A/N: Hey everyone, sorry this took so long, the chapter's been done for some time now but, my editor had a lot to do and it led to a few setbacks. Anyhow, hope you enjoy the story and the chapter. There'll be another one up soon......I hope. Anyhow, thanks for the massive support...
The Footsteps in the Darkness ~ SkullFox
Chapter 14: Despair…
– Where hope is the source of all that can make us go on in the face of adversity, despair is clearly the polar opposite. Born from the loss and absence of all hope of any kind, despair can render us completely powerless in an instant. Despair like any variety of emotions can very quickly turn our lives around. It is our reactions to these extreme conditions and circumstances that can make up a large part of who we are…-
In a forbidden place long hidden from the average Cerinians for the purpose of safety lay what could be the most potent source of energy in all the Krazoa System – a massive gem. It dwarfed the size of the large Spellstones that kept Sauria from falling apart, its golden rim the only part of the massive gem not glowing a bright and vibrant mix of swirling blues and reds. A young blue-furred Cerinian stood on what seemed like a large structure of metal spanning across a small pit of lava some ways just below. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he looked up to the slowly revolving stone a short ways over his head…
"There it is…" Mahlay half whispered, his voice thick with awe, "All these years and ages, the Elders have lied to everyone, never even telling them that it was here. This is where my father died."
Rath'ma's voice almost sounded full of contempt. "Amazing. I have never felt so much power…it is almost overwhelming."
"Yes…it is," Mahlay replied, "Father told me stories about this place when I was still very young. There was a time when he brought me here. I do not think father was supposed to come here…especially with me. I am not really certain of what he did, but father did something with the stone…it made me stronger." He sighed. "It also killed him."
"So there is some way to make this stone increase your own strength," Rath'ma's voice said, "What then do you propose to do with this stone?"
Mahlay simply stared at the stone. Its very presence made his entire body shiver, the power he felt was far beyond that of any animal he'd ever seen…
"Even in those recordings I found on that…star ship," Mahlay said, "They had record of this stone. There is no telling who made it or what its purpose is. Only that it houses power beyond anything a mortal could possibly comprehend. If I were to absorb that power…nobody could stop me."
As the young Cerinian stepped forward, the spinning stone slowly descended before him. There was a familiar radiance emanating from the stone, that of a living creature. It confused him that the gem would give off the feel of a single living entity, but he deduced that there was more to this stone than met the eye. But living or not, important or not, this was a source of power that he could readily tap into. Hefting the remains of his staff high overhead, Mahlay brought the pointed, shattered end down into the face of the flawless gem. The gem responded with a resounding burst of blue light, as massive arches of what appeared to be red lightning branched out from the object. Finally however one met a mark slapping into Mahlay's chest. With a scream of sheer agony the young vulpine was lifted from his feet and helplessly hurled across the room, where his body skipped and tumbled across the floor before sliding to a halt…where he lay unconscious…
Krystal had no recollection of falling asleep. It was still only late noon, but as she opened her eyes realizing that she was holding onto a familiar young, handsome fox, it became clear just why she'd fallen asleep. Just as he'd missed having her there, the vixen had missed Fox just as badly, and the comfort of having him there again was more than enough to ease her senses and allow her to sleep far more easily than she had in past months. She realized that they'd fallen asleep outside against the side of the ship. The vixen smiled as she heard the sound of Fox snoring loudly. He only really snored when he was exhausted. It only seemed like he was asleep for a moment before the vulpine's eyes slowly opened. As he smiled at her however, a rumble of the land caused him to shoot into a standing position…
"Earthquake?"
Krystal seemed to be short of breath, as she could not find her way to her feet. "No…whatever it was, it was something much different," she said clutching her heart, "It…it almost felt as though this entire planet was wailing in pain."
Fox slowly knelt beside the young vixen. "Are you alright?"
The vixen shook her head. "No. Whatever caused that…it wasn't natural," she said looking about in a panic, "Father has to know something. I'm sorry Fox I have to go."
Fox managed to catch her by the arm just as the vixen began to dart off. "Krystal wait. What's going on?"
She quickly turned pulling him into a deep kiss before pushing him away. "I'm sorry but I don't know," she said caressing his cheek for a moment.
As she rushed off Fox found himself only able to stand there dumbfounded. He and Krystal had shared kisses before, but something about that last one just felt…wrong. He had instigated plenty of moments between her and himself, but he couldn't remember a single time she'd been so forward with him in the means of her affection. What he didn't know was why it had felt like such a desperate kiss…
"You know…" James's voice said lightly from behind, "You'll regret it if you don't go after her. I don't know what kind of earthquake that was myself, but there was nothing natural about it."
Fox sighed. "I know dad…something horrible is about to happen here."
The vulpine turned as he felt his father's paw on is shoulder. "Then what the hell are you waiting for?" James chuckled.
The vixen moved faster than she could ever recall running. There was nothing in the forest that could have stopped her. She became like the wind. However this still seemed to carry her less than fast enough. Something tore at her heart. Something was wrong with her home. Her mother had always told her that the worlds themselves were living things; something that, up until now, she'd never actually believed. But…she'd heard and felt the planet scream out in pain. It was something far more painful than she could imagine, and she could still feel it. The world, and everything about it was all crying and shrieking in agony. It was however as she barreled through the underbrush that the vixen ran into something she didn't expect. A warm, furry surface that quickly wrapped around her. Frozen in an instant of uncertainty, a familiar sent filled her senses. She slowly looked up at the chestnut-furred vulpine that held her…
"Fox?" she asked, "What are you…"
Fox held her at arms length. "Forget that…I'm coming with you."
"But father…he'll…"
Fox held a finger to her lips. "Never mind that. If he doesn't understand…I'll make him understand."
With a smile, the vixen quickly embraced him. It didn't surprise her that he understood the things she didn't want to tell anyone; her worries, how she felt. Fox had always understood her far more than any other animal she'd ever met. Without any further hesitation, the vixen took Fox's paw, and quickly the two darted off into the forest…
Mahlay pushed himself up on his paws. The shock he'd received from the Motherstone was more than he'd bargained for. It was as he rested there staring at the cold stone beneath him that a small arch of red slithered down his arm, before the small snake of electricity burst against the ground, dissipating entirely. As he struggled to his feet, the young Cerinian collapsed to his knees holding his head in his paws. For a moment his eyes glossed over white…
In the flash of an instant Mahlay's mind was racked with images of three absolutely gorgeous Cerinian vixens standing before a single animal, whose face remained out of sight. The three vixens embraced each other, which produced a dense light; and in that same instant a clear vision of the Motherstone floated from the light leaving only three stone figures standing in the maidens' places. It was in that moment that the shadowy figure stepped forward. Its shape and form were unmistakable. The Cerinian people looked onto them for guidance…it was a Krazoa. However, it was not the spirits that his people were used to seeing…no…it stood tall, wearing deep blue, elaborate robes. For a moment the solemn creature looked as if directly at Mahlay before turning its gaze to the Motherstone and suddenly bursting into several small fractions of light that spiraled away, assuming the shape of many Krazoa spirits. Mahlay suddenly shook his head breathing heavily…
"That…" he gasped looking to the stone, "The goddesses. They gave their lives to create the Motherstone? Why? And why did the Krazoa help them?"
"Are you well Mahlay?" Rath'ma's voice asked, "You were not responding to me…I was…worried."
Mahlay shook his head again as more red arcs of electricity surged through his fur scaling down before vanishing against the floor…
"I saw it all Rath'ma," the vulpine said with awe as he slowly approached the stone that spun slowly before him, "It was three powerful priestesses, not goddesses. They sacrificed themselves to a Krazoa to create this stone…but why?" he inquired, "Why create something with this much power? What purpose does it serve?"
"What purpose indeed," Rath'ma replied, "I can think of few things that such a power could serve a purpose to."
Mahlay thought for a moment. "Wait. I remember something father told me, something about a sickness. It was why he had brought me here before. He feared I was not strong enough, and would eventually fall to the illness. Could the Motherstone be connected to all of this in some way?"
"Has this changed your mind in some way Mahlay?" Rath'ma asked.
Mahlay chuckled he could feel the electricity escaping his body as small arcs left his heels with every step he took. He could feel the strange energy flowing through his system. He'd only managed to hold onto the thing for a fleeting moment. It was as the stone spun about that Mahlay caught a brief glimpse of his own face, and something was different. His fur's color looked a bit off, as did his eyes. Quickly examining his left arm he noticed that his fur had gone from a darker blue, to a very light violet color. It was as he ran his fingers over his abdomen and up his chest that he realized that something about him had changed entirely. His body felt more rigid, stiffer, and yet he was relaxed. It felt as if perhaps his muscles may have grown, becoming a bit more solid, and he also found his mind racing with thoughts…
"It is strange." He chuckled to himself. "I have never felt so…energized. I actually feel…more alive."
It was in an instant that his mind was made up and the animal lurched out grasping at the stone. Its response was just as erratic and violent as before. However, the first time it had reacted much more powerfully toward his attack. If it could defend itself in such a way, he had another way about it…
Tyrius stood there, not quite sure what he would do. It had all started with a ruckus outside his hut, and was followed by his daughter, along with a strange male outsider who Krystal seemed reluctant to release, as they seemed connected at the paw. The elder was in no great hurry to act. He could sense that something was different about this animal, something much more different than the other outsider he'd seen so many years ago, though his closeness to Krystal already caused him to look menacingly at Fox. He simply stood at Krystal's side, his expression as stoic as ever. With the vixen that stood beside him he couldn't care less how many, or who it was that judged him. He was there by her side, and that was all that mattered. He found it somewhat irritating that the elder kept eyeing him the way he did, while both Krystal and Nalya attempted to convince Tyrius not to have Fox killed…
"Krystal…why do you not understand that outsiders are dangerous?"
The vixen looked back to Fox who was now standing at least a room away. "Father we are more dangerous to him than he is to us. We can read others' thoughts, and even influence others with our minds. Outsiders do not have our abilities…some might label us just as you do him."
The elder sighed. His body was still injured, though it helped that Krystal was at the moment doing what she could for his injuries…
"Besides that…Fox is not the reason I came back," the vixen said as she backed away from her father. "I am certain that you felt it as well." Tyrius nodded. "And I still do. This entire world is wailing in pain, as if it is being torn apart from the inside. I have seen something in my dreams. In them I watch this world crumble from afar…there is only one thing that I know of that I am certain could cause such a thing however…"
Krystal helped her father stand up. "What? What could make our world feel this way?"
"I do not know."
As he spoke Krystal noticed a lack of his natural energy. He was always so stern and proud…and now he seemed to have trouble just holding himself up. It was in a fleeting moment as Krystal looked back to her mother that she felt his weight fall against her back, causing her to turn and catch him before he could fall to the floor. The young vixen's distressed cry for her father was enough to bring Fox and her mother instantly to her side. Krystal tried what she could, but whatever had happened to him was beyond her ability to heal. Fox made a motion for the animal placing his fingers on the elder's neck for a moment…
"His pulse is weak…" he said in a grim voice, "And his breathing is pretty shallow."
Krystal looked to him pleadingly. "Fox, what's wrong with him?"
Fox pulled the animal's eye open for a moment, before leaving him alone. "I…I don't know. Has he had any sicknesses?"
Nalya thought for a moment. "If he has, he has kept it well hidden."
"It's weird…"
"He mentioned something to me about a sickness that is threatening the males of this tribe though," Nalya said.
Fox sighed as he looked to Krystal. "Look, I don't know how to treat this. I can't even tell you what's fully wrong with him. We have to get him to a hospital though…"
"Fox we can't do that."
In that moment the elder's eyes fluttered open. He seemed coherent enough, though somewhat off…
"Let him decided that," Fox said, "You explain everything to him, it'll be easier coming from you. I'll wait in the other room."
After some time, the two vixens walked into the room. "He refuses…" Nalya said, "But so do I. You can heal him?"
Fox sighed as he looked to the animal that had since lost consciousness again. "I can't promise you anything, but he has a better chance of survival at a hospital than he does just laying here."
In an instant the world seemed to shake again, this time quite a bit more violently than before, causing Krystal to stumble forward into Fox's arms…
"Okay…there's no way that one was a coincidence," he said, "And it was way too powerful to be an aftershock," Fox said looking to the communicator on his wrist. "Dad?"
"Yeah son," a voice called back slightly startling Nalya.
"We rebuilt the scanner from your Arwing. Can you scan the area and find out what the deal is with these quakes?"
James thought for a moment before he replied, "I think the scanner can handle it."
"Good…something doesn't feel right about any of this situation," Fox replied, "What about home? Can you contact anyone and send for the Great Fox?"
"I'm not sure, I can only try."
"Do it…I don't know why, but I have a feeling that this situation is going to get much worse before it gets any better."
Krystal quickly made her way to her feet. "Wait, what do you mean?"
Fox turned off his communicator. "Krystal…think hard. Did anything like this happen before?"
Tyrius and Nalya stood by looking to one another. The elder stepped forward before another young Cerinian huntress rushed in. "Nalya!" she shouted, "We did as you said. Mahlay…he is still alive. We could not find him, only his tracks, and they vanished into the woods. He was headed toward the northern woods."
The elder's face instantly froze. "The Motherstone…he wouldn't."
Krystal paused for a moment as a flood of worry seemed to flow from her father's voice. "Father…what's wrong?"
The elder looked to his daughter. "The elders have always protected the Motherstone, even from the villagers. The Motherstone, it has a connection with our world," he said, "There is no telling what will happen if something were to harm it."
"What does that have to do with this father?" Krystal asked.
Tyrius sighed. "I feel that the land's violent reactions is a result of something happening to the stone. I would hope that Mahlay would not do something so…reckless."
Fox thought for a moment. "Where is this stone?" he asked.
"Why would I tell an outsider where such a thing is?" Krystal's father demanded.
Fox sighed. "I once watched a world fall apart thanks to a stone that sounds a lot like the one you're talking about."
Krystal's expression instantly turned to one of fear. "You aren't talking about the Spellstones on Sauria," she said.
Nalya stepped forward for a moment pulling her daughter's shoulder so that she could look the young vixen in the eyes. "Krystal what are you two talking about?"
Krystal looked to Fox and nodded causing him to step forward. "Ma'am. There is another world like this one, near my home. We call it Sauria," he pointed out, "That world has these…stones; big beautiful gemstones, lined with silver. They were made by the Krazoa to keep the world from falling apart. A friend of mine explained that his world had horrible earthquakes before it started to fall apart when those stones were threatened," he said looking to the elder. "Sir, can you show me, or explain what that stone looks like?" he asked pausing for his answer only to see the animal give him an uncertain glare. "Sir…" he started again gathering the elder's attention, "Please…this has nothing to do with me. It could mean the life of every person in this village, including yourself, Krystal, and her mother…and more than that, the life of every animal that lives on Cerinia."
The old Cerinian lowered his head and walked to the wooden table that laid just a short ways from the small group, where he began to drag his claw across the wooden surface leaving a small image in the deep grooves he left behind. Fox took a moment to inspect the small etching. It was a rough, elongated, diamond shape. Some things were different, but it was definitely just as Fox had thought…
"Sir, how big is this stone?" Fox asked.
Tyrius sighed as he thought for a moment searching the room. "As tall as if you were to stand Nalya on my shoulders," he said, "And…as wide as the two of us standing side by side," he explained pointing to himself and Fox.
Fox looked to Krystal, who looked back to him with the same bewildered expression he displayed. "Sir, where is this stone?" he asked looking back to the elder.
Sensing something in the young vulpine, Krystal took her mother by the shoulder, whispering something into her ear before the two left the room…
"Sir…" Fox said, "I know you have no reason to believe me, or trust me," he said, "That's the same reason I did this for Krystal. She told me about the most important rule that a Cerinian upholds, about not prying into a mind without permission."
The elder sat at the table while still facing the young stranger. "And you would trust me to scan your mind?" he asked, "Someone that you have no reason to trust?"
Fox sighed as he pulled a chair next to the elder. "You're right…I don't have a reason to trust you. And I know that you could kill me in an instant if you wanted to…but you haven't. That's reason enough for me."
The elder Cerinian sighed as he laid his paw on Fox's forehead. Suddenly the same system of memories and thoughts shot through the animal's head; a full lifetime of memories, animals and places, the Star Fox team, his family, this young animal himself. He could see everything from the animal's past life. It was as Fox's old memories of Sauria and Krystal filtered through his mind that a sudden rush of emotion flowed through to him. The memories seemed to play in fast-forward, speeding through forty years of some unseen future. The Cerinian quickly pulled his paw away from Fox's forehead, looking to him with stunned silence…
"What…" He paused to catch his gasping breath. "What are you?" he asked, "How can you have memories of things that have not come to pass?"
Fox sighed. "Sir, I wish I could explain it too you," he said standing up, "But truth is…I can't. Right now the only important thing is to make sure nothing happens to all the innocent people in this village."
Tyrius sighed heavily. "What would you have us do?"
"Krystal once told me that her ship was one that you have hidden somewhere in the village."
The elder looked dumbfounded at him…
"I want you to get that ship ready…" Fox added, "In case we can't stop whatever's happening."
Tyrius thought for a moment. "Nalya!!" he called issuing the vixen to step inside, "I need you to show this young warrior to the Mothertree," he said, "There is a small gathering of stones that mask the entrance leading down into the Motherstone's Sanctuary. After you know what is going on, report it back here to me. I must speak with Krystal now. The two of you should hurry."
Krystal waited for a moment before her mother and Fox both passed by her, oddly without saying a word. The vixen automatically picked up on something that was going seriously wrong, as Fox didn't even look in her direction. Just as the vixen turned to follow them, a familiar grip pulled her back toward the hut by her arm. She turned quickly only to look into a steely expression from her father…the look, along with the riddled thoughts moving through his head, that her earlier thoughts of something horrible going on was right…
"Krystal…"
The vixen pulled her arm free. "Father…did Fox just go looking for Mahlay?" she demanded in a sharp tone.
The elder looked her over. If the images and memories in the stranger's head were correct, then she was most likely far more powerful than he could even imagine. With a sigh the animal lowered his head. "Yes." Before she could rush off the elder took her by the arm again. "Krystal, you cannot go. I need your assistance here…that outsi…" He paused for a moment. "Fox. He showed me things…horrible things."
Krystal froze turning to him with a shocked expression. "What?"
"I saw everything…" he said releasing her arm and stepping away from her for a moment. "I saw everything. Corneria, the cities, his friends, his team…his family…you. Then I saw this…Sauria, and what these Spellstones looked like, and what they did," he said, "Krystal you don't understand. The Motherstone, it…it is at least six…possibly ten times the size of the stones that he used to save you," he said, "Think for just one moment. If those four stones could hold a world together, what could more than twice that energy do?"
Krystal couldn't help but to remain in silent thought…
"Listen closely…" Tyrius said turning to the young vixen. "That young fox has more heart and conviction than I've ever seen in a soul before. He intends to stop Mahlay the best he can, but even he realizes that he is only buying us time."
Krystal's eyes widened. "Time for what?"
The old Cerinian laid his paw on the vixen's shoulder. "I think you already know," he said causing a tear to form in the vixen's eye, "Do not dwell on it now. Do you recall where your ship is?"
The vixen only nodded while attempting to hold back her tears, as her father embraced her…
"Then gather all the villagers you can and take them there…" he said holding her at arms length, "I refuse to allow all of these people to die because of the ignorance of the elder council. We did not realize how powerful the Motherstone actually was. It should have been erased from our thoughts as soon as we discovered it. That stone is the only thing that kept the elders here," he said, "I have to tell the villagers about the ceremony and what it stood for. The stone, and that ancient relic of a ship were the two things that we were stuck between. In one instance we did not want to leave the stone. It keeps our people healthy and young, while providing us a cure for the sickness. However, the elders feared the uprising that would be caused if the villagers realized that this world was not our home," he said releasing her entirely, "However, that is not important anymore. If your friend's memories are correct and accurate…then that means the Krazoa made the Motherstone for the very same reason they made those stones on that world Sauria. If Mahlay does too much harm to that stone, or manages to do anything to it…there is no telling what will happen here."
Krystal wiped the tears from her eyes. "But we have no proof. We aren't certain that is what will happen."
Tyrius gripped her shoulders. "I refuse to take that chance," he replied in a harsh voice that slowly melted into a caring tone as he used a thumb to wipe away the vixen's tears. "I realize now…what I want in my life," he said, "I have questioned myself and where I stand. My father once asked me this question," he said, "What is your purpose? You cannot truly live until you know why you live. I know that purpose now," he said, "I was blind for never seeing it before, but when you left the village before and came back to us it hit me harder than anything in my life…" Tyrius said with a smile, "It was you. The day you were born I knew my life would never be the same. At first I thought it was just from the uncertainty of raising a daughter…but I realized recently, that it wasn't uncertainty. My life had changed for the sheer fact that until you were born…I had no purpose. And right now I intend to do everything possible to see that my purpose doesn't end before I do."
Krystal looked confused. "Father…why are you telling me this?"
Tyrius chuckled. "Because I know you. I know your heart and the way it works," he replied with a loving smile, the first she'd seen on his face since she was incredibly young. "As soon as you are sure the villagers are safe, you will rush to his side. You will fight to your dying breath to keep him alive…" he said brushing her hair from her face, "And I have seen enough of his mind to know that he would do the very same for you. But if you have faith in that young fox…then do what you think he would. What would he do in this situation?"
Krystal bit her lip with a sniffle. "He would…." She paused lowering her head. "Save the villagers."
The elder sighed. "Good. There are things that must be done," he said, "Gather all the animals you can, and head for the ship."
"What about the others?" Krystal asked. "It's not possible to fit them all on that little ship."
The old Cerinian sighed. "Leave that to me. Just take as many as you can."
Before the vixen could say another word, her father quickly vanished from her sight. Though it was difficult for her to do so, Krystal finally rushed into the village…where she would gather all the animals she could and drive them on to her small escape ship. She understood now that Cerinia's fate was sealed, but if the remaining people banded together, their fate did not have to be shared. Her people could all be spared and find a new start somewhere else; Sauria, Katina, anywhere, perhaps even Corneria. After all she had adapted quickly, why wouldn't they? As for now there was nothing else she could do but save what villagers she could from her home's inevitable plight…
Fox rushed through the woods with Krystal's mother just ahead of him leading the way. He was not surprised that Krystal clearly got her hunter's prowess from the elder vixen. However, he realized that he was actually holding back. To him this meant that earlier Krystal was moving faster than even her own mother could run. Another shake of the ground beneath his feet caused Fox to stumble a bit before grinding to a halt catching the vixen ahead of him before she could fall, as she was moving at much too fast to actually maintain her balance. It was as Fox helped her to her feet that she looked back at him…
"Thank you…" she said dusting herself off, "I must admit, people from your homeland must be very well trained. You are much faster than any animal in these woods."
Fox chuckled. "Not quite…Krystal is still faster than I am," he said breathing a bit heavily.
The vixen looked around. "We are not far from the Mothertree now."
Fox stepped forward for a moment. "Listen," he said looking to the sky, "You seem to understand more than anyone else how I feel about Krystal. And I don't know why, maybe it's the fact that you two are so much alike, but I feel like I can trust you enough to ask you a favor…"
The vixen paused for a moment, "I…"
"Don't say anything yet…" Fox replied, "I just want you to promise that you will show me to this place…then go back. And if I don't come back…tell…tell Krystal…"
Nalya walked by, patting the vulpine's shoulder. "I will."
Fox sighed as he looked back to her. "Good. Thank you."
Without further delay the vixen lead Fox further into the woods, where she was certain Mahlay was waiting…
Another surge of radical arcs of red lightning lashed out at the young blue vulpine as his paws grasped the golden boarder of the massive stone of swirling colors. His flesh seared and halfway up his arms his once brilliant blue fur was curled into a putrid mess of curled black strands of burnt fur and sinew. Mahlay's body arced more and more small bolts of the crackling red tentacles. Small streams of blood ran down his face from the corners of his eyes, which had some time ago taken on a darker blue hue, while his fur brightened before darkening into a deep crimson that seemed to match that of the energy radiating from the stone. Rath'ma's voice had been lost to him some time ago, as the act of holding onto the stone had become nothing but an act of desperation. What drove him on anymore? Was it his obsession for his childhood love? Or something more? He couldn't remember, but there was something intoxicating about the energy that radiated through his body. It filled him with a strange warmth that he'd never really felt before. It seemed to start at his ears and slowly scale down his body, ending at the tip of his tail before heading back through his body…
Suddenly there was a large burst that caused him to fall away from the stone. It was as he knelt next to the stone that he looked over his fur. It was amazing that so much of it had changed. The first time he'd grabbed the thing it had only had a light change of color, but after his last two times holding onto the stone it now donned a marvelous red shine. Oddly, the white patches of his fur seemed to remain white. The stripes down the sides of his body remained the way they'd always been. He smiled as he felt his breath slowed to a calm, but steady rhythm. He finally inhaled deeply through his nose, giving him the moment to realize that his body itself had taken a small change. His muscles no longer carried the more gangly presence of a male Cerinian, even though his training with Krystal and Reena had hardened his body. The musculature that they'd helped cultivate now seemed a bit more bulky than it once was. He stared at his palm for a moment, opening and closing his fist…
"This is amazing…" He chuckled. "Where does such power come from? What secrets are hidden within this stone?"
Mahlay looked over the stone for a moment. Its swirling colors were nowhere near as brilliant as they once were…
"Perhaps this was what your father was trying to accomplish," Rath'ma's voice echoed through his mind.
Mahlay chuckled. It carried a tone that would have sent a chill down the spine of the coldest-blooded killer. "No, this is different. This is what I was meant for. This is the power to take control of everything…to mold this universe in my image." A sick smile twisted his expression as he turned to look at the stone. "Starting with this pathetic little world."
As Mahlay approached the stone, his reflection showed an intensity in his expression unlike that anyone had ever seen in the animal. Even he had a hard time recognizing it. However as he approached the object something caught his attention. They were thoughts, as clear as day. He didn't even have to focus on them…they were as plain to him as if he were standing right next to the animals they belonged to. Now that he actually thought about it, there was a white noise that had been buzzing in his ears ever since he'd started pulling energy from the stone. Now that he actually focused on it rather than ignoring it however, he could hear voices, panicked ones, the familiar voices of all the animals of the village. There was another further from the village worrying about someone named Fox…further than that there were even more voices. It wasn't until his head was swimming with these many sounds that it struck him. Every mind…every thought, he could hear every single complex through on Cerinia. Nothing was outside of his reach, and he was not even halfway done with the Motherstone yet. His smile's animosity simply increased as he stared into the stone's highly reflective surface, until something caused his ears to perk up. Mahlay instantly turned round to see a familiar blue-furred vixen standing there with a young chestnut-furred vulpine, whose build was even now much more pronounced than Mahlay's…
"Mahlay?" Nalya asked, "What have you done to yourself?"
Mahlay chuckled. "Isn't it wonderful?" he asked spreading his arms out, "I have become more powerful than anything, and anyone," he said turning his eyes to Fox, "And you. You are an outsider…" He smiled. "Your father is worried about you Fox."
Fox looked to Nalya. "How did he?"
"You are looking in the wrong place for answers…" the crimson furred fox chuckled, "I can hear everything. Every thought. Tell me Nalya, why bring this outsider, and not Krystal? Is he more powerful than the strongest hunter in our tribe?" It was as Mahlay's mind instinctively searched for Krystal's mind that her thoughts caused him to look in Fox's direction. "You…" he half whispered, "An outsider? All this time wondering who was in her heart…and now I find that I was pushed aside…for an outsider." The young animal's face slowly gave way to a hate filled sneer…
Fox looked to Nalya. "Go on…" he said, "They need you back in the village. And remember what you promised."
"I will…do not worry…" she replied, "But please be careful. There is something off about him. Something different."
As the vixen rushed out of the space Fox looked to Mahlay. "I don't know what it is you have against the villagers…or against me," he said, "But you're about to kill an entire planet. Millions of people. Cerinians like you aren't the only people that live here…do you even care?"
Mahlay chuckled lightly, as he slowly walked around the stone. "Why should I care?" he slowly asked, "About people, that cast me aside."
Fox narrowed his eyes at the vulpine. "And Krystal?" he asked, "Does she deserve to die too?"
Mahlay finally stopped just around the other side of the stone, giving Fox only a view of his profile. "I'd rather see her dead than in the arms of someone who doesn't deserve her."
Fox smiled. "So you are the one she was worried about," he said, "Funny. Someone that claims to love a person, says he'd rather see her die. All that shows me is that you care more about yourself than anyone else."
"I don't expect you to understand me…" Mahlay chuckled, "With a mind as weak as yours, I am surprised you even managed to live this long here on Cerinia," he said, "I must admit though, were it a measure of pure force…I'd say that you could most likely destroy about any male here in a contest of strength. I don't even have to scan your mind to see into your thoughts and memories anymore…they simply come to me. I can even see your anger toward me at the moment. You hate me don't you? I keep hearing the word 'monster'…" He smiled.
"I figure it's something you've heard before."
Mahlay rolled his neck before looking to Fox. "I see the meaning of this word in your mind." He paused. "I must say…" He smiled, "I like it."
Fox wasn't even sure that the crazed vulpine realized that he had a knife in his paw. "So what then? You're doing all this because you want something? Or do you somehow think that Krystal will change her mind if you destroy her home?"
Mahlay burst into a laughter that caused a chill to crawl up Fox's spine. "No…I have realized that nothing I ever do will be good enough for her. Krystal's heart will always belong to you." He smiled. "Even after I kill you…she will never accept anyone else. I have realized that no matter what happens, my destiny is greater than just her. Rath'ma has shown me the way to the truth. Nothing in this world can be obtained through kindness or acts of good intention…if you want something you simply have to take it by force. Once I am done taking the power from this stone, I will take this entire universe by force…then we will see who is cast aside."
Fox sighed. "Well…friend of Krystal's or not, I can't let you do this," he said dropping into a readied stance.
Mahlay was amazed. As soon as Fox dropped into a battle ready stance, the vulpine's mind no longer seemed to rest on anything other than his opponent. There were no thoughts, no regrets, nothing to feed off. This animal did not study out his maneuvers. Instead his focus was something that he'd never even seen in Krystal herself. This animal was more of a warrior than anyone he'd ever seen. He wondered if he should simply use his natural abilities to tear this fox limb from limb…but he did have something he wanted to know…
"I suppose this is the case in which we find out who is stronger," Mahlay said dropping into a familiar stance, one that Fox knew all too well from his blue-furred love.
He had expected Fox to at least have a reaction to the fact that he was using a fighting style that he clearly already knew. Fox however saw through it. This Mahlay person could have used his abilities in an instant…but something else was on the red-furred vulpine's mind. Fox simply hardened his stance, and in a flash the red-furred fox shot across the room at a speed that Fox found hard to follow with his eyes alone. Fox swung his foot blindly along the ground in a wide circular motion, colliding his shin with the red vulpine. Mahlay was moving at an erratic speed that even he did not fully understand before colliding with Fox's foot causing him to hit the cold stone floor. He slid a few feet on his chest before flipping himself off his paws and onto his feet where he stood in disbelief, before laughing out loud…
"This is amazing!" he shouted looking to his paws, which he held high into the air, "I didn't feel a thing. And I was moving faster than I've ever thought possible."
"Fox…" Galya's voice said, "I…I do not like it here. Fox you have to leave this place. There is something very wrong with this person."
This time Mahlay shot across the room, but Fox's eye managed to lock onto him. The now red-furred Cerinian rushed at Fox, and at the very last moment dropped to his knees, planning on driving his fist into Fox's gut. However from an incredibly quick shot, Fox's right foot lashed out at the vulpine's face…
"Stop!" Mahlay shouted.
It seemed as if the entire thing moved in slow motion as Fox's foot collided with Mahlay's face. The young Cerinian slammed into the floor from the diagonal, downward kick, flipping his body over onto his back and sliding him several feet away. Fox watched on for a moment as the vulpine simply stood up. He fished around in his mouth with his tongue for a moment, before spitting out a single bloody tooth…
"Well…" He chuckled turning to Fox while wiping his mouth clear of a bit of blood that ran from his lip. "That would answer whether or not I am immortal." He laughed. "I must admit that after that first attack…I had my doubts."
This time Fox wasn't about to give him any leeway. His motion came fast and furious as his fists and feet both became blurs. Mahlay however proved that his instructor was indeed one of the best, as his skill seemed to match the vulpine. Like any, several punches and kicks managed to get through, but as the small trade up of blows came to an end a powerful shot from Mahlay's fist drove through Fox's defense, twisting his knuckles at the moment his fist impacted Fox's chest. A stream of blood shot from Fox's mouth as the force of the impact caused him to slide across the cold, unforgiving ground. However, as he slid the vulpine rolled onto his paws and knees, where he coughed up a small pool of blood. He'd seen the punch before, he'd simply never actually had it used on him. Krystal had clearly taught him everything she knew. Fox slowly rose to his feet however, wiping the blood from his face. Fox quickly rushed back on the crimson-furred Cerinian. Mahlay ducked under a flying kick only to stand finding that Fox had twisted his body in mid air, spinning about and driving his other foot into the side of the Cerinian's face. Mahlay cried out in pain as the attack seemed to produce a spray of blood from his mouth, driving him into the air in a horizontal flip, but upon landing, Fox spun about on his right leg driving his left into the airborne vulpine's ribs causing his cry of pain to instantly be silenced. The kick's force, which was driven by his prosthetic leg, sent the hopeless animal further into the air. However, its path flung him into the massive spirit stone in the center of the room…
There was an instant burst of red serpentine arcs of electricity that shot from the thing as Mahlay screamed in pain, and again the world seemed to scream in agony as it began to tremble violently beneath their feet. It seemed to only last a short while before Mahlay's body flopped to the ground. His breathing seemed shallow, but small arcs of the red lightning still hissed from his body trailing across the ground beneath him. At first Fox almost believed the fight was over, before the fiery-furred vulpine's neck moved a bit. There was a moment of tension before he slowly climbed to his feet. His jaw hung lifelessly, clearly broken…however…he simply reached up pulling it to one side causing it to pop loudly. He seemed to shiver as a small wave of electricity snaked its way from his arm into two small arcs. One traveled down to his fingertips, while the other seemed to jump across his body in small leaps finally fading into the floor around his right foot…it seemed as though the stone had healed most of the damage. This time as Mahlay looked to Fox. The young hero's entire body went rigid, causing him to grunt in pain as he was quickly forced to his knees by an all too familiar force. As Mahlay stood there his facial expression twisted into one of irritation and anger…
"You are far more irritating that I have given you credit for." The insane animal chuckled. "It is odd…you have no power at all, no abilities to set you apart from other, no…talents that are deemed unusual. I am more powerful than ever now, and for some reason…you continue to resist me," he said rubbing his neck, "It is strange. Even now you somehow manage to resist my abilities. Almost as if you've been trained by an elder."
Fox half grinned through the crushing pain that forced him to his knees. There was no possible way that he could be aware that Krystal had taught him…
"I believe it is time to say good bye," Mahlay said as he approached Fox, "If it does make you feel any better however, I now have at least a mild respect for you." He chuckled turning his paw palm up causing Fox's body to levitate. "Father always taught me the importance of respecting the dead."
James looked around the small ship that he and Fox had repaired. He was amazed that Fox had managed to repair it so well. It was larger than an Arwing by far, though clearly not as fast. It was built as a mass evacuation ship for the massive black ship that he'd been staying in for a short while. His small ship was loaded down with a mass of the remaining Cerinians. The place felt cramped, but the ship was prepared for launch. He made his way to the small ship's even smaller bridge. There was clearly only room for about three or four here, which meant that the ship could easily be handled by one pilot that knew what he or she was doing. It was as he sat down in a small seat at the center of the front of the room that a small screen displayed an ever-patient young vixen's face…
"You look worried," her voice came through the room's sound system.
James sighed. "That last tremor has me worried…it was stronger than the others," he said, "My scanners are showing some radical, geothermal activity beginning to accumulate around this area. And it just keeps spreading," he said noticing that she was constantly looking to another screen, "You seem worried yourself."
"My father…he hasn't come to the ship yet," Krystal pointed out lowering her head, "I'm also worried about Fox…something is interrupting my connection with his mind," she said, "And every time we have one of those earthquakes, I feel like my stomach is turning in on itself. I can almost feel Cerinia's pain. The entire planet is screaming out for help."
James sighed. "I can't say I know how that feels. I imagine that it must be horrible sensing the feelings of all things around you," he said, "Listen…I hate to say this, but we're going to have to leave soon. You may think that I sound heartless, but…Fox made me promise."
Krystal sighed. "That does sound like him," she said, "Luckily I can still feel my father…and I know Fox is still alive."
"How is that?" James asked.
Krystal looked away from the screen. "Because…he promised."
For what seemed like the longest time there was nothing more said. The two did continuous scans of the area keeping a close eye on the state of the land. More than anything the environment seemed to be acting strangely. Animals were rushing away from the forest, the volcano that the Cerinians seemed to refer to as the Hall of Ancients began to billow smoke into the air, the snow had melted long ago, but was replaced with heavy rains that seemed to come off and on, while the winds seemed to come and go just as randomly. James was amazed, this was so far unlike anything he'd ever seen. Suddenly another powerful tremor caused him to look over at Krystal. The vixen looked shocked, she was holding her paws over her mouth, and there were tears in her eyes…
"Krystal…what's wrong?" he asked.
Krystal slowly moved her paws. "F-father…" She paused. "He-he's gone." There was a moment in which the vixen suddenly looked to her screen though. "Fox. He's alive…"
Krystal instantly leaped from her seat rushing out into the open. The small ship had been moved to the far side of the village to make it easier to load all of the villagers, while James's was not much further away. Despite several warnings from her mother however, the young vixen rushed out into the woods, with a worried Reena right on her tail. Though her efforts were not in vain, she could still not keep up with her friend. The icy wind and torrential rains that fell stung at both of their eyes, and seemed to bite down to the bone, but Krystal continued until Reena finally burst into a small opening where the vixen was knelt beside a heavily beaten and bleeding young fox that had collapsed in the mud. Krystal quickly turned…
"Reena help me," she called hoisting him up by the arm.
Without question Reena helped pick the injured animal up out of the mud, draping his free arm over her shoulders and helping carry him along toward the village where the ship waited. Reena thought for a moment as she looked over the paw that hung over her shoulder. The animal's paw was unlike the one Krystal held onto. Instead of chestnut colored, its fur was bright, blazing red. She was almost certain that his fur was nowhere near that color the first time she'd met him, however, at the moment something else bothered her…
"Krystal…" she asked straining with the mixture of the unconscious vulpine's weight and the heavy, freezing rain, "We're never coming back here are we?"
Krystal still continued to remain silent for a time. "I…I don't know Reena," she replied, "I just don't know."
There wasn't much time before the two ships hung over the small planet. Krystal looked down back at her home. Dark clouds covered the brilliant surface. It seemed like nothing more than an orb of swirling black smoke. She agreed to stay on the bridge of the ship, with Fox lying in a nearby chair that was fully reclined. Reena and Nalya both seemed to refuse to leave her side, though they both seemed to be in a state of grieving. The silence and sorrow on the bridge was nearly palpable with all that had happened. Every Cerinian there felt more sorrow than should have been allowed. They all would share their sorrows and hurts, but at the same time Krystal loved having her abilities for the sole reason that it allowed her to know that she was not alone in her feelings. This was something that made the Cerinians so hard to affect emotionally – one would feel the hurt of the many making the sting much less, by simply knowing they weren't alone…
"Krystal…is Fox doing alright?" James's voice suddenly came through.
Krystal looked to the still heavily battered vulpine. "Yes, he seems to be well enough, but he is pretty badly beaten up."
"Well…Fox has survived through a lot worse than a few cuts and bruises."
Krystal sighed. "He also has a few injured ribs, a light concussion, and something is wrong with his arm."
James chuckled. "Don't worry. I know my son. He'll be fine." He sighed. "What about you?"
Krystal looked to Nalya who simply seemed to stare out the window at the stars. "I…will manage."
James sighed. "Well Kew isn't far from here," he said, "Maybe a day, day and a half flight. These things have some crappy com systems though, so try to stay in range. Once I get a hold of a decent long-range com device I'll send for the Great Fox. Man will I be glad to hear Vixy's voice after all of this." He sighed. "My ass is mud."
Krystal simply chuckled at the idea of seeing someone that reminded her so much of Fox in fear of his own mate. "Well…I'm going to try to get some sleep," she said, "Lot of good it'll do me."
"I don't think I'm sleeping anytime soon," James said, "And don't think too much about it. I'm sure we'll find out what happened to your planet."
After the transmission was cut, Krystal set the ship's coordinates for Kew and moved over to check on Fox. She checked over his injuries. They were all looking better…but she was more concerned about his arm. The red fur traveled from his fingertips up his right arm ending in a mass of deep triangular points that passed up to his shoulder. She couldn't help but to wonder what happened to him to cause this…what had gone on between him and Mahlay? She ran a paw over the fur of his cheek. She'd read his mind and find out what she wanted to know for herself if she could, but he was unconscious. The conscious side of his mind at the moment was basically turned off. There was a chance that he was somehow dreaming about what happened, though there was no way of actually telling what was in his head at the moment. Reena turned away from the place she sat staring at a small trinket that Marr had given her long enough to see Krystal kneel beside the injured animal resting her head on his shoulder. The blue and white striped vixen simply sighed as she turned back to herself, wondering if this new place they were headed was any better than being stuck under the thumb of the council…