"Breathe in, breathe out",
The weather was fresh and cool today , a perfect time to meditate. Aralyn went to her favorite spot in the castle: the garden. There were many gardens in the castle, but this particular garden was her favorite place to meditate because, It belonged to her mum, and she just love the place.
She sat down, crossed her legs, the way people use to do when they are meditating. She put both hands gently on her lap, she closed her eyes. A lot had happened lately, especially after she had gotten her fox tail.
She let her tail out.
It was very beautiful , silver, shimmering like moonlight on water. Words couldn't capture its beauty. A silver tail was rare. So rare that even in the great histories of the Fox Clan, only a few had ever achieved it. Her tail sparkled like a field of diamonds under starlight.
As she meditated, her thoughts drifted back to her first trial.
It had been brutal, but she made it through.
Afterward, she noticed a mark , a rose, etched in red , on her collarbone. She hadn't understood it at first, but after some research, she discovered its meaning: Love, it might hint what her next trial might be about, Love?,she didn't even want to think about that for now.
The trial had been one of memory and vision.
And in those visions… she saw her mother again.
In those fragments of time, her mother played the violin while Aralyn danced, twirling joyfully to the melody. Her mother had loved music and so did Aralyn. Dancing used to be her joy.
But ever since the incident 4000 years ago, she had never danced again,even during balls.
Aralyn had to relive memories , whether good, bad, worse, or fine. She even saw memories that weren't hers, but that wasn't the reason she was meditating now. Some of those memories would matter later, but right now, her focus was on the vision.
She had seen her mother.
It happened during her trial in the Whispering Woods. A strange magical force had pulled her into something dark and endless. She searched for a way out, but there was none. Then, out of the darkness, a golden light appeared and with it, her mother. Breathtaking as ever, with her seven glowing tails swaying gently behind her.
Aureline blinked as tears threatened to fall. "Mom... is that you?"
Her mother looked at her with a warm, loving gaze. "Aralyn, I knew you would grow into a beautiful young woman. If you're seeing this, it means you've finally unlocked your first tail. Congratulations, my baby."
Her voice was soft but urgent. "I don't have much time, but listen closely. You must learn how to use your powers well. That's why I left something behind , my family heirloom book, hidden within the castle. It will teach you everything about fox magic. Especially fox fire."
"Aralyn came towards her mother and wanted to hug her, but when she came close, she realized she was talking to her mom's spirit. Her mother then said, 'I'm sorry, I would like to hug you too, but I did this 4,000 years ago so that I'll be able to talk to you once through my spirit.'
Aralyn then said, 'Mom, I miss you so much. I know you are not dead. How am I going to find you? I promise to cultivate nine tails and come find you.'
Aralyn mom chuckled and said, 'I love the look of determination on your face, but you unlocking the nine tails alone cannot save me. You have to find the Hellfire Torque, a demon necklace.'
Aralyn eyes lit up at the fact that there was a way to save her mother. 'How can I find the Hellfire Torque, Mom?'
'It's not a simple thing. You need to cultivate it to get your nine tails, and then you have to go to Hell to find it. But I must warn you, it's not a simple relic. It holds a lot of power in it especially dark power. It can suck someone's soul up if not used properly. I have used it before, and it is very dangerous. And also, my child, do not tell or ask anyone about this relic, especially demons. There are a lot of people who want it, and if they see a competition, they won't hesitate to kill because of power.' Her mother continued..."Find the sacred fox codex I left for you in the castle."
Araleen looked at her mother and said, "Where did you put it?"
Her mother replied, "I cannot tell you. You have to find it yourself, because once you have a strong intent, the codex will reveal itself to you."
Suddenly, a noise echoed and she saw her mom again. Even through the smile, she had a lot of scars on her body. Her mother, Amanda, smiled and said,
"I don't have much time left to stay with you, my daughter. There are still a lot of things you have to figure out."
Araleen saw her mother disappearing slowly and shouted,
"Mother, please, please, please, don't go. Don't leave me here alone!"
And suddenly, she heard one last message from her mom.
A tear slipped from Araleen's eyes as she recalled those memories.
Suddenly, someone called her,it was her two servants, Paulina and Pearl, who had been searching for her for hours.
"Princess Aralyn, where have you been? We've been looking for you. Your father sent for you."
Instantly, Araleen's eyes fluttered open. Her icy blue eyes stared at the garden, which looked beautiful as always. It was filled with butterflies.
A simple meditation she did created…"A lot of positive energy. A voice called her again, 'Princess.' She turned to look at her personal servant and said, 'Oh yes, let's get ready to meet Father.' She stood up from where she was sitting, dusted her gown, and started to walk towards her father's study room. As she was going, she asked her servant, 'Do you perhaps know the reason why Father has summoned me?' Pearl, who was the talkative one among the two, spoke, saying, 'I'm sure it's about your impending marriage status.' Araleen sighed. Of course, her father wanted her to get married, but she was definitely not interested in marrying at all. That was why she shooed all her suitors away.
When she almost reached her father's study, she saw her stepmother, Irene, coming out of there, and she bowed to her. Irene pounced at her with a sweet smile and moved. Aralyn never liked her stepmother because she was the epitome of evilness. Not many people could see it because they were blinded by her fake love, but she could see it vividly. That smile she gave was nothing but an evil smile.
Aralyn instructed her maid to wait outside for her, and then she went inside to her father's study. Immediately she got inside, she bowed and said, 'Your Majesty, you summoned me to your presence.' Her father looked at her with his green eyes."
"Aralyn possessed her father's silver eyes, which suited her quite well. Then her father said, 'You may sit, Aralyn. I called you to inform you about some things.'
Time to hear a father's precious advice, thought Aralyn as she sat down.
'You are no longer a small girl. You have grown, and you are eligible to be married. But since you have found no suitable suitor to your taste, I am going to choose your suitor for you at the ball, which will be held two days from now. If you haven't found someone you would like to marry, you will have no choice but to marry the person I choose for you. Do you understand?'
Aralyn didn't utter a single word but simply said, 'Yes, Your Majesty.'
The king then said, 'You may leave.'
Aralyn got up, bowed to the king, and walked toward the door. As she was about to open it, her father said, 'Aralyn, you are my child. I know what is best for you. I love you. Marriage is the best thing I can give you now.'
Aralyn smirked, and she couldn't stop the words that came out of her mouth: 'You always knew the best, Father. Just like how you allowed my mother to sacrifice herself for your kingdom.'
Then she closed the door and ran to her room with tears in her eyes.
Pearl and Paulina followed closely behind her."