Kitsune of the Blue Sun

[Keeno POV]

“Then, can you answer my question from earlier?” (Pram)

 

“It was why I was injured, right?” (Freya)

 

“Yes.” (Pram)

 

“The Family that I was born into messed up and as a result, all of them were disposed of.  I’m the very last one, not that I ever really considered myself a part of that Family.” (Freya)

 

“…” (Pram)

 

“…” (Keeno)

 

“Okami, what’s with that look?  Never heard of something like this before?” (Freya)

 

“…Let me guess, you were born to an influential family, but them being either so loyal to the country itself, or their Name, that they treated you more like an object.  It was so bad that, if you disappointed them enough, they’d stop any form of support for you and raise you till you were old enough to be practically sold off to another person for the sole purpose of breeding?” (Keeno)

 

“…How’d you figure all that out just from that one answer?” (Freya)

 

“I get it since I was the same till I was five.  Then, with help, I managed to get out.” (Keeno)

 

“…” (Pram)

 

“Where were you born?” (Freya)

 

“Falheim.” (Keeno)

 

“…There’s a limit to jokes, Okami.  Even I know that Falheim makes sure nobody could ever cross its border, in or out.” (Freya)

 

“It’s a decently large country, very behind in lots of knowledge we would consider common.  They treat people with Soul Weapons like both chosen ones and slaves.  And the capital, from the little I saw of it and remember is mostly canals with very little footpaths.” (Keeno)

 

“I don’t get how you think I’d be convinced with that, I’ve never been there and have no way to know if your telling the truth or not.  Like I said, no one gets in or out.” (Freya)

 

“…Well now I feel stupid.” (Keeno)

 

{Hehe.}

 

“Anyway, believe me or not, I’m speaking the truth.  If you want to know how I got out, I had help from Fiametta.” (Keeno)

 

Freya’s eyes went wide when I mentioned Fia’s name.

 

“Wait, are you the ones that…*sigh* Just what is going on?” (Freya)

 

“What are you talking about?” (Pram)

 

Freya started massaging her temples and let out another long sigh.

 

“Around a year ago, a very important person came here to the capital and stayed with one of the two leading Families of the country.  After some things happened, they basically swore fealty to her.  She left some cryptic instructions and then left.  Those instructions were to help her family member and her companion with whatever they needed until they were done in the country.” (Freya)

 

“Fia really doesn’t hold back, does she?” (Keeno)

 

“Seems like it.” (Pram)

 

“Was the Family you were in under this other Family?” (Keeno)

 

“No.  They served their rival.” (Freya)

 

“Then it sounds like they have some info leaks or traitors in their midst if you know all this.” (Keeno)

 

“A mix of both, actually.  Though I’m impressed again.  If anyone else heard what I just told you, we’d either be fighting or one of us would be dead by now.” (Freya)

 

“Well, one, Pram went through all that trouble to heal you, so I’m not going to undo all her hard work.  Two, you give the vibe of someone who’s just done with all this Family crap and just wants out.  Three, you’re surprisingly Pure for someone who was raised in the situation you were.  Not saying you’re anywhere near as Pure as Pram is, but your soul doesn’t drip with corruption like a lot of the people I’ve seen here so far.” (Keeno)

 

“What are you, some sort of soul reading death mage?” (Freya)

 

“Something like that.” (Keeno)

 

“…*sigh*” (Freya)

 

“Um…” (Pram)

 

“Yes, spots?” (Freya)

 

Pram was taken aback by the sudden nickname, but shook it off and looked directly at Freya.

 

“What are you going to do?” (Pram)

 

“What do you mean?” (Freya)

 

“What are you going to do?  You are being targeted by people who want you dead, talking to two people who, even if they aren’t YOUR enemy, they technically are.” (Pram)

 

“Ah.  Simple, I’m not going to do anything.  I’m not going to sell you out to those damn wolves just to save my skin, and though my life is being targeted, I’m used to it.  You aren’t born into a somewhat prominent Family here and NOT have a target on your head.  At most I just want out and to disappear.  As far as I’m concerned, the Falkyron Family is dead.  I just want to be Freya.  If you asked me if I wanted to get back at any of the Families here or whatever, I wouldn’t lie and say I wouldn’t be tempted to, but I’m just one person and I know my limits.” (Freya)

 

“Hehe.” (Keeno)

 

“And what do you find so funny?” (Freya)

 

“I like you, you’re interesting.  And you meet most of the requirements.  Trust, that can be earned over time, but what say you join us, Freya?” (Keeno)

 

“!!!  Are you sure, Okami?” (Pram)

 

“Why not?  She has Solar magic, she knows the city, she has information on things that we can use to get the…What was the name of the Family Fia basically took over?” (Keeno)

 

“The Salviento Family.” (Freya)

 

“That Family to trust us since I know Fia’s word won’t be enough to vouch for us.  Though if they act like I think they will, we’ll eventually have to go it on our own and probably fight everyone here.” (Keeno)

 

“Quit talking like it’s a done deal.  I haven’t agreed to anything yet, and I’m not going to agree to anything until you tell me what I’d get out of it first.” (Freya)

 

“Well, for starters, revenge, freedom, and more fun than anything you’d ever find here most likely.  There are other possible benefits, but I’ll only tell you those once I can trust you implicitly.” (Keeno)

 

“…No wonder people say to watch out when you negotiate with kitsune.  Even if I wasn’t somewhat…no, completely desperate, your words hold a lot of temptation.  Mind if I have some time to think about the offer?” (Freya)

 

“Yeah, take as much time as you want.  If you decide not to accept, then we’ll just figure out a different way to get things done here.  I mean, it’s not like I was expecting things like this to happen.” (Keeno)

 

{Well, Fia didn’t give you a lot of information to go on, just the basics.  I think she’s trying to teach you something.}

 

‘I figured that out a while ago Ama.’

 

{…}

 

‘Hehe.’

 

{Don’t laugh at me!}

 

 “Mm.  Well, I think that’s enough for tonight.  Should be some blankets and stuff over in that box, make yourselves comfortable.” (Freya)

 

She got up from her chair and sat in a corner facing the entrance, using the heavy looking coat on her shoulders as a blanket.  She closed her eyes and, while it seemed she quickly fell asleep, her ears twitched at every sound, showing she was awake.  Pram and I glanced at each other and moved to another corner before pulling out some blankets from my ring.

 

‘Pram, I know I kind of decided a lot of that on my own, but I kind of really want her to join us.  I feel some sort of…mutual connection or something.  I want to give her the freedom that Ama and Fia helped me attain.’ (Keeno)

 

‘I understood that much.  I would have been more surprised if you didn’t offer.’ (Pram)

 

‘Am I really that predictable?’ (Keeno)

 

“No, you’re that much of a good person.  I know that even if she refuses, you will at least tell her that she can always find us again if she changes her mind.  And if she doesn’t you’ll probably at least tell her to go somewhere like Solheim since it’s the one place you consider safest in the world, the Divine Domain excluded.’ (Pram)

 

‘…’ (Keeno)

 

{I couldn’t have said it better myself, Pram.  And if I’m to add my own input, while it’ll take some more work, she is a good Apostle candidate for Keeno.  I mean, there needs to be more trust, but Keeno said as much earlier.  And she could be one more companion that keeps Pram safe in a fight.}

 

‘I’m not that useless.  I just focus more on the debuffing and healing.’ (Pram)

 

‘Neither of us said or even thought you were useless, Pram.’ (Keeno)

 

‘…’ (Pram)

 

I patted Pram’s head.

 

‘You are not useless, Pram, and we’d never think of you that way.  Now get some sleep.  We had a long day.’ (Keeno)

 

‘Mm.’ (Pram)

 

Pram closed her eyes and soon enough her breathing indicated she went to sleep.

 

{…Keeno, how are you holding up?}

 

‘…I don’t know.  This was the first time since the bandits…and I still don’t like it.’

 

{Again, you don’t have to like it, but since it will be your responsibility to handle these things, you need to at least get desensitized to it.  Of course, I’m here for you, so unload all your troubles onto me and I’ll bear the burden with you.  That’s what I’m supposed to do.}

 

‘Thanks Ama.  I feel like that’s just the first of many times I’m going to have to do that from now on, so I’m trying to just not care, but it’s not working.  That’s also another reason why I want Freya to join us…she seems like she’s killed way more people than me, so I want to know how she deals with it.’

 

I wrapped my tail around me and curled up a little more in my corner.

 

{Keeno…rest for now, you need to sleep.}

 

‘I will.’

 

{Huginn, Muninn, I know you can hear me.  Make sure everyone in here is safe.}

 

‘Hehe.’

 

Soon after that, I fell into a light sleep.

 

Chaos Realm:

Fenrir: …Mio, come here.

Mio: Fen nya?  What’s wrong nya?

Fenrir: …That Freya person…looks…I don’t know.  It’s like something in my soul is telling me I need to fight her.

Mio: Fen nya, if you do that, I’ll fight her with you nya.

Luna: Hey Payto, if Fated Ones are a thing, are there things like Fated Rivals?

Nope.  I think Fenrir is just sensing another wolf in similar circumstances to her.

Luna: …How?

Cmon, Luna, you and the others have already started to figure it out.  Think.

Luna: …Ooooooooooooh.  Fufufu.  Though if that’s the case, why does she want to fight her?

Fenrir: Cause why not?  Doesn’t it seem like it would be fun?  I mean, I have ice and Winter magic and Authority, and that Freya girl has Solar and fire-based magic, it’s like we’re supposed to fight any time we meet, even if she doesn’t know about me.

Mio: And whatever Fen wants nya, I must support her in it nya.  Someone must teach all the wolves that Fen is the best nya!

Fenrir: Oh Mio, you’re the best.  Come here, you. *smooch*