A Cunning Surprise

I just got done training with Faylen and decided to do some exploring. I wandered around the snow area of Elvania. It was freezing, but with the power of my flames I was able to maintain a temperature that allowed me to stay warm. I looked around then noticed a lone snowman in the path.

"Huh, for a snowy area I kinda expected the typical snow stereotype. Snowmen and things like that. Must not be many kids in the area." I said then walked to the snowman.

A woman burst from the snowman with her arms wide and her teeth bared. "RAARRR!!"

I turned pale and stumbled backwards then fell on my butt. I couldn't even scream due to the fact I was that caught off guard.

The woman snorted with laughter and her fox tail swayed. "Surprise! I finally got someone!"

"I can say for certain that you got me good." I said as I stood up.

The woman beamed as she is extremely proud of herself. "Thank you! Foxes are a natural when it comes to camouflage and cunningness!"

I took a good look at her appearance. She had very pale skin, looking as white as snow. Her fox ears and tail were snow white. Her right eye was icey blue and her left eye was brown. She wore a white snow coat with a blue skirt underneath. She also had on white stockings and blue boots.

I dusted the snow off myself then smiled. "I see. What else can the great fox do?"

She giggled softly as she blushed lightly. Her cheeks became rosey in contrast to her pale skin. "This great fox is also good at getting whatever she desires~"

"And what do you desire?" I asked.

"Well, Arisu desires a suitable partner for the upcoming ceremony in Elvania~" She spoke in third person then started forward, placing her hands behind her back. "Will you be my partner?"

"Arisu! There you are!" A man ran up and grabbed her arm. "Running off like that...this is the fifth time. When will you learn?!"

Arisu gave me puppy dog eyes then mouthed, "Help me."

"Who are you?" The man asked as he looked at me. "I know you weren't trying to make any moves on MY partner."

I looked at Arisu and noticed her ears drooping. Her tail didn't wag either. She looked afraid around the man, but there wasn't a thing I could really do for her. I saw her look of sadness when she was around this man who was claiming her as his own.

I sighed, allowing myself to relent to her then looked at the man. "Look at Arisu. She's unhappy with you. Why don't you just swallow your pride and release her from your grasp. Besides she requested for me to be her partner in a ceremony that is soon to happen."

"Let her go? Ha. You're insane if you think that's an option. If anything, I am her Savior! Her kind is used for sport in other regions. Because of me she's safe!" The man said.

"Safe...? This is what you call safe? Bullshit." I grabbed her arm then pulled her to me.

She held onto me and smiled then her tail swayed. "Human~"

The man looked at me then glared. "Oh you'll be hearing from my leader! I'll make you pay for this!" The man ran away.

Arisu looked at the man then looked at me. She hugged me and nuzzled my cheek. "I am in your debt...How can I repay you, human?"

"You can repay me by first calling me by my name, Leon." I responded.

"Leon. Queen Komeko would love to hear your name." Arisu said then held my cheeks. "I am her student, Arisu: The Snow Fox. I am the last of my kind unfortunately. I do wish to breed and revive my bloodline. Maybe that's what I desire.."

My cheeks became rosy at her bold request. "Breed as in...get you pregnant so you can reproduce?"

"Yes, breed. I want to breed. That is my request and it shall be with you!" She smirked and her eyes shined with desire.

"If that's the case then a game must take place before you can get your wish." I said. "I believe I have the perfect game as well.."

I noticed hunters approaching the area with shotguns and sword. Arisu looked at them as well and looked back at me.

"What's the game?" Arisu asked.

"The Game of Stealth. The rules are simple. Kill the leader before I do. If you win, I'll happily breed with you. If I win, on the contrary, you get nothing." I said.

"Challenge accepted! Arisu never loses a challenge!" Arisu smiled determined.

"I like that determination. Maintain it during our game. I don't want to see you slacking." I chuckled.

...

"Ailas." Feno crossed his arms as he leaned against a tree.

Ailas stopped then looked at Feno and adjusted his mask. "What is it that you want? I am very busy."

"Seven years ago, when Menos was alive and before you teamed up with Ikeshia and me...did you lead Ardour back into this world..? If so...how did you bypass the spell the Goddesses put upon the forest." Feno opened his eyes.

Ailas crossed his arms. "Why do you feel the need to know my business and tactics for bypassing spells placed by the Goddesses? What if I did lead her back to this world...what are you going to do about it?"

"Nothing. I just find it strange that you are the only one with that power to freely traverse the Forest of Beginning and exit this world. I am just curious about your power...Leon probably still wants to go home so I was wondering if you would be willing to help him if he decides he wants to go back to Earth." Feno said.

"Help him...get back to Earth using my power..?" Ailas scoffed and uncrossed his arms. "Denied. Even if I should, you should know he has no desire to go back home. He's happier here. If that's all you want, please excuse me. More lost souls need my help."

Feno watched him walk away for a second then spoke. "Why'd you bring Ardour back from Earth to here?"

Ailas stopped then looked back at Feno. "Why do you want to know?"

"I just want to know your end goal. I refuse to believe that what you're doing is for the greater good. What is your goal?" Feno asked.

Ailas looked at Feno then took his mask off then Feno looked surprised. "My goal goes beyond saving those people from the forest. Each person I find gets progressively closer to the Serenity Dungeon. I, too, am playing the Game of Lust...by making Serenity mine, I can gain enough power...to take down Queen Ulana. I am Ailas...The Avenger of King Vulmon! I will become the new King of this region and personally strike down you royals."

Feno glared then summoned his sword. "I knew there was something strange about your recent activities..you are using those lost souls to guide your way to a powerful dungeon."

"Even with that information, you forget one thing...The Forest of Beginning....is my battlegrounds." Ailas said then vanished within the darkness of the forest.

.....

Ikeshia sensed Feno in danger then stood up from her stool then left a tip for Victoria. "I'm..hic...outta here...Feno...he uh...hic...needs my help..."

"O-Okay..." Victoria looked worried then watched Ikeshia leave the tavern.

Ikeshia made her way to the forest and hiccupped here and there. She made it to the battlefield and hiccupped once again.

Feno dodged Ailas's attack then kicked him away. "Sis! Why are you here?"

"I wouldn't...hic...arrive if you weren't getting your ass handed to you...I'm here...hic...to help.." Ikeshia said in a very drunken state. "My Drunk Style never fails me."

Feno sighed then smiled. "Alright..just remember I am an ally, not an enemy."

"Hic...yeah.." Ikeshia hiccupped.