*Grhhh*
Kael woke up to a rumbling sound beside him. He raised his head, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
His eyes shot open fully when he saw the Fox curled up beside him, staring at him with a tired look in its eyes.
The sound came again.
Kael was first confused, then slowly, a look of amusement filled his face.
"You want more?"
Kael asked.
The fox seemed to nod, wagging it's tongue lightly.
Kael shook his head with a small laugh. "Alright, it's about time we left anyway. There's nothing left, let's go find food!"
The fox bounced up, Kael following it. It turned around and jumped on his shoulder, they both walked out of the shack.
"Let's head for the forest first." Kael said to the fox, walking towards a bush path that stretched forth in front of him.
He intended on hunting little lesser grade beasts, those of F to D rank. At the same time, he wanted to use it to complete fee of the system's mission.
Kael stepped onto the bush path, the ashfox perched on his shoulder, its claws digging lightly into his patched tunic.
The forest loomed ahead, tangled roots, damp moss, and a cold air that billowed almost wildly around it.
He wasn't dumb enough to wander deep where Greater Beasts or worse prowled; the outskirts were safer, crawling with Lesser-grade critters—F to D rank, weak enough for a scrawny kid and his oversized fox to handle.
Maybe.
The system's Missions tab had nagged him last night: "Hunt a Lesser Beast. Reward: XP +50."
He needed food. Mara wasn't here any longer, she had been the provider in their home, but now, she was gone. He needed a lifeline.
Food and the system mission. Two birds, one stone.
They closed in on the forest, a few branches snagging at his hair, but he stuck to the edge, eyes scanning for movement.
The fox's ears twitched, its tail flicking against his neck.
"Stay sharp," Kael muttered, half to the fox, half to himself.
His boots stepped lightly on twigs, the only sound until a rustle broke the quiet.
His heart was beating loudly now. Almost too loud. This was his first time ever coming close to this forest, he was in it now. Mara had always warned him to steer clear of the forest, but she wasn't here any longer, he couldn't help it. He needed to survive.
There was a rustle, a violent one.
He froze, his heart kicking up.
A blur shot from the underbrush. A fangrat—F-rank, mangy, with jagged teeth and beady eyes lunged at him, it's claws outstretched.
It was heading for the kill, an instant one.
Kael gasped, startled and scared, he stumbled back, tripping over a root.
He hit the dirt hard as the beast skidded toward him. It opened its mouth, it's jaws snapping for Kael's throat.
"Not again..."
but before it could strike, the ashfox leapt from his shoulder, a snarl ripping from its chest as it grew over ten times larger, clawing at the fangrat.
The fox collided with the fangrat mid-air, the both of them tumbling into the moss, away from Kael.
The Fox bounced on the floor and back to its paws. It bared it fangs, growling at the fangrat.
However, the opposition wasn't in any way scared.
They were both Lesser-grade, evenly matched. They both knew this.
They exchanged a tensed glare for a moment, then they both lunged at each other, at the same time.
The Ashfox swung it's tail, knocking the fangrat backwards. It followed up with a howl and a bite to the fangrat's middle section.
The fangrat let out a piercing screech, it fell back, shaking violently with either pain or rage...or perhaps both.
The Fox was bigger, it had an advantage.
The fangrat didn't care about that though, it was agitated now, it dived towards the Fox, swiping it's claws at it. The Fox tried to dodge, but the fangrat's claw struck it, causing a surge of pain to go through the fox.
The Fangrat wasn't done.
Kael scrambled up, his hands shaking as he watched the fox dodge a bite only to take another claw to its flank.
Blood specked its ember-streaked coat, and the fangrat pressed harder, pinning the fox with a hiss.
The table had turned.
It was losing—fast.
"No!"
Kael shouted, lunging forward without a plan. His foot caught a loose rock. It was a fist-sized, shapeless thing, but it was enough. He snatched it, hurling it with all his weak strength.
*Thomp!*
It landed hard against the fangrat's skull, clearly not hard enough to kill, but enough to stagger it.
The beast squealed, distracted, and the ashfox seized the chance.
It immediately stirred it's head up, it's body following. He made a lunge for the fangrat's neck, clamping it.
The Fangrat howled in pain, the fox had clamped a weak spot. The Fox seemed to understand it's advantage.
It shook his head violently, twisting with a sickening snap. Blood was oozing now.
The Fox shook even faster.
The fangrat went limp, dead.
Kael's chest heaved, staring as the fox shook itself now, blood dripping from its maw.
*Ding!*
That sharp chime rang in his skull, and the system's voice cut through:
"Mission complete: Hunt a Lesser Beast. Reward granted. XP +50 earned. Soul Level increased to 2." The screen flared before his eyes: Experience (XP): 50 / 200. New skill unlocked: Inferno Spark (Fire Elemental – Tier 1)."Inferno… Spark?" Kael muttered, blinking at the update.
Skills & Abilities tab glowed: Inferno Spark – Active Skill. Effect: Conjure a small flame. Range: 5 paces. Cost: 5 SP. Cooldown: none.
Kael felt the changes go through him instantly. And at that moment, he felt like he could do it.
He raised a hand, curious, and focused—nothing fancy, just willing it.
A tiny fireball, no bigger than a pebble, sputtered to life above his palm, flickering red.
It was Weak as hell. Barely enough to singe a leaf.
But it was his.
He'd had nothing yesterday, and now, he had this. A grin tugged at his lips, shaky but real.
He flicked it at a twig; it smoldered faintly, and he laughed, raw and ragged. The ashfox padded over, shrinking back to pet-size, its wound shallow but oozing.
Kael crouched, patting its head. "You're tougher than me," he said, still buzzing from the fire.
Then a voice broke the moment, shrill, mocking.
"What's this? A runt and his mangy pet playing hero?"
A girl stepped from the trees—Eryn Thalor, 15, frail-looking but with a glint in her hazel eyes. Her dark hair was tangled, her tunic dirt-streaked, an orphan like him.
She smirked, leaning on a stick. "what little thing is that?" she asked, gesturing towards the Fox.
Kael bristled, standing. "It's not... A thing, it just saved me!" His voice cracked, weak as his frame, but he meant it.
Eryn snorted, her lips curling up in a smile.
"Who cares that little pup saved you? It doesn't add nothing to its worth."
Kael took a deep breath. "It's name is...
Mara."
Eryn snorted loudly, an evil laugh rising.
"Who cares!?"
She raised a hand, mana pulsed, and the floor shook.
Then it broke.
A clump suddenly rose into the air, then it shot at him, light but fast.
He flinched, too slow to dodge, but he wasn't alone. The ashfox growled, surging up to full size in a blink.
It leapt, blocking the attack with its flank, then bared its fangs at her, embers flaring in its fur. It looked very hostile.
Eryn stepped back, her eyebrows raised in surprise. It could get that big?
Kael waved a hand. "It's okay… it's okay, I'm fine," he said, breathless, stroking the fox's neck.
It huffed, shrinking again, though its eyes stayed locked on her.
Kael let out a gentle smile, rubbing the fox even more lightly now.
Eryn lowered her arm, her gaze softening. just a flicker, but there.
This was a relationship, between a human and a beast. A relationship even more beautiful than that which the humans had with each other.
"How could she hate this?"
Eryn sighed softly, then she stared at Kael.
"You're a mess," she said, less bite in her tone now. She dug into a pouch, tossing him a scrap of stale bread. He caught it, a smile spreading through his face.
He split it with the fox as they sat, thr fox now staring at Eryn with a renewed light in its eyes.
"Orphans, right?" she asked, chewing her own piece. Kael nodded, swallowing hard.
"Yeah. You?"
"Same. Thornskull eats us alive." She paused, then jerked her chin west. "Heard the Cresthaven Academy's scouting soon, right here, in the village."
Kael nodded. He had heard about it. Mara was planning on taking the exam this year.
"It's the only shot for trash like us to get out."
Kael's eyes moistened, thoughts of Mara clouding his mind. She was killed even she got a chance.
It wasn't the case with him, maybe he had a real decent chance now.
He was going to do it. For Mara.