"Watching over me?" Kumara asked, her voice trembling as she stood by the window, staring at the small white fox that had now leapt lightly onto the wooden floor.
"Yes…" the fox replied without hesitation, stepping closer to her feet. Its voice echoed directly in Kumara's mind, without its mouth ever moving. "You are the only one who can free me."
Kumara furrowed her brows. "Free you? What do you mean? Aren't you… the reason for all the hatred toward our kind? Because of you, Kitsune are seen as a curse."
The little fox chuckled softly, its tone more amused than mocking, yet still gentle. "Hohoho~… You're mistaken. It's not hatred—it's fear. Fear of what cannot be controlled."
The fox then hopped onto the bed, sitting upright like a tiny person. Its eyes glowed softly, yet carried a commanding weight as it looked at Kumara.
"In the age when gods still ruled the world, I was one of them. The most admired. I was wise, charming, a role model—and of course… immensely powerful."
