Kexl

A long long journey into the East, far past all known civilization, well beyond the boundaries of what would be considered the land of magic; a realm where humans would not dare venture. Deep in the woods, past long distant plains of wheat; up on top a mystical hill sits the boundary-way between the material planes, and the astral planes. This place is guarded by many obstacles that would hinder any unwanted travelers from entering, specially built to ward off and even kill those who are not meant to be there. It may look normal to the naked eye, but hidden on top is a shrine, a shrine built to the goddess Inari, overseen by her heighest priestess the Lady; a place overflowing with vast power, where stands a single doorway leading into the heavens and beyond should it be opened.

The journey begins for every kitsune who wishes to join the ranks of service to the shrine to be initiated into the order, accepted as an myobu under the guide and loving care of their sovereign leader and goddess Inari. Each young kitsune makes the journey from their homeland, traveling what could be an untold hundreds, to thousands of miles towards a source they can only sense in their inner being. A beckon, like a string of magic pulling them down their path, through whatever terrain and territories their tribes, clans, colors and powers survive in, rule over, and control. This journey can take many months to years, and many young kitsune never survive; but those who do crest over the hills and stare down into the wide valley of grains that suddenly seems to have spawned from nowhere as they have entered into that first magical exterior barrier that grants most (if not all) creatures access to, should they choose to come pay homage.



Due to the tedious and treacherous journey, many parents will make this trek as a young married couple to give birth to their young kids at the base of the sacred mountain, knowing full well the young kits would never survive the journey alone. These parents often times are already under the order and know the way well and are able to find their way quicker, even swifter than those of many generations removed or those whose families had been cut off due to some kind of disaster. Almost like leaping through time and space itself, able to call on the Lady or Inari to help lead the way and open up a temporal path to get them there. It is tradition to present the young kitsunes to the Lady, so that she can deem what role they would take in their lives, be it Messenger, Guardian, Miko, or even Ooinari to a shrine. She could also determine if they would have long, healthy lives; and bestow blessings and powers that otherwise some would never have access to. As the high priestess of Inari herself; she sits between the divide of the divine and the natural world.



However for those not called, or not known to Inari or the Lady; of families long since removed, of half breed or partial breed status; or even other non magical beings or entities that might try to enter up into the mountain from those lush and plentiful fields where one could easily live out their whole lives without worry of starving. The mountain becomes a very frightening place, seemingly eerie and possessed with all kinds of creatures, illusions, mazes, to lead the unwanted astray, even to their deaths.



As if the forest itself most commonly, considered to be the over a dozen miles (measured north to south) of heavily forested land is alive, playing tricks on the mind, switching between light and dark, day and night, thin and thick; odd unearthly sounds, strange flickering lights, deep masking mists and fog. All sorts of perils await those not welcome or not called. Normal average creatures can live on the mountain if they wish, as those creatures and beings of the forest guarding it will not attack anything not trying to get to that most sacred and hidden place deep on top.



As if walking in an endless loop, over and over again, repeating the same locations no matter which way one turns; finding that forest seemingly becoming different behind or before from where one had been. Changing into something or someplace that no longer seemed familiar, safe; that feeling that causes the hairs on the back of the neck to stand. There is something out there, something alive; but not of this world, it is playing with those who have wandered in unwanted, messing with them. Causing them to lose sense of direction, change from location to location, even the type of trees and vegetation on the grounds. Nothing seems to stay the same, leaving one to aimlessly wander about blindly.



The wind seems to speak, whispering names, ideas, places; in a voice all so familiar and alluring, beckoning one further and further away from the right path. Drawn like a moth to a flame, the voice leads one deeper and deeper, possibly into realms and places no longer on the material plane. It's almost as if one can see the creature, yet not; is it there, is it real? Yet, it speaks smoothly, calmly, like a siren leading a sailor to their deaths.



The trees the move, shift in place as if alive, raising and falling, going back and forth; changing the forest over and over again. Changing the path, changing what was there, changing everything till nothing is the same. It could easily kill those who trespass there; yet seems so work with the voice, work with the wind, work with the mountain itself.



However it is not some mindless tree that should one attack it or kick at it, it would do nothing as a tree should; no it would change drastically into something vicious, and far more scary than what it had been before. If a quick but painful death is what one wishes, it is indeed quite easy to achieve here. Though it seems slow, perhaps not quite ordered to kill should it be attacked, though it most certainly can and likely would would one stick around. It is possible to outrun it, deeper and further into the woods.



Only there lies yet more beings, as if birds fluttering about back and forth, breaking the silence of the forest. Only the shadows of them and their glowing bright eyes glisten in the dark. It is not clear if they are but owls, but it seems they are not, at times one can see them walking as tall as a human, among the trees with wings clearly at its back. They are watching ever so closely, and seem far more menacing than the walking giants that were trees; no, it is quite clear these creatures are not there just for show, they will attack should one press forward. It is clear from how easily they vanish and appear somewhere new at will, that they can easily kill whomever or whatever has dared venture into their area of the mountain.




The forest has patches of unusual magical activity where the ley lines cross, leading to strange phenomena. The most reliably observed of these are the high rate of phosphorescent plants within the woods and the thick mists that often hang over the more southern parts, particularly common in morning hours. Native pixies are often spotted flitting about the forest as well, although they very rarely engage in direct contact with others. It is not too hard to turn and go another way, but just as easily mountain scenery has changed yet again, this time almost peaceful, small flittering lights dance about like fireflies. They seem gentle and kind, they promise to show the way, and unlike everything else there seems to malice in their intent as they whisper quietly; leading toward what seems to be a path.



The path opens up more and more, and their coloring changes oddly from that bright yellow or golden hue to a softer blue as they dance through the opening, back and forth between the trees seeming to be guiding further along this new path through the woods. However, it feels as if the woods have somehow become darker around as if all the light but the flickering of these beings has all but vanished; there is almost a gentle moonlight beaming in between the trees, yet there is no sign of anything to either side. In the dark, they often seem to emit a soft glow, pulsing like a lightning bug.







It all seems fine till the path suddenly vanishes as if it had never been, and there one stands nearly having plummeted off the steep sudden cliffs. It seems it was a trick, and had one taken one more step it is quite clear that would have been the last step ever taken.

Staring off into the dark unknown, mists and fogs rolling around; it might be best to go back and give up on this journey, these creatures, this very forest means to kill. All set to protect and hide the secrets deep within, far far out of the reach of those not welcome. It is likely the forest would stop attacking, stop trying to kill should one head back now; otherwise one would spend the rest of their lives never reaching the top.

The forest was composed of magics and creatures to be certain no unwanted guests could ever reach the summit.


























For those who have been called by Inari or the Lady, for those who have been welcomed a path would open up on the mountain, leading up through the forest, deep deep through the unknowns that lay right outside the path; watching, waiting should the fickle kitsunes decide to venture from it and wind up being lost forever as an outsider might; or should Inari or the Lady change their minds on wanting to see them and lure them elsewhere. After all only the truly chosen can continue down this path, through the many torii gates.












The path is otherwise long and almost as tedious as the journey to get to this mountain was; it could easily take days to get through each and every torii, being sure not to be lead astray by the creatures laying outside. To not be fickle of heart, to be strong, to be true, to be pure; to be everything a myobu and or other holy or noble creature is called to be. Intentions need to be true, pure; desires clear, precise. But as one ventures through the path, powers are carefully judged, pulled at, pricked at, tested, tried. Any masking powers to change shape, appearance, anything that could be used to try to device those who waited at the top would be blocked and temporarily halted, causing one to change back into whatever their natural birth form to be.








Only than can one finally reach the long winding staircase that leads through the mists and the fog. It is still easy to be lured off by something shiny or some whispering voice even here, as those ahead wish to be sure that only the best of the best who are fit to be part of this inner circle can come further and come up to them. After all it is the bridge between worlds, there can not be any doubts or risks; any ill intent, anything that might hinder the task that they may be given or already have.






Only than will the pathway open, the mists and fogs clear, the forest grow quiet and serene, peaceful. When all is cleared and stripped away, when one is truly prepared to meet ones fate, to meet the gods and goddess; to travel down that set road that can not be swayed from, can not be turned from, can not be rejected once received. For it will always call back, pull back; pulling one back to the proper ways, the clear and right path. Otherwise those on the otherside can send just punishments, and trials to test and reform those on this path into the heavens. For this is a path of light, not of dark; a path of good, not of evil; a path that can not be taken half-heartedly. While it may be unclear what position or rank one might receive there is only one way to go, up.



















Finally only once all the trails and tests are complete will one finally reach the top of those stairs, tried and ready to meet whatever fate, destiny and story lies in their future.

Whatever final magics might have been in place are removed, for one to enter into that court those final steps and up to meet the unknown at that lies there beyond that final torii. It is time to go up to that court, up into the temple, to meet with the powers, the bodies, the creatures not of this world. Creatures who by all accounts are mythical, magical, are all well and alive. All those stories, all those legends, everything is about to be made real before the very eyes.





















There at least one is on the grounds of a great and noble shrine, the earthly copy of the heavenly one that lies beyond in a realm unseen. Time has been something of a mess, and whether it is day or night by that time no longer matters as one prepares to meet with whatever rules over here. All seems quiet, almost as if abandoned, but it is well taken care of; clean, not a spot or blemish in sight, a perfect shrine, a perfect temple. As like all temples there are guardians there, watching waiting for those final steps to enter fully into that court.






As if thundering to life from beyond, a fluffy white vision of fur wisks out. The purest of whites, glistening in the light as if gleaming with their own inner glow; a pair of golden eyes watching from behind the clearly vulpine creature. Her nine tails tells what she really is, a holy, a noble kitsune; who guards this shrine, painted over almost in a strange setting of red designs showing her rank and status there. She greets with a simple head bow, as if waiting on orders for anything more from someone or something beyond. She is Akomachi the first, kitsune believed to have been born into the world from Inari herself, guardian of the very skies, heavens, astral bodies, heavenly powers, celestial planes and beyond.
Unknown to the traveler is that she is Inari's daughter.
























Crackling like a loud sizzling sound a second figure appears, this time in the darkest of blacks. His fur too seems to gleam, but with a dark luster of almost venomous power. A set of nine tails again seems to greet this vulpine male, with eyes like fires and markings of an almost mystic blue. He is Osusuki, second kitsune born to Inari, and second guardian of this shrine; he watches closely for any changes, any faults, any misgivings that may have been somehow hidden till now. Like his older sister, he too is a kitsune of old, an immortal being, a lower god or goddess one might say. He governs over all that is dark, all that is shadow, all that is of the night, all that is void. From them it is said all races of kitsune, all elements all thirteen originals were born.

Both look to each other, as if having silently judged this new passer unto their grounds. If their verdict is favorable they will call for the Lady herself, if not... well... better not to think about what would happen than.












The Lady is a nature-based oinari and like many of that kind seems to be primarily focused on the environment, plants, animals, and conservation. Judging by the abilities displayed by her, she is particularly heavily-tied to the elements of earth and wood. She has dark green eyes and a matronly figure. Commonly, her hair is shown to be quite long and it is most often shown in dark colors. White wild roses and oak leaves are symbols of her, and are commonly seen symbols on artwork or religious artifacts tied to her.

At their summons appears a bright light from the inner shrine, almost pillowing, flowing out toward the one who waits there. A figure dressed in white, a bridal looking gown covering her from head to foot; stepping with a grace and elegance befitting an angel. Her face is covered with a simple mask of a fox, long flowing white tails slide out from the hem of her skirt. It is impossible to tell of the beauty that lies hidden there beneath that mask, but a gentle kind voice greets. She carefully inspects, getting notes from the two guardians on anything that might need improving on or might be lacking. She is the final obstacle, the judge so to speak of what lies beyond the door that she came through. She has all authority as the highest miko to Inari to make full judgement here and now on the visitor. Of course, if this is anything outside a call to join the shrine, the journey there would have gone faster. After all as a shrine, it has visitors too, offerings, services like: blessings, naming ceremonies, and anything else that can be offered at other lower shrines that have all been built some way or another in its image; at least to the best of its oinari's and caretakers, depends on their status, their visitors, their income and so on. Every shrine dedicated to Inari is slightly different, slightly unique, yet all similar and almost the same. The Lady's shrine is by far the largest, reaching well into the other world, beyond what the physical senses.

She circles and judges those who have come to join, taking her time; weighing in all the factors. It is said she can hear from Inari herself, without having to travel back and forth between the worlds; but clearly from how she entered in, she does not live on the material plane most of the time. Her days spent servicing directly to Inari at the heavenly shrine beyond. Based on her judgement she can give many different symbols, blessings and powers to the traveler. Each marking comes with obligations, tasks, duties; and anything fitting of that status, like rank, power and so on. The higher the judgement the more likely it is that one might be allowed beyond, beyond that court and into the its heavenly counterpart.



The head priestess has been seen on several occasions to offer a blessing of protection, most commonly to children. (However, there have been indications that adults born outside of these lands may also ask for and receive this ritual.) The ceremony to do this is apparently simple, with the priestess drawing a counter-clockwise circle on the forehead of one being blessed with her right thumb, and speaking the words "Inari, watch over this child, and keep her safe in the boundaries of your heart. Remember her, and come to her aid when needed." This incantation and gesture have always been accompanied by a brief glow of green magic that traces the path of the counterclockwise circle, than lingers for a few seconds.

The intended purpose of this ceremony is both as something of an initiation into the native shrine, but primarily, it seems to serve as a magical mark of citizenship as a permanent member to Inari's clan.

While presumably there are other ceremonies and rituals associated with The Lady, these so far all seem to be confined to the presence of other initiates or, at the least, not been performed in front of a wide public. Certainly, much of what has been seen so far indicates that the shrine acts primarily in a protective capacity, both of the environment and people, and that most celebratory and personal rituals are centered around the other deities.

Anything ranging from Guardian or above might get the chance to venture beyond; whether it be for special training to be able to properly serve that post, or to visit with Inari herself, or any of the heavenly realms, the choice is there. Of course those deemed worthy of Oinari will be moved unto that next stage, as it is impossible to train in the earthly realms for that task.

The path beyond the door is almost like being at the beginning again, but this time shorter and to the point, passing up the staircase and through the sacred torii. Only this time no powers will be removed, nothing is changed; one can proceed as is or change into whatever form they may have had prior to trying to climb those first earthly steps.

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Only this time one will be greeted along the way, instead of all kinds of outside forces to test or try to lead the traveler astray, a gathering of kitsune sprites and spirits lead the way, all of the purest of whites. There is no possible way to get lost here, to get turned around, to be lead anywhere but the set destination ahead. There is a certain peace and serenity here, a quietness, a calm; as if the world from where one traveled has all but ceased to exist and only these almost ghostly entities and oneself remain.



A wondrous scent fills the air as the temple comes into sight, even larger and grander than the Lady's below back on the earthly plane. It almost feels like it could stretch out forever, and its entrance towers high into the skies as if not meant for small mortal creatures. Still there is a warm welcoming light beckoning one further in, and into the celestial courts within.

The cradle lily is one of the most well-known examples of the flora and fauna native to here, and is one of the things most closely associated with it in the outside world. It tends to grow in areas with large amounts of other species of lily flowers, though it rarely grows near other cradle lilies, and it can be found anywhere these conditions are met. The flowers of the plant will grow a few centimeters above the tips of other lilies surrounding it.

Unlike many of the other plants which grow in here, the defining characteristic of the cradle lily lies in its appearance rather than a specific peculiar trait. Although the stem and roots share the same appearance as other lilies, they are somewhat thicker to support the largeness of the flowers themselves. Each cradle lily flower is made from three sepals, which are usually completely blocked from view by the largeness of the white, purple, and orange petals. The overlapping petals of the flower are arranged around the flower according to their size, which ranges greatly from the wideness of the white petals to the narrow strips of the orange. The popular depiction of the flower places an orange petal, slightly larger than the other two, at the top of the flower, with a large white one on either side. At the bottom of the flower are the other two orange petals, which are so thin that they are often mistaken for having been one petal split in half. A narrow paintbrush stroke of white is present on the largest orange petal, tapering off at the end, and each of the white petals has a purple design of curves which resembles a water fountain. Each of the petals curls until it is pointing to the place in the sky at which the plant receives the most sunlight. The shape of the flower often results in its collection of small amounts of water within, below which is a yellow center.


The large shrine awaits, filled with many different areas; including training grounds and branching off further and further and further, possibly housing an untold number of servants, messengers, mikos, guardians and others still. This is the vast vast world of the otherside, and only one of a number of heavenly shrines and lands that lie here.

The Temple grounds consist of the main temple, a library used as a school secondary to the library within the Great Temple, a set of dormitories for the priestesses, a hospital, and a small barn and farm. To the north of the Great Temple stand the grounds used for the Centennial Gathering.













The guardians here tower in size, making one feel miniscule in comparison, still they are not threatening and are seemingly guided or maybe even guarded themselves by many mimi's, anthros, ferals, and many other mixtures; all seemingly waiting. They are patient, kind, loving even; acting as if part of ones very family; making sure to lead right into the inner court; with how large the place is, it would not be hard to take a wrong turn and be lost and possibly going down some unknown street into unknown lands or territories. For here lie all the heavens, connected and intertwined in one giant world; layering together with vast planes, and far reaching breath taking landscapes. Physics as it is known is not part of this world, things can exist floating in mid air, traveling under water; and both good and bad places lurk in this spiritual place. Each to their own regions and sections of land, all separated and properly balanced, and functioning; but that's not to say they have always been such, or always are such.













Here a different miko greets you, she is clearly not the Lady, for now there is no mask, no white dress, no tails. For all appearance purposes she seems human. Long flowing black hair and a silken celestial courts like dress, with blue eyes. She leads ahead down a path the others don't follow, a lovely path laid running down the center of a large body of water. The waters are clear, tranquil, glistening; large koi swim about with leisure, as lovely song birds flutter above.

The path is laid with etchings along its sides, drawings on each carved out platform, all seemingly floating along the water despite being some form of marble or granite. Lovely blue water lilies float along the water's surface; and out to the side sits Inari's garden.

The immediate focal point of the temple as one comes up the entrance hallway is Inari's Garden, and the reason for the open roof design of the temple. An immense oak tree rises from a mound at the center, up through the opening and branching out in a wide shading umbrella of leaves. Gnarled roots tangle around and over large boulders and hold the oak into the ground, the roots reaching out into the wide circle of the temple, toward and down each of the hallways through grooves in the stone floor. Multitude of birdsong rings out from the oak, a rainbow of color from all of the birds that nest and flock through the tree, and make home within it’s roots.

Around the base of the oak, wild roses nestle within and climb about the oak roots, their white color a soft brightness amid the green mosses and grass that grows under the tree. Small pools of water lay within some of the smoothly curved stones and in small ponds hidden within the roots, a few waterfalling into each other and forming small streams that disappear below stones. There is no formal altar, but between a small circle of boulders lies a clearing easily accessible from the walkway around the garden, the clearing obviously the altar of the garden. Candles rest on each of the boulders, ages of wax dripping down the stones. Small vases of flowers and bundles of offerings are tucked into the spaces between the boulders and in the roots within reach from the clearing.







She leads out into that garden, to a very large groove, where there are anthro mikos dancing beneath a large tree; with an even larger still, kitsune beside them. Though she can take many forms, this is the one she is best known for; a size that even makes the oversized guardians look like grasshoppers in comparison. It is no wonder she is said to be ridden by other gods or goddesses at times; but from how the mikos are entertaining her, it is not hard to gather that she is Inari.

Inari is the Japanese kami of foxes, of fertility, rice, tea and sake, of agriculture and industry, of general prosperity and worldly success, and one of the principal kami of Shinto. Her stories tell that Inari can also appear in the form of a snake or dragon, and one tale has Inari appear to a wicked man in the shape of a monstrous spider as a way of teaching him a lesson; as well as a young beautiful women with long flowing hair. Some take Inari to be identical to any grain kami.

The queen, the goddess of the harvest herself. She can further gauge any potential or personal desires she might have for the future; and will answer and questions and give any advice she feels is potent at this time. After all there are things that are best learned, not just told, and things that only make sense after trails and errors. The path to being a lower god or goddess and oinari; or even should one take the path to try to become an all mighty being like her, all options are open here, all things can be explored. But the trails ahead a great and plentiful; however time flows differently here. It is said hundreds of years can easily slip by in only a few months here; so it is best to plan out ones stay.






















Time to step into the realm beyond the shrine, out into that world that awaits for the spirits, the gods and goddesses, and demons alike; that huge unknown place that one can shop, live, and even die at if not careful.


After all not everything here is immortal, only the gods and goddesses and certain guardians have been granted that; it is not something given unto everyone, and certainly not typically given to oinari.


So be careful, and venture with care; for the future is what awaits.

Kexl's travels lead him to a shrine deep in the mountains, where he met Aysha Willow, a young forest kitsune who saw potential in the young lost Kexl. Kexl reminded him much of a young couple who had once lived on the opposite side of the mountain. Both were prosperous shrines at one time; with the young couples having once been bigger and larger; as they had been seemingly guarding and taking care of it for generations. When the time came for them to have kits they left, but never returned.

After spending time with the kitsune, Aysha soon realized that Kexl was one of their kits having somehow unknowningly found his way to a home he had never been to; back to their ancestral homelands, that shrine where they had been guarding generation after generation. It was unclear if it had been his father's duty alone and married his mother and both went there, or if they had both started there and fell in love; because honestly Kexl didn't know his own parents meeting story. Regardless they traveled to the forgotten abandoned shrine on the otherside.



It was old, decrepit, falling apart; even the old stairs were cracked. The torii torn in half, it wasn't hard to see that place had been abandoned hundreds of years. Matching his age perfectly. As a mountain kitsune, Kexl was considered old, as they typically lived to 200 at best, and five typically was the max amount of tails they could have. Despite popular belief, it wasn't actually common for all breeds of kitsune to make it to 1000 or even nine tails; and brown being one of the more common had slowly gotten shorter and shorter life spans over the years since their original ancestor who probably was a nine tail as all the original thirteen were supposedly... It was an inevitable fact among the colors that got the lesser more dangerous roles. Eventually the genetics changed, expecting shorter lives due to the danger, they grew their tails out faster; and their powers may or may not be equally as strong as someone who actually took the 500 years to grow 5 tails.

Still, regardless it was a sad sight to see, an old abandoned shrine, tattered, torn, falling quite literally apart at the seams. The guardian posts his parents probably once sat on, nothing but a pile of rocks. Than suddenly out of no where came buzzing sounds, orange little flame like entities called sprites rushed over to him; despite seeming like flames they had tails, and than orange bolting flashing spirits that looked more like ghost foxes. Kexl squeaked as they all seemingly gathered about him, likely sensing and smelling his parents blood in him.

Gathering them up all back to Aysha's still working shrine, they needed to figure out a way to get his shrine back. The only way to do this was to head over to the Lady's shrine. Though Kexl had been born at the bottom of its mountain, it didn't mean he had any idea how to get there; actually he shouldn't have almost coincidentally found his parents old shrine either.

[flicking soon]

[floating soon]

[growling soon]

Kexl was born in a large open plain with his two brothers and one sister, he was the runt of the litter, and not expected to live past his first year or two; which for a kitsune is about 14 human years. Still, his parents did their best to rise and love him well.

Kexl was born into a family of guardian kitsunes, and as per tradition they had moved into Yuriban to be near the Lady's shrine for the blessing, birth and marking of the kits around their first or second year of life. It was usually up to the Lady to chose the successor to the name of guardian, but likely all kits would be given the chance to train in their powers for other possible positions later. Most training would be done within Underhill, or other likely locations near the God's Shrines and not the human shrines of earth.

Kexl always had trouble keeping up with his brothers and sister, and was the worst when it came time to chase the bunnies. They never managed to catch any, but Kexl always seemed to lose them in their den. Jerik, Kexl's father was the one who was the higher of the guardians for their shrine back in the human realm; and as such was the one who would report, protect, offer prayers and other such duties as needed for the shrine. Given that the Lady's shrine is connected to all shrines, he'd be able to keep in contact and check up on it during their long absence there (remember 2 kitsune years is 14 humans years, so they have to wait till the kits are at least 2 years old to start leaving, plus any time already spent getting there).

Kexl was always good at finding his mother and father when both were down in the field, even if not so good with his siblings or the other occupants of that same field. As such he was the first and the only of his siblings to notice his father going up into the Lady's shrine at the top of the mountain nearby. As such he started trying to follow his father; Jerik did manage to notice him the first couple times; but failed to notice him every time. Kexl often not only got up unto the stairs that were much larger than himself (as he could not yet transform), but he managed to get more than half-way up; even to the top on more than one occasion. This would be considerably rare, as the Lady's shrine is protected by a mysterious mist, said to be enchanted with faeries and sprites that lead all who aren't already marked, or have ill-intentions to their death. Any kit not guided or carried by their parents to the top, would have likely met a similar fate. Since Kexl did not, it could only mean one thing. Inari had chosen him to take his father's place one day; and the Lady knew this, and gave him a marking early. Jerik expecting a short life for Kexl, Jerik was surprised to find Kexl on the steps on his way down, Kexl likely having rushed down faster. He knew with where Kexl was on the steps that his runt had been chosen over the stronger kits.

It wasn't long after that Yuriban was invaded by kitsune hunters; looking for the magical tails, and any other trinkets they could get like those lovely shiny pelts. It wasn't fully unusual for humans to find there way into Underhill as some did live there with the magical creatures; but some also came in from outside as Jerik and Allera (Kexl's mother) had. While Jerik was away at the Lady's shrine, perhaps trying to get her to reconsider the kit choice; these men attacked. Knowing well the magic of the kitsune, they instead set traps, lures and light the whole of the forest and field aflame. Given it was late summer by this time; a whole four months since the kits had been born; it lite quickly and spread fast. Trapping Allera and the kits. Jerik would manage to see the fire and smoke. Likely the hunters knew he was away, and had been waiting for him.

The shots of guns were fired, Kexl's family passing out from the smoke filling their longs, or already shot by the guns. He had managed to wriggle out, only for his mother to say "Run Kexl, Run! Save yourself!" She could see the other kits were already out, or almost fully there, struggling but not going to make it. She knew Jerik was dead, as she could see the men loading his corpse unto a truck they had pulled in at some point. She would be next, and could only cry out for Kexl "Leave!"

Somehow he staggered away, far enough away for the smoke to not get him, but not far enough to not see as his mother and three siblings were shot and loaded unto the truck. Kexl collapsed again, somehow the hunters didn't notice him, or perhaps thought he had been burn from the flames, as he had been rather close to a fallen tree that was aflame, and decided to leave.

Kexl would wander the woods alone... for years to come; about 49 human years, only 7 years as far as he knows. Kexl being a rather small fox, already with 5 tails at this time, is quite able to transform into just about any feral canine he can think of; including that of a wolf pup.
Having no idea what else to do, Kexl decides to try to squeeze into the life of a loving wolf pack he comes across. He had seen them recently pick up two to three pups that weren't their own pups. Though Kexl wasn't quite sure how those pups had lost their parents, he went ahead with his story of the fire; it was true, though it was many many years ago. They easily excepted him in, and for a time he was happy there. They even tried to teach him to hunt. Now Kexl could catch mice, rabbits, and most smaller game. But he was a bit more unfamiliar with larger game; and how to go about catching them. Which made him a rather silly creature trying to chase down a small deer; he never did catch it.

"Look what you did, our dinner got away," his adoptive brother's whined, making him give a whimper. He had tried, really he had. But even if he transformed to his larger form, he wasn't sure he would have been able to catch it. And that would have made it obvious... that he was no wolf.

Kexl had learned early on that using his kitsune powers carelessly could get him caught, killed, or ... well he wasn't sure what else; but he had seen foxes that didn't move anymore... yet looked alive. Kexl had learned not to trust or like humans.

His new family was good to him, as good as any family could be, and they lived together for about 1-2 years; maybe less. Before Kexl caught a familiar scent in the woods. He knew that scent well, and was quick to dart into a small collection of fallen tree branches the alpha and beta had gathered for the pups to hide in when it rained. Almost as soon as he was under the branches did the smoke start to rise and pile in from all sides of the den; they were all trapped inside the den. It seemed man was in the forest again... they killed his family again. He never knew why, just that he had gotten trapped under one of the larger branches when it fell and again they assumed him dead. Seemed they wanted more to kill the creatures themselves than to take something that had gotten killed before they could kill it.

Kexl ended up alone again... for another 7 long years, making for a total of 98 years; to him being only 14. Vowing never to trust humans again... if anything he was even uncertain of any two-legged creatures.

Kexl has met many people since than, and has discovered new things, places and skills.