Ten Years Ago: Lunar Kitsune.
A pair of girls in white gi uniforms battle each other in a broad dojo. Fists flying, kicks sweeping, eluding, and parrying attacks from one another. Their creamy hair bounced, and hazel and brown eyes concentrated.
Ai Mei and Elaine are currently ten years old.
Elaine sent her fist, but Mei dipped under, slipping a low kick onto Elaine's ankle.
Elaine stumbled, falling flat on her face.
"Owwie…" Elaine grumbled, holding her nose, while Ai Mei had giggled deviously.
"The match is over!" A tall, lean man with broad shoulders had approached the two. Short prickly hair, the same color as the girls. Sharp brown eyes with a scar trailing down his cheek. Attired in a black uniform with a crimson belt wrapped around his thin waist. As imposing as the man looked, there was a calm, gentle atmosphere spilling from his being.
Elaine pushed herself to stand, "this is unfair dad! Mei Mei's a big jerk!"
Ai Mei scoffed, flipping her hair, "don't hate me because you suck, little sister."
"Four minutes, you meanie!" Elaine puffed her cheeks, squinting her eyes.
"Meh, still older."
Their father took a knee, ruffling the girl's hair, "…girls, girls, quit arguing, will ya? BOTH of you have improved a lot. That's something to be proud of." He stood, smiling, "you two are learning Shang Fu fantastically."
Ai Mei merely grinned at Elaine. The younger sister huffed, rolling her eyes.
A woman opened the sliding door from the entrance. In a simple brown dress, standing near five-four. A slender build with wide hips. Her burgundy hair was bundled into a small bun with gold pins. Big, kind brown eyes with curly lashes. A pair of dangling earrings gently swayed as she walked. "Raine, girls, it's almost time for us to leave."
Elaine and Mei had run over to the woman, sharing a hug, "okay mama!"
The woman wrapped her arms around the two, chuckling, "you two are so adorable! Go take baths, we'll be seeing the goddess today, understood?"
"Kay!" Elaine and Mei had taken off, racing each other to the bath.
Audrey stood, smiling, watching the girls run off. Raine shook his head, laughing, then looked to Audrey, "I'm guessing you were occupied searching for any remedies?"
"Yes," Audrey replied, rubbing her arm, "I couldn't find anything…" She lowered her head, "I don't know what to do…to help her, Raine."
"It's okay," Raine took a gentle hold of Audrey's small shoulders, pulling her into a hug, resting her head on his chest, "there has to be a way. I know there is."
Shortly after Elaine and Ai Mei had cleansed themselves, the family of four entered a large lucanaship and took off into the sky. Many people in the city noticed them, waving and cheering for the Vale Guild.
The ship soon arrived at a humongous mountain range, steadily parked, aligning the exit doors along a cliff. They all moved out, taking a step onto it. As they walked towards the frost-covered side, sparkles of white and violet lights glistened. The girls, despite their frequent visits, were always entranced by such wondrous beauty.
In a split second, they teleported, standing before a giant, beautiful sanctuary. Their eyes locked onto a pretty woman, sitting on a rock by a large lake, drinking tea. A Kitsune, her tails gently flowing from behind, enjoying her peace.
Raine and Audrey bowed, "Goddess Taekhyu."
"GRANDMA!!!" Elaine and Ai Mei had cheered, running over to Taekhyu.
Audrey sighed, "…these girls, I swear."
Raine wryly chuckled, watching them basically pounce onto the woman.
Taekhyu gave a hearty laugh, lifting the two into her arms, "girls! It's been a while since I seen the two of you!" She sat them down, kissing their cheeks, "looks like you girls grew a bit, hm?"
"Yep!" Ai Mei's expression grew proud, puffing out her chest, "I'm a few centimeters taller than 'Laine!"
Elaine huffed, "grandma, can you PLEASE tell Mei Mei to stop bullying me?"
Taukhyu giggled, tickling Ai Mei's neck, "now you know to not tease your sister, Mei Mei."
Ai Mei playfully moved Taekhyu's fingers, "…I'm not bullying her, gran! 'Laine's just a big baby!"
"I AM not!!"
Audrey patted the girls' heads, "why don't you two go play in the woods? Your father and I have to speak with Goddess Taekhyu, okay?" Audrey raised a finger over her lips, "secret-secret, kay?"
The girls grumbled, "okay ma," and they walked towards the alienated woods, shoving each other back and forth.
As Audrey watched the two leave, Raine faced Taekhyu, "how're you feeling, Goddess? Better?"
Taekhyu shook her head, "now you know I don't deserve a title such as that, Raine. Please, just call me Taekhyu." She looked to the lake, "but…no. I'm slowly running dry of chaos. But… I'm getting closer to fully materializing my child…"
Audrey frowned, "Godde—Taekhyu…"
Audrey cleared her throat, "wouldn't it be better for you to slow down? Even just a little?? We… don't want you to pass. The girls would be devastated. They truly look at you as their grandmother. You're family to us."
"I know…" Taekhyu smiled, "you treated me so well since I first arrived here. I must say… the feeling, it's refreshing. To feel loved." Her expression hardened, "but I must do this. I cannot afford to lose my child. Not like this. Not when I'm…so close."
Both Audrey and Raine nodded in silence. They knew that even attempting to persuade Taekhyu again wouldn't work at all.
Taekhyu looked to them, "have either of you told Mei Mei yet?"
The two froze. Raine lowered his head, almost in shame, "n…no. We haven't yet."
"You'll have to tell her eventually," Taekhyu tipped her head, watching the small, shining spheres of raw chaos float around, "it's best that way, without any future problems."
Raine's teeth ground, exhaling sharply, "forgive me. I need to take a quick walk for my own sake." Raine rubbed his temples, walking away.
Audrey bowed, "I apologize, Taekhyu. Raine is still bothered by Ai Ling. Her abandoning us. Even I still am, sadly."
Taekhyu gave a knowing smile, "no need to apologize, dear. It's a very uncomfortable topic. After all, you two were like sisters yourselves."
"Yes…" Audrey replied, "but it's hard…Explaining that Ai Ling isn't just some criminal. But apart from the Preghiere All'Inferno. Mei Mei has always been into the history of the omiverse, and they're quite infamous. I've been trying my hardest to make sure she specifically doesn't pick a book on that subject that features Ai Ling… We're afraid Mei will try to search for her when she's older. We can't bear the thought of something bad happening to her."
Taekhyu gave a quiet nod, "I agree…" Her tails gently lowered onto the rock, "but it'd be best for her to understand. Mei is a smart girl; she'll uncover the truth on her own eventually."
"I understand. I will try my best, Taekhyu, thank you."
Taekhyu gave a chuckle, waving it off, "oh please, child. Just the ramblings of an old woman. No need to thank me." Taekhyu used her tails, lifting a teapot and ceramic cup, "have some tea, it's been a while since we enjoyed such a moment."
Audrey laughed, taking it into her hand, "why of course."
Ai Mei and Elaine would, of course, try to visit Taekhyu whenever they had the chance. Truly attached to the woman. While Raine and Audrey would always make sure Taekhyu didn't have a problem with it, Taekhyu obliged. After all, she looked at the kids as her very own.
Right now, Elaine was practicing Shang Fu by the lake, an irked expression slapped on her face. She took another loss to her older sister, and Elaine decided to further hone her skills to beat Ai Mei.
"Stupid sisters…" Elaine grumbled, punching the air, "always wanna bully people. Soo funny…!"
All the while, Ai Mei was reading a book called "The Intimate Life of Omiverse," something she had recently picked up. Lying down on Taekhyu's fluffy tail as she held a sphere of light, pushing her chaos into Tenko's essence.
It was peaceful and warm, despite being in the snowy slopes of the mountains. But due to the abundant chaos energy, it was like a personal heater.
Ai Mei read a specific part of the book, about Fellens. A species of people who are the most similar to the yuman race. Physically, Fellens possess long, elegant ears that taper into gentle points. They are graceful, rather than imposing. Favoring agility, control, and endurance over brute force.
Fellens are built upon a strong hierarchical structure, rooted in deep respect for their parents and elders. Especially those who have great power. Along with a culture that reflects a profound connection to nature.
Ai Mei raised her small hand, gently grazing her sharp yet round ear. "Fellens…" She whispered. Ai Mei looked at Taekhyu, who took a second to watch Elaine, making sure the girl wouldn't pass out.
"Hey…grandma?" Ai Mei chirped quietly.
"Yes dear?"
"Do…you know who my mom was…? Like—my blood mom?"
The kitsune raised a brow, looking over to Ai Mei, who was staring at her with those big hazel eyes, filled with uncertainty.
Taekhyu rubbed Mei's head, "might I ask why you're questioning that?"
"It's…" Ai Mei stuttered, "it's just that I'm…different, from 'Laine, mom, dad…" Ai Mei set her book down, "every time I ask mom or dad, they just…kinda push it away… and mama makes a face whenever I ask. I'm afraid that mama doesn't like me…as much as Elaine."
Taekhyu chuckled.
Ai Mei frowned, sitting up, "grandma! I'm serious! Why're you laughing at me…?"
Taekhyu shook her head, pulling Ai Mei into her chest, rubbing her head. The little girl was caught off guard, scrunching her lips.
"You love your mother so much, don't you?"
Ai Mei silently nodded.
"Then that's all that matters, Mei Mei." Taekhyu softly spoke, "it's complicated, dear. Many things happened just after you were born, and your parents are hurt. But the last thing you should worry about is your mother not caring for you. She loves you, Mei. More than you'll ever understand."
Ai Mei raised her head, looking to Taekhyu, "really??"
"Of course, honey. One does not have to be related by blood to be considered family, Mei Mei. It's a bond. If there is no blood…" Taekhyu raised a hand, and a beautiful light of frigid blue danced, "then there is the heart itself. Your soul." Taekhyu pressed the light against Ai Mei's chest.
Ai Mei felt a cold, yet surprisingly warm, a serene essence entered her body.
Taekhyu smiled, "blood does not always make family, dear. It comes from the heart. That is love. Like you and me, right?"
Ai Mei grinned, "right!" She hugged Taekhyu, tight, "thank you, grandma…"
Elaine took notice, pouting, "hey!" She quickly ran over to them, "I want a hug too!"
Ai Mei stuck her tongue out, and Elaine grew red-faced.
Taekhyu laughed, picked Elaine up into her arms, hugged both kids, and pulled them close.
Taekhyu observed their reflection in the lake, noting that it was the first occasion in some time where she experienced genuine tranquility. However, Taekhyu was aware that this existence—her own—was unlikely to endure. With each passing hour and day, she expended significant energy, continuously, to restore her child.
It wouldn't be long until the day arrived.
A single tear traced down Taekhyu's cheek, reflecting the deep understanding and acceptance blossoming within her. With gentle care, she pressed a kiss to each of the girls' foreheads, her voice soft and full of affection as she whispered, "I love you girls."
"Love you too, grandma!!"