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"submission_right_thumbnail_url_medium_noncustom": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2511/2511047_MicahFox_magistasiabook2_noncustom.jpg", "submission_right_thumb_medium_noncustom_x": "84", "submission_right_thumb_medium_noncustom_y": "120", "submission_right_thumb_large_noncustom_x": "140", "submission_right_thumb_large_noncustom_y": "200", "submission_right_thumb_huge_noncustom_x": "210", "submission_right_thumb_huge_noncustom_y": "300" } ], "description": "Two chapters in a single day? What!? \n[color=#d3d7cf]\n(also pardon the very old art above, I had no new pics for this chapter D:)[/color]\n\nMagistasia story, side characters, art, etc (c) @Khaimera\n\nEditor, Maverick (c) @MaverickSkye\n\nDaniel (c) @NaughtyBox\n\nKevin (c) @KevinSnowpaw\n\n[center]\n[url=https://inkbunny.net/s/1697927]PREVIOUS CHAPTER[/url] / [url=https://inkbunny.net/s/1318556]FIRST[/url] / [url=https://inkbunny.net/s/1698288]NEXT CHAPTER[/url][/center][center]\n----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n[center][u][b]Subscribe![/b][/u][/center][b]\nDo you like the free porn I make you guys to enjoy? Consider supporting me with even just $1 and there will be plenty more sexy stuff to [s]cum[/s] *ahem* come! It helps a lot! <3 \n[center]https://khaimera.fanbox.cc/[/center][/b][/color]\n\nIm probably going to miss a LOT of keywords in this story, any help filling them is appreciated :3\n----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------", "description_bbcode_parsed": "Two chapters in a single day? What!?

(also pardon the very old art above, I had no new pics for this chapter D:)

Magistasia story, side characters, art, etc (c) \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKhaimera\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKhaimera\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t


Editor, Maverick (c) \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMaverickSkye\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMaverickSkye\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t


Daniel (c) \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNaughtyBox\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNaughtyBox\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t


Kevin (c) \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKevinSnowpaw\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKevinSnowpaw\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t



PREVIOUS CHAPTER / FIRST / NEXT CHAPTER

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Subscribe!

Do you like the free porn I make you guys to enjoy? Consider supporting me with even just $1 and there will be plenty more sexy stuff to cum *ahem* come! It helps a lot! <3
https://khaimera.fanbox.cc/
[/color]

Im probably going to miss a LOT of keywords in this story, any help filling them is appreciated :3
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", "writing": "[center][b][u]Chapter 14\nThe Children of Ealdenwood[/u][/b][/center]\n\nAs consciousness slowly returned to him, Liam could hear birds chittering and chirping between the branches above him. He tried to move, his arms and legs stiff. Struggling to open his eyes, Liam tiredly squinted as the sun danced over his face between the canopy. All at once he started to become aware of more sounds. The fluttering of fabric. A soft chiming as if hollowed wood was being gently knocked together, and amidst all this he began to hear whispering. \n\nSitting up, the tired kit rubbed his eyes and tried to regain his senses. He immediately noticed he was wrapped from the chest down in giant leaves and a sort of woven blanket. Looking around he found himself in some kind of tent that circled around him. The top was open however, with a thin net of woven thread covering the area, from which he found the source of the wooden noise. A small wind chime made from hollow bark sleeves dangled in the breeze, echoing its soft clunking tune. Liam held a paw to his head, trying to grasp his surroundings. \n\nHe carefully began to unwrap the leaves around his body. He gasped, finding himself completely nude under the wrappings. He glanced around his tent in a mild panic, but to his relief he quickly found his things neatly piled beside him on the ground. His eyes widened, seeing his backpack that was left with the others before he was taken and his heart fluttered with the hope of the possibility the others found him. \n\nQuickly, Liam got to his knees and started to dress himself, though he stopped for a moment as he inspected his body. He wasn't sore anywhere, and all the cuts and bruises he had got since he left Ellenvale, and even the aftermath from the giant slime’s ‘invasive’ actions were nowhere to be seen. In fact, he felt good as new. He dressed himself finally and stood, grasping the small opening of the tent, though still patting himself for any injury. Still nothing. \n\nThough he breathed a sigh of relief, he could help but wonder how he was completely fine as though nothing happened. Pulling back the flap of the tent, he cautiously peeked between the folds. \n\nAll around him were more tents and bright decorations, and in the air Liam smelled something that made his stomach growl. He realized he was starving, and whatever was being cooked was enticing beyond his young imagination. His eyes then widened, as a familiar face of a young, and still bare furred rabbit boy sauntered into view, carrying a bag full of sticks and branches.\n\nLiam bolted out of the tent in an instant, rushing over to the other boy.\n\n“KEVIN!” Liam yelled out, startling the young rabbit and almost making him drop his bag. Once Kevin realized who it was however, his face lit up!\n\n“Liam! You’re finally up!” Kevin grinned.\n\n“Yeah! But… I don’t remember much about how I got here… Where’s Mavy and Danny?” \n\n“Oh, they are still sleeping. Yesterday was a bit of an experience for you all after all.” Kevin said scratching his head. “I’m sorry I couldn’t stop that big one from grabbing you, it’s my fault…”\n\n“No, it wasn't your fault at all! I just…” There was a long pause, Liam glancing downward in silence. “I dunno… B-but, it didn't hurt me, see?” Liam tried to reassure him, showing his lack of wounds.\n\n“Yeah… But that wasn't all that happened, was it?”\n\nLiam stopped, finding himself unable to reply to that. He looked down at the ground and thought back to the slime, and its viscous body engulfing him. He shivered, feeling a strange discomfort wash over him. An odd knot in the pit of his stomach that he could not comprehend. The little mage felt violated, the experience in hindsight was not entirely unpleasant. He remembered that tingling feeling that washed over his body as it had before, but thinking of how it had happened with the slimy wet appendages wriggling around in his insides made him want to curl in on himself. Kevin seemed to glean the full story with that single look on the young fox’s face, and gently pulled Liam in for a hug.\n\n“Hey, I know it was scary, but the elementals in these woods are harmless. All they want is food, and if you don’t have any, they tend to leave you alone.” The young rabbit explained, trying to bring some peace of mind to the kit. “But, anyway! I was glad to see you safe when we found you! A little wet, but mostly all right~ “\n\nLiam tried to crack a smile, and gave a nod. “Yeah, I feel fine after all, hehe… I actually don’t have a scratch on me, even ones I got a while ago.”\n\nKevin grinned, patting Liam’s shoulder. “Yeah! The village healer is great at mending wounds! I, of course, helped make sure you were completely healed with some of my magic myself!” The young bunny said, proudly puffing out his chest. Liam smiled, genuinely now. \n\n“Thanks, Kevin…~” Liam whispered to Kevin, his tail slowly swaying behind him back and forth.\n\nKevin began feeling his cheeks redden and he scratched the back of his head rather bashfully now. \n\n“Heheh~ O-of course!” The white rabbit giggled. “Oh! Smells like food is ready! Let’s go eat, Liam. I’ll go wake your friends, kay?”\n\nLiam nodded with a giggle, already feeling his stomach beginning to rumble, making the smell irresistible. The two boys ran together, eager to eat, and Liam even more eager to see his companions again. They ducked between the large decorated structures that seemed be built into the trees themselves. Liam at once noticed the rest of the buildings were made from naught more than scraps of fallen branches and vines, yet woven together in such an elegant fashion that he was almost certain that magic was the cause of their formation, as they seemed to meld back into the bark and windup into the canopy.\n\n“Liam!” Maverick shouted, the silvery blur running over and practically tackling the little mage. Liam yelped out in surprise as he was embraced by the older fox, startled as he looked up at him.\n\n“M-Mavy!” Liam squeaked, surprised at his friend’s sudden affection. \n\n“U-uh!” Maverick stuttered, promptly releasing Liam, though he did not back away far from the kit’s side. “Sorry, I was just… Nevermind, heh~ I’m glad to see you are alright.” Maverick said with a paw placed on Liam’s shoulder.\n\n“Yeah, I dunno where I’d be now if you guys didn't find me…” Liam chuckled, rubbing his arm.\n\n“Er… Well the thing is… We didn’t find you. After the spells you were casting in the air stopped, we lost track of you… It was thanks to those two over there. They were the ones that found you and brought you to the village.” Maverick pointed over to the cookfire, where sat two boys seemingly their age.\n\nThey were surrounded by what looked like a crowd of villagers, judging from their barely clothed yet vibrant attire, much like Kevin’s own. The two strange fox-like boys that Liam had to thank for his rescue were speaking to a large elderly rabbit that was decorated with a great deal more than the rest of the villagers, his white fur a painted canvas for many tribal markings, and wearing a necklace made from the same wooden chimes Liam had heard when he awoke, each chime separated with colorful beads and feathers.\n\nThe two strange children were clad in loincloths and similar accessories to the villagers, but of an obviously different make, suggesting this was certainly not their village. Their fur was long around their elongated ears, their wrists, and their ankles, the flowing fur draping over their feet, each of which had three sharp clawed toes. The taller of the two boys had dark brown fur highlighted with tan and darker brown spots scattered along his body, he carried a woven bag that slung over one shoulder with a single strap that crossed his chest. Aside from his loincloth, he wore a colorful circular band around his right thigh, had beads making small ponytails in the bangs of his dark black hair, and wore a necklace from which hung the tooth of some unknown beast. He carried a spear with him, tipped with obsidian and decorated with a colorful feather that likely came from a bird Liam had never seen in his life.\n\nThe smaller of the two boys however, had a contrasting tan and white fur opposed to the taller one, freckles dotting the cheeks on his somber young face. His long ears rest downward naturally and his tail was short with white highlighting the underside much like a deer. From his neck dangled a wiry mess of loose bindings, seemingly able to hold something in place, but for the moment it lay vacant.\n\nThe elderly rabbit took notice of the trio staring, recognizing the two young out of place adventurers and Kevin. Liam’s ears perked, and they all at once went over to the cookfire. The two foxes stood in front of the fire for a moment, unsure whether to speak or sit, until Kevin hopped down on his knees and immediately started to fix himself a bowl of the stew that brewed in the large cauldron. The old man smirked and nodded at the two boys reassuringly.\n\n“Please, young ones, sit and eat. No need to be so formal, haha!” The man laughed heartily, holding his paw out to welcome them to sit.\n\nLiam and Maverick sat right away and wasted no time in fetching their own bowls and digging into their meal. It was clear they were starving at this point, and the elder laughed again. \n\n“At least two of you are awake and have appetites, hah! Your other rabbit friend was rather exhausted running around the forest all night.” The man chuckled.\n\nLiam blinked, looking up at the adult rabbit.\n.\n“Um, t-thank you for the food, sir!” Liam said to the man between bites. \n\n“Heheh! Of course, little one! After what young Kaeh told me of your encounter with those rampant water elementals it was the least we could do. After all, this is our forest and our duty to keep the natural order in check, yet these aberrations of nature seem to grow greater in number by every sunrise...” The old man said with a furrowing brow. \n\n“Kaeh? Who is…-?” Liam started, until it came back to him. “Oh! You mean Kevin?” The kit said pointing to the white bunny with his mouth stuffed with a boiled vegetable, catching him in a way that left the boy mid bite and blinking curiously as he suddenly was brought to attention to the situation.\n\n“Hahaha, yes little fox. If that is what you have taken to calling him. I know, his name must be quite a mouthful for ones not used to our order… er, if you pardon the expression, heh~” The chief said, reaching out and prodding at Kevin’s stuffed cheek, causing the embarrassed lapine boy to reel back and frantically swallow.\n\n“F-father! Stoooop!” Kevin begin to laugh, batting at the mans hand.\n\nLiam and Maverick both now blinked at the two, their eyes widening. “Father!?” The yelped in unison.\n\n“Hmm? Does this surprise you little ones? Everyone has a father do they not?”\n\nThough there was truth in what he said, the two still couldn’t help a bit of awe seeing that their new friend’s father was the chief of a whole village. Maverick stayed silent at that statement, but as for Liam, the question brought up much more inside his mind as the thought of his own father and where he had gone. Liam opened his mouth, ready to ask a slew of questions, before suddenly a loud yawn interrupted them. Daniel slumped into view, rubbing his eyes as he practically fell beside Maverick by the fire. \n\n“Danny!” Liam squeaked, causing young Daniel to twitch and turn to the little mage.\n\n“Uh..? Wah! Liam! You’re all right!” Daniel yelped, suddenly wide awake seeing his companion again.\n\n“Hahaha! Good morning to you too, son!” The chief laughed heartily. “Please, eat! Before your friends eat it all!”\n\n“Wha- ...food? Ah!” Daniel squeaked, grabbing his own bowl in a hurry. Everyone laughed as Daniel scrambled, and the chief sat upright into a more formal position.\n\n“Well! Now that everyone is present, I can explain everything. Listen well, young ones.” The chief started, and everyone turned their heads attentively, including the two strange long furred boys that Liam owed his rescue to who Liam catch in the corner of his eye stepping back into the circle around the cookfire. \n\n“This village is home to our sect, the druidic order tasked by the Mage’s College of Magista with keeping the Dawnwood free of evil and keeping the natural order. However…” The chief’s brow furrowed again. “Recently, as you all have seen, the Dawnwood has been plagued by an infestation of a sort. These slime like creatures, beings of water brought to life by an overabundance of water aether, have begun to multiply at an alarming pace. They used to be tame creatures that were encountered rarely near our ponds and lakes, but now they roam the forest in mass and harassing merchants and adventurers like yourselves. Along with that we have discovered a… ‘tribe’ as they are calling themselves, of wolf children that seemed to have rebelled against their parents in Gavelfall south of here. These boys have developed a sort of… feral pack mentality and have also begun to rob and even attack travelers.”\n\n“Let me guess, your sect isn’t big enough to handle everything at once now that those slime creatures are everywhere.” Maverick inquired.\n\n“Perceptive, child. Indeed, this strange problem has our hands full keeping the forest in order… As such I am afraid if any of you were intending to visit our village for aid, we have little means to do so.” The elderly rabbit explained sullenly. Liam was rather confused by this statement, until he caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye of the two long furred boys expressions, the smaller boy seeming on the verge of tears, and the taller gritting his teeth. The brown furred boy stepped forward abruptly.\n\n“Please, if there is really nothing you can do… At least do us this favor. If there is anything at all you can tell us about the red man with the grinning metal face, we need to know!” The boy nearly shouted. It was clear he was angry, his voice trembling despite his brave face. \n\nLiam, Maverick, and Daniel all at once felt their ears twitch at the description the boy gave, and they looked between one another as though silently asking if he meant who they thought.\n\n“Wait. Man in red and a mask? You guys don’t think…?” Daniel whispered, to which Liam and Maverick nodded. There was no doubt, after all who else could it have been? The boy was definitely looking for Karma. \n\n“I am sorry, we-”\n\n“Wait! You are looking for Karma?” Liam interrupted, and all at once the two tribal boys and the chief looked to the kit with wide eyes. The timid tan furred child, reclusive until now, stepped over to Liam, noticeably trembling. Liam could see the tears forming around the child’s eyes, and he felt a twinge in his heart before the tan furred youth even spoke.\n\n“Please… I-if there is anything you know… We need to find him…!” He started, his body and voice shaking profusely.\n\n“Avin…” The older boy came up behind his smaller companion, placing his paws on his shoulders as to afford some form of comfort.\n\n“P-please… He has our… H- he has… our... “ Avin broke down, barely able to form words.\n\n“He… Stole something that is very important to us. An egg. No bigger than ones palm… We have to get it back...” The brown furred cub explained, his eyes determined, but noticeably beginning to well up as well.\n\nMaverick eyes widened as he thought back, to his battle in Ellenvale with Karma. To the moment they clashed in the streets, and the jewel like egg he had pocketed from him. Maverick quickly dug through his pocket and pulled out the orb-like egg, which glistened in the sun as light danced along the swirling tan and brown streaks within its crystal form. Mavy glanced up at the two distraught boys, instantly recognising the colors of their fur as matching the egg. Gripping it close, the silver furred adolescent stepped up to the boys and held it out tenderly.\n\n“By any chance… Is this the egg you are lookin’ for?” Maverick asked.\n\nThe boy’s eyes widened, and Avin seemed unable to contain himself as the small fawn like boy accepted the egg from Maverick’s palm. Avin fell to his knees, clutching the egg to his chest as tears began to stream down his cheeks, falling past the boy’s trembling smile. \n\n“I… I can’t believe it… How… I… T-thank you. Thank you so much…” Avin cried, never looking up.\n\n“You… You beat that monster? How…?” The older of the two started.\n\n“Not exactly… but we did run into him and I was so caught in the moment I sorta just tried to take something from him, maybe get some clue about him, and I grabbed that.” Maverick explained, scratching the back of his head with a smile.\n\n“Well, whatever the case… Thank you. My name is Tevyn, and this is Avin. We owe you more than you know for this…” Tevyn asked pulling Maverick into a tight hug that knocked the wind out of him.\n\n“Ack..! Don’t… mention… it..!” Mavy choked out, chuckling slightly. ‘Crap, he’s stronger than he looks!’ He thought to himself as he struggled to return the hug.\n\n“Oh! Sorry, I sometimes forget to release my magic when traveling, hehe...~” Tevyn apologized as Maverick felt a tingle around his fur as what looked like a once invisible green aura of magical energy dissipated from the boy’s body, and the grip of the boy seemed to lighten with it.\n\nMaverick coughed and took in a breath of air, rubbing his chest with a heave. A thought occurred to him just then, and Liam did not seem to miss this either as they looked up at Tevyn with wide eyes.\n\n“Wait… How are you using magic? You don’t have a catalyst to cast with!” Liam asked with surprise.\n\nTevyn blinked, seemingly confused. “Cat-uh-list? I don’t think I know what you mean, sorry…”\n\nLiam, Daniel, and Maverick stared, dumbfounded at Tevyn. Tevyn just stood there, seeming to almost sweat with all the eyes staring at him.\n\n“Uh… W-what’s the matter? Did I say something odd?” \n\n“Well... “ Liam started, holding out his staff with the bright blue crystal at the end held to Tevyn. “See, you need a catalyst like this to cast magic, but I don’t see one on you.” Liam tried to explain, making the crystal glow and form a simple mist around it. \n\nTevyn inspected the orb, fascinated. He held out his paw and stretched his fingers, and from his palm a small orb of light formed into existence seemingly from nothing, to which Liam gasped.\n\n“I am not sure what to say, I’ve always been able to use the Ealdenwood’s gift to use magic.” Tevyn tried to explain, but the boys continued to stare in confusion.\n\nThe elder tapped his staff, catching the groups attention. “Sorry to interrupt little ones, but perhaps I can explain both sides of this better for you, haha.”\n\nThe cubs all looked at one another and nodded. Tevyn helped Avin to his feet and they all sat back into a circle around the fire, ears perked in attention.\n\n“Simply put, children, these two boys…” He waved his hand to Avin and Tevyn. “As you may or may not know, are of the sylvox race. They are a species under strict protection of the druidic order, and thus keep to the forests outside of common civilization. They have always had the unique ability to manipulate aether, and thus use magic at will without a catalyst. That being said, the world is full of fearful people, and such people may see the sylvox as dangers to society, some may even see them as gods... or demons.” \n\nTevyn and Avin seemed to know this information all too well despite their age. Avin leaned against Tevyn’s chest, holding the small egg tight to his chest, having now fastened the small jewel into his necklace where it likely had rested before it was stolen. Liam looked at the two with a sullen feeling welling up inside him.\n\n“People really wouldn’t like them just because they are different…? Why?” Liam asked the elder.\n\n“Simply put little one, people are scared of the unknown. Everyone is different of course, but most of the populace let cowardice guide their judgement of others.”\n\n“That’s awful… Why can’t the sylvoxes just make friends with everyone and show they are friendly?” Liam asked, confused.\n\n“Hahaha… If only it were so simple, child. Maybe one day the world will be ready for the sylvox people to officially show themselves to society. For now however, it is safer that they stay as legend and rumor. Who knows, perhaps one day these two will see that day, though I imagine it will be long after our time.”\n\n“What do you mean by that?” Daniel spoke up.\n\n“You see, their kind live exponentially longer lives than we do. In fact, the two you see now are very old friends of mine.” The chief chuckled.\n\n“Wait… Old friends?” Maverick questioned with an eyebrow raised.\n\n“I was in their village when they first hatched. Nearly sixty years ago now.”\n\n“SIXTY YEARS!?” The three exclaimed at once, looking over to Tevyn and Avin who jumped at the sudden yelling. Tevyn simply scratched his head and giggled nervously.\n\n“That is correct, and they are still but children for their race, and though they will grow and learn more of the world than we ever will they will still be children a century from now; as energetic and full of life as you are now. ” \n\nLiam looked to the young sylvoxes with awe. The thought that the two boys in front of him probably knew more about the world than most, and that they were still young despite their age baffled him. However, the young mage could not help but have his interest piqued as a thousand questions ran through his mind.\n\n“I believe that is enough for now, now that I hope to have well informed you on most of the situation.” The chief said with a sagely nod. “You see boys, I was going to ask if you younguns could assist young Tevyn and Avin in finding this… Karma, and possibly retrieve their egg, but as luck would have it, you already did, hahaha! It warms my old heart seeing your smile again, Avin.”\n\nAvin smiled and nodded, the last of the tear stains on his cheeks drying. The fawn like sylvox rubbed his eyes and stood along with Tevyn. \n\n“If it is okay, chief Arracus, could we stay in your village for the night before we depart?” Avin asked.\n\n“Hahaha of course, my friend. Stay as long as your heart desires. That goes for you three as well, feel free to rest as long as you need.” Chief Halla said as he stood and patted young Avin on the head, eliciting a shy giggle from the boy.\n\n“T-thank you,sir!” Daniel and Liam said at once. Maverick however seemed lost in thought, looking toward the sylvox boys. In his pocket the silver fox traced his fingers over the lifeless sylvox egg and felt a deep sense of guilt rising in the pit of his stomach. Maverick gritted his teeth as he struggled to get up the courage to tell the boys what had happened. How would they react? Would they hate him? Would they understand? All these questions swirled in his mind like a hurricane, and he could only hesitate. Maverick eventually released the orb in his pocket.\n\n Not now. Maverick thought to himself. Not right after all this… He reasoned in his head. He wanted to confront them about what he had done, but not after they had just had their own egg returned. This thought pained Maverick, that even though one egg had been returned to its owner, another may have lost theirs forever.\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "
Chapter 14
The Children of Ealdenwood


As consciousness slowly returned to him, Liam could hear birds chittering and chirping between the branches above him. He tried to move, his arms and legs stiff. Struggling to open his eyes, Liam tiredly squinted as the sun danced over his face between the canopy. All at once he started to become aware of more sounds. The fluttering of fabric. A soft chiming as if hollowed wood was being gently knocked together, and amidst all this he began to hear whispering.

Sitting up, the tired kit rubbed his eyes and tried to regain his senses. He immediately noticed he was wrapped from the chest down in giant leaves and a sort of woven blanket. Looking around he found himself in some kind of tent that circled around him. The top was open however, with a thin net of woven thread covering the area, from which he found the source of the wooden noise. A small wind chime made from hollow bark sleeves dangled in the breeze, echoing its soft clunking tune. Liam held a paw to his head, trying to grasp his surroundings.

He carefully began to unwrap the leaves around his body. He gasped, finding himself completely nude under the wrappings. He glanced around his tent in a mild panic, but to his relief he quickly found his things neatly piled beside him on the ground. His eyes widened, seeing his backpack that was left with the others before he was taken and his heart fluttered with the hope of the possibility the others found him.

Quickly, Liam got to his knees and started to dress himself, though he stopped for a moment as he inspected his body. He wasn't sore anywhere, and all the cuts and bruises he had got since he left Ellenvale, and even the aftermath from the giant slime’s ‘invasive’ actions were nowhere to be seen. In fact, he felt good as new. He dressed himself finally and stood, grasping the small opening of the tent, though still patting himself for any injury. Still nothing.

Though he breathed a sigh of relief, he could help but wonder how he was completely fine as though nothing happened. Pulling back the flap of the tent, he cautiously peeked between the folds.

All around him were more tents and bright decorations, and in the air Liam smelled something that made his stomach growl. He realized he was starving, and whatever was being cooked was enticing beyond his young imagination. His eyes then widened, as a familiar face of a young, and still bare furred rabbit boy sauntered into view, carrying a bag full of sticks and branches.

Liam bolted out of the tent in an instant, rushing over to the other boy.

“KEVIN!” Liam yelled out, startling the young rabbit and almost making him drop his bag. Once Kevin realized who it was however, his face lit up!

“Liam! You’re finally up!” Kevin grinned.

“Yeah! But… I don’t remember much about how I got here… Where’s Mavy and Danny?”

“Oh, they are still sleeping. Yesterday was a bit of an experience for you all after all.” Kevin said scratching his head. “I’m sorry I couldn’t stop that big one from grabbing you, it’s my fault…”

“No, it wasn't your fault at all! I just…” There was a long pause, Liam glancing downward in silence. “I dunno… B-but, it didn't hurt me, see?” Liam tried to reassure him, showing his lack of wounds.

“Yeah… But that wasn't all that happened, was it?”

Liam stopped, finding himself unable to reply to that. He looked down at the ground and thought back to the slime, and its viscous body engulfing him. He shivered, feeling a strange discomfort wash over him. An odd knot in the pit of his stomach that he could not comprehend. The little mage felt violated, the experience in hindsight was not entirely unpleasant. He remembered that tingling feeling that washed over his body as it had before, but thinking of how it had happened with the slimy wet appendages wriggling around in his insides made him want to curl in on himself. Kevin seemed to glean the full story with that single look on the young fox’s face, and gently pulled Liam in for a hug.

“Hey, I know it was scary, but the elementals in these woods are harmless. All they want is food, and if you don’t have any, they tend to leave you alone.” The young rabbit explained, trying to bring some peace of mind to the kit. “But, anyway! I was glad to see you safe when we found you! A little wet, but mostly all right~ “

Liam tried to crack a smile, and gave a nod. “Yeah, I feel fine after all, hehe… I actually don’t have a scratch on me, even ones I got a while ago.”

Kevin grinned, patting Liam’s shoulder. “Yeah! The village healer is great at mending wounds! I, of course, helped make sure you were completely healed with some of my magic myself!” The young bunny said, proudly puffing out his chest. Liam smiled, genuinely now.

“Thanks, Kevin…~” Liam whispered to Kevin, his tail slowly swaying behind him back and forth.

Kevin began feeling his cheeks redden and he scratched the back of his head rather bashfully now.

“Heheh~ O-of course!” The white rabbit giggled. “Oh! Smells like food is ready! Let’s go eat, Liam. I’ll go wake your friends, kay?”

Liam nodded with a giggle, already feeling his stomach beginning to rumble, making the smell irresistible. The two boys ran together, eager to eat, and Liam even more eager to see his companions again. They ducked between the large decorated structures that seemed be built into the trees themselves. Liam at once noticed the rest of the buildings were made from naught more than scraps of fallen branches and vines, yet woven together in such an elegant fashion that he was almost certain that magic was the cause of their formation, as they seemed to meld back into the bark and windup into the canopy.

“Liam!” Maverick shouted, the silvery blur running over and practically tackling the little mage. Liam yelped out in surprise as he was embraced by the older fox, startled as he looked up at him.

“M-Mavy!” Liam squeaked, surprised at his friend’s sudden affection.

“U-uh!” Maverick stuttered, promptly releasing Liam, though he did not back away far from the kit’s side. “Sorry, I was just… Nevermind, heh~ I’m glad to see you are alright.” Maverick said with a paw placed on Liam’s shoulder.

“Yeah, I dunno where I’d be now if you guys didn't find me…” Liam chuckled, rubbing his arm.

“Er… Well the thing is… We didn’t find you. After the spells you were casting in the air stopped, we lost track of you… It was thanks to those two over there. They were the ones that found you and brought you to the village.” Maverick pointed over to the cookfire, where sat two boys seemingly their age.

They were surrounded by what looked like a crowd of villagers, judging from their barely clothed yet vibrant attire, much like Kevin’s own. The two strange fox-like boys that Liam had to thank for his rescue were speaking to a large elderly rabbit that was decorated with a great deal more than the rest of the villagers, his white fur a painted canvas for many tribal markings, and wearing a necklace made from the same wooden chimes Liam had heard when he awoke, each chime separated with colorful beads and feathers.

The two strange children were clad in loincloths and similar accessories to the villagers, but of an obviously different make, suggesting this was certainly not their village. Their fur was long around their elongated ears, their wrists, and their ankles, the flowing fur draping over their feet, each of which had three sharp clawed toes. The taller of the two boys had dark brown fur highlighted with tan and darker brown spots scattered along his body, he carried a woven bag that slung over one shoulder with a single strap that crossed his chest. Aside from his loincloth, he wore a colorful circular band around his right thigh, had beads making small ponytails in the bangs of his dark black hair, and wore a necklace from which hung the tooth of some unknown beast. He carried a spear with him, tipped with obsidian and decorated with a colorful feather that likely came from a bird Liam had never seen in his life.

The smaller of the two boys however, had a contrasting tan and white fur opposed to the taller one, freckles dotting the cheeks on his somber young face. His long ears rest downward naturally and his tail was short with white highlighting the underside much like a deer. From his neck dangled a wiry mess of loose bindings, seemingly able to hold something in place, but for the moment it lay vacant.

The elderly rabbit took notice of the trio staring, recognizing the two young out of place adventurers and Kevin. Liam’s ears perked, and they all at once went over to the cookfire. The two foxes stood in front of the fire for a moment, unsure whether to speak or sit, until Kevin hopped down on his knees and immediately started to fix himself a bowl of the stew that brewed in the large cauldron. The old man smirked and nodded at the two boys reassuringly.

“Please, young ones, sit and eat. No need to be so formal, haha!” The man laughed heartily, holding his paw out to welcome them to sit.

Liam and Maverick sat right away and wasted no time in fetching their own bowls and digging into their meal. It was clear they were starving at this point, and the elder laughed again.

“At least two of you are awake and have appetites, hah! Your other rabbit friend was rather exhausted running around the forest all night.” The man chuckled.

Liam blinked, looking up at the adult rabbit.
.
“Um, t-thank you for the food, sir!” Liam said to the man between bites.

“Heheh! Of course, little one! After what young Kaeh told me of your encounter with those rampant water elementals it was the least we could do. After all, this is our forest and our duty to keep the natural order in check, yet these aberrations of nature seem to grow greater in number by every sunrise...” The old man said with a furrowing brow.

“Kaeh? Who is…-?” Liam started, until it came back to him. “Oh! You mean Kevin?” The kit said pointing to the white bunny with his mouth stuffed with a boiled vegetable, catching him in a way that left the boy mid bite and blinking curiously as he suddenly was brought to attention to the situation.

“Hahaha, yes little fox. If that is what you have taken to calling him. I know, his name must be quite a mouthful for ones not used to our order… er, if you pardon the expression, heh~” The chief said, reaching out and prodding at Kevin’s stuffed cheek, causing the embarrassed lapine boy to reel back and frantically swallow.

“F-father! Stoooop!” Kevin begin to laugh, batting at the mans hand.

Liam and Maverick both now blinked at the two, their eyes widening. “Father!?” The yelped in unison.

“Hmm? Does this surprise you little ones? Everyone has a father do they not?”

Though there was truth in what he said, the two still couldn’t help a bit of awe seeing that their new friend’s father was the chief of a whole village. Maverick stayed silent at that statement, but as for Liam, the question brought up much more inside his mind as the thought of his own father and where he had gone. Liam opened his mouth, ready to ask a slew of questions, before suddenly a loud yawn interrupted them. Daniel slumped into view, rubbing his eyes as he practically fell beside Maverick by the fire.

“Danny!” Liam squeaked, causing young Daniel to twitch and turn to the little mage.

“Uh..? Wah! Liam! You’re all right!” Daniel yelped, suddenly wide awake seeing his companion again.

“Hahaha! Good morning to you too, son!” The chief laughed heartily. “Please, eat! Before your friends eat it all!”

“Wha- ...food? Ah!” Daniel squeaked, grabbing his own bowl in a hurry. Everyone laughed as Daniel scrambled, and the chief sat upright into a more formal position.

“Well! Now that everyone is present, I can explain everything. Listen well, young ones.” The chief started, and everyone turned their heads attentively, including the two strange long furred boys that Liam owed his rescue to who Liam catch in the corner of his eye stepping back into the circle around the cookfire.

“This village is home to our sect, the druidic order tasked by the Mage’s College of Magista with keeping the Dawnwood free of evil and keeping the natural order. However…” The chief’s brow furrowed again. “Recently, as you all have seen, the Dawnwood has been plagued by an infestation of a sort. These slime like creatures, beings of water brought to life by an overabundance of water aether, have begun to multiply at an alarming pace. They used to be tame creatures that were encountered rarely near our ponds and lakes, but now they roam the forest in mass and harassing merchants and adventurers like yourselves. Along with that we have discovered a… ‘tribe’ as they are calling themselves, of wolf children that seemed to have rebelled against their parents in Gavelfall south of here. These boys have developed a sort of… feral pack mentality and have also begun to rob and even attack travelers.”

“Let me guess, your sect isn’t big enough to handle everything at once now that those slime creatures are everywhere.” Maverick inquired.

“Perceptive, child. Indeed, this strange problem has our hands full keeping the forest in order… As such I am afraid if any of you were intending to visit our village for aid, we have little means to do so.” The elderly rabbit explained sullenly. Liam was rather confused by this statement, until he caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye of the two long furred boys expressions, the smaller boy seeming on the verge of tears, and the taller gritting his teeth. The brown furred boy stepped forward abruptly.

“Please, if there is really nothing you can do… At least do us this favor. If there is anything at all you can tell us about the red man with the grinning metal face, we need to know!” The boy nearly shouted. It was clear he was angry, his voice trembling despite his brave face.

Liam, Maverick, and Daniel all at once felt their ears twitch at the description the boy gave, and they looked between one another as though silently asking if he meant who they thought.

“Wait. Man in red and a mask? You guys don’t think…?” Daniel whispered, to which Liam and Maverick nodded. There was no doubt, after all who else could it have been? The boy was definitely looking for Karma.

“I am sorry, we-”

“Wait! You are looking for Karma?” Liam interrupted, and all at once the two tribal boys and the chief looked to the kit with wide eyes. The timid tan furred child, reclusive until now, stepped over to Liam, noticeably trembling. Liam could see the tears forming around the child’s eyes, and he felt a twinge in his heart before the tan furred youth even spoke.

“Please… I-if there is anything you know… We need to find him…!” He started, his body and voice shaking profusely.

“Avin…” The older boy came up behind his smaller companion, placing his paws on his shoulders as to afford some form of comfort.

“P-please… He has our… H- he has… our... “ Avin broke down, barely able to form words.

“He… Stole something that is very important to us. An egg. No bigger than ones palm… We have to get it back...” The brown furred cub explained, his eyes determined, but noticeably beginning to well up as well.

Maverick eyes widened as he thought back, to his battle in Ellenvale with Karma. To the moment they clashed in the streets, and the jewel like egg he had pocketed from him. Maverick quickly dug through his pocket and pulled out the orb-like egg, which glistened in the sun as light danced along the swirling tan and brown streaks within its crystal form. Mavy glanced up at the two distraught boys, instantly recognising the colors of their fur as matching the egg. Gripping it close, the silver furred adolescent stepped up to the boys and held it out tenderly.

“By any chance… Is this the egg you are lookin’ for?” Maverick asked.

The boy’s eyes widened, and Avin seemed unable to contain himself as the small fawn like boy accepted the egg from Maverick’s palm. Avin fell to his knees, clutching the egg to his chest as tears began to stream down his cheeks, falling past the boy’s trembling smile.

“I… I can’t believe it… How… I… T-thank you. Thank you so much…” Avin cried, never looking up.

“You… You beat that monster? How…?” The older of the two started.

“Not exactly… but we did run into him and I was so caught in the moment I sorta just tried to take something from him, maybe get some clue about him, and I grabbed that.” Maverick explained, scratching the back of his head with a smile.

“Well, whatever the case… Thank you. My name is Tevyn, and this is Avin. We owe you more than you know for this…” Tevyn asked pulling Maverick into a tight hug that knocked the wind out of him.

“Ack..! Don’t… mention… it..!” Mavy choked out, chuckling slightly. ‘Crap, he’s stronger than he looks!’ He thought to himself as he struggled to return the hug.

“Oh! Sorry, I sometimes forget to release my magic when traveling, hehe...~” Tevyn apologized as Maverick felt a tingle around his fur as what looked like a once invisible green aura of magical energy dissipated from the boy’s body, and the grip of the boy seemed to lighten with it.

Maverick coughed and took in a breath of air, rubbing his chest with a heave. A thought occurred to him just then, and Liam did not seem to miss this either as they looked up at Tevyn with wide eyes.

“Wait… How are you using magic? You don’t have a catalyst to cast with!” Liam asked with surprise.

Tevyn blinked, seemingly confused. “Cat-uh-list? I don’t think I know what you mean, sorry…”

Liam, Daniel, and Maverick stared, dumbfounded at Tevyn. Tevyn just stood there, seeming to almost sweat with all the eyes staring at him.

“Uh… W-what’s the matter? Did I say something odd?”

“Well... “ Liam started, holding out his staff with the bright blue crystal at the end held to Tevyn. “See, you need a catalyst like this to cast magic, but I don’t see one on you.” Liam tried to explain, making the crystal glow and form a simple mist around it.

Tevyn inspected the orb, fascinated. He held out his paw and stretched his fingers, and from his palm a small orb of light formed into existence seemingly from nothing, to which Liam gasped.

“I am not sure what to say, I’ve always been able to use the Ealdenwood’s gift to use magic.” Tevyn tried to explain, but the boys continued to stare in confusion.

The elder tapped his staff, catching the groups attention. “Sorry to interrupt little ones, but perhaps I can explain both sides of this better for you, haha.”

The cubs all looked at one another and nodded. Tevyn helped Avin to his feet and they all sat back into a circle around the fire, ears perked in attention.

“Simply put, children, these two boys…” He waved his hand to Avin and Tevyn. “As you may or may not know, are of the sylvox race. They are a species under strict protection of the druidic order, and thus keep to the forests outside of common civilization. They have always had the unique ability to manipulate aether, and thus use magic at will without a catalyst. That being said, the world is full of fearful people, and such people may see the sylvox as dangers to society, some may even see them as gods... or demons.”  

Tevyn and Avin seemed to know this information all too well despite their age. Avin leaned against Tevyn’s chest, holding the small egg tight to his chest, having now fastened the small jewel into his necklace where it likely had rested before it was stolen. Liam looked at the two with a sullen feeling welling up inside him.

“People really wouldn’t like them just because they are different…? Why?” Liam asked the elder.

“Simply put little one, people are scared of the unknown. Everyone is different of course, but most of the populace let cowardice guide their judgement of others.”

“That’s awful… Why can’t the sylvoxes just make friends with everyone and show they are friendly?” Liam asked, confused.

“Hahaha… If only it were so simple, child. Maybe one day the world will be ready for the sylvox people to officially show themselves to society. For now however, it is safer that they stay as legend and rumor. Who knows, perhaps one day these two will see that day, though I imagine it will be long after our time.”

“What do you mean by that?” Daniel spoke up.

“You see, their kind live exponentially longer lives than we do. In fact, the two you see now are very old friends of mine.” The chief chuckled.

“Wait… Old friends?” Maverick questioned with an eyebrow raised.

“I was in their village when they first hatched. Nearly sixty years ago now.”

“SIXTY YEARS!?” The three exclaimed at once, looking over to Tevyn and Avin who jumped at the sudden yelling. Tevyn simply scratched his head and giggled nervously.

“That is correct, and they are still but children for their race, and though they will grow and learn more of the world than we ever will they will still be children a century from now; as energetic and full of life as you are now. ”

Liam looked to the young sylvoxes with awe. The thought that the two boys in front of him probably knew more about the world than most, and that they were still young despite their age baffled him. However, the young mage could not help but have his interest piqued as a thousand questions ran through his mind.

“I believe that is enough for now, now that I hope to have well informed you on most of the situation.” The chief said with a sagely nod. “You see boys, I was going to ask if you younguns could assist young Tevyn and Avin in finding this… Karma, and possibly retrieve their egg, but as luck would have it, you already did, hahaha! It warms my old heart seeing your smile again, Avin.”

Avin smiled and nodded, the last of the tear stains on his cheeks drying. The fawn like sylvox rubbed his eyes and stood along with Tevyn.

“If it is okay, chief Arracus, could we stay in your village for the night before we depart?” Avin asked.

“Hahaha of course, my friend. Stay as long as your heart desires. That goes for you three as well, feel free to rest as long as you need.” Chief Halla said as he stood and patted young Avin on the head, eliciting a shy giggle from the boy.

“T-thank you,sir!” Daniel and Liam said at once. Maverick however seemed lost in thought, looking toward the sylvox boys. In his pocket the silver fox traced his fingers over the lifeless sylvox egg and felt a deep sense of guilt rising in the pit of his stomach. Maverick gritted his teeth as he struggled to get up the courage to tell the boys what had happened. How would they react? Would they hate him? Would they understand? All these questions swirled in his mind like a hurricane, and he could only hesitate. Maverick eventually released the orb in his pocket.

 Not now. Maverick thought to himself. Not right after all this… He reasoned in his head. He wanted to confront them about what he had done, but not after they had just had their own egg returned. This thought pained Maverick, that even though one egg had been returned to its owner, another may have lost theirs forever.
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