Standing there looking at the fox that should not be there, Flynn finally couldn't suppress the soul shuddering fear he truly felt any longer. His body started to tremble and sweat began pouring out. He was sure that there was nothing in the cave when he entered, but the fox that caused him to flee for his life even while using a wind stone, was standing in front of him once again. He took a slight step back but then realized that he could not out run the beast in front of him. His mind calmed down and he started thinking of how to survive, but no matter what came to mind, it always ended with his death.

“Is this really how I die. In some small cave that no one knows exists.” His thoughts grew dark and he could not see a path to survival. “Fine, If I must die then I won’t be dying alone” He strengthened his resolve and drew his sword.

Once the fox saw that the boy drew his weapon it narrowed its eyes and they started to glow. In the next instant the sword dropped to the ground and the fox stood before Flynn before he knew what happened. He stared in shock when he saw the blood on the fox’s claws before blacking out from the excruciating pain.

“I didn’t believe it would end in such a pathetic way.” was the last thought that ran through his mind.

____________________

Flynn opened his eyes and was wondering why he was in so much pain. His mind finally started up and he remembered the attack of the fox. He couldn’t understand why he was alive. He also didn’t understand how he was attacked in the first place. Feeling the pain in his body, he at least knew his body wasn’t crippled and he could still feel the essence of the world he knew his cultivation also wasn’t destroyed.

He spread out his perception and his body shook a bit when he realized that the fox was still in the cave. He thought about it and couldn’t come to a conclusion on why he was still alive. He then realized that although the fox did indeed make the first move, it was himself that made the first provocation by drawing his sword. If the fox wanted him dead then he would undoubtedly be dead without the chance to retaliate at all.

He tried to sit up and realized that his body couldn’t move and it only brought him pain. He thought for a second and then began healing himself. The moment he began the fox stood up and looked at him causing him to immediately stop. After a few minutes passed he realized that the fox hadn’t made any other move he once again started slowly healing himself.

After an unknown amount of time all his wounds had closed. He didn’t directly start absorbing essence to replenish what he lost but instead sat up and looked at the fox staring at him. The first thing he noticed was that although the wound on its side had started closing the shine in its eyes was significantly dimmer. He wondered what level this beast had reached but he didn’t have the power to sense it.

The boy and fox just stared at each other. Flynn wasn’t stupid enough to do the same thing twice and just waited. After a few minutes of just staring Flynn finally blinked and when he did the fox vanished. He just stood there stupefied until he realized that the fox was right beside him. When he turned his head to look the fox once again disappeared and was in its original location.

Time, this beast was controlling the Laws of time. After seeing it up close a number of times, he finally started to see what was going on. The fox was stopping time or at least slowing it down to such a degree that he couldn’t tell the difference. The time law was just like a legend. It has been said that along with the spatial law, the time law, and a few others such Yin, Yang, Life, Death, etc. were extremely rare, to the point where hundreds or thousands years might pass and no one would wholly master it. All he really knew about Laws were that most were on a much higher level than the nine elements.

“Do you want to die boy?”

Flynn heard a soft voice in his mind and looked around until he realized where the voice came from. He didn’t understand how a beast could talk to him in his mind. His mind was in disarray trying to figure out if all this was a hallucination and he had lost his mind.

“I asked you a question boy. Don’t make me repeat myself.” the fox spoke again.

“I-I don’t want to die.” Flynn stuttered out as he realized that this was real. He thought to himself “what dumbass would want to die?”

“Why is such a weak human in this forest?” the fox narrowed its eyes as it asked.

Flynn felt a sharp pressure that felt like it would crush him if he relaxed even the slightest bit. He resolved himself to stand strong and not collapse under the pressure. He knew that if the fox wanted to take his life then there would be no need to talk.

“I entered the forest as part of a family test and to increase my strength.” he answered honestly.

The wolf released its pressure and spoke again “How could a weak human hope to survive in this forest? That’s no different from wanting to die.”

“It's no different from the weak beasts that survive and grow stronger. Strength reigns supreme and mine is not enough. If I don’t have strength then I can’t live as I please. The weak always live under the strong’s rule and would be nothing more than food for the strong. I don't need to be almighty but I want the strength to decide how I live or die. Whether I slaughter or save. Everything in this world needs strength.” he spoke resolutely.

The fox’s laughing voice resounded in his mind almost making him taking a step back in fear.

“If you want power then are you willing to pay the price?”

Hearing the question Flynn couldn’t help but shudder before nodding. The fox’s eyes started to glow once again before it slashed through the empty air. Immediately after a hole opened that emitted a strong suction force and without having the chance to react in the slightest Flynn was pulled inside and once the fox leisurely walked in the hole it instantly closed.

____________________

Flynn was tossed outside the hole and shocked to see he was no longer in the cave. How could he not be shocked? What the fox just displayed wasn't time but space. Having one or the other was already rare but having both was insane. Although the fox made him feel fear, he couldn't help being curious about what it was and more so, what was the feeling of familiarity he felt when passing through that spatial tear. Turning around he looked at the hole only to see the fox stepping out and the hole closing instantly after. Looking around he could only see trees and a small mountain. He figured he was still in the forest.

“Follow me boy” the fox said and headed towards the mountain.

Flynn didn’t hesitate and followed behind the fox while looking around. He spread his perception and noticed nothing at all. No beasts or even insects could be found within the range of his perception. It felt truly desolate.

Arriving at the mountain, they walked into a rather large cave that could not be seen from the outside. Flynn tried to search the cave and noticed that his perception was blocked and there was little essence within the cave. It took almost ten minutes before he saw changes. The dark cave suddenly brightened and the amount of essence multiplied a hundred fold. The cave opened up to a room that had a large crystal with a small black spot floating in the center surrounded by sixteen smaller crystals.

“What the hell is that?!” Flynn reflexively shouted while staring at the crystals.

“Focus boy” the fox said and snapped him back to attention. “We don’t have a lot of time and a few important things to get out of the way”

“Okay”

“The deal is simple; before your life ends you MUST kill the king of this forest”

“Who is the king of this forest and is that how you became wounded?” asked Flynn

“You will know who he is in time. Do you want the power to decide your own life or do you want to die now” the fox asked while glaring at the boy.

“POWER!” he shouted

The fox smiled and had him stand in the middle of the room under the crystal. The smaller crystals started to rotate clockwise while the larger one started to shine brighter. While Flynn watched the crystals the already thick essence within the room grew even thicker and started centering at his location. Being so focused on the crystals he failed to realize that his essence core was rapidly expanding and heading towards the ninth tier and then entered the Foundation Domain.

Only after he entered the Foundation Domain did he come to his senses and begin to feel what was going on. His power continued to rise until the smaller crystals finally shattered leaving only the large crystal shining with the black spot at the center. The essence started to gather at the center of the crystal causing the spot to slowly grow. He looked towards the fox to ask what was happening only to discover it lying weakly on its side and the glow of its eyes growing dimmer. He tried to rush forward but was held in place unable to move.

He called out but he received no response. Seeing that its eyes still had a bit of its shine he knew that the fox had not yet died but was sure it would not last much longer if its situation remained the same. He heard a sound and looked up and noticed that the spot inside the crystal had grown quite large and there were cracks running along the crystal steadily expanding.

“What the hell is that thing?”

Suddenly the crystal shattered causing Flynn to cover his eyes. He looked up again and saw nothing and grew confused. Remembering the fox he looked that way and was shocked to see another, smaller, fox beside it looking towards him with the same deep purple eyes. The bigger fox weakly stood up and nuzzled to other and they both walked forward to Flynn. He just stood there not moving an inch.

“Go”

The word caused Flynn to be confused because he didn’t understand, but as he was feeling confused the smaller fox shot forward and immediately sunk its teeth into his right wrist. By the time he reacted it was already over. A black mark was making its way up his arm and finally stopping at his shoulder forming the infinity symbol. He looked back the little fox and saw the same symbol briefly shine on its forehead before disappearing. He didn’t get what was going on but he could feel the fox’s existence closely linked to his own.

“Master” said the little fox as it bowed before him

“Be happy boy. You could search for a hundred years and never find a finer Soul Companion than her” the larger fox proclaimed proudly.

Looking at the little fox, Flynn could feel its presence as strong as he could feel his own. Deep in his Quintessence Palace he could feel another soul intertwined with his own and it actually made him happy. He smiled at the small fox and asked for her name.

“This one doesn’t have a name master” she replied still bowing

“It’s your duty to name her boy”

Flynn thought for a moment before giving her the name Nyx. After giving her the name her eyes flashed a brief purple light. Nyx moved over to his side and looked into his eyes as he continued to smile at her before he looked at the other fox and speaking.

“So would you please tell me exactly what a Soul Companion is? I have heard of Spirit Beasts but not Soul Companions. I can feel that we are connected but I don’t understand why or how.”

“Soul Companions are Beast, Demons, Humans, or any other race that have formed a bond with someone willingly and whole heartedly called a Soul Covenant. It’s a bond that lasts until death and they can never be forcibly separated by an outside power; it is even extremely difficult for those bonded to break it and the price for doing so is immense. If either of the bonded were to be harmed the other would immediately know and they would also be able to locate and communicate with one another no matter where they are as long as they are on the same plane. They would have no other choice but to help and take care of each other because if one were to die then so would the other. To have a Soul Companion is to have a companion for life and death. It is a bond that far surpasses that of blood or matrimony.”

Flynn was dumbfounded but before he had the chance to fully comprehend what he was being told the fox continued to speak.

“Spirit Beasts are beasts who have also entered into a contract with another being. The difference is that these contracts are usually based on strength, with the beast being forced to submit. Although some are equal, those rare cases are few and far between. This type of contract also allows a Spirit Beast that was forced to submit the ability to fight back against their master if they ever grow strong enough. Very few people know of Soul Companions and even of the few who know even fewer would form a bond that would bind their life and death to something they consider expendable. Some people have tens of spirit beasts so why would they even dare to bind their soul to something they have plenty of.” the fox spoke dismissively.