5 Chapter 5

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Ethan felt great pain as he watched the cub limp toward its dying mother, who tried to move, but could do nothing.

Much to Ethan's shock, as the two monks saw the young Kitsune limp over, no trace of sympathy could be seen on their face as they readied their staff, about to end the baby fox's life.

Ethan outstretched his hand toward the baby Kitsune, but his father had already raised a magical barrier in between them as the emotional magic was once again easily stopped.

But this time, Ethan gritted his teeth as he felt his connection to his magic strengthen, and with his willpower he commanded his magic to move as a feeble light left Ethan's hand.

Henry was surprised at his son's persistence, he understood why he wanted to save the young fox, but Henry knew better than to let his son try to help. Still, the amount of magic was quite unusually high.

But to his shock, as he expected the light Ethan had projected to crash into his magical barrier, it actually curved around it as it suddenly picked up in speed.

Although fuelled by his emotions, this magic was also very much under Ethan's control as he had taken out his magic through his will, allowing him to turn it into a rope that grabbed the young Kitsune, and with a jerk he pulled it over.

Everyone present was shocked at the prowess of magic, and despite their years of experience with magic, the stun from the feat and the exhausting fight gave Ethan enough time to pull the young Kitsune past the magical barrier.

However, it wasn't enough still as the three adults woke up from their daze, and each attacked, to take the young fox spirit back. But at that moment, the chains binding the mother Kitsune disappeared as Helene watched her son with a small, lovable smile.

The mother Kitsune, already on the verge of death and unable to muster much strength, still sent all seven of her tails toward the three attackers, who hurriedly summoned shields to defend themselves.

But as the tails slammed against the shields, they understood this was only a faint as the tails harmlessly knocked against the shields, barely brushing against them as the Kitsune fell. Still, its eyes were still opened as it stared at Ethan, and the baby Kitsune in his arms.

Ethan knew it was bad to look into the eyes of such a beast, for it had strong powers of compulsion, but he felt a force compel him as his eyes inexplicably looked toward the mother Kitsune despite his attempt at looking away, and he met its gaze.

However, as he gazed into its dying eyes, Ethan did not see any of the earlier savagery, but sadness, and some relief.

"Take… her… companion."

An exhausted female voice sounded in Ethan's mind, which he knew without a doubt belonged to the mother Kitsune. This time, under no external force, Ethan nodded, while the Kitsune's eyes turned to its youngling, who was trying to move away from his arms.

Seeing the exchange, Henry sighed as he stopped trying to stop his son, but the two monks seemed intent on killing the young fox. However, before they could approach Ethan any closer, the ground in front of them rose into a wall, and Henry warned, "Don't."

Henry wasn't heartless, it had pained him greatly to try to stop his son from saving the baby fox spirit earlier, but he had steeled himself through it as even as a baby, the fox spirit could still prove to be a threat.

Still, as he saw his son hug the struggling cub, he finally had enough. He was raised to trust his logic over his emotions, but today, he decided to take a break from logic.

Understanding they wouldn't be able to get any closer even if they wanted to, the two remaining monks also stopped. Although the young fox spirit represented a potential danger, an angry Henry and Helene Rimor were not just a potential danger.

As the mother Kitsune locked eyes with its cub, Ethan believed it said its last words as he felt the fox cub in his arms calm down. Looking at it, Ethan saw its watery eyes slowly close, tears tracing down its foxy face.

Looking back at the mother Kitsune, its eyes had also closed, finally drawing its last breath.

Ethan, who had gone through one life and reincarnation already and believed himself to have a great grasp over his emotions, felt his own eyes tear up at the death of what had essentially been a harbinger of death.

Still, Ethan knew it wasn't time to show weakness, so after a few tears he wiped his eyes, and said to his parents, "I want to keep it. She asked me to. I won't budge."

Henry sighed, and looked at his wife, who was smiling. Of course she was, she was as big of a softie as Ethan was. Well, that's why he loved her.

Seeing neither Henry or Helene were objecting, one of the monks said, "You can't be thinking of agreeing? Did you not see how dangerous a Kitsune can become?"

Ethan hugged the baby Kitsune tighter as he reasoned, "Making her an even greater companion. You already took your revenge on the mother anyway, if she makes any trouble, we will be the ones who will deal with her."

The baby Kitsune was a female, and Ethan fully intended on taking her as a pet.

Of course he understood it was a dangerous pet to have, but the human mind and its emotions were a wonder filled with many surprises, and here, Ethan's emotions were overwhelming his reason.

Besides, he believed what he said. The mother Kitsune must have told the cub to follow him, and with how intelligent Kitsunes were, she should understand following him was the best option. If they formed a strong enough bond, then this Kitsune could become a valuable ally to deal with the dangers the future promised him, as well as a greater friend than any.

Seeing the family wouldn't budge on the matter, the two monks sighed and turned to their companions, or what remained of them. After a quick prayer, they levitated their corpses and brought them back to the temple.

Ethan and his parents did not follow them to the temple as it was time for them to leave. They all were tired of the day, so they all were thankful they had magic to put away their luggages once they returned.

As soon as he returned, Ethan crashed into his bed in exhaustion as he had severely emptied his magical reserves today, and he was having trouble remaining awake. Placing the baby Kitsune next to him on his bed, Ethan quickly fell asleep.

Meanwhile, Helene and Henry were more experienced and not as tired, and they both stood at their son's doorstep, looking at him sleeping next to his new pet.

Looking at the Kitsune, Henry sighed, "It's going to be a pain to legally have it as a pet."

Helene smiled and rubbed his arm, "A few calls to the right people should get it done, shouldn't be too much of a problem."

But then, Helene's smile slowly disappeared as she asked with more seriousness, "When Ethan pulled back the Kitsune…"

Henry nodded and confirmed her doubts, "It definitely wasn't accidental magic, he manipulated his magic. That was a Carpe Retractum if I have ever seen one."

Helene sighed and said, leaning her head against his shoulder, "Performing Wandless Magic at the age of 4… He is quite the talent, isn't he?"

"Yes, to think we laughed when he said his meditation was actually helping him master magic. Sometimes, I wonder what exactly is going on in that head of his."

Helene's smile reappeared as she looked up to him and replied, "Wonders, for sure."

Henry pecked her on the lips and repeated, "For sure."