Chapter Fifteen
The Difference Between Brothers
“Where is SHE?!” A man was bellowing at the top of his lungs, his face turning a bright shade of red with fury. His voice reverberated through the empty hallway, causing anyone within earshot to freeze in their tracks.
“She is safe, Kurai,” The calm individual approached the angry Kurai with a patient and understanding demeanor. He spoke in a gentle and reassuring tone, attempting to ease the tension and anxiety in the situation.
“This entire thing was a horrible idea and I should’ve never trusted you! You give Spirit Walkers a bad name!” Kurai’s anger consumed him, filling him with the most rage he’s ever had in his life - the same energy that he had when he found out that a demon had destroyed his hometown. However, this seemed to be the worst. The Firefox was literally on fire and the only thing keeping his fire contained was Enoxon and even that wasn’t going well.
“Yushin, I really recommend leaving,” Enoxon called out over the flames burning around Kurai.
“Let me out of this stupid bubble, Enoxon!!” Kurai snarled. His usual amber eyes were now blood-red with anger, not a single color in them. The demon could feel the heat building inside him. He lifted his hands and whispered an incantation feeling the power of the spell surge through his veins. Suddenly, a burst of flames erupted from his fingertips, soaring upwards into the bubble, causing it to crack slightly.
Enoxon’s eyes were beginning to glow blue, as he tried his best to tighten the seal around the fire. Without oxygen, Kurai could not produce magic. He knew how powerful Kurai could be, especially because of his five tails. He put more pressure into the spell he was putting around the fox demon, but with a crack, the spell shattered and withdrew. The fire engulfed the surrounding spell shield and grew ablaze as the oxygen began to whisk into the beaming fire. Kurai seemed to have control over his fire - mostly. But with random spits of fire bouncing off him and on the surrounding furniture, it was no use. Things were quickly becoming on fire within the household. Enoxon was so stunned by Kurai. The heat was intense, waves of it radiating outwards and making the air ripple like a mirage. It was a mesmerizing sight, but also a dangerous one. He knew he needed to do something. But what could he do? Without a doubt, Kurai would win something.
“I will burn you to the ground until you are nothing but ash, Yushin,” Kurai spoke darkly, his flames growing larger and soon reaching to the sides of the house, embracing the couch of the living room. “Mark my words.” The air crackled with magic from the fox. Fiery bolts of energy flew from Kurai, illuminating the darkened home with flashes of brilliant light.
“Kurai, you don’t understand. She isn’t harmed!”
“Then where. Is. She?!” Kurai demanded, bringing his hand back as a giant ball of fire began to form. The heat from the nogitsune began to linger off of him, melting his surroundings slowly. The flames danced and flickered, forming intricate patterns that seemed to defy gravity, ready to destroy the Spirit Walker who innocently stood only a few feet away from him.
“Sh-she is with Y-Yuna!” Yushin stuttered, taking a step back and away from the flames consuming their surroundings.
“Kurai, you need to stop before you burn the house down!” Enoxon hollered to him, trying to sound over the flames.
“Shut it, you useless ass sorcerer! You should be able to find her, out of all people in this damn underworld and world. Do you think you’re strong? You can’t even find a human! 100 years and you’re still as stupid as you were when you had your black magic!”
Enoxon was stunned by his words and gave him a cold glare. “Kurai, watch who you’re talking to,” He replied to him.
“Kurai, there is nothing wrong with Snow, she’s just with Yuna. She’s not in any harm,” Yushin replied, stepping back slowly towards the door to the outside.
Smoke was beginning to fill the home, making it hard to breathe - but that didn’t stop Kurai from flying off the handles with anger. He was completely blacked out with anger. Not even for a single second did it cross his mind to think that he was burning the house down. Anger had absolutely consumed the nogitsune, bringing out his nature of darkness to his surroundings.
“I told you not to let her go with him. He’s the traitor, and you know it!” Kurai howled, fiery claws extending from the nogitsune.
“Then why didn’t you stop her?” Enoxon questioned him. He stood up to him, eyes narrowing as he readied himself for a battle that would not end pleasantly. Enoxon’s blue magic energy surrounded his own body, providing his body with protection against the flames burning within the house. “I am just as angry as you, Kurai, but that doesn’t mean I am going to burn our house down.”
“I will burn this underworld down to the ground for her. You should be doing the same!” Kurai snapped. He hurled bolts of fire at the wizard, now blocking out the Spirit Walker. Each one more powerful than the last, until the ground of the house shook and the air was filled with the deafening roar of their magic and smoke.
The Sorcerer understood how much Kurai cared about the human girl, especially after they found out their pasts were linked to one another - and when he officially knew he was her guardian. There was no calming Kurai here - not even the slightest. Enoxon was able to keep his cool a lot more than this burning fire fox-demon, knowing what kind of magic could be released if he overstepped the boundaries he had placed for himself.
“Kurai, please,” Enoxon murmured, “Take a step back and look at what is happening to you. Snow wouldn’t want you to react like this.” The sorcerer tried his hardest to distract the demon who was extremely angry, not even looking like himself. His entire posture had changed, all five of his tails had appeared now instead of the one that was always lingering. Studying those angry eyes, he could even see a chakra symbol in them - full of rage. This was the demon’s true form - not the fox that was ever so graceful.
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing she’s not here to see me kill her precious little Spirit Walker, is she?!” Kurai’s voice boomed in the house. The house had gone up in flames, everything was burning now.
“You’re going to leave me with no choice, Kurai,” The sorcerer sighed and held out his hand. A black sphere appeared from his hand and out popped a long staff. The black wooden staff in his possession appears to be truly magical. At the very top of the staff, there's a stunning blue gem that glimmers in the light, similar to Enoxon’s gem that hung around his neck. The wood is sleek and smooth to the touch, and it seems as though it was specifically crafted to fit into their hand. “Kurai, I do not wish to use this type of magic,” Enoxon warned.
Kurai scoffed, “Your magic is useless against mine.”
“Can we just please leave? Please just get him, and us, out of here!” Yushin’s voice hollered.
Immediately, Kurai turned all his attention back to the Spirit Walker who was watching him carefully, ready to plunge into any action of magical power that he may need to protect himself. The house was already completely engulfed in flames from the demon - it was time to leave.e
Enoxon disappointingly shook his head and sighed, “Alright then, this was your choice Kurai.” With the simple incantation on his lips, his eyes closed, and focused all of his energy on the destination. The sorcerer pictured the underworld castle’s dark and foreboding structure, its walls made of black obsidian, and its towers reaching towards the sky like jagged teeth. Suddenly, he felt a rush of wind and a tug at his very being. When he opened his eyes again, he found the three of them inside Lord Mundus’s Castle, right in the throne room.
Right in the middle of the throne room, right in front of Mundus and Astaroth.
“What is the meaning of this, Enoxon?” Lord Mundus’s voice echoed over the empty room.
“This belongs to you,” Enoxon told him, bowing in respect to the Lord. “Please, contain him while Yushin and I tend to the destruction of the house, thank you.”
“Yushin? The Spirit Walker?” Astaroth questioned quickly, trying to catch them before the two of them teleported away.
“We’ll be back later after the house has been restored, thank you again, My Lord,” Yushin bowed as well, completely ignoring the fact that Astaroth was trying to speak to him. He offered a friendly smile before taking a step back with Enoxon and the two disappeared in a flash of light again.
“Bastards,” Lord Mundus sighed, rolling his eyes. His cold blue gaze fell on the one he called, ‘brother.’ The one that was currently engulfed with his rage and fire, lighting up the dark and ominous black walls. Standing up, with a snap of just two simple fingers, Kurai’s flames disappeared and his hands and feet were chained down in blocks of ice. This forced Kurai down to his knees. His eyes were locked on Lord Mundus, glaring at him in disgust and anger.
Lord Mundus slowly made his way down the stairs, his icy-blue gaze not changing directions - just focused on Kurai. With his hands behind his back, he came face-to-face with his brother.
“Let me go!” Kurai snapped at Lord Mundus. He still seemed to be engulfed in rage, but the ice was so cold and froze his body to the core. The young nogitsune forgot how powerful and simple his brother was, but how could he remember in this fit of rage? The man sat there, his body tense and rigid, his eyes fixed on the chains of ice that bound him to the ground. He struggled against them, but they held fast, unyielding, and unbreakable. The cold grip of the ice was merciless, biting into his flesh and draining away his strength. He felt trapped, helpless, and utterly alone.
“Kurai,” Lord Mundus spoke emotionless, watching as his brother struggled. “Why are you so angered?”
Astaroth came up beside Lord Mundus, gazing down at the useless nogitsune, eyeing him over. “Perhaps it is in regards to Snow’s disappearance, My Lord.”
“Snow disappeared?” He questioned his duke.
Astaroth nodded to his Lord, his purple stare shadowing over with resentment.
“Your power is truly incredible, Astaroth, thank you,” Lord Mundus replied and crouched down to his brother, gently grabbing at his chin and staring into his eyes that were finally beginning to come to normal.
With his gaze finally going back to normal, no longer holding any hatred in there as he could feel the cold seep into his bones, Kurai dropped his head and began to breathe heavily. “M-Mundus,” He murmured, feeling a twist of guilt unsettling within him.
“Astaroth, see that you help to ensure that the fire has been contained - we don’t need to start anything or raise the suspicion of the rest of the Underworld now, do we? Also, bring Yushin back when you are finished,” Lord Mundus dismissed his duke and turned his attention to fully fixate on his brother.
Astaroth bowed his head in respect and put his hands together for his simple teleportation spell as well - disappearing with a flash of white.
This left Lord Mundus and Kurai alone.
“To be brought into my castle while completely engulfed in your anger and to worry everyone that you know so dearly,” Lord Mundus began, standing back up and dropping his brother's chin. The Lord’s heart sank as he looked upon his brother. He had always held high hopes for him, but now he was filled with confusion. His brother had let him down and had failed to meet his expectations. Why was he so close to the human girl? What was so special about her and how come he was not understanding it? It was a bitter pill to swallow, but the Lord knew he had no choice but to accept it. He could see the disappointment in his brother's eyes too, and it pained him to know that she had caused it.
Kurai gazed back up at his brother, now fully calm and feeling fearful rather than angry. He wasn’t afraid of what the Lord could do to him, but the decisions he could make - the ones that would allow everything to be broken around him. Lord Mundus brought him into this castle under the promise of no destruction, but also a promise to Ren and Sayuri - Snow’s parents. This promise was to keep Snow safe, and only Lord Mundus knew the real story.
Lord Mundus knew exactly who this girl was - her story, and why she was here. “Your bond with Snow is surreal - a pact forced between a Guardian and a Human. Correct?” He questioned him.
“What’s your point?” Kurai heaved between breaths, staring at his brother.
“Have you failed to protect her?” Lord Mundus asked him.
Quickly, he objected and gave a cold glare to his brother, “She’s not injured. Just… Gone…” He trailed off, thinking about what could’ve possibly happened after she teleported. The bond was not broken, he could still feel her presence, just could not track it - could not find it. The fact that the portals were activated once again when she was there with the Spirit Walker made him worry about what Lord Mundus could possibly want with her. Like the chains he was in, would he dare lock Snow up, the daughter of the Rumaki Sorcerers? He was conflicted. The main reason he was scared was that he didn’t want to see Snow locked up - wouldn’t that go against the promise he made to the Rumaki’s?
“Oh don’t worry, I could never harm the daughter of the Rumaki’s,” Lord Mundus stated. “However, the power she holds within her and the ability to activate portals seems to put us in a tight bond.” The Lord let out a gentle sigh and turned away from his brother, his long ice-white hair flowing behind him as he approached his throne again.
“Who cares if she can activate the portal?” Kurai growled.
“I care, of course. The demon that’s hunting your little Snow cares. The demon who has her marked, the demon who has destroyed your home and your entire tribe - the demon who has kept us in this tight bond. The demon who–”
“Shut up!” Kurai bellowed in defeat, dropping his head once more to stare at the chains he was bound in.
“Fiesty little Fox, aren’t we? The day the Celestial’s found out about the Demon who had the power of destroying an entire tribe of Kitsune Gods and some of the most powerful Sorcerers in all of the underworld was the day we were forced into a snowbound,” Lord Mundus explained. “For all we know, Lord Zonoth and Lady Serelia’s lives were taken by the same Demon.”
“He was unfit to rule, Mundus, and you know it,” Kurai muttered, avoiding his brother’s gaze.
With another snap of his fingers, Lord Mundus froze Kurai’s arms with solid ice and forced the ice to climb up to his chest, nearing his heart. “Do not speak of your previous Lords that way!” Lord Mundus snapped at him, glaring at him more coldly than ever.
“They… Couldn’t… Stop… My tribe… From being killed,” He hissed to his brother. “My entire tribe was killed - my family was killed because your precious rulers couldn’t fight off a demon! You have your damn family - they’re alive. Imagine losing this entire kingdom, because you can’t help them. Because you’re forced to stay back and follow your Lord's duties - like a dog.”
Anger overturned in Lord Mundus as he spoke ill of the previous Lord. The icy-cold glare of his blue eyes pierced through the air, filled with anger and frustration. Kurai could feel the intensity of his gaze, making him uneasy and uncomfortable. The anger behind his stare was palpable, like a storm brewing on the horizon. There was no warmth or kindness in those blue eyes, only a cold, calculated fury that was difficult to ignore. “You know nothing of the truth, do you?” Lord Mundus scoffed. “You are weak, those five tails seem to mean nothing. Perhaps I should take one?”
The words pierced through him like a dagger, stabbing him right into the heart. Did he… Just threaten to take his tails that he has worked so hard for? Fear washed over him - he had been defeated. He could not risk one of his five nogitsune tails that represented power. The defeated fox-demon sighed quietly to himself. Risking one of his tails now would mean horrible trouble for Snow - and he couldn’t let that happen. He had to find the girl and bring her back. She was the only one who would be able to locate this demon that has forced the Underworld into a frozen wasteland. Not even Lord Mundus would be able to find this demon - no matter how powerful he was. The Lord was truly powerful, and Kurai knew it.
“Yes, Lord Mundus,” Kurai murmured. The man's face contorted with anger as he reluctantly lowered himself into a deep bow before his Lord. He knew he had to show respect and deference to the monarch, but his inner turmoil and reservations about the Lord’s leadership made it difficult for him to do so. Despite his frustration and resentment, he remained in the bow until Lord Mundus released the chains from him.
“Find Snow and bring her back, or it’s your tails that will pay the price,” Lord Mundus commanded his brother. Not even a flicker or snap, the ice chains were released from the fox demon, and immediately, he was forced out of the castle and back to the home he had burned down.
Kurai sat there, hands dropped on his knees that were folded under him. He stared at the white ground, wondering what could have possibly happened to Snow. Where did she go after she teleported to the human world? He has yet to get the full story from Yushin. However, he was afraid if he spoke to Yushin, he’d go into fiery oblivion again, destroying more than just a simple home. The young nogitsune raised his head just barely at the ashes in front of him from the fire that he was unable to control. He felt weak from the ice that twisted its way into his body, freezing any internal instinct he had for fire - cooling his body down to nearly below freezing. He was cold, and it would take some time for that fire to spark again.
“You’re back, Kurai!” Enoxon’s cheerful voice sounded from off to the side of the crisped house. “Welcome home! Well, it’s not home anymore - but Astaroth has invited us to stay within the castle until we find a new place.”
Kurai completely ignored the Sorcerer, his gaze flickering over to the Spirit Walker who was putting out one of the last few flames best he could. It was stunning to see that he hadn’t been bombarded and tackled by Astaroth, being that the Duke was very anxious to meet him and have a conversation with him. Then again, he knew that, out of respect, Astaroth was to obey Lord Mundus’s demands. The fox demon shuffled to his shaky frozen-feeling legs. He stumbled over to the Spirit Walker, desperate to find Snow.
Yushin’s golden eyes fell on the stumbling fox demon, watching him as he approached him. “I will explain what I can, if you allow me to, Kurai,” He muttered to him.
Astaroth took a step towards the Spirit Walker, clearly fascinated still - as if he’d never seen the Spirit Walker before. “Spirit Walker Yushin, Lord Mundus has requested to see you,” He explained to him.
Yushin declined almost immediately, “The Crimson Prince will have to wait. We have bigger problems, Astaroth. You can take the story back to him.”
“I do not think that making Lord-”
“I stated no, Astaroth,” Yushin declined again. “I am sure you’d like to ask your questions regarding the previous Lords. As loyal as you are to Lord Mundus, you will need to disobey him this one time or make an illusion. As the Spirit Walker, I know how strong you are - and it’s enough to fool the Lord.”
Astaroth was completely taken back, stunned. “He will see through any disguises. I do believe we should discuss the options of finding Snow with him-”
“I’ve already discussed finding Snow with Mundus,” Kurai retorted, glaring in the direction of Astaroth. “Yushin is right, we have other priorities."
“Let’s discuss our plan while we enjoy a nice drink at the Wet Rose!” Enoxon cheered, coming up behind Kurai and wrapping an arm around his shoulder. “That way, no one can start a fight or fire. Do you wish to join us, Astaroth?”
Astaroth hesitated and sighed in defeat. He needed to talk with Yushin and get answers from him regarding the previous Lords. As much as he respected Lord Mundus, he’s been off lately. The duke frowned, “.... Fine. Just so I can take my answers back to The Crimson Prince.”
“GREAT!” Enoxon howled excitedly and then teleported everyone to the Wet Rose.
Enoxon's magical staff and also Lord Mundus's Throne Room
Chapter Fifteen
The Difference Between Brothers
“Where is SHE?!” A man was bellowing at the top of his lungs, his face turning a bright shade of red with fury. His voice reverberated through the empty hallway, causing anyone within earshot to freeze in their tracks.
“She is safe, Kurai,” The calm individual approached the angry Kurai with a patient and understanding demeanor. He spoke in a gentle and reassuring tone, attempting to ease the tension and anxiety in the situation.
“This entire thing was a horrible idea and I should’ve never trusted you! You give Spirit Walkers a bad name!” Kurai’s anger consumed him, filling him with the most rage he’s ever had in his life - the same energy that he had when he found out that a demon had destroyed his hometown. However, this seemed to be the worst. The Firefox was literally on fire and the only thing keeping his fire contained was Enoxon and even that wasn’t going well.
“Yushin, I really recommend leaving,” Enoxon called out over the flames burning around Kurai.
“Let me out of this stupid bubble, Enoxon!!” Kurai snarled. His usual amber eyes were now blood-red with anger, not a single color in them. The demon could feel the heat building inside him. He lifted his hands and whispered an incantation feeling the power of the spell surge through his veins. Suddenly, a burst of flames erupted from his fingertips, soaring upwards into the bubble, causing it to crack slightly.
Enoxon’s eyes were beginning to glow blue, as he tried his best to tighten the seal around the fire. Without oxygen, Kurai could not produce magic. He knew how powerful Kurai could be, especially because of his five tails. He put more pressure into the spell he was putting around the fox demon, but with a crack, the spell shattered and withdrew. The fire engulfed the surrounding spell shield and grew ablaze as the oxygen began to whisk into the beaming fire. Kurai seemed to have control over his fire - mostly. But with random spits of fire bouncing off him and on the surrounding furniture, it was no use. Things were quickly becoming on fire within the household. Enoxon was so stunned by Kurai. The heat was intense, waves of it radiating outwards and making the air ripple like a mirage. It was a mesmerizing sight, but also a dangerous one. He knew he needed to do something. But what could he do? Without a doubt, Kurai would win something.
“I will burn you to the ground until you are nothing but ash, Yushin,” Kurai spoke darkly, his flames growing larger and soon reaching to the sides of the house, embracing the couch of the living room. “Mark my words.” The air crackled with magic from the fox. Fiery bolts of energy flew from Kurai, illuminating the darkened home with flashes of brilliant light.
“Kurai, you don’t understand. She isn’t harmed!”
“Then where. Is. She?!” Kurai demanded, bringing his hand back as a giant ball of fire began to form. The heat from the nogitsune began to linger off of him, melting his surroundings slowly. The flames danced and flickered, forming intricate patterns that seemed to defy gravity, ready to destroy the Spirit Walker who innocently stood only a few feet away from him.
“Sh-she is with Y-Yuna!” Yushin stuttered, taking a step back and away from the flames consuming their surroundings.
“Kurai, you need to stop before you burn the house down!” Enoxon hollered to him, trying to sound over the flames.
“Shut it, you useless ass sorcerer! You should be able to find her, out of all people in this damn underworld and world. Do you think you’re strong? You can’t even find a human! 100 years and you’re still as stupid as you were when you had your black magic!”
Enoxon was stunned by his words and gave him a cold glare. “Kurai, watch who you’re talking to,” He replied to him.
“Kurai, there is nothing wrong with Snow, she’s just with Yuna. She’s not in any harm,” Yushin replied, stepping back slowly towards the door to the outside.
Smoke was beginning to fill the home, making it hard to breathe - but that didn’t stop Kurai from flying off the handles with anger. He was completely blacked out with anger. Not even for a single second did it cross his mind to think that he was burning the house down. Anger had absolutely consumed the nogitsune, bringing out his nature of darkness to his surroundings.
“I told you not to let her go with him. He’s the traitor, and you know it!” Kurai howled, fiery claws extending from the nogitsune.
“Then why didn’t you stop her?” Enoxon questioned him. He stood up to him, eyes narrowing as he readied himself for a battle that would not end pleasantly. Enoxon’s blue magic energy surrounded his own body, providing his body with protection against the flames burning within the house. “I am just as angry as you, Kurai, but that doesn’t mean I am going to burn our house down.”
“I will burn this underworld down to the ground for her. You should be doing the same!” Kurai snapped. He hurled bolts of fire at the wizard, now blocking out the Spirit Walker. Each one more powerful than the last, until the ground of the house shook and the air was filled with the deafening roar of their magic and smoke.
The Sorcerer understood how much Kurai cared about the human girl, especially after they found out their pasts were linked to one another - and when he officially knew he was her guardian. There was no calming Kurai here - not even the slightest. Enoxon was able to keep his cool a lot more than this burning fire fox-demon, knowing what kind of magic could be released if he overstepped the boundaries he had placed for himself.
“Kurai, please,” Enoxon murmured, “Take a step back and look at what is happening to you. Snow wouldn’t want you to react like this.” The sorcerer tried his hardest to distract the demon who was extremely angry, not even looking like himself. His entire posture had changed, all five of his tails had appeared now instead of the one that was always lingering. Studying those angry eyes, he could even see a chakra symbol in them - full of rage. This was the demon’s true form - not the fox that was ever so graceful.
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing she’s not here to see me kill her precious little Spirit Walker, is she?!” Kurai’s voice boomed in the house. The house had gone up in flames, everything was burning now.
“You’re going to leave me with no choice, Kurai,” The sorcerer sighed and held out his hand. A black sphere appeared from his hand and out popped a long staff. The black wooden staff in his possession appears to be truly magical. At the very top of the staff, there's a stunning blue gem that glimmers in the light, similar to Enoxon’s gem that hung around his neck. The wood is sleek and smooth to the touch, and it seems as though it was specifically crafted to fit into their hand. “Kurai, I do not wish to use this type of magic,” Enoxon warned.
Kurai scoffed, “Your magic is useless against mine.”
“Can we just please leave? Please just get him, and us, out of here!” Yushin’s voice hollered.
Immediately, Kurai turned all his attention back to the Spirit Walker who was watching him carefully, ready to plunge into any action of magical power that he may need to protect himself. The house was already completely engulfed in flames from the demon - it was time to leave.e
Enoxon disappointingly shook his head and sighed, “Alright then, this was your choice Kurai.” With the simple incantation on his lips, his eyes closed, and focused all of his energy on the destination. The sorcerer pictured the underworld castle’s dark and foreboding structure, its walls made of black obsidian, and its towers reaching towards the sky like jagged teeth. Suddenly, he felt a rush of wind and a tug at his very being. When he opened his eyes again, he found the three of them inside Lord Mundus’s Castle, right in the throne room.
Right in the middle of the throne room, right in front of Mundus and Astaroth.
“What is the meaning of this, Enoxon?” Lord Mundus’s voice echoed over the empty room.
“This belongs to you,” Enoxon told him, bowing in respect to the Lord. “Please, contain him while Yushin and I tend to the destruction of the house, thank you.”
“Yushin? The Spirit Walker?” Astaroth questioned quickly, trying to catch them before the two of them teleported away.
“We’ll be back later after the house has been restored, thank you again, My Lord,” Yushin bowed as well, completely ignoring the fact that Astaroth was trying to speak to him. He offered a friendly smile before taking a step back with Enoxon and the two disappeared in a flash of light again.
“Bastards,” Lord Mundus sighed, rolling his eyes. His cold blue gaze fell on the one he called, ‘brother.’ The one that was currently engulfed with his rage and fire, lighting up the dark and ominous black walls. Standing up, with a snap of just two simple fingers, Kurai’s flames disappeared and his hands and feet were chained down in blocks of ice. This forced Kurai down to his knees. His eyes were locked on Lord Mundus, glaring at him in disgust and anger.
Lord Mundus slowly made his way down the stairs, his icy-blue gaze not changing directions - just focused on Kurai. With his hands behind his back, he came face-to-face with his brother.
“Let me go!” Kurai snapped at Lord Mundus. He still seemed to be engulfed in rage, but the ice was so cold and froze his body to the core. The young nogitsune forgot how powerful and simple his brother was, but how could he remember in this fit of rage? The man sat there, his body tense and rigid, his eyes fixed on the chains of ice that bound him to the ground. He struggled against them, but they held fast, unyielding, and unbreakable. The cold grip of the ice was merciless, biting into his flesh and draining away his strength. He felt trapped, helpless, and utterly alone.
“Kurai,” Lord Mundus spoke emotionless, watching as his brother struggled. “Why are you so angered?”
Astaroth came up beside Lord Mundus, gazing down at the useless nogitsune, eyeing him over. “Perhaps it is in regards to Snow’s disappearance, My Lord.”
“Snow disappeared?” He questioned his duke.
Astaroth nodded to his Lord, his purple stare shadowing over with resentment.
“Your power is truly incredible, Astaroth, thank you,” Lord Mundus replied and crouched down to his brother, gently grabbing at his chin and staring into his eyes that were finally beginning to come to normal.
With his gaze finally going back to normal, no longer holding any hatred in there as he could feel the cold seep into his bones, Kurai dropped his head and began to breathe heavily. “M-Mundus,” He murmured, feeling a twist of guilt unsettling within him.
“Astaroth, see that you help to ensure that the fire has been contained - we don’t need to start anything or raise the suspicion of the rest of the Underworld now, do we? Also, bring Yushin back when you are finished,” Lord Mundus dismissed his duke and turned his attention to fully fixate on his brother.
Astaroth bowed his head in respect and put his hands together for his simple teleportation spell as well - disappearing with a flash of white.
This left Lord Mundus and Kurai alone.
“To be brought into my castle while completely engulfed in your anger and to worry everyone that you know so dearly,” Lord Mundus began, standing back up and dropping his brother's chin. The Lord’s heart sank as he looked upon his brother. He had always held high hopes for him, but now he was filled with confusion. His brother had let him down and had failed to meet his expectations. Why was he so close to the human girl? What was so special about her and how come he was not understanding it? It was a bitter pill to swallow, but the Lord knew he had no choice but to accept it. He could see the disappointment in his brother's eyes too, and it pained him to know that she had caused it.
Kurai gazed back up at his brother, now fully calm and feeling fearful rather than angry. He wasn’t afraid of what the Lord could do to him, but the decisions he could make - the ones that would allow everything to be broken around him. Lord Mundus brought him into this castle under the promise of no destruction, but also a promise to Ren and Sayuri - Snow’s parents. This promise was to keep Snow safe, and only Lord Mundus knew the real story.
Lord Mundus knew exactly who this girl was - her story, and why she was here. “Your bond with Snow is surreal - a pact forced between a Guardian and a Human. Correct?” He questioned him.
“What’s your point?” Kurai heaved between breaths, staring at his brother.
“Have you failed to protect her?” Lord Mundus asked him.
Quickly, he objected and gave a cold glare to his brother, “She’s not injured. Just… Gone…” He trailed off, thinking about what could’ve possibly happened after she teleported. The bond was not broken, he could still feel her presence, just could not track it - could not find it. The fact that the portals were activated once again when she was there with the Spirit Walker made him worry about what Lord Mundus could possibly want with her. Like the chains he was in, would he dare lock Snow up, the daughter of the Rumaki Sorcerers? He was conflicted. The main reason he was scared was that he didn’t want to see Snow locked up - wouldn’t that go against the promise he made to the Rumaki’s?
“Oh don’t worry, I could never harm the daughter of the Rumaki’s,” Lord Mundus stated. “However, the power she holds within her and the ability to activate portals seems to put us in a tight bond.” The Lord let out a gentle sigh and turned away from his brother, his long ice-white hair flowing behind him as he approached his throne again.
“Who cares if she can activate the portal?” Kurai growled.
“I care, of course. The demon that’s hunting your little Snow cares. The demon who has her marked, the demon who has destroyed your home and your entire tribe - the demon who has kept us in this tight bond. The demon who–”
“Shut up!” Kurai bellowed in defeat, dropping his head once more to stare at the chains he was bound in.
“Fiesty little Fox, aren’t we? The day the Celestial’s found out about the Demon who had the power of destroying an entire tribe of Kitsune Gods and some of the most powerful Sorcerers in all of the underworld was the day we were forced into a snowbound,” Lord Mundus explained. “For all we know, Lord Zonoth and Lady Serelia’s lives were taken by the same Demon.”
“He was unfit to rule, Mundus, and you know it,” Kurai muttered, avoiding his brother’s gaze.
With another snap of his fingers, Lord Mundus froze Kurai’s arms with solid ice and forced the ice to climb up to his chest, nearing his heart. “Do not speak of your previous Lords that way!” Lord Mundus snapped at him, glaring at him more coldly than ever.
“They… Couldn’t… Stop… My tribe… From being killed,” He hissed to his brother. “My entire tribe was killed - my family was killed because your precious rulers couldn’t fight off a demon! You have your damn family - they’re alive. Imagine losing this entire kingdom, because you can’t help them. Because you’re forced to stay back and follow your Lord's duties - like a dog.”
Anger overturned in Lord Mundus as he spoke ill of the previous Lord. The icy-cold glare of his blue eyes pierced through the air, filled with anger and frustration. Kurai could feel the intensity of his gaze, making him uneasy and uncomfortable. The anger behind his stare was palpable, like a storm brewing on the horizon. There was no warmth or kindness in those blue eyes, only a cold, calculated fury that was difficult to ignore. “You know nothing of the truth, do you?” Lord Mundus scoffed. “You are weak, those five tails seem to mean nothing. Perhaps I should take one?”
The words pierced through him like a dagger, stabbing him right into the heart. Did he… Just threaten to take his tails that he has worked so hard for? Fear washed over him - he had been defeated. He could not risk one of his five nogitsune tails that represented power. The defeated fox-demon sighed quietly to himself. Risking one of his tails now would mean horrible trouble for Snow - and he couldn’t let that happen. He had to find the girl and bring her back. She was the only one who would be able to locate this demon that has forced the Underworld into a frozen wasteland. Not even Lord Mundus would be able to find this demon - no matter how powerful he was. The Lord was truly powerful, and Kurai knew it.
“Yes, Lord Mundus,” Kurai murmured. The man's face contorted with anger as he reluctantly lowered himself into a deep bow before his Lord. He knew he had to show respect and deference to the monarch, but his inner turmoil and reservations about the Lord’s leadership made it difficult for him to do so. Despite his frustration and resentment, he remained in the bow until Lord Mundus released the chains from him.
“Find Snow and bring her back, or it’s your tails that will pay the price,” Lord Mundus commanded his brother. Not even a flicker or snap, the ice chains were released from the fox demon, and immediately, he was forced out of the castle and back to the home he had burned down.
Kurai sat there, hands dropped on his knees that were folded under him. He stared at the white ground, wondering what could have possibly happened to Snow. Where did she go after she teleported to the human world? He has yet to get the full story from Yushin. However, he was afraid if he spoke to Yushin, he’d go into fiery oblivion again, destroying more than just a simple home. The young nogitsune raised his head just barely at the ashes in front of him from the fire that he was unable to control. He felt weak from the ice that twisted its way into his body, freezing any internal instinct he had for fire - cooling his body down to nearly below freezing. He was cold, and it would take some time for that fire to spark again.
“You’re back, Kurai!” Enoxon’s cheerful voice sounded from off to the side of the crisped house. “Welcome home! Well, it’s not home anymore - but Astaroth has invited us to stay within the castle until we find a new place.”
Kurai completely ignored the Sorcerer, his gaze flickering over to the Spirit Walker who was putting out one of the last few flames best he could. It was stunning to see that he hadn’t been bombarded and tackled by Astaroth, being that the Duke was very anxious to meet him and have a conversation with him. Then again, he knew that, out of respect, Astaroth was to obey Lord Mundus’s demands. The fox demon shuffled to his shaky frozen-feeling legs. He stumbled over to the Spirit Walker, desperate to find Snow.
Yushin’s golden eyes fell on the stumbling fox demon, watching him as he approached him. “I will explain what I can, if you allow me to, Kurai,” He muttered to him.
Astaroth took a step towards the Spirit Walker, clearly fascinated still - as if he’d never seen the Spirit Walker before. “Spirit Walker Yushin, Lord Mundus has requested to see you,” He explained to him.
Yushin declined almost immediately, “The Crimson Prince will have to wait. We have bigger problems, Astaroth. You can take the story back to him.”
“I do not think that making Lord-”
“I stated no, Astaroth,” Yushin declined again. “I am sure you’d like to ask your questions regarding the previous Lords. As loyal as you are to Lord Mundus, you will need to disobey him this one time or make an illusion. As the Spirit Walker, I know how strong you are - and it’s enough to fool the Lord.”
Astaroth was completely taken back, stunned. “He will see through any disguises. I do believe we should discuss the options of finding Snow with him-”
“I’ve already discussed finding Snow with Mundus,” Kurai retorted, glaring in the direction of Astaroth. “Yushin is right, we have other priorities."
“Let’s discuss our plan while we enjoy a nice drink at the Wet Rose!” Enoxon cheered, coming up behind Kurai and wrapping an arm around his shoulder. “That way, no one can start a fight or fire. Do you wish to join us, Astaroth?”
Astaroth hesitated and sighed in defeat. He needed to talk with Yushin and get answers from him regarding the previous Lords. As much as he respected Lord Mundus, he’s been off lately. The duke frowned, “.... Fine. Just so I can take my answers back to The Crimson Prince.”
“GREAT!” Enoxon howled excitedly and then teleported everyone to the Wet Rose.
Enoxon's magical staff and also Lord Mundus's Throne Room
