Kitsune of the Blue Sun

[Keeno POV]

A few more days had passed with no undead outbreak, but the foreboding feeling Emma and Fafnir grew strong enough for me to also start feeling it.  Sigurd had also returned with news that some small, isolated groups of rotting humanoid monsters had been springing up and were being culled by patrols. I also took that time to try my hand at blessing him and succeeded after a few attempts. It was a surprisingly difficult process for me, and it nearly made me pass out from using too much Divinity.

 

The day after that, Ortilinde came to visit. She looked much happier and healthier than when I last saw her. She also had more confidence in herself, though she did stumble over her words a bit still. We lavished her with pats and attention for a while when Fafnir, Emma, and I felt something change in the foreboding feeling.

 

“Ortilinde, go back. We have some undead to hunt.” (Keeno)

 

“Can…can I help?” (Ortilinde)

 

“No.  You don’t know how to fight and aren’t strong enough to be by yourself. Leave this to us.” (Emma)

 

She looked disappointed about not being able to help us, but I smiled at her and patted her head.

 

“Don’t be so disappointed, Ortilinde.  You’ll grow into a fine warrior someday, you just need to learn, but a real battlefield like this isn’t the best place. Watch from the sidelines for now and prepare for your moment.” (Keeno)

 

She gave me a determined look before walking through a shining door that appeared out of nowhere.

 

“Shall I make this a quick trip?” (Fafnir)

 

“Flying?” (Keeno)

 

“Naturally.” (Fafnir)

 

“I’m all for it.  Anyone object?” (Keeno)

 

“You know I do…but in this instance I don’t see any other choice but to do so if it gets us there quickly…so let’s just get it over with.” (Pram)

 

I smiled at Pram’s reluctant acceptance of the situation and took it as a sign that she was finally warming up to fun, thrilling experiences.  Fafnir walked over to the mouth of the cave and her body started shining. Several seconds later, she was in her normal form covered in those beautiful golden scales.

 

“Quickly now, and grab on tightly.” (Fafnir)

 

We did as she said and clambered into her back before grabbing onto one of the spikes along her spine. She moved further out of the cave and fully unfurled her wings and flapped them a few times.

 

“It’s going to be a bit rough for a second.” (Fafnir)

 

She crouched down a bit before swiftly moving her winds down with enough force to put craters in the stone.  Wind buffeted us as she ascended into the sky, and we all closed our eyes tightly.

 

“I’m finally done negotiating and getting people in board…what in the world is going on, Rasu?  Why is Keeno riding on the back of a dragon?” (Fia)

 

{Hahaha.  Perfect timing, Fia. Keeno and the others are just about to fight a horde of undead.}

 

‘Hey Fia, long time since I got to hear from you.’ (Keeno)

 

“Someone please explain what’s happened since last we spoke!” (Fia)

 

While Fia’s bewildered voice rang in my head, I opened my eyes.  Spread out in front of me was the vast blue sky, a sea of clouds underneath us, and a surprisingly pleasant wind in my face.  It was mesmerizing.

 

{…}

 

“Hehehe.  That’s the face of someone who’s just learned the wonders of flight. I remember my first time too.” (Fia)

 

‘…I have flown before, in my past life, but it was no where near as wonderful as this…and the view was so much less impressive…” (Keeno)

 

“Ahahahahaha!  This is amazing!” (Emma)

 

“…Wait, are they in Falheim already?  And she’s got three tails now, so…Rasu, I told you to let me know when they got there!” (Fia)

 

{I tried, but you were busy and ignored me.}

 

“…” (Fia)

 

Ama then started to catch Fia up on what’s happened so far while Fafnir started to descend below the clouds.  Once we were through, I noticed it was snowing.

 

“The first snow of the year…an ill omen for battle,” (Sigurd)

 

“Hehehe.  You forget, human, you have a dragon on your side, my presence balances out your situation, not that superstitions like that have any real meaning.” (Fafnir)

 

“Plus, Keeno is basically the bane of all undead, with her here along with Emma and Fafnir, things should be much easier than you think.” (Freya)

 

“That is reassuring.” (Sigurd)

 

“Oi!  I’m more than a glorified undead destroyer!” (Keeno)

 

“Yeah, but part of your whole being is tailor made for dealing with them.” (Freya)

 

“This sassier Freya is getting on my nerves.” (Keeno)

 

“Ready yourselves.” (Fafnir)

 

We were already circling slowly toward the ground and soon it was there. We gripped tightly to the spines and then everything shook violently.

 

“Gah!” (Emma)

 

“Ugh.” (Sigurd)

 

“FREYA!!!” (Pram)

 

“Everything is fine, Pram.” (Freya)

 

“Ahahahaha!” (Keeno)

 

“Kahahahahaha!” (Fafnir)

 

Once all the dust settled from the landing, I could see where we were. We stood in the space in front of the walls of the city.  Snow gently fell from the sky and wind blew over the plane carrying the smell of rot and decay.

 

“Still far but coming closer.” (Keeno)

 

“…What is this sense of revulsion I’m feeling?” (Pram)

 

{Oh?  Well, looks like your Life Magic is sensing the undead. You’re more proficient with it than I figured you would be at this point.  This is good.}

 

“So, life mages feel revulsion at undead, I just feel…pity?” (Keeno)

 

{That’s interesting.}

 

“Well, I’m not really sure if it’s pity or not, but it’s the best word I can use to describe it.  Makes me wonder what I would feel if I actually raised these undead myself.” (Keeno)

 

“We can wonder about that later; I’m seeing some movement.” (Emma)

 

On the horizon was a rolling mass of shambling bodies. Though it was still a good distance away, I could vaguely make out the forms of skeletons, things that I think were zombies, and some kind of moving shadows. Out of all of that, the shadows gave me the most uneasy feeling.

 

“Those shadows…I don’t like them. They seem more dangerous than anything else coming this way.” (Keeno)

 

{Hmm.}

 

“If you don’t mind me giving advice, Keeno, Emma, and Fafnir should be the ones to deal with those shadows. No one there besides those three are equipped to deal with them. Pram could assist, but Life Magic isn’t really useful against resentment made manifest.” (Fia)

 

I was about to say something when the sound of a gate opening echoed over the plane. Turing around, a large group of armed warriors led by Freyr marched toward us.

 

“Life Goddess Okami, you have returned.” (Freyr)

 

I winced internally at Freyr’s words and glared at him. He showed a brief sympathetic expression before everything was drowned out by a deafening shout from the warriors behind him.

 

“…” (Fia)

 

“Not a word, Fia.” (Keeno)

 

Freyr walked up to us, every so often eyeing Fafnir with caution.

 

“You’re here to help with the new threat?” (Freyr)

 

“Yeah.  We were just discussing our roles. Those shadows are things that only me, Emma, and Fafnir can handle, while the rest are just fodder. But a word of advice, try your best not to let anyone on our side die, or they could end up adding to the enemy’s forces. You need all people that can use healing magic prepared at all times.” (Keeno)

 

“Understood.”  (Freyr)

 

I turned to face the approaching mass of undead before looking over my shoulder back at Freyr.

 

“And I’m the Goddess of Death, get it right next time.” (Keeno)

 

I then took a step toward the next battle.

 

Chaos Realm:

Luna: Keeno has a real penchant for dramatic one-liners.  I’m kind of jealous.

You have your moments as well.

Luna: Yeah, but those moments were proceeded by a completely one-sided slaughter.

Tamamo: I don’t remember you complaining about that.

Luna: I didn’t, but even I wanted a bit of a challenge sometimes.

…

Order: What’s that face for?

It’s nothing…don’t worry about it.