Riley enters the door only to meet her mother panting and running around the room as if looking for something. She turns to her clueless of what was going on. Her mother upon seeing her arrival walks up to her holds her hands shakingly " Uh Riley dear we have to go so go pack your stuff now "
" What mom, what is the meaning of this " Riley asked her mother who seemed to be in an unstable state. Trembling she replied " They are coming to get you Riley I couldn't protect you well I am sorry "
While her mother was busy crying Riley ignored her thinking she was having one of those crazy episodes she always had. Since childhood her mother had forbidden her to mingle with other villagers she could only stay in their little run down house that was located in the middle of the forest. Her mother would sometimes have weird dreams screaming in her sleep or smashing objects all over the house. This now didn't surprise Riley at all she would calm down after a few hours.
Just as she was about to make her way to her room she started to hear animal sounds that were deep and loud. Her mother began to scream at her " Hurry go up stars and lock your door " she shouted. Her words seemed to be in vain for Riley remained standing traumatized by the growls that were getting more clear as if their house was surrounded by creatures. Seeing Riley standing still her mother dragged her to a room and locked the door. She took a deep breath and steadied her herself inorder to seem calm but her shivering demeanor said otherwise.
" Riley I have to tell you something. You are not who you seem to be you are special and many people want to harm you so as to use your special abilities. I know you don't understand yet but please trust me " she said while hugging her daughter as if she would just disappear. Still in shock Riley asks in confusion ", Mom what are you saying and why are you telling me this. I beg you this is not funny just stop it already I am scared. "
The mother and daughter duo embrace each other in tears neither backing out. Out of nowhere the house begins to shake which throws them off balance. " What is happening mom , what's happening " Riley screams.
" They have found us after all these years. "
She walks up to the back of the room removes an old rug pulls up the floor revealing a secret bunker. " Come hide in here no matter what happens don't come out you here me " Riley nods her head entering the bunker that she never knew existed until now. Even though she had many questions she still decided to follow her mother's instructions.
After making sure her daughter was securely hidden she faced the door as if waiting for the creatures to come find her. At that moment a violent shake led to two women dressed in black appearing in the room out of nowhere.
They laughed evilly while staring at Riley's mother. " If it isn't Queen Evelyn we have finally found you " one of the women said
Maintaining her calm composure Riley's mother replied to the woman" I am surprised it took you this long to find me I must say you have lost your touch. "
The other woman is deeply provoked and raging with anger " Evelyn remember your current position it doesn't matter if it took us years to find you right now your life has come to an end " the woman says while the other replies," Yes now give us the girl and we will spare your life. "
Evelyn laughs hysterically at the two women " I spent all these years protecting her and you think I will just hand her over to you just like that you must be dreaming. "
" So we will have to take her by force " one of them said. "," Evelyn are you really ready to fight remember you are not as strong as before after all you have been living in this human world without any spiritual energy how will you defend her. "
She stared at the women in front of her with determination and courage while saying " It's true I am not as strong as before but for her I will fight to the end. "
The two women stare at each other and at the same time their voices grow deeper " So be it prepare to die "
Meanwhile in the secret bunker Riley hears the voices of the people ontop. Her heart grows wary and curiosity gets the best of her. She creeks open a little space just enough to see the people in the room. What she saw next shocked her, there were two women dressed in black who seemed to have horns growing on their heads. Their nails grew longer , their eyes turned red the area they were standing was surrounded by strange markings as they were saying weird chants that she couldn't understand. The fear in her increased as the women grew more terrifying at each passing second. Her eyes drifted to her mother only to be even more shocked.
She had fluffy ears on her head , her usual dark black hair had now turned to a striking red colour, she had nine tails behind her and paws that had sharp claws. Her look was that of a fox a nine tail fox. She then remembered the bedtime stories her mother had told her ever since she was a child of beast men and women who were half human and half animal. Some were celestial beings some spiritual creatures while others were consumed by dark magic. She had repeatedly told her these stories of witches who wanted power from beastmen inorder to get internal youth , beauty or power. Back then she just believed it was a story made up by her mother inorder to help her fall asleep but seeing all these transformations she thought otherwise. Her mother had now changed from human to a spirit nine tailed fox while the women in front resembled the witches from her mother's story.
After a series of incantations from the witches they suddenly fired a blow of wind towards Evelyn which led to her hitting the wall really hard. Whimpering she stood back up and lunged towards the women spinning her nine tails in the air relising thunder bolts. The golden beams struck directly at the witches which made them take a few steps back. Not giving them a moment to recuperate she strung her paws in the air sending cuts to the duo before her.
They witches were left with blood all over but immediately they healed. Wiping blood from the corners of their lips they stared at the red fox with so much contempt " We really looked down on you but now it's time we get serious "