“So there we were, completely surrounded. Four hundred vodlaks where snarling down at us from the black castle walls. Every one of them, twice the size of Walt. …. Why you lookin at me like that? Maug can verify the count.” I look to the dog.

Maug turns his head and whines a little, poor bugger. Ok, I’ll stop doing that.

Grandma accepts the drink mother hands her, “Enough you idiot, Walther what happened? Why are you back so soon?”

Walt just shrugs and takes a seat on the parlor couch. We barely got home before Grandma had us pulled by the ear into the parlor for a report. Once I sit in the chair opposite her, Walt nods at me to get to the point.

“Ok right, so what really happened, the trip was fairly uneventful on the way until…” the door behind me opened and shut quickly.

I didn’t see anyone come in but I could hear small quick steps behind the couch Walt was sitting on.

A purple haired, pink feathered, girl peeks out from the couch before awkwardly running over to mother and ducking behind her tail. Mother picks up little Iris and sits on the couch next to Walt.

On mother’s lap, Iris takes mother’s tail and pulls it in front of her like a blanket so she can hide.

Hmm….

“Right, where was I? Ah ya, Four Hundred werewolves had us surrounded... Ouch!”

Grandma just conjured a snowball at my face! She’s leaning her staff back against her chair, fine, I’ll impress my adorable bird princess later.

Maug pipes up before I can start, “Can I eat the bird?”

I send a strong red zap at his tail, with a yelp he begins spinning in circles, blowing on his tail.

Finally he turns into mist and floats to Walt’s side of the couch to hide before reforming. Iris is in a fit of giggles, most helpful Maug’s been all month.

“Anyway, we got out of our woods to the road without issue. There was a small encounter before reaching the village, eight or nine of the beasts, not an issue.”

Maug whines.

“The village was actually a rather large town. The mad duchess had burnt everything to the ground. We were unable to find any survivors or injured. Across a large river the lord of the town had built a rather simple fort, I imagine he’s currently in Yoden with dreams of expanding it into an actual castle. Apparently the lord had…”

I'm not talking about this in front of Iris, “Cruelly taken the duchess from her home.”

“He has ambitions of starting a small kingdom and gaining the trade rights to our pines, earning a fortune for himself. Zenazla sought to avenge herself and her family by laying the blame on us for the massacre of the townspeople, thereby ruining her husband’s little scheme for riches.”

Zenazla is currently tied up in the barn.

“The woman is completely deranged, but her word is the only account we could find of what happened. We made effort to quickly capture her. Her last act was to call her remaining cursed army to defend her.” I glance at Maug, debating whether to tease him more, nah grandma looks impatient.

“Nearly a hundred men surged from the woods. We detained the woman and set to trap the small horde. The twins barricaded the single tower hall shut while we lie in wait in the wagon. Once Lupa closed the gate behind them, we pooled our magic to create a decent sized wind vortex to wipe them out. Walt’s idea, from mother’s story of Nicopolis.”

Grandma looks pleased with Walt but he doesn’t seem to care or notice.

“A few stragglers attacked at night but again, hardly an issue. I blasted their heads off from atop the fort tower.”

Iris has a gleam in her eye, wait… how much of this is she understanding?

“We hung around five more days but with the town in cinders and hardly anything to be found in the fort we were quickly falling short of food supplies.” I glance at Walt and smirk.

“The last night all we had left from the fort was the alcohol, Walty put on an entertaining show I'm sure Sassa is eager to tell about and we left in the morning. Nothing happened on the way back. Maug kept the woman asleep the most the time, something he says you can teach me mother?”

Walt has his head in his hands; Mother is trying not to laugh.

“We can give it a try dear,” Mother asks, “How did you fare with the drink?”

Grandma is back to looking annoyed.

With a grin, “I fared better than the normally reserved Walt, but Lupa was the clear winner, not fair mother.”

She sighs, “I would expect as much, but we can work on that. Anyway, I'm sure your cream pet is already making herself at home in my bath. Go get some rest, I’ll have the foxes handle the woman, our spells are a bit more efficient than the warg’s.”

Walt is immediately out the door. I try to pat Iris’ head on my way out but she hides back under mother’s tail. In the hallway Akane is waiting, she gives Walt and me a hug before entering the parlor, likely to collect Iris.

In the bath Lupa quickly grabs me and tosses me into the water before mounting my lap. She seems ready to lick me clean and I'm not about to stop her, in fact I think I’ll return the favor.

------------------------

In the morning grandmother left with Zenazla and Maug to return to Yoden. Mother had used some sort of spell that will safely freeze the woman and unborn child in sleep for the duration of the trip. Maug, as Freki’s agent, was to help guard the prisoner until she reached the capital city and vouch for the story.

Our parting of ways was simple.

“See you later fuzzy pup.” His crooked grin.

My grin matches his, “Count on it.”

---------------------------------

A couple months-ish later

We’re sitting at dinner, as usual I have Lupa to one side on the bench and Akane on the other. Walt and the twins are opposite us.

Akane scoots aside and the normally shy Iris hops up next to me. She pouts at Akane and then gets placed on her lap.

I need to mention, she's finally started wearing clothes, I guess.

Really it is just a single, pink silk scarf. The center is behind her neck, it crosses her chest then again on her lower back before wrapping around her waist with the two ends in-between the front and back of her legs. She refuses to wear more. She says clothes rub her feathers wrong.

She looks at me with those azure eyes, I think she's getting past her nerves to speak. Admittedly I'm kind of excited, she never talks to me and just hides.

“So, you’re my wife right?”

….what?

What has this little girl been taught already, “Um, no, you’ll be my wife.”

“Right, and you’re going to be mine.” She has a haughty attitude for some reason.

“No, I’ll be the husband.”

“Isn’t the bossy, creamy dog the husband?”

Lupa starts laughing.

…I think I've made a mistake somewhere, “No, she's also my wife.”

Akane’s ears are low, she almost seems to be hiding her face behind her red bangs, everyone nearby is listening in.

Iris looks confused, “Why do you get two wifes? Do I get two husbands?”

Ptah is laughing at the table with mother, looking this way.

I must say this is frustratingly adorable. She has a kind of angry pout on her face. Lupa is looking at me as if expecting some great sagely answer.

“No, I will be your only husband.” Let’s draw that line early.

“Why? That’s not fair.” Yup she is confused and angry.

How do I explain this, it’s not like she doesn’t have a point. This is why I gave the egg to Mother and Akane.

“Well, a man can make more than one girl have an egg but a girl can only have an egg from one man.” Yup total bullshit, but hopefully she buys it.

She looks lost in thought a second as she plays with one of the random feathers in her hair.

The twins seem to find the whole conversation inappropriate.

She exhales a frustrated breath, “Ok, but how do I make an egg for you?”

….No.

Lupa falls off the bench laughing.

“Akane, what have you been teaching this girl?”

She's completely red in the face.

A month later.

---------------------------------

Here I sit enjoying a late lunch with Akane. Lupa is off with her mother, Walt is off training magic and little Iris is with mother.

“Well this is a nice change sister.”

No watchful eyes or prying ears.

She gives a bright cheery smile, “I never get time alone with you brother!”

I hear the door open, “Ah, you spoke too soon.”

In walks someone I have never seen before. Believe me I would have noticed if I had.

She’s has slick black hair with blonde sharp ears and blonde bangs under a green head cloth. Her small breasts are held in a simple, crossed, dark green cloth wrap that loops around her neck. She has a thick black leather mini jacket and matching black and green, knee length sarong.

She walks over to us looking excited and sits next to Akane. She's shoulder height to Akane and looking at her with star struck cerulean eyes.

I can see a smooth black tail with streaks of blonde wagging behind her. Akane also notices this and seems thrilled. This girl is certainly very cute.

She doesn’t wait to introduce herself to us, well to Akane really, “Hi, I'm Patra, you’re Akane right? You’re gorgeous!”

Akane can only nod as she blushes a little, really sister?

“I’m Nox by the way, and are you related to Ptah?” I can see the resemblance in her tanned face.

“Ah, nice to meet you, and yes, he’s my father. Anyway, Akane, I was there when you were born, you were sooooo cute. I can’t believe how tall you are, and those breasts, so not fair.”

For some reason Akane hugs the girl.

Not to be completely brushed out of the conversation with the cute girl, “You were here for our birth?”

“Mhmm, your mother called me an idiot though and kicked me out after washing you, I left a few weeks later for Yoden. Akane you were just so adorable, always hugging this guy’s weird tail and hitting your brothers!”

My ear twitches, no sparks, but she definitely touched a nerve.

Akane giggles a little, “Careful, Brother is touchy about his tail, but I do love it. Your own tail is quite pretty.”

The hell, they’re both blushing?

“Riiiight, I’m going to Mother for lessons, you two enjoy yourselves.” I pick up my dishes and get up to leave.

Without even looking away from Akane, Patra says, “Do let Madam Inari know I’ve returned please, thank you!”

She's so cheery I feel awkward.

Whatever, the fox girls have another member for their fan troupe.

I take a last look as I leave, they are happily chatting away, Patra more so….damn she has a nice ass though.

Akane throws me look to get moving, that’s a first.

Mother is waiting in the parlor; she already has a drink beside her favorite chair. I must have missed Iris leaving.

I can pretend to be offended but I don’t really care, “Mother, some girl named Patra asked me to inform you of her arrival.”

She rolls her eyes, “You know, I half hoped that little twit would get lost somewhere along the way to Yoden and back. Whatever she's a sweet enough girl, a bit too dumb and clingy for my taste. Please try to keep off her, I don’t want that in my bloodline.”

It rare to hear mother say anything like that, “Actually, she wouldn’t even look at me to speak. She kept her eyes locked on Akane the whole time.”

Mother puts her face in her hand and finishes her drink in one take. “You father will be laughing at my expense for months, it’s my own fault really, I forgot her mother was a howler…”

She looks at me as if she just realized I'm here, “….you didn’t hear that Nox.”

It was more of a threat than an order or command.

“Maybe, but I’ve been wondering mother, are we your only children? Also, whether you look it or not, you are far older than our father so what is with that?”

She gives me an annoyed look before refilling her drink.

“I am your father’s first wife, he got me drunk and won me in a bet. I’ve honestly no interest in men at all and the whole arrangement was actually pretty convenient politically. I let him look but not touch, a trophy to show off. He’s never liked that but he’s an honorable man and not about to force anything I’d disapprove of, doesn’t hurt he knows I’d kill him if he did.”

She looks up from her drink and glances my way.

“Really darling at least act surprised, you’re so like him. And don’t misunderstand, I absolutely adore you pups. When I was informed by the clans that it would be very difficult for him to actually conceive a child with his second wife and it was my duty as the first to provide him with an heir, I was quite nervous. She is an Avis similar to your Iris.”

These similarities keep adding up.

“Anyway, it was my first time with a male and such you are my first and last litter, my absolute treasures.” She has the most sincere smile I’ve seen her give me since I zapped that idiot brown tail in the play den.

I smile back, there can be no doubt I’d do anything for my dear mother regardless of any of this.

“So I guess Patra caught you playing with her mother? Does Ptah know?” this is very fun. I can’t believe I'm gossiping like the twins right now.

Mother laughs smiling even brighter, “Maybe you do take a little after me. Yes she saw us in quite the compromising position, no way even that idiot could mistake what was going on, and yes Ptah knew. He said he didn’t mind since it wasn’t with another male. Actually he asked to watch, of course I will never allow that.”

Bummer... uh wait no, that’s weird.

She laughs more, “Really, enjoy that with your own wives someday. Any way can we get to business?”

“Wait, so if this Patra girl has ideas in her head from you, then should I be concerned that she's currently entranced with Akane?”

“Are you concerned with my preferences?”

“Of course not mother.” I mean really even the most prudish woman would find mother attractive.

“Then I don’t see the issue, Akane is a smart girl…most the time. She can decide things for herself. Now, we’ve wasted enough time haven’t we?”

Right, today I’m to learn about affecting and controlling dream states.

“This is one of the Kistune’s more frowned upon abilities, but in truth it comes completely natural to us from our ancient heritage with the eastern demon clans. If you are capable of learning it then, as Maugy claims, you have Freki’s direct bloodline which I’ll explain in such a case.”

I'm not sure how happy I should be about that or if I should hope for otherwise. I have already seen how the elders of my tribe react to the goddess and her servants.

“First we're going to see how quickly you gain control of yourself in a dream state. If you can’t control your own dreams it will be impossible to affect others.”

At mother's gesture I lay down on the couch as she locks the room and covers the windows. She then walks over and hops into a cross legged position on my chest, she's extremely light..

I mean it wasn’t out of my mind, I had seen Maug doing it, “Um mother?”

“I’m just teasing you dear, we are not demons or animals, there’s no need for even direct contact so get this silly idea out of your head.”

As she says that she floats up into the air then lifts my head and takes a seat on the couch, giving me a lap pillow. What am I supposed to think of this huh?

She giggles a little, “Oh come on, let me play a little darling. Now just relax and I will put you to sleep.”

The moment I close my eyes I feel like the world is falling away around me.

--------------------------

Before I open my eyes I am greeted by the sound of growling.

I snap open my eyes, it’s the same damn black pine trees, gods I hate these things. The growling is from a large pack of black wolves, they have me surrounded as they stalk among the roots and trees.

The first leaps for my throat, out of reflex I try to disperse to fog…not working. The dog hits me knocking me down, biting into my shoulder.

In a slight panic another reflex kicks in and I send the wolf flying with a shock.

I stand up, no weapon, no fog. This will be different, this is more Akane’s area of combat…ah.

Focusing on my arms, I send my stored up energy there.

Surprisingly my shapeshift still takes effect. My hands enlarge and gain a spiny metallic black fur up to my elbows. Massive claws crackling with my lightning arcs from them along the stiff black fur.

Eager to test this out I dash towards the nearest wolf, I’ll hit them before they get over their hesitation.

The first one is completely shredded from a slash along its side, the sparks ripple along my arm blasting the wolf’s body away to my side in a burnt and bloody clump, it smells awful.

I move to the next one but they’ve caught on, they’re far too fast.

Well if my arms shifted fully then the rest of me can too, these arms look like the vodlak’s. They had beast like legs too, that’s how they dodged the twin’s magic.

Expanding my focus to my legs, my arms shrink back to a more normal size. It only takes a second for the feeling to reach my legs and the same black metal fur covers my legs shredding my clothes. I can see similar claws on my feet, my sparking wolf feet.

I take off after the nearest wolf again. Unable to quite keep up still, I drop to my fours.

The chase takes us around several trees, finally I'm able to catch up, sending the dog flying in a tackle, again the horrid smell of burning fur.

They start to move even faster, attacking then quickly retreating, out maneuvering me.

Slowly I'm getting used to using my tail better. I feel my transformation spreading to the rest of my body. The feeling is weird. I must be in an almost full wolfman form like the vodlaks.

As I chase the wolves around tearing them apart more just keep coming in an endless wave from deeper in the woods.

Well, why don’t I try what Akane would do? I use my steel like claws to run straight up a tree.

After reaching a decent I height I back flip off the tree, at the height of my arc I use my wind magic like Walt and propel myself at a breakneck speed toward the ground.

With a blast that echoes through the woods I slam into the horde below. A shock wave of black fog surging with bright red lighting bursts from the impact, everything around is burning and the bodies are discharging bits of red static.

As the smoke clears I stand up, my hands are still furred and clawed, sparking a little. The rest of me is back to a more humanoid form, I can feel my hair on my back…shit I'm naked.

Ah right, dream… I wave my hand and like mist being dispelled, the woods disappear.

The world blurs then reforms again, fresh clean woods… different however. Instead of gigantic pines and darkness, bright light leaks through green leafed white trees. A soft breeze makes ripples in the tall green grass everywhere.

“An interesting sight son. Where on Terra have you seen something like this?” mother appears in front of me.

“Oh he hasn’t,” Freki is sitting on a rock behind me, always behind me, that’s annoying you know.

She giggles but her tone turns serious, “While this was indeed created by him I don’t want you two to think further on it ok.”

She's back to smiling, “Anyway this is a very entertaining game you’re playing with my pup here Vulpi, you should have invited Me.”

Mother sighs, “You’re here aren’t you? Clearly an invitation wasn’t necessary. Anyway this place is quite nice, and good job son, I was about to wake you thinking you had completely forgotten your reason for being here.”

Freki chimes in, “But it looked like you were having a good time, seems you achieved more than you were looking for.”

I can still remember the feeling as I ran up the tree right at the end, “Did I turn into a wolf completely for a bit there?”

Uh hey I'm still naked! I look at Freki nervously; yup she’s staring at my crotch licking her lips.

Mother is looking at Freki with a bit of disbelief, “Gods Dear, he’s nearly your own pup as much my own?”

“He’s my toy and I’ll use him how I wish.” Yup she'd say that.

“Darling it’s your dream just focus like before. Now Freki, since you’re here I may as well confirm which bloodline you gave him, though that transformation gave it away.”

I form a rather royal looking black armor and fur jacket, badass, is that a word?

Freki giggles again, “Try to keep your head in this lifetime Fuzzy, if you plan on playing in your own dream world that is rather critical. Anyway, yes Vulpi, as my bloodline and champion Fuzzy will be this era’s barghest.”

Mother looks a tad nervous, “The last one tried to conquer the known world Freki.”

“Well that one wasn’t specifically mine, and Fuzzy has you all, his family. He’ll be fine, besides you hate responsibility don’t you boy.”

She turns to mist and reforms as a little girl on my left shoulder bouncing her crossed legs as usual.

Rule the world? I’ll pass on that head ache.

“See Vulpi, he’s fine, so just don’t mention it in Yoden and you’ll be fine.”

Mother still seems uncertain, “His father will notice immediately, if your niece Nemesis hasn’t already warned him.”

I give her a reassuring smile, “If Freki says I’ll be fine then we’ll just have to go along with it won’t we mother?”

Honestly this is starting to get too heavy for me. I’ll play obedient son as much as I have too but I’ve no plans for world domination…although I bet that comes with a lot of women…

Freki busts up laughing, “Hey now you are mine first and foremost never forget it. Now wake him up Vulpi,”

Her expression turns serious as she reforms as a full grown woman in front of mother, “he’s to enter his own dreams like this as little as possible till he’s older and can handle it. His soul is still young.”

Mother takes on a look of understanding. She snaps her fingers and everything fads, but not before Freki gives me a quick kiss on the cheek.

-------------------------------------

I’m back on the parlor room couch. Mother is stroking my hair, it feels longer… it is. As I look at my hands they still have the steel like claws.

Her voice low and soft, “My son you have many traits and now we know for certain you are in for a rough future in this lifetime.”

Deciding I don’t want her to dwell on this, “Let’s go see if dear sister has already been seduced.”

“Sounds fun dear,” she giggles more, “darling, tone down the grin. You have yourself a wicked set of canines matching your looks.”

The mid afternoon, light meal should be getting served now. As we enter the dining room I can hear someone yelling.

“Why do you deny me without a pass?! I dare say I'm the best looking of the yearlings in this damn cave and you have yet to pair with anyone! I am very talented with my fire magic. I come from the same clan as your mother, not one of those filthy idiot dogs!”

An orange tail from Lupa’s age group is yelling at Akane, I can see she's ready to cry. Hmm she's gripping Patra’s hand beside her.

Mother whispers with a giggle, “hey evil big brother, go save your sister.”

Oh, this will be fun.

I walk up behind the fox pup. He is a solid head shorter than me which means he’s much shorter than Akane, the tallest of us siblings now. That’d be a funny looking couple. He is completely average no matter how I look at him.

Must not laugh right now…

“What is your name?” time to crush some pride.

He shouts as he turns around before looking up, “Koan!”

Ha, he looks like he’s going to piss himself.

“Well Koan,” I put my hand on his short head, “you’re a pipsqueak, how would my majestic sister look standing next to you?”

I turn his head for him, he can’t resist, and I act like I'm looking in his ear.

In a mockingly shocked tone, “By all accounts you appear to be brainless as well! How can the future queen be paired with an idiot?”

I poke him in the chest, with a light shock he goes flying over the table.

“And look, your weak, someone could take you hostage to threaten her. She couldn’t even keep you as a pet. Are you that blind to yourself?” goodbye pride.

He jumps up and begins to form a fire ball to throw at me. It’s not even a quarter the intensity of Akane’s black flames. Hmm I’ll try another of her abilities.

Koan throws his fire at me, Akane looks to stand up but with a look from me she stops.

Focusing on my hand, I attempt to catch the flames, they flicker black before simply dispersing in my hand. They weren’t powerful enough to hold form.

I glare into his eyes, “Are you done with this pathetic display little fox boy?”

He actually does wet himself as he runs from the room.

….I am Not cleaning that up, “that’s disgusting, someone drag him back here!”

Mother moves over to Akane, “Sorry precious, I wanted to let Fuzzy play a little.”

Twitch, “Oy, let’s not use that name in the dining hall please.”

And I’ve been completely ignored, Patra giggles. There went my pride.

I now notice Iris is sitting next to Patra, at least she is still starry eyed towards me.

Iris hops from the bench, “That was awesome Fuzzy!”

She has the most adorable smile but I feel like crying.

How could I think of ruling the world with a nickname like Fuzzy?

Mother smiles, I think she's cheered up a good bit again, “Akane dear you’ll be joining your brother for sleep spell lessons, Patra you’ll be our practice tool, I won’t hear complaints.”

Patra looks ready to run away.

However, at the excited look Akane gives her she gives up, “Yes Madam Inari.”

I feel like playing with Walty, “Later Sister, Mother, funny new girl.”

Akane gives me a quick hug and Patra waves like an idiot.

As I'm leaving I grin at Koan as he passes me with a mop and bucket.

Iris hops up to follow me, as she passes Koan, “Ew, you smell gross!”

Iris looks at me, then jumps and with a flutter of her little wings lands on my shoulders.

“Hey wife where we going?”

Dammit.

“I will be your husband, but not yet, when we’re both older.”

“Right, anyway, where we going?” It’s a crime how cute this girl is.

“I want to play with Walther.”

“Yay uncle Walty!” she happily kicks her feet up and down, I'm sure Freki would love this child.

I find Walt in his new favorite spot, the guard tower. He’s eating some fruit being fed to him by the twins.

Yup now I'm definitely in the mood to hit something, “Round two little brother.”

He raises an eyebrow before smiling, “In the woods older brother, I’d hate to destroy the cave.”

Oh bold words

-----------------------------------------

In the tower and on its roof and along the walls everyone’s watching, I can see little Iris on mother’s shoulders.

“Ready Walty?”

He’s ditched his coat and is standing before me with his actual sword, no wooden toys this time.

I as well in my full armor, this time a sleeveless set matching his, trident in hand.

Walther simply grunts with a smirk.

He charges at me in the blink of an eye, no fun brother trying to end it fast.

I fade into fog at his impact and burst out into the area so he won’t know where I’ll reform.

Of course I'm not going to deny the others a show.

The cloud disappears as I dive down from a high branch, trident forward, fully charged and arcing gold sparks.

Walt coats his sabre in ice and with a horizontal slash he swipes away my trident.

I stay air born spinning with the momentum of his slash; I continue the motion swinging at him from his other side.

He also followed through with his swing, spinning around to bring his sword up to hit me as he ducks under my trident.

I turn sideways letting his sabre sweep past, taking fog form and following the air wake of his sword.

Forming behind him I sweep the legs. He jumps away, I continue to spin the trident around my waist and over my back, taking a position with it on my shoulder and pointed at him as I aim a blast of gold lighting in a beam for his center mass.

He makes a loud grunt and his skin and fur take on a solid silver form just as the beam hits him.

At that distance and short charge time the beam doesn’t have the power to do more than scatter on impact, burning the nearby roots.

Walt retakes a normal form; I guess he can’t move as full metal.

A grin creeps to my face as I can’t contain my excitement, “Nice trick little brother.”

“HEY!”

Akane slams down behind me, did she just jump the wall?!

She's fully geared with her massive oriental gauntlets coated with red flames. Her short spiky red hair also looks to be flickering with the fire.

With a fanged grin she proclaims, “No fair! You boys are playing without me again!”

--------------------------------

A/n for a basic idea for patra look up talim from soulcaliber and go from there.