686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGt0rXJpBV
686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyKHcZyvKI
Chapter 1: Disturbance
Sarna was a once beautiful and prosperous continent. In it were three kingdoms, each consisting of a different race.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6xzIYVI2y
The first kingdom was that of the humans. Illyria, which is located in the Southern Mountain range, is known as the kingdom in the Sky. The humans settled it hundreds of years ago and had been there ever since. Not much was ever heard from this kingdom being that they lived in fear of the others not wanting to bring the wrath upon them.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gwi2w0jLS
To the west of the Southern Mountain kingdom was the Kitsunian Kingdom but you would never know it. Runera was the hardest to find because they had hidden it so well. It lay deep under the earth of Sarna and the only way in was if an invitation was extended and its location was spoken.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzDzyRecrN
The third and final kingdom was that of the Elves. A woodland fortress known as Sephire lay to the north of the Great Divide, which was the massive lake that almost engulfed the border of the Elven and Kitsunian kingdoms.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYg5sCEC9L
All was well within and between the kingdoms and had been for two thousand years...or so it seemed. It was a bright and sunny day in Sarna and everything was calm in the Human and Kitsunian kingdoms but something was brewing in Sephire.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBO7rlYvdZ
The king of Sephire had given the word. It had been long awaited as the soldiers had been training for years for this moment. It had gotten to a climax and everyone was at each others throats, crime had gone up due to the unrest. The words given were sent down to the generals and captains. They were to leave immediately and head for the Runerian border and leave no living being alive.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7EsTndpC2
The chosen unit set out on foot when they were ready and started making their way to the border. Marching in perfect formation for hours, they reached the border and crossed, coming across a run down shack that looked deserted.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBhZK3Whwk
"Check it out", ordered the Captain. His troops slowly started toward the shack being very quiet but what they did not know was the family of kitsunes inside had seen them approaching and continued to out of curiosity. When the oldest male saw weapons, he turned to a teenage female and told her to grab supplies just in case. "Who is that?" He asked as he turned back looking at the troops.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaxfbJ5bg6
"It looks like Elven forces but what would they be doing across the border, armed at that?" The teenage female said. "To do such is an act of war but we are at peace." She scattered around the house and collected items such as a bag, some meat, bread and a canteen that was bursting with water.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpIKBTWrF7
As she returned, she saw her father going to the door. "What are you doing?"686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWh9JSPggu
"I am going to see what they are doing here. Maybe they are looking for an escaped fugitive or something of the like." He sighed and reached for the doorknob but turned his head back to the female.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1mnXkfuoa
"If anything should happen to me you know what you must do."686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpZFPZSoMt
She nodded her head "I am to run to the Runeran castle and not look back." She had a look of worry in her eyes and she started to shake. "Be careful father."686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuXBmdln95
Her father turned the knob and opened the door slowly walking outside and closing the door before making his way toward the troops. His daughter ran to the window and stayed glued to it as she watched her father talk to the troops.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDepzsdHJWa
"Hello. Lovely day isn't it?" He asked. They did not seem too interested in him, looks of disgust on their faces. "What pray tell are you doing across the border in this time of peace?"686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zZQnNE5QA
"What we are doing here is none of you business you fox scum." Said a tall elf. The elf seemed to be the captain as the others backed away as he stepped forward toward the kitsune. The male kitsune stood with a shocked look painted on his face. "You being here is of my concern as these are my lands, given to me by the king. I'll ask again... what are you doing on my land?"686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmosDCo6PnZ
At these words, the elf's face turned to one of even further disgust and his body shook with rage. Never had he been spoken to in such a manner, especially by an inferior such as this fox-like scum.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQAwPmWnz5
The elf captain stepped toward the male. "What is your name?"686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgEcylmN2M
The male got a bit scared but held steady. "I am Kai and you are?"686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiyOpFzFGF
"Elion of the elven army, as you can tell" he laughed as he put his hand on the hilt of his sword. "And I do have a feeling this is the last thing you'll ever hear or see."686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkM7ExNu0e
Kai made no movements of retreat and stared down Elion. He knew it could get worse for him soon but he had to hold them here. If they got to the house, they would find his daughter.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV64bcKuX6R
Elion drew his sword out and pointed it at Kai. "Move out of my way. You are of no importance to me and I'd rather not have this end badly for you"686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXeqPqzu3B
Kai looked at the sword then back into Elion's eyes. They were cold and heartless; no doubt a result of eleven training.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe28Pz187h
"What are you going to do if I refuse? You will kill me? What does that do for you?"686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlK3Ww41s3o
Elion moved closer and lowered his sword.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbnw6J7flI
"It would give me no thrill and would not do my mission a bit of justice but...", he said softly as he lifted the sword and slammed it into Kai's chest…if I must I will".686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetbwWwZSsi
Kai slipped off the sword slowly, his blood staining the blade. He slumped down to his knees gasping for air holding his wound.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh7v8zOYEz
"Y..y.." he fell over as Elion wiped the sword's blade off and then sheathed it. He looked at Kai's body as it lay there lifeless and then turned his attention to the shack.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvNWSqWMzC
"He was protecting something at that shack." He turned to his men and pointed to it. "I want you to tear that place apart. Find what he is protecting."686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tLMI5kW11
The men along with Elion started their march toward the shack. Little did they know, Kai's daughter was inside at the window. She was a witness to the senseless murder and if it ever got out then war would come to Sephire as well as swift deaths for all the men in Elion's Unit.
686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspGGbgYc4v
Chapter 2: Escape686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDLOCABgEp
She had seen it all, her father's body having a blade shoved through it and the blood drip as the elf stood over his lifeless body. She screamed inside, torn by her emotions. On the one hand she was sad and wanted to cry but on the other she was building fury, a fury that no being had ever known before. She clenched her fists in rage, stormed toward the door, and slammed her hand on the knob.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguk90cNCKD
As she did she heard something, a sudden voice came to her in her mind. It spoke to her and she realized who it was immediately.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTChBMhS9p
"Elena you must not do this. Run...run away to the Runeran castle. You must Elena, your sister and mother needs you."686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5Sd4zxxSa
Her grip on the doorknob loosened and she welled up with tears, drops hitting the floor as the cascaded off her face. She sniffled and wiped her eyes then made her way back to the window and saw the unit advancing upon her home. She started to panic. If they found her and knew she had seen the whole event they would definitely kill her with no remorse. She was a mere pawn in this chess match between Sephire and its intended enemy. Her father's voice was right; she had no business staying any longer in their old shack. It was lost, everything her father and her had worked for.
Elena turned on a dime away from the window and walked toward the kitchen where her bag of supplies laid. She trotted to it and snatched it up then opened it up quickly and sorted through it. "Meat...water...bandage..", she mumbled as she poked around in it. As she finally finished she snapped the bag shut and as quick as lightning made her way to the back door, slamming it open and racing down the stairs.
Quietly she tiptoed to the edge of the house and craned her neck to peek out, making sure the coast was clear. Just as she peeked out, she heard it. "Hey there's a little girl back her captain. Must be that fox's daughter." Elion quickly turned his head toward where the soldier was pointing and took her in.
"Don't just stand there you fools! GET HER!!! She has seen what we have done. She will ruin King Trice's plans", he exclaimed as his eyes bulged in fear as well as anger at the soldiers' stupidity. "You won't get away from us you pathetic fox. We will kill you just like you damn father."
The soldiers charged toward the house, all of them pushing each other wanting to get to Elena first. Whoever got to her and caught her or killed her would be handsomely rewarded by Elion and when he relayed word to Trice, he would reward the soldier too with riches and more. They drew their bows, swords, and spears and readied them as they closed the gap between themselves and Elena. "We are gonna get you you little scum", the lead soldier shouted at her.
Elena was frozen where she stood, unable to think of or do anything due to the shock of being spotted and the fear that she would be caught. Her eyes darted from the soldiers to Elion then back to her feet. She stared down at them wondering why she still could not move. "Come on! If I do not hurry, they are going to get me. Stop messing around and let's go" she exclaimed at her legs and feet as she swung her hand and hit them. She winced at the hit and then perked up through the pain, as she knew what the pain meant. Swiftly she turned around and laughed. "See you idiots later. Don't you know you can't catch a Kitsune when we get our feet going?" Elena jumped up and spreading her legs in mid air, she landed in a pre-run position and stamped her left foot as she closed her eyes.
"FOX FEET!” and she pushed off and like a bolt of lightning she was gone, leaving them in the dust like they were standing still. She made it to a tree line lined with bushes and took shelter in one of them. Slowly and cautiously, she peeked through the leaves seeing the soldiers and Elion looking around confused and infuriated at her sudden disappearance.
Elion screamed and approached the soldiers hands raised in absolute blind fury. He punched one soldier in the face and after doing so, he turned to another but was met with a hit to the chest. He slunk to the ground to words of anger. "I'll be damned if you'll hit us again. We are tenured soldiers and deserve better than your dictator like attitude towards being our captain." Elion breathed hard and deep trying to catch his breath. Finally, he did as he listened to the words spewing from his soldier's mouth then laughed and in one swift movement drew his sword and bolted around his side to the back and held his blade against the soldier's throat.
"Don't like how I run you guys? Don't like me being your captain do you?", he asked loudly so everyone could hear. "I like to be fair so if you have a problem and we will fix it." He let the soldier go, walked in front of all of them, and stared with his cold eyes. "Go ahead.. What problems do you have with me?"
A soldier stepped forward and then another followed him behind, taking place beside the first. One gulped and the other shivered with fear. They knew it would be a mistake but he had offered them the chance to speak up. "We...well we just... You treat us like vermin and we bust our asses for you. The least you could do is show us respect." His fellow soldier nodded in agreement.
Elion looked from one to the other slowly and then down at the ground, a scowl appearing on his face. He shook his head and stretched his hands then cracked his knuckles on each hand. "So that is the way you see it? Both of you?" They nodded and now were noticeably sweating profusely and the one that had not spoken was shaking a little more than he had before. Elion started to make his toward the two as the others backed away from the two who had made their concerns known.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErjSlWgYO6
"I see. Well we can't have that going on. It could cause problems between us all and that kind of problems could cost one his life in the midst of battle. Even a single hesitation would be an eternity to any enemy to slaughter you. So let's solve this." Elion was face to face with the soldiers and unknown to them their comrades had snuck up on then. A nod from Elion and in a flash a spear pierced one and his blade pierced the other. Elion shoved the blood soaked soldiers off his blade and then the others standing behind shoved the second off the spear. "Now problem solved." he chuckled aloud. "Any other problems here?", he asked a she glared at the remaining soldiers.
"No Sir", they shouted and took their weapons and stayed them. "Where to next sir?"
Elion shot his gaze around the lands and then toward the forest and smiled an evilly wicked smile, his ice-cold eyes lighting up in ecstasy. "We..find.. the Girl." he said sneering and pointing toward the tree line.
Chapter 2 Escape
She had seen it all, her father's body having a blade shoved through it and the blood drip as the elf stood over his lifeless body. She screamed inside, torn by her emotions. On the one hand she was sad and wanted to cry but on the other she was building fury, a fury that no being had ever known before. She clenched her fists in rage, stormed toward the door, and slammed her hand on the knob. As she did she heard something, a sudden voice came to her in her mind. It spoke to her and she realized who it was immediately. "Elena you must not do this. Run...run away to the Runeran castle. You must Elena, your sister and mother need you." Her grip on the doorknob loosened and she welled up with tears, drops hitting the floor as the cascaded off her face. She sniffled and wiped her eyes then made her way back to the window and saw the unit advancing upon her home. She started to panic. If they found her and knew she'd seen the whole event they would definitely kill her with no remorse. She was a mere pawn in this chess match between Sephire and it's intended enemy. Her father's voice was right, she had no business staying any longer in their old shack. It was lost, everything her father and her had worked for.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSD0xDI4fS
Elena turned on a dime away from the window and walked toward the kitchen where her bag of supplies laid. She trotted to it and snatched it up then opened it up quickly and sorted through it. "meat....water.....bandage..", she mumbled as she poked around in it. As she finally finished she snapped the bag shut and as quick as lightning made her way to the back door, slamming it open and racing down the stairs.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalWxA0cKyw
Quietly she tiptoed to the edge of the house and craned her neck to peek out, making sure the coast was clear. Just as she peeked out she heard it. " Hey there's a little girl back her captain. Must be that fox's daughter." Elion quickly turned his head toward where the soldier was pointing and took her in.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHq5muc45e
"Don't just stand there you fools! GET HER!!! She's seen what we've done. She will ruin King Trice's plans", he exclaimed as his eyes bulged in fear as well as anger at the soldiers' stupidity. "You won't get away from us you pathetic fox. We will kill you just like you damn father."686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ31CjMI0Bd
The soldiers charged toward the house, all of them pushing each other wanting to get to Elena first. Whoever got to her and caught her or killed her would be handsomely rewarded by Elion and when he relayed word to Trice, he would reward the soldier too with riches and more. They drew their bows and swords and spears and readied them as they closed the gap between themselves and Elena. " We are gonna get you you little scum", the lead soldier shouted at her.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aw8oXCPDU
Elena was frozen where she stood, unable to think of or do anything due to the shock of being spotted and the fear that she would be caught. Her eyes darted from the soldiers to Elion then back to her feet She stared down at them wondering why she still couldnt move. "Come on! If i don't hurry they are going to get me. Stop messin around and let's go" she exclaimed at her legs and feet as she swung her hand and hit them. She winced at the hit and then perked up through the pain as she knew what the pain meant. Swiftly she turned around and laughed. "See you idiots later. Don't you know you can't catch a Kitsune when we get our feet going." Elena jumped up and spreading her legs in mid air she landed in a pre-run position and stamped her left foot as she closed her eyes.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeolrA1u57n
"FOX FEET!!!" and she pushed off and like a bolt of lightning she was gone,leaving them in the dust like they were standing still. She made it to a tree line lined with bushes and took shelter in one of them. Slowly and cautiously, she peeked through the leaves seeing the soldiers and Elion looking around confused and infuriated at her sudden disappearance.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQL7jxGDjRx
Elion screamed and approached the soldiers hands raised in absolute blind fury. He punched one soldier in the face and after doing so he turned to another but was met with a hit to the chest. He slunk to the ground to words of anger. "I'll be damed if you'll hit us again. We are tenured soldiers and deserve better than your dictator like attitude towards being our captain." Elion breathed hard and deep trying to catch his breath. Finally he did as he listened to the words spewing from his soldier's mouth then laughed and in one swift movement drew his sword and bolted around his side to the back and held his blade against the soldier's throat.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX47t3WakhA
Don't like how i run you guys? Don't like me being your captain do you?", he asked loudly so everyone could hear. "I like to be fair so if you have a problem and we will fix it." He let the soldier go and walked in front of all of them and stared with his cold eyes. "Go ahead.. what problems do you have with me?"686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmkZAyUZbQ
A soldier stepped forward and then another followed him behind, taking place beside the first. One gulped and the other shivered with fear. They knew it would be a mistake but he had offered them the chance to speak up. "We....well We just... You treat us like vermin and we bust our asses for you. The least you could do is show us respect." His fellow soldier nodded in agreement.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCay7b62ZZc
<p>Elion looked from one to the other slowly and then down at the ground, a scowl appearing on his face. He shook his head and stretched his hands then cracked his knuckles on each hand. "So that is the way you see it? Both of you?" They nodded and now were noticeably sweating profusely and the one that hadn't spoken was shaking a little more than he had before. Elion started to make his toward the two as the others backed away from the two who had made their concerns known."I see. Well we can't have that going on. It could cause problems between us all and that kind of problems could cost one his life in the midst of battle. Even a single hesitation would be an eternity to any enemy to slaughter you. So let's solve this." Elion was face to face with the soldiers and unknown to them their comrades had snuck up on then. A nod from Elion and in a flash a spear pierced one and his blade pierced the other. Elion shoved the blood soaked soldiers off his blade and then the others standing behind shoved the second off of the spear. "Now problem solved." he chuckled out loud. "any other problems here?", he asked a she glared at the remaining soldiers.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rKxDB6xTH
No Sir", they shouted and took their weapons and stayed them. "Where to next sir?"686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yiIGyt7Mf
Elion shot his gaze around the lands and then toward the forest and smiled an evily wicked smile, his ice cold eyes lighting up in ecstasy. "We..find.. the Girl." he said sneering and pointing toward the tree line.
Chapter 3
Elena watched the whole scene unfold, her nerves a wreck and her hair standing in end. She could not believe Elion had been so heartless, to kill an enemy wasn't clear cut but your own ally, a soldier you commanded was beyond wrong in her mind.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02KpGMgoVi
She began to sweat, her furry ears becoming wetter by the second. Elion had made his intentions clear, they were to kill her so she couldn't reveal the cold blooded murder to anyone. Her mind was racing with thoughts of what to do next. If she tried to use her Fox Feet they would catch her before she stamped her foot being that they were moving closer. Elena pondered her options as she sat like a stone statue, rooted to her place in the bushes.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4ehtgiDvk
"I've got to go..but...oh well. I have to try" she stood up exposing herself to the soldiers,spun on the spot and screamed out," Fox Feet!!". No sooner had she slammed her foot down, one of Elion's soldiers swiped at her foot,having seen her pop up from the bush. He was right at her when she took off feeling nothing more than a graze against her foot.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaVVMNECio
When the soldier looked up she was already beyond gone.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQardfCLG4E
Elena turned after a few minutes to make sure she was a safe distance away. That was her mistake.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBZwtjqnAJ
BAM!!!!686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJRQn6mi0b
No faster had she turned her head then she ran into a giant tree trunk and crumpled to the ground unconscious.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnGbxZmvMB
As she lay there dreams danced through her head. She dreamt of her mother and sister from when she was a young kit. She had looked just like her mother even at a young age as well as her sister for the most part, being that they were twins. They were playing in the floor of the shack which she had just left. Tiny toys and such scattered across the floor when their mother came in and sighed. They looked up at her, Elena with her ice blue eyes shaded by her fiery orange hair and her sister Rea with her jade green eyes partially blocked by her raven colored hair, knowing exactly what she was sighing about. They had made a huge mess and their mother was frustrated about it. She had just cleaned up a few hours ago and even though they were kits they knew better.
"Clean up please. Your father will have a fit if he sees this."
Elena and Rea whined and their ears flatten against their heads but it was no use, there mother knew the tricks and she looked at them fiercely and they quickly complied.
There was a flash and she was now a teenager, not much younger than she was now, her tail had finally grown to be of the huge and bushy variety, its color the same blazing orange as her hair. She turned and saw her sister sitting in the floor her dark tail in her hands and tears on her face. Arguing could be heard in the other room and Elena slowly slinked toward the door, finally making it and peeking around to find her mother and father furiously arguing.
"I will not leave what i worked so hard to build for that city life. I like this quiet life." her father hollered.
"Well i don't! i cant stand it anymore. I need somebody to see and visit and out here there is nobody. We hae land for as far as we can see, all the way to the Great Divide! I'm leaving Kai."
Her father bristled at such remarks and seemed to then back off. "That is fine... i understand Mika and i am sorry it is to end this way. I love you with all my heart and always will. I do hope we can stay married for you are my whole world Mika and the only wife i ever want but we must let Rea and Elena choose where they will go."
Mika nods in agreement and calls for them both and in a few seconds they both appear in the room with their parents and look at the feet not wanting to look up.
"As I'm sure you heard.... your father and i are not going to be..well together anymore. We are still a family and your father an i will always stay married but we will live in different places. I am sorry you are having to hear this and be forced to do this but we need to ask a question of you both."
Mika looked to Kai and then to Rea and Elena and sighed. "You can choose who you will stay with. We won't force you one way or the other."
Elena turned to Rea and they exchanged looks before Elena wiped Rea's eyes of tears and the whispered something in her ear and after she finished Rea nodded and a smile formed on both their faces. She turned away from Rea and back to her parents and kept her smile.
"We have decided", she said," that Rea will go with you mother and I am to stay here with you father. No one will have to do without that way and we can always protect you both. We can always visit each other evvery other week. One wee me and dad will come see you mom then the next week you both will come see us."
Their parents looked at each other and then at their children then nodded and her father spoke.
"So it shall be. Isnt it amazing Mika? They came to such a grown up and genius decision when all we could do was bicker. We can learn from them." He turned to Elena and Rea and smiled. " I must say i am proud of you both for such a decision to sacrifice being together as siblings to make your parents happy. You truly are just like your mother." he smiled at Mika and then Mika smiled at him. "And you are both strong for making such a decision, just like your father."
Suddenly the dream faded to black and noises could be heard. Birds chirping and leaves rattling in the wind as it blew through the trees canopy. Slowly her eyes opened and she was staring up into the sunlit tree branches and leaves. She sat up gingerly and shook her head, stopping as she felt pain.
"Ouch....what the?" she asked herself as she raises her hand to her head and rubs. She feels something warm, wet and thick. Fearfully, she takes her hand off and brings it over her head and in front of her eyes and what she sees scares her. Blood was soaking her hand completely. Panic was setting in but then she remembered her last dream and what her mother had said. "Be strong. Just like Dad" she said aloud to herself, repeating it as a way to pump her up as she slowly clambered to her feet and leaned against the tree. She looked around taking in more of her surroundings when she hears a rustling in the trees and bushes behind her.
She took a deep breath and turned the other way and started to walk, heading into the direction of the sound but not directly. She was trying to make her way by it without disturbing whatever it was. She kept looking over toward the bushes and then quickens her pace to a jog as she hears movement and it seems to be approaching her. WIthout time to use her speed technique she breaks into a run away from the sound but suddenly the sounds stop and so does the bush movement.. She stops in her track and turns in that direction and sees nothing and starts to be confused.
As she starts to laugh a small animal appears at her feet. "Awww are you lost little buddy" She picked up the animal and cuddled it in her arms,smiling. "I've always wanted a Kitrel", she exclaimed as she stroked the animals back and then behind its ears. The animal offered no resistance and slowly closed its eyes, drifting off to sleep.
Elena and her new friend started making their way toward what looked like the edge of the woods together happily, her stroking it and it purring softly in its sleep state as it was comfortable in her warm arms. She giggled and continued walking and then the Kitsel jerked its head up and looked around as its ears perked up. Finally its eyes set ahead of them and a fearful chitter was released from its mouth. Elena stared in front of them and squinted.
"What is it? What do you hear? What do you see." she asked as she quivered. she wasn't used to the woods yet and never fully knew what resided in the forest. She looked around but swiftly jerked her head back as she heard rustling then a growl. Her eyes took in a new sight, a beast of black and grey with razor sharp teeth bared at them. Its eyes we red with rage and its intentions were clear, kill the intruders. Elena slowly took a step back from it, the beast just watching her and her Kitsel. The beast stood with its ears reaching to her shoulders, making it almost 6 feet tall standing on all fours and from what she could see its length was 4 feet from nose to tail.
As she took another step back thoughts ran through her mind. "Am i really going to die here after all i have seen. Will i die before i hae a chance to get to Runera?" Suddenly the beast took a run at her and leapt at them. She closed her eyes tight and screamed, knowing death was coming.
Chapter 4686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKOeBeTLj2
Elena stood there shivering, eyes closed, as she awaited the beasts fangs to sink into her statuesque body and rip her apart. She couldn't believe it was going to end this way but then again it was better than during at the same hand as her father. Elion would not have the satisfaction of killing off what he thought was all that was left of Kai's family.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgqesSRtSx
Suddenly a howling rang out from right in front of her face and curiously she opened her eyes to slits,peeking out to see what was happening.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQbVzr2C2P
Through her small eyes she could see a figure standing a little to her left so she opened them even more and the figure came into view. It was a male with short black hair and blue eyes wearing a brown vest with dark pants and his sword was extended.
Elena fell to her knees and started to beg to the male. "Please don't kill me. I'm sorry if I trespassed in your forest. I just need to get to Runera. I beg ykh to have mercy on me."686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTCavLsbhr
She couldn't believe her luck. First a beast was going to kill her and now this male but what had happened to the beast. She turned to her right and saw the bloody body of the beast laying there,eyes open. The male must have done this but why? Did he want to have the satisfaction of killing her himself.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjg6Mb0Lqz
As she thought all this through she was interrupted by the male. "Please stop. I mean you now harm. I was coming through the woods and heard noises which led me to you. I'm glad I got here when I did or you would be gone ".
He reached out his hand to her. "Come on now. Up you go", he said as she took his hand and he slowly lulled her up to her feet. He smiled at her as she shook her head and duated off her knees and legs.
"T..thank you sir. I a..appreciate your help", she said shakily as she kept avoiding eye contact. Elena was a little shy around new people and it showed in her blushing red face.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJfsPBqKmQ
The male couldn't help but smile and chuckle a little before he continued speaking. "I am James of the Kingdom of Humans, Illyria. I was to find a kitsune by the name of Kai. The king wishes to have an audience with his old friend."686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VcJnsXHJD
Elena's ear perked up. Friend? Her father had never mentioned being a personal friend of the Illyrian king. How did she know he was telling the truth?
"If that's true then do you know who I am? " Surely her father had sent a letter or two to his friend with details of his life and such.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NnkME7gj2
James looked to her and bit his lip as he thought hard. After a minute his face lit up with a smile and he pointed at her "You must be one of his daughters then. I am sorry to say I was never told the exact details but I was told by the king that he would have two daughters and a wife.". James stepped closer as he spoke and reached out his hand to shake hers.
Elena stared at his hand then looked up into his eyes, unsure if she could trust him. He had saved her from the beast and he claimed to be from Illyria and knew of her father. On the other hand she didn't really know him and wasn't sure if he was being truthful.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5nLoNR4Om
Through her internal conflict she finally decided to just go for it and extended her tiny hand and shook his gently.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbkJAfZeA4
"I...I am Elena, Kai was my father", she said half scared,half sad. "I hate to be the one to tell you this but....my father is dead....". Her eyes fell from James' to the grass at her feet and she started to cry.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1OqKUxX42
Great she thought. JustwhatIneed, for see strangertoseemebe weak.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GLkp6xn1i
James stepped closer and reached his arm out and placed his hand on her shoulder and then slowly pulled her into him,wrapping her up in a hug. "Shhhhhhhhh, it's ok", He comforted. Softly he rubbed her back and kept shushing her.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94Dh7Bgjow
Elena leaned into his embrace as if she didn't care. She felt a warmth she hadn't felt in awhile and she wanted more but then she snapped back to reality and pushed him away.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSjhFgoFVT
"What are you doing?", she asked as she turned away,playing off what she had just felt.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsAtlBOGxD
James stood there confused at her actions.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqUN3nOlkT
"I was trying to be nice and comfort you. I am sorry for the loss of your father."686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihtLm8s80e
Elena looked at him and the snapped back," I don't need to be coddled like a child! Definitely by somebody I barely know."
James turned away to keep from saying something he'd regret then turned back to Elena and bowed. "I apologize for my actions Elena, i meant no offense."
Elena's mood lightened and her face dropped its anger and went to a more sad configuration. She felt terrible for snapping on him like that since he was only trying to comfort her.
"I'm sorry Mr James. I shouldn't have snapped like that. " She smiled at him and then looked in his eyes. "So..now that my father is dead what are you going to do?"686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xzLkeAI9h
James was shocked by her straightforwardness and wasn't sure what say. "W..." he mumbled. "Well first you can tell me what happened and why you are moving closer to the Illyrian border." He turned looking and then walked over to a stump, taking a seat on it and beckoning for Elena to do the same.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvrsC1qAMs
"Please do" he said softly as she walked over and obliged.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX1H4OssGx
"Where to begin?" She asked as she put her cheek in her hand and tapped her face with her finger lightly.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0sG9PfJBl
"It wasn't anything that could've been prevented I guess. Me and dad were doing our usual when he noticed some figures out the window. They were moving closer and we noticed they looked like soldiers, so dad went to talk to them. ". Her eyes started to water again and James could see it. He slowly put his hand on her shoulder and to his surprise, Elena leaned over and laid her head on his shoulder and continued the story.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyfoZd7lji
"Next thing I knew....he had a confrontation with one of them and.....right through the chest...." She stabbed the air with her hand.
"That's horrible", He rubbed her back and sighed. "So where are you going to go now since it seems you can't go home?"
Elena lifted her head from his shoulder and refused to make eye contact. She thought of how to respond to him but wasn't sure. She ran her fingers through her long orange hair and then looked at James, his ice blue eyes seeming to pierce into her. She shook her head and pushed a smile to the surface. "I can't go home because the Elven army unit has taken over my house so....i figured i'd head to the Kingdom in the Sky. I always heard it was nice" She giggled and blushed at him. If what he said is true then he could seek refuge with the king.
"Could you maybe escort me to Illyria? I must seek refuge away from the Kitsunian kingdom for now. The Elves will be looking for me because i am the only witness to a cold blooded murder and what is to be a decleration of war. So please help me James,"
She looked at him and batted her eyes at him trying to make him do it. James started to laugh at her and stood up taking her hand as he bowed.
"It would be my pleasure miss Elena. I shall protect you to the best of my ability."
Elena chuckled at his bowing and nodded her head softly. "Then let's go. Daylight is wasting and we have to make to the next village by sundown and i've seen what monsters lurk in these woods." She turned and took James' hand and started dragging him to the west at a quick pace.
Now that she had somebody to come on the jouney and protect her, the woods didn't seem as scary anymore. The feeling was welling up inside her and she couldn't stop smiling and skipping along side James, who couldn't help but smile as well.
Hours passed and they talked and laughed like old friends would until they finally reached the village Elena spoke of. They both sighed and looked around.
Elena shrieked and hid behind James as something caught her eye. She had seen an elf and wasn't sure if it was soldier or not. The thought of being hunted was scary enough but to think she could be taken from this life in an instant was starting to unnerve her. James turned to her and took her face in his hands and raised her eyes to his. He smiled sweetly at her and then patted her shoulder.
"Don't be scared. This is a place for refugees from the other countries. They were either thown out or run out by authorities. You must not be afraid of these people and i promise no harm will come to you while you are in my protection."
She looked into his eyes and for some reason she felt like he wasn't lieing to her. What was the reason behind all this? Why did she feel this way about him? Surely she didn't like him, he was a strange she had met hours ago. She shook her head and nodded at him.
"Shall we go to the inn? It is getting late and i am sure you are growing tired from making your long journey even though it ended it disaster. Plus you did escort me here." She walked around him and towards a small looking shack with a bed for a sign. It was made of bamboo and even though it looked small, when they got inside they saw so ,many people and massive rooms inside.
Elena slowly started digging in her pockets for some money to pay but found none. Frowning, she turned to James and looked down.
"I can't stay..... i left in such a rush i didn't bring any money", she said with a depressed tone.
James looked at her and then reached in his pocket and pulled out a bag of jingling coins. "Nonsense, i'll pay for us both. Now cheer up and get your key so we can go upstairs and get washed up befoe bed." He turned to the innkeeper and asked, " Could i get two of your dinners deliverred to our rooms please?"
The innkeeper nodded and James turned and made his way down the crowded hall, past many different people and finally after an eternity of squeezing past people and apologizing for bumping into them, they made it to their rooms. Elena smiled," Thank you so much." and then she disappeared in her room and the after making sure she closed and locked the door, James made his way into his room and walked to the bed and flopped down waiting for their dinner.
Elena lay on the bed and closed her eyes slowly. It felt good to lay in a nice bed after walking all day. She decided to go straight to bed to rest. Slowly she slipped off her skirt type pants and her leather armor leaving her in just her under clothes. She yawned a big yawn, pulled back the sheets and flopped down on the bed then pulled just the sheet over her. As she lay there she flipped and flopped around until she got comfortable on her back, her leg sticking out up to her thigh. Instantly she passed out without any thoughts of anything else.
After an hour, James sat up on his bed and wondered. He hadn't heard from Elena since they got here. Sure it was only an hour but she hadn't come to see him or even made a noise. He slowly made his way out of his room then down to her door. Knocking he called to her," Elena? Elena are you ok?" No answer came being that Elena had passed out and couldn't hear such a muffled sound.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACViKas19r
Hearing no answer, James got a little scared so he tried again and again no answer. He was sure she hadn't left for she would've mentioned it to him. He finally decided to just go in. He slowly put his key in the lock but it didn't work.
"Damn..different keys for different rooms..." he cursed under his breath then reared back and put his shoulder into the door, busting it in and sending him into the room. He couldn't stop and fell on the bed beside Elena who, hearing the noise, shot up and looked around. She caught a glimpse of James beside her and then looking down at herself realized she was in nothing but under clothes.
686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl06OTVtsuQ
