "If we are to go down today, let us show these wolves who are they fighting!" He declared then slowly unsheathed his dagger with the left hand.

"Erm... Is there an option where we don't, uh, die?" The younger fox spoke reluctantly to leave the hole.

"Indeed. We just need to kill all of them." Feloz declared forcing a smile.

*Drash!* Roniez clasped the left fox on his arm.

"You are under the impression that we are at the border--we are not! These wolves will make you suffer like our partners... And don't forget that Divines are watching... Let that sink in and get creative to make your deaths count!" The fox leader admonished with an intimidating tone that demanded sacrifice and released the subordinate.

Sad truth is, we are mere entertainment to immortals while our Divine evaluates our actions and judge the treatment of our families... Probably he gets evaluated too... The highest ranking firefox recalled with a sour look.

""...Understood."" The other two resigned with somber expressions and began gathering magic.

"Let's start with a big one then!" Roniez declared and climbed out of the hole before standing on the edge channeling a large portion of magic around his body.

*Fwooop!* The firefox ignited a three-meter wide ring of fire around the thickness of a man and controlled it with his arms extended out before rotating the loop counterclockwise. *FwoooOOOOSH!* The red flames and the compressed chemicals inside accelerated to hundreds of revolutions per minute while its light was promptly absorbed by the darkness not far away.

"You damn deviants..." The highest ranking firefox muttered in low voice and finished preparations. "DIIIEEE!" He yelled with hatred and released the fiery torrent through a small opening on the right side of the loop.

*Fruussshhh!* The meter long fire jet turned blueish white as the other two foxmen at each side fueled it pure oxygen to make it hotter.

"Ehhh...!? The boss was alive...?!!" Tieko asked after identifying the voice inside the fortress.

"Don't be so surprised, fool!" The leader rebuked and shook his head dismissing before throwing a piercing glare into the darkness. "HAAA!" He yelled and fully released the compressed chemical stream.

*FRUUSSHHHH!* The thirty-five hundred degree flames that would melt almost any metal rapidly enlarged and extended towards the two beasts engrossed in their play fifteen just meters away that wouldn't give them enough time to dodge. Unbeknownst to the foxes, however, the she-wolf was smirking amused of their actions even before biting the orange fox in the neck and lifted him up in the trajectory of the attack. *Sruaaah! BWUASH! SHROOOO!* The searing blazes collided with the orange fox and instantly vaporized the fur on a large portion of his back before the scorching flesh turned the flames red as they go around the beast.

"KYAAANN!?" The fox wailed horrified and delighted then mobilized his elementals to defend.

The she-wolf retracted the magic sustaining the darkness cloud covering the bright sky above the fortress, and concentrated on mitigating the radiating heat reaching her behind the Fox.

""Arrghh!"" The three invaders inside the fortress grimaced under the sudden dazzling light that temporarily blinded them while the ones outside wanted to see.

*SHROOOooo!* The blue flames lost intensity as the accumulated fuel depleted and the fire users had to actively fuel the combustion to sustain the attack. *TSUUuuu...* The firewall at the entrance lost intensity and the foxes finally saw the carnage.

""Wh--!?"" The group outside skipped a beat and further lost control of their magic forgetting the quiet wolves for a moment.

"NOW!" Deiyan growled before pouncing at the gate.