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I Awoke From a Dream of a Fox

Christoff remarked that though she was a being far older than he was in years, in terms of experience it seemed he had lived lifetimes more than she had. There was much he wished to correct her on, to guide her to the right wisdom, but they would have been there all day, and they truly did need to get moving. Even so, when she spoke of learning to use a sword, he shut his eyes just for a moment to think.

It could be fun... the words echoed in his head.

No, it wouldn't, he thought. Oh, Aria, the ways I wish I could tell you it wouldn't. I desperately hope... that you never have to wield a sword. That you never need use your flames to kill again. For if you are anything like me... the taste of killing has grown too bitter in your mouth to swallow any longer. Even against those that deserve it...

"Perhaps it is fated," he said, smiling softly. "I don't know that you could teach me magic. It would be great for lighting a fire on a cold night, though..."

With that, he turned and faced the mouth of the cave. It was time to go.

***
​
The journey to a town took longer than expected. For many nights the two wandered the forest, as Christoff had suggested they avoid the closest town on account of the soldiers who had chased Aria in the first place likely calling that town home. The weather was blessedly calm, and the terrain forgiving, giving them a stable path through the winter snow and cold, while the game was abundant enough to keep them both fed by a fire each night. Along the way, Christoff told Aria of his homeland: Aachen, a free city in the Holy Roman Empire, of which he was a knight of a king in name only. In truth, he was retainer to a merchant-king, the governor of the large city and its surrounding farmland. The city was a fortress, owing to its perilously close position to the French border, which meant he constantly lived in fear of attacks from French armies. Thankfully, the English had kept the French busy for most of his life, he explained, meaning much of Christoff's life had been lived in peace. Most of it. But not all. Christoff had been sent to fight in a holy war against the invading Turkish people to defend the Eastern Roman Empire, where he had killed many men, and watched many more die.

He saved the worst of it for himself, however. His hands were unclean. His conscience was worse. And Aria didn't need to know why he'd been so eager to protect and serve her. Better for her to think he was a noble knight, he thought, rather than a coward and a failure.

At last, their journey seemed to come to an end when they spotted a small town on the horizon. Being the first town Christoff had ever seen in this strange new land, he was taken aback by the difference in architecture, but many of the sights were similar as well: people huddled around fires, eating soup and keeping each other warm with company. As they grew closer to the town, Christoff couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness that Aria was unable to experience such company anymore: not just the company of one, but of a whole community. At last, they were but a minute away from entering the town, at which point he turned to Aria, his hood already over him.

"Are you alright?" he asked, finally. "All we need to do is go in, purchase the supplies with some of my gear, then leave. It'll take maybe ten minutes. I'm ready when you are."
 
Christoff watched with some amazement as Aria turned into a more humanlike form before his very eyes with just a whispered spell and a few hand gestures. The people of his homeland would have called it unnatural; he, however, found it fascinating.

"You look quite convincing," he said. When she offered her hand, he took it, then led her to wrap her arm around his in the way the was common of the nobility of his people. "And it fits quite well: we could look as man and wife, and no one might think to question us, even if I do stick out a bit... Anyway, we should be swift. I have a few things in my pack we can trade for some food and coin, I should think: a hammer for repairing my armor, rope and cord for tying things, some thread and a needle for stitching... whatever it takes. I'll sell my armor if need be. Anything but the sword..." He looked ahead as he said this, growing a mischievous grin. "Anyway, shall we, my darling wife?"

With that he began leading them into the town. It was easy enough to find a few farmers who had brought their food to market, and Christoff turned to Aria when he wasn't sure about which vegetables and fruits they might want to take. Many merchants were in town on account of a winter festival that was to take place that evening. He traded a great deal for some salted meat, and found that with all of his extra equipment he would normally need for a campaign that he was able to gather a sizable amount of coin in addition to their food, which he gladly pocketed in a new small pouch he purchased alongside some sacks to carry their food. Trading took the better part of the day, and as things were beginning to wind down with the setting sun, Christoff thought back to what Aria had said about getting a room at an inn.

"I think it's about time we should be getting that room—" he started to say, but as he did so, he was interrupted by an awful sight: a young woman who was being harassed and kicked around by a group of thugs, who the rest of the town seemed too terrified to do anything about. From where they were standing, Christoff could hear something about a debt and 'carving the price out of her hide,' but the reason mattered very little to Christoff. These men were evil, he thought, and though he was a foreigner, he knew what was about to happen to this woman and could not stand idly by.

"Aria," he said, turning to his companion briefly. "We have to do something." He looked back to the group and nodded, letting go of Aria's hand, which then moved immediately to his sword. He waited—just for a moment—but then stepped forward, drawing his sword from its scabbard with grim purpose. A few more steps and the men who were attacking the woman noticed him, and though Christoff may have carried a strange sword and wore strange armor, the message was clear: this day would end in blood. Christoff said a small prayer to God in his head:

Lord, if it is your will, protect me as I defend the weak, and guide my blade into the hearts of the wicked men before me...

One man drew a knife and rushed Christoff as he finished his prayer. Effortlessly, as the man attempted to plunge the dagger into Christoff's neck, the knight flashed his blade in an uppercut, severing the man's hand about halfway down his forearm, leaving only a bloody, spurting stump in its place. As the man squealed, falling to the ground in terror, the rest of his friends stepped forward to avenge their brother. Christoff flicked his sword, the blood spattering onto the dirt nearby. He then took one reluctant step backwards, prostrating the sword before him in a defensive posture. He said nothing, but his eyes beckoned his foes to come and taste his steel...
 
Christoff blinked twice when Aria told the men to stop. At first, he thought it was foolish that anyone would attempt to simply persuade such men to stop fighting, and when she mentioned that the debt had already been paid, he thought the kitsune had gone insane. In a moment, however, a single thought entered his mind: magic. This must have been the power available to Aria when she was rested, and it was a fearsome power indeed to witness. The thugs began to disperse, including the man who was now missing a hand, who ran away screaming and holding on to what remained of his arm. One man remained, however: the leader of the thugs, who approached the young woman.

"I don't know how you convinced all my men to leave, but business here isn't settled," the brute said. He was tall, muscular, and was missing a few teeth as he grinned devilishly. "This girl's going to pay. And when she does, I'll come for you next..."

Christoff took a few steps forward, stopping when the thug pulled out a knife, pointing it at the young woman's neck. Christoff clenched his sword in his hands, trembling slightly. "You're a coward," the knight said. "You'd kill an innocent girl just to make a point. Men like you make me sick! I'll cut you in two if you lay a finger on her. Wicked men like you have no right to live."

The last sentence caught the thug's attention. "No right to live?" he repeated. "You're one of those high-and-mighty types, aren't you? You know who gets to decide who has the right to live?" The thug plunged the dagger into the young woman's shoulder, throwing her to the ground as her kimono was stained with blood. "The strongest men, that's who. There are no right and wrong men. Only strong, and weak."

"You're wrong," Christoff said, taking a few steps forward, his eyes burning with rage. "The strong protect the weak. And the good must pull up the wicked by the root, like a weed..."

The thug leader scoffed. "Yeah, right," he said. "If you're so strong, why couldn't you protect her just now?" He kicked the girl in the ribs, hard enough to fracture them. "If I'm so evil, then why don't you stop me?"

Christoff had heard enough. He lunged forward with his sword, but was surprised when he was met with a parry from a wakizashi the man had been concealing. Christoff was certain he could win, but as the two began trading blows, his mind began to flood with memories of that terrible day that so very recently happened. He remembered the sight of the smoke, and the smell of the burning bodies the raiders had left behind. He felt the reins of his horse in his hands again, desperately riding to find the one he'd been searching for among those who had been massacred in the village. At last, he remembered walking into that little house and seeing her, the woman he'd been courting, taking on horseback rides, and having sex with in secret. A spear had been thrust into her chest, blood staining her dress much like the kimono of the young woman who now lay on the ground. Her face had been slashed, and when Christoff had arrived, she was already dead, robbing him even of the chance to say goodbye.

Madeline, he thought, as tears welled in his eyes. He'd been distracted long enough that he missed a swing of his sword, which the thug followed by slashing him across the chest. His tabard was cut in half, his chainmail protecting him from the blow otherwise. The thug's fist then hit Christoff in the face, sending the knight stumbling backwards and clutching his now tear-stricken face.

"That's what I thought," the thug said. "Crying like a little girl during a fight! You really are pathetic," he said, as he started walking forward to deliver a killing blow to the knight whose mind was still trapped in the past...
 
Seeing Aria catch the blade with her hands again woke Christoff from his trance, as he clutched his sword more tightly again. She couldn't keep doing this, he thought, as one time her hands would surely be cut off, or hacked to the very bone. In fact, he watched her begin to heat up the sword as she had with the soldiers from when they had met, but the thug was much larger than those men, and a grim realization dawned on Christoff: he might push through her hands and possibly even kill her. He couldn't allow that to happen. Not again. Christoff's feet heeded his command, as he charged forward at the thug, sword in both hands. Just as the thug was about to pull the sword back and swing, Christoff arrived and plunged his blade into the man's heart, causing the thug to drop the sword where he stood. Christoff withdrew the blade quickly, pushing Aria back as the thug fell to the ground, his blood spurting and pooling beneath him. Christoff's breaths were heavy and fast now, but even so, satisfied that the man was finally dead, he turned to Aria.

"Aria," he said, looking at her, as well as her hands which were once again bloody. Other than that, however, she seemed quite fine. "Thank God you're okay..."

Christoff suddenly wrapped his arms around Aria, no longer caring about the disguise or any of the people who were now watching, including the young woman still reeling on the ground. He pulled her in tightly for an embrace, squeezing her firmly and desperately, as if she were about to disappear into the wind forever. Once he'd held her for a few moments, he pulled his head back, his arms still around her waist. Suddenly, his eyes met hers; they were close now, perilously so. Their faces couldn't have been more than a few inches apart. Overcome with the moment, entranced by the beauty of his fox-like companion, and seeing in her eyes echoes of the woman he had loved so fiercely before, Christoff leaned in and kissed Aria, firmly yet warmly, long enough to taste her lips just a little before he pulled his head back. As he did so, his eyes widened, and he turned suddenly to the woman still on the ground.

"The girl!" Christoff called out. He looked back to Aria. "Aria, is there anything you can do? If we can help her, we have to..."
 
Christoff was quick to take the faltering kitsune into his arms to support her. Now able to compose herself again, the young woman on the ground was quick to sit up, seeing the concern in the knight's eyes.

"My grandfather is a healer," she said, simply. She was still clutching the former wound when she stood up. "I can take you to him, and he can help your... friend..."

It was hardly a moment to be concerned with appearances. He knew he looked strange, and while Aria didn't, he suspected she wouldn't be able to maintain the illusion very soon. And if anyone tried to harm her, his sword arm yet had its strength.

"Take us to him," he said, simply. The gathered crowd watched as they departed the scene, leaving behind the dead body of the gang leader who had stopped them. It would thankfully only be a few minutes before Christoff was able to take Aria across town. Along the way, the two exchanged names, and Christoff learned that the girl's name was Suzume. Her grandfather, Hajime, lived in a small home nearer to the edge of town, for which the knight was hopeful that there would not be too many prying eyes so far away from the town's center. During their hurry, he held Aria close to his shoulder, once again remarking upon how light she felt.

Especially compared to her, he thought, fighting the painful memories once more.

When at last they arrived, Suzume quickly opened the door to the small hut, where a well-aged man sat stirring a pot in the middle of his floor. He flicked his head to see who was at the door, his eyes widening at the sight of them.

"Grandpa, this woman needs your help," Suzume said, her chest heaving with heavy breaths after the run.

The old man grumbled, looking back to his pot and stroking the wisp of a beard on his chin. "Mm... no, I get a bad feeling from this bunch. The spirits—oh, Suzume! The blood on your dress!"

"They saved my life, Grandpa," she said, angrily. She flicked off her sandals and walked into the room. Christoff watched the exchange with a tense curiosity. "But that woman was injured in doing so. Please, you have to help her. I owe her and this strange man my life."

The old man turned, bowing before the knight and the fox. "Please, forgive my impudence," he said. "For saving my granddaughter, I will do what I can to help you in kind. Please, come in, and let me tend to your wounds."

Christoff caught his breath, but then nodded. "Thank you," he said. He then let Aria down, worried that by now the illusion had worn off, and the old man's words would not be kind any longer. His hand tentatively, reflexively reached for his sword just in case...
 
"Why do you—" the old man started to say, but was cut off by the sight of Aria's foxlike features returning. His eyes widened, as did Suzume's, who even began to back up into the wall.

"An evil spirit!" Suzume said, shocked.

Christophe stepped forward, hand firmly gripping his sword by now.

"Silence, Suzume!" Hajime called out. He looked more seriously at Aria now. "Just a moment ago you were telling me this woman saved your life, were you not? She has the mark of her deeds upon her very hands: they are stained with blood on your account, to stop the man who hurt you. Furthermore..." he closed his eyes, heaving a sigh. "You should know one of the ancient spirits when you see them, foolish child. I will not allow you to disrespect them, and our traditions. The festival tonight is even held in their honor. You really have shamed yourself, Suzume..."

The young woman covered her mouth as she ran into the other room, slamming the sliding door behind her. Once she was gone, Christophe spoke again.

"You didn't need to be so hard on her," he said. "She was just beaten within an inch of her life, and something worse might have happened had we not intervened..."

"You, too are a disrespectful young man, though not as much," Hajime said. "Perhaps more foolish, too. Not many would accept her as she is."

"Even so, I cannot heal her," Christophe said. Thinking on his toes, he added: "In my land, I am a knight: a warrior of noble status. Even so, I humble myself in your presence by asking for your aid in such a situation as this..." Christophe knelt on one knee, bowing his head.

Hajime scoffed, stroking his wispy beard. "Hm... now that is a rare thing indeed," he said. "Very well, I will help your friend. The wounds are thankfully not that deep," he said, by now having pulled Aria closer to him and examining the deep cuts in her hands. "But where was your sword to block them?"

"It's her... technique, I think," Christophe said. "She catches the blade with her hands, then sets it ablaze, and the man along with it."

"To kill the man with his own anger," Hajime said, fetching some herbs from a pouch and beginning to mix them in a mortar. "It's symbolic: to punish man with his own fury, rather than stain her own hands with the act. She is a wise spirit indeed."

Christophe nodded, though he wasn't much one for philosophy. The revelation of the symbolism had him narrowing his eyes at his companion, whom he found himself somewhat embarrassed that he had underestimated. Was she really an ancient spirit? When he'd held her, Christophe had found that she felt very real, almost human, but now he doubted and found himself instead wondering if he had been disrespectful to her in some great way.

"Well don't just stand there!" Hajime said. "Help me, would you? Get her on that mat, and hold her hands out for me..."

***
​
A few hours would pass while Aria rested, as part of the herbs used contained a slight sedative to allow the kitsune to sleep while her wounds healed. Her hands were bandaged again, and Christophe now slept in the corner of the room, his sword leaning against his shoulder as he quietly snored. Meanwhile, in the center of the room, Suzume was bringing out foodstuffs: rice, salted meats, and more, as well as other supplies like rope, fresh shoes, winter coats, clothes, and twine for sewing those clothes. A small bead of sweat had formed on the young woman's brow from the labor, and Hajime was breathing heavily. At last, Suzume pointed to the kitsune when she noticed that she at last was beginning to wake up...
 
"Sir, please wake up!" Suzume said in a harsh whisper, grabbing the knight by his shoulder and shaking him gently. Christoff's eyes slowly opened, as he leaned forward and took in his surroundings once more. He first saw Suzume, whose expression was two parts excited and concerned, but the reason quickly became clear as to why she had roused him from his slumber. There before him, lying where she had before, he saw that Aria was at last waking up again, and Christoff hurried across the room to get to her, falling to his knees by her side. His heart sank when he heard her calling out for help, and so he quickly pulled her back into his arms, cradling her and allowing her to rest against his shoulder.

"You're awake!" Christoff said, smiling. "Oh, thank the heavens, you're awake. I was so worried..."

He hugged her tightly from her resting position, then eased his embrace and looked directly into her eyes.

"You've got to find some other way to fight that doesn't involve catching swords," he teased. "Thankfully, Hajime and I were able to treat your wounds again, and it looks like you've recovered, at least..."

Hajime nodded. "Yes, she's awake, which is good, but I'd recommend she rest a few days to recuperate after such grievous injuries. The local Daimyo's men might not think so, but I at least respect the old spirits and legends, and you are both welcome to stay here while she recovers." Raising an eyebrow at the sight of Christoff holding Aria so closely in his arms, he added: "In separate rooms, of course."

Christoff nodded. The offer was more than fair. "Yes, of course, thank you," he said.

"When you do decide to leave, Suzume and I have gathered some supplies for you to take on your journey, as thanks for saving my granddaughter's life. A good man is still good even if he is foreign, and standing up to that thug in town was a brave thing indeed. Anyway, one more thing: there will be a festival tomorrow night, which I think both of you should attend, for the winter solstice. Plenty of food and good people, and they'll all be wearing costumes as well, meaning Miss Aria might not have to disguise herself. I think the old spirits would look kindly on your attendance. For now, though, it is late, and I need to go and rest my old bones. Your rooms are at the end of the hallway: Christoff's is on the left, Aria's is on the right. Beds and blankets are already prepared for you. Suzume, won't you be a good host to these two and make them something to eat? Anyway, goodnight, you two."

With that, the old man stood up, making his way towards his bedroom, as Suzume nodded and walked into the kitchen, beginning to make a late dinner for Christoff and Aria. Christoff, still holding the kitsune in his arms, looked down to her again.

"How... how are you feeling?" he asked, his smile fading to concern once again. "And do you think we can trust him? Hajime, I mean..."
 
Hearing Aria speak so much made Christoff glad indeed, as his lips curled into a smile for a moment. That would quickly fade, however, as she spoke of the dangers of the day, and asked whether or not he himself was alright or not.

"Yes, I'm fine," he said. "That thug didn't do any lasting damage, thankfully. Even so, I lost my focus for a minute there..."

Christoff shut his eyes, his face illuminated by the small fire in the fireplace in the center of the room that the two now rested by.

"I... suppose I should tell you something," Christoff said. "About me... and why I'm so determined to protect you. Back in my homeland, I was a protector of a small town called Valemoore, among others. Valemoore was one of my Lord's lands, but I would always make special trips there, find reasons to visit. That was because there was a woman there..."

He paused, as he assumed Aria would likely connect the dots and understand what he meant.

"Her name... was Madeline. It is forbidden for a knight to marry a common woman. Madeline was a baker. Yet I loved her, and she loved me. We would find secret places to go and spend time together, and eventually, we began lying with each other. Before long... she was with child."

Christoff jaggedly took in a deep breath as the memories returned to him.

"I still remember waking up to the smoke on the horizon... My horse could not bear me fast enough to Valemoore. By the time I arrived, bandits had already pillaged the town... Madeline was among the dead. I haven't been the same man since... there is an emptiness within me I cannot seem to fill. I am haunted by her memory, in my dreams, and in my waking steps. When that thug attacked, I saw her again, and I lost focus. Anyway..."

Christoff took Aria's hand, not thinking much of it.

"That's why... that's why I have to protect you. I can't let the innocent get hurt if there's something I can still do about it, not if my hands can still find my blade, and I can use it to smite the wicked, and destroy evil. So long as I breathe, I must live to stop what happened to Madeline from happening to anyone again. Especially those I care about..."

He nodded, looking directly at Aria, though by now his eyes were swollen with tears.

"Forgive me," he said. "It is not a seemly thing to weep..."
 
Though he could not bring himself to say so aloud, Christoff would lean into the shoulder of the kitsune for some time, shutting his eyes as he attempted to block out the painful memories which led him to break down and weep in front of this similarly-wounded woman. There was a softness to her, and her words were genuine and comforting, and it seemed strangely appropriate that so many nights ago, he had been the one holding her, but now, she was doing the same for him. If he were ever to have believed in fate, this was the very moment that would make Christoff a believer, and when Suzume announced that dinner was ready, he could hardly tear himself away from Aria.

Dinner would pass somewhat more normally, the knight drying his tears and attempting to engage in "normal" conversation with their host. Eventually, after a good meal and some idle conversation, it would finally be time for sleep, and though the two had been told to take separate bedrooms, Christoff found himself wishing the entire night to have Aria by his side so that the darkness didn't seem quite so foreboding.

When morning at last came again, Christoff awoke with a yawn as he sat up, remarking once again that he was in a strange place, which was a fact that never seemed stop being incredible to him. Even so, he rose, the sunlight peeking through the window of the room. He stood, his many muscles flexing as he stretched in nothing more than his undergarments. Slipping on his simple tunic and leaving behind his armor in a neat pile next to his bed, he opened the sliding door of the room and walked out into Hajime's yard, where he spied the old man tending to a winter garden.

"Good morning, warrior," the old man said.

"The same to you, kind stranger."

"You've caught me at a good time. I've actually got something to show you. But first, I've readied the bath for you so you can clean up the mess from yesterday. Speaking of which, some of the daimyo's men came by earlier this morning asking about the situation, but when I explained that the man you slew was a gang leader, they were happy to leave us alone. Now, go ahead and bathe; I've got some heated water in a tub just past these vegetables."

Christoff nodded a few times, unsure of how to properly thank the old man for his kindness. "I... thank you," Christoff said. Then, he went to the bath in question, which was secluded behind rows of plants and walls, creating natural seclusion. Looking around first, Christoff eventually began to strip, his lighter skin having lost most of its sheen due to the dirt which had accumulated upon it from his time traveling with Aria. Due to the cold, he quickly slipped into the heated water, sighing not only as he felt relief from the cold, but also felt his muscles loosen and relax as he sat down in the water, which in his position went up to his neck.

He closed his eyes, sighing as he at last seemed to be able to calm himself for the first time in what felt like ages. Of course, his thoughts would wander to Aria and how her morning was going by comparison... if she had even woken up yet, he mused.
 
It seemed that just as he began to think of the fox-woman, she was calling out to him. A mixture of emotions washed over him, as he was delighted and also felt his heart flutter at the musical sound of her voice. He leaned his head back, looking through the wooden fence separating them and wondering what things were like for her. More pressingly, he began to wonder what she looked like in nothing but her natural shape: the long tail leading to her shapely butt, the inviting hips and her flat stomach that was interrupted by the gentle mounds on her chest. All of this, in steam, her eyes begging him to come hither. The very thought of it had him aroused instantly, though he was ashamed—after all, she was a kitsune. Sacred to some of these folk, and mysterious to him as well.

"Aria?" He called back. "I don't think we're supposed to be talking at one another through the fence!" He laughed, playfully. "All the same, it gladdens me to hear your voice. Did you sleep well? Did you have any bad dreams? I fear despite how close we slept to one another, that I missed your embrace throughout the night and the comfort of your gentle touch..."

He wondered if he was saying overly much; on the other hand, part of him wished he was saying more. What it meant exactly, he wasn't sure, but he could no longer contain the nearly instinctual feeling that had overcome his heart...
 
Hearing her laughter was sweet music to Christoff's ears, and he couldn't stop himself from smiling as he heard it. "I wish my dreams were as pleasant as your company, Aria. I dreamed..." he said, pausing and frowning slightly. "I dreamed terrible things, as I often do. I dreamed of battles, of death and violence, terrible things that I wish I could keep you safe from for the rest of your days. Is that a strange thing for me to say to you? I do not, that is... I have not known you for long, but I feel we must share some common destiny. That must be why I am here..."

In an attempt to get closer to the kitsune, Christoff half-stood out of the bath, leaning against the thin fence that separated the two baths.

"And what do you think, Aria?" he asked. "Is it just a coincidence that I'm here with you now, or do you think something greater has brought us together? I don't know, but... I will see you through to the end of your journey. I swear it..."

As he said this, however, his weight against the fence caused it to suddenly collapse. Christoff shouted as he suddenly fell forward, his naked form rolling and landing near Aria at the water's edge, the front of his body and his manhood now on full display for her. He was athletic, and certainly not lacking in his natural gifts, but in a second he would realize what just happened. Before he could move, however, his eyes rested on Aria's nude form in the water, where he stared for just long enough to forget where he was, but not long enough that he didn't suddenly sit up, diving for a nearby plant and hiding behind it as he shouted "I'm sorry!" at her.

"I'm so sorry," he said. "Forgive me, I did not mean to look upon your bare form..."
 
Christoff bit his lip, turning away in shame from the kitsune as she removed herself from the water, only deigning to leave once she was fully out of sight. He cursed under his breath at the mistake he'd made, especially considering how close they had been the previous night, now worrying he'd made a terrible mistake he couldn't take back. Even so, he got up again, going back to his side of the wall and taking a towel, drying himself off and eventually returning to his room, clothing himself and then waiting in the dining room for breakfast.

He wondered quietly to himself if Aria would join him or not. In truth, he didn't know just how much he'd truly offended her by falling in. Perhaps she didn't even understand that it had been an accident, that he had tried to look at her naked form intentionally, and the thought made him sick to his stomach. While she was beautiful, it had never been his intention to look upon her in such a way. She was sacred, precious, and it was unchivalrous of him to have done it.

As the old man's daughter walked by, Christoff asked her politely: "Excuse me, have you seen Aria?"
 
Suzume shook her head at Christoff's question. "I have not, mister. Not since you and she were in the bath. By the way... what was that noise earlier? It sounded loud..."

Christoff's face grew as red as a tomato. "U-uh, well, I had a little mishap in the bath," he said. "Nothing to worry about, though, just..."

He heard the door to the house slide open, thanking his luck that he didn't have to continue explaining himself. Unfortunately, it seemed that things were going to get more awkward anyway, as he watched Aria and Hajime step through the door, the old man practically dragging the fox-girl by the arm. Christoff's heart fell into his stomach, pursing his lips as he watched Aria come closer to the dining table. She was just as beautiful dressed, but even the slightest look at her shape had him remembering the flash of a moment when he'd seen her bare. He was ashamed, and yet, he was unable to deny her beauty, either.

"It is good to eat breakfast together," Hajime said. "Suzume, I assume you've made us all something?"

"Yes, grandpa," Suzume said. "I'll return with it shortly."

Suzume walked into the kitchen, returning with bowls full of rice and vegetables. Christoff's nose sniffed the air a few times, still unfamiliar with most of the food in this strange new land and wondering what sort of dish they would be eating this time. The young woman gave everyone at the table a bowl, and Christoff adopted the same sitting posture as everyone else at the table as soon as he noticed he was sticking out. He looked up briefly at Aria again, his cheeks turning pink, but then focused on his food as soon as it was placed in front of him.

Attempting to break the ice, Christoff spoke first. "This looks good," he said, not really knowing what the food was. "It smells good, anyway. In my homeland it is common to pray before eating; is that true here in this land as well?"
 
Christoff found himself laughing along with the rest of the table as Suzume poked fun at Aria for smelling the honey. It made sense that she had such a powerful nose given that she shared so many characteristics with a normal fox, but it was still something he forgot at times. Even so, Christoff was thankful for the food that was in front of him. When at last Suzume herself sat down in front of the table, Hajime would nod, giving a short prayer to the gods and his ancestors in thanks for the food. Christoff bowed his head during the prayer, putting his hands together the way he saw Hajime doing so. At last, the prayer was over, and the breakfast could commence.

Christoff picked up his bowl and chopsticks, looking at them with a puzzled expression. "Forgive me, but..." he said, looking around as the rest of the table began eating. "I'm afraid I don't know how to eat with these. Where I come from, we use these little spear-like things called forks..."

Even so, he wouldn't let that dissuade him from trying. He first tried pinching the two sticks together, scooping out only the tiniest bits of rice at a time, sniffing before finally inserting the sticks partially into his mouth, getting only a small amount. Everyone else seemed to be eating just fine, however, so it was clearly a matter of technique.

"I must admit that I never thought I would have made a foe of cutlery," he said. "But these small eating sticks confound me. What do you call them, anyway? I've never seen their like before. And what are we eating? It is pleasantly soft, and reminds me of bread..."
 
The knight was surprised as Aria suddenly stood up, making her way over to him. He caught a glimpse of her shapely form again as she rose, unintentionally soaking in the sight of her features as she moved herself closer to him, all the way up until she kneeled, leaving him slightly red in the face as his mind remembered what he'd seen in the bath only a short time ago. It was impossible not to see that about her now, and he lamented that it would surely make their interactions going forward much more awkward. Though, that didn't seem to stop her for the time being.

"Chop-sticks," Christoff repeated, though he still had no idea how to use them. He nodded as she explained the type of food they were eating as well. Yet as Aria took his hand in hers, helping him correctly hold the chopsticks, he turned away bashfully. It was enough for a woman to have done that in general, but doubly so for the fox-woman he'd spent days with now, and seen in such an intimate place. Her hands were soft and gentle, and he found himself wanting more of her touch after the first contact.

"Thank you, Aria" he said once she was done showing him how to use the chopsticks. He then attempted to eat from his bowl again, finding it was much easier to eat now. "Thank you!" he said, half-muffled by the food in his mouth. He chewed his bite the rest of the way, swallowing and giving a satisfied 'ahhh' afterward. "If the main dish tastes this good, I can't wait to try dessert!"
 
As the morning light peeked into the room more fully, Christoff caught a glimpse of Aria's features more fully, especially in the moment where they had been so close together. She was undoubtedly beautiful, reminding him of descriptions of angels, or the regal face of a princess, or queen. He felt even more humbled to be in her presence than he already did, especially since he was presently in a position to be receiving her aid. He hoped to return that kindness to her at least twice over, if he had any say in the matter. The rest of the conversation between those gathered at the table made him smile, although he was too busy catching up on the main dish to be able to speak, as he frantically shoveled food into his mouth with the chopsticks.

He finished eating just around the time Aria turned to him and asked him about whether or not they would stay. The matter was complicated, something which made Christoff furrow his brows and suddenly stroke his chin in deep thought, even closing his eyes at one point.

"If there is to be retaliation, I don't know how much help it would be. I think it makes more sense for us to leave sooner, rather than later, once we have gathered an appropriate amount of supplies. If you recall, that was actually why we initially came here to this village; I had hoped to avoid contact with as many as possible considering the men of this land seem to harbor a special hatred for your kind, Aria, and want you dead. And I have sworn myself to protect you, so keeping you away from such violent men is a top priority for me. So I think the real question I would ask you is this: where should we plan to go from here? You said you wished to visit a shrine of your people, did you not? Or is there somewhere else we should go first? I do not know this land, or any landmarks by which we may travel. All I have to offer is my sword, my loyalty, and my honor... I pray that is enough to see this journey through to its end."
 
As Christoff supped upon the sweet dessert of apple and honey, also noting the pleasant way the food was displayed, he pondered on their next course of action. However, as Aria spoke it seemed to become clearer and clearer.

"As much as I hate to leave the safety of these walls, I know this shelter was only ever temporary," he said. He then bowed his head towards their host. "All the same, thank you for harboring us even for this short time, Hajime, Suzume. I hope we will not have caused you too much trouble."

He ate the last of his apple and honey, setting down the small tray and licking the sticky-sweet residue from his lips.

"It will be harder to see at night, but I think leaving at that time is best, yes. It will also give us time to rest before we depart. Then, however, we will make for the shrine. I have no idea how to get home at this point, or if it is even possible. I do not even know where in the world I am! Germany could be a few days, or a few years from here and I would not know. My place now is with Aria, if she will accept me. And if it is her wish to go to her shrine, I pledge my life in service of that wish. So let it be."

Christoff stood up, bowing his head again.

"Thank you again," he said. "We leave at nightfall."

The rest of the day passed peacefully enough. Christoff spent much of his time conversing with Hajime or Suzume, still feeling sheepish about speaking with Aria after the event in the bath. Yet as nightfall finally reached them and the time to leave was upon them, Christoff found her wherever she happened to be, approaching her cautiously and taking a seat next to her.

"It seems as though it is time for us to leave," he said. "It's darker, and colder than I would have liked..." He fidgeted with his hands a little. "Aria... I am sorry for earlier. I have hated this silence between us terribly. If we are going to travel together, I think it would be better if we could make amends, and go back to how things were before."

Christoff smiled at her, outstretching his hand for her to take as a gesture of politeness and sincerity.

"It would wound my heart greatly for you to decline, but I would understand it all the same," he said. "Then the cold in the air would become a cold in my heart, I think. So please, won't you forgive me?"
 
Christoff nodded as Aria made her request. "But of course, I would not touch a even a single hair on your head unless you wished it," he said. "And your word is your bond. I will take you on it, for I trust you as well, and I hope that trust is never tested."

The knight looked ahead of them to the lonely night sky, huffing a breath that turned to frozen vapor in the winter air. Stars reflected in his gentle blue eyes, as he rubbed his hands together idly. He blushed slightly at her mention of the bath again, his hands growing still.

"Take as long as you like," he said. "Though I know not how long we will remain together. In this land, I have no one else but you to turn to. I suppose we are alike in that way, and we must trust each other, or we are both lost. My dreams were no accident; I believe our fates are intertwined now, for ill or good. But I will follow that path with you, to whatever end."

He stood, rolling his shoulders and neck, hopping in place a little. Patting his stomach, he said:

"Let us go to the shrine together now, and see what fate has in store..."

***
​
For two days the two of them traveled together through winding, snowy paths through the woods towards the nearby mountain where Aria's shrine lay. The journey was treacherous, as they plowed through thick snowbanks and crossed icy fields, often needing to rest and start a fire to keep warm. Yet Christoff was resolute, helping Aria whenever she needed it, and taking her help in kind, often when one of them would get stuck in the snow. Yet on the second day they would reach the base of the mountain, where they came across a river, perfectly frozen in the frigid temperature. The surface of the ice was covered in patches of snow here and there, scuffs and scratch marks elsewhere. The ice was thin enough that they could see the bottom of the river, yet thick enough that it seemed they could potentially cross it.

As they reached the bank of the river, Christoff stopped, looking across the river to the forest on the other side, then eventually up to the mountain itself.

"Are you certain this is the way?" he asked, looking side to side. The river seemed to wind on forever in both directions. "Is there perhaps a bridge somewhere we might cross? I fear it might be dangerous to cross here... but if we have no choice..."
 
"Good thinking," Christoff said, as she mentioned going to find another bridge. "That ice looks thin."

She took him by surprise as she tugged on his clothes, but he couldn't help but smile as he saw how eager she was. "Let's rest after we get across the river, not before. Give ourselves some time to collect ourselves before we get to the shrine."

The knight followed the fox carefully down the water's edge, occasionally looking over to peer through the ice and wondering what the river must have looked like when it was flowing. He hadn't been in this land long at all, and wondered if it was always so cold. Yet before long they would reach the small decaying bridge across the water, which didn't fill him with much confidence compared to just walking over the ice itself. Still, it might have been the only bridge around, for all they knew.

"It'll have to be," he said. "We're going to your shrine, and this river won't stop us."

With that, Christoff stepped up to the bridge, feeling the wood bounce a little as he took the first step. It seemed sound enough, at least for the time being.

"I'll go first," he said. "Let's watch our step..."

The knight was careful, walking step by step along the wooden steps of the bridge. He felt each plank give a little under his weight, but the bridge seemed to be holding. That was, until Christoff reached a rotted plank in the middle. He stepped forward, the wood cracking and shattering beneath him, and suddenly he found himself plummeting a short distance to the water below, his weight and the distance of the fall easily shattering the ice beneath. The cold was a shock to his system, immediately feeling the life be drained from his body. He gained his senses a moment later, breaching the water's surface and gasping for air.

"I'll meet you on the other side!" he shouted, as he began swimming through the cracked ice. The water itself felt like it was trying to drag him down into its frigid depths, but as Christoff thought of Aria being alone without him, he summoned the will to finally break onto the surface of the ice again, scrambling to his feet and running as the ice cracked beneath his bootsteps, until finally he jumped across the water's edge to the snowy shore, where by now the cold was taking its toll. He stumbled over to a tree, where he immediately sat down, panting.

"Aria," he called out, weakly. "Oh, Aria, I think I made a mistake..."
 
Try as he might, Christoff struggled to push himself through the frigid water. The cold sapped his strength from his body, weakening the normally strong knight until he could barely move his limbs, fear setting in as the ice continued to crack and break despite his attempts to climb onto it. He was about to give up entirely when at last he noticed that Aria had come in after him; adrenaline pumped through his veins, burning enough of a fire to keep him alive until at last Aria reached him, at which point he allowed her, apparently not as affected by the cold water, to pull him to safety.

He was panting weak breaths as the two of them finally made it ashore, his heart sinking as he realized they still had a world of snow and ice to contend with, and with the worry that the sun would soon set and the world would become even colder. The knight shivered violently as he struggled to his feet, eventually giving up on the endeavor as he made his way over to a tree. His skin was becoming pale, icicles forming in places where water had dripped off of him.

"F-f-fire," he said, weakly, teeth chattering from how violently he was shivering, tucking his hands into his armpits. "N-not going to m-m-make it..."
 
Christoff's vision blurred and refocused as he curled into himself by the tree, shivering terribly as he watched Aria desperately run into the snow in search of sticks. He could hardly believe his fading eyes as he watched her, the fox-woman who must have been no more than half his size and weight fight against the cold. It should have inspired him, but the frigid temperature had taken away his energy and will to keep fighting alike. They had struggled through the countryside for some time now, and all he wanted to do after so many days of not having a warm fire and a shelter save for their time at Hajime's was finally find a real bed to sleep in again, that he could call his own. And he wished the same for Aria as well.

He was beginning to lose consciousness when Aria suddenly sparked a massive fire before his very eyes; the flame awoke him from that never-ending sleep lurking just beneath the surface, as he recoiled against the tree he was leaning against. Clenching his teeth, he mustered the will to crawl forward, losing his mind for a moment as he desperately crawled closer to the newborn fire, only inches away as he felt the heat radiate from the burning logs. His breaths came in slow at first, but as the warmth spread throughout his face, then to his body, he began to regain control of his muscles again.

I can't die, he thought. No, not yet...

Mustering the strength to get on his knees, he began stripping much of his armor and clothes, setting them by the fire until he was in nothing more than a tunic and his undergarments, kneeling in front of the blaze. He intentionally breathed harshly, sucking in huge gasps of air before exhaling them jaggedly, holding his hands as close to the fire as he could without getting burned and exhaling large clouds of frozen vapor. A minute later, he would regain his senses, feeling warm enough to be alive again. Only now, a new terror gripped him...

"Aria!!" he called out, looking around frantically. "Where are you?!"
 
"Aria," he said, turning to look at her. She was freezing, too, evidenced in the way she shivered like a trembling leaf. His face was a mixture of orange and pale white now, the glow of the fire almost seeming to thaw him out. Color was slowly returning to his features, and his own shivering was beginning to fade. He felt the very warmth of life itself beginning to radiate through his aching body, seeping through to his very bones.

"Next to me," he said, nodding. "I believe it is warmest in this spot."

Suspecting she might be hesitant given her panic, his face grew more stern, although only because he was becoming serious.

"The fire is warm enough. It will do until it needs more wood. For now, let us share this fire together and its warmth. I must ask you something, though," he said, waiting to see if she would comply with his request. "I'm in your debt now, aren't I? Or has your debt to me been repaid? I must admit I'm becoming unclear on the details here, on who owes who what, especially with the incident in the bath yesterday. So while we warm up, perhaps we can discuss this?" He smiled then, almost as warm as the fire itself. "I'd really hate to disappoint you, or be a burden. You are a creature of immense power and in truth, I am in awe of you. If there is aught I could do to repay you for what you've done for me, and your forgiveness... name it, and I will endeavor to make it so..."
 
Christoff smiled warmly as Aria grew closer, more so when she began to respond to him about honor and debts. By the end, he was chuckling slightly.

"Forgive me," he said. "I think I was speaking in jest when I was pondering who owes which debt to whom. Even so, that is more than a fair deal, and I will happily take you up on that offer regardless of whether or not I was fully serious. It would seem I have tricked a fox; surely there must be some great punishment for that, no? Aha..."

He turned and looked past her to the foot of the mountain they were now so close to, and yet so far.

"How far away now do you think your shrine is? Especially considering we will need to dry our clothes by the fire now before we can begin the ascent. Is it within the mountain itself, or nestled somewhere upon a cliff perhaps? I know nothing of fox spirits and their shrines, but either way it seems the journey might be perilous, even if it rests at the foot of the mountain seemingly so easy to access. In this weather, hours can become days with alarming speed, so I would hate to tarry. Yet tarry we must, for we cannot simply move on with soaked clothing. But will have the sun set by then? The very thought vexes me..."
 
Christoff noticed as Aria spoke that there was a renewed concern in her for him, something he did not expect, yet greatly appreciated. He should have been able to stand on his own, and felt ashamed that he'd needed Aria's help in the first place, especially since his fall had been a costly one. His every muscle ached now it seemed, even with the warmth of the fire, and he was almost desperate to get out of the cold. But he wouldn't let fear overtake him. Not if it meant helping Aria...

"A little longer, a little time for our clothes to dry..." he said, nodding. "Then, let us make for the shrine first. Then, and only then, will we seek shelter elsewhere." He smiled, as he lied to her: "I am fine, or will be, I think, especially since you've helped me so much..."

And with that, Christoff waited. In the meantime to pass time until he dried off, he shared a story with her of his people, telling her of toadstool mushroom rings and to never enter one if she were in Germany, because fairies used them as traps for unwitting mortals. He then told her of the Elven Kings, mischievous and often malicious spirits that loved to steal virgin daughters from their fathers, and had a love of stealing children as well. He told her he was so very thankful she herself was not one such elf, and laughed at certain moments within the story when a bit of dark comedy came up.

After finishing the story, he at last stood up. "I believe it has been long enough now," he said. He picked up his clothes; they were still damp, but he had grown tired of waiting. Slipping them on, he said: "Let us go now to the shrine. I am ready..."

And with that, their journet began again. Christoff slipped on the damp clothes, doing his best to avoid shivering as they began to sap his strength again away from the fire. The journey only took about another hour, but his body heat felt almost absent again by the time they reached the hallowed steps of the shrine. Once they arrived to the snow-covered stairs, Christoff turned to Aria.

"So, we have arrived at last. The end of our quest... what shall we do now?" He said, looking up. "Apart from climb the stairs, of course..."
 
For a moment, Christoff pondered what Aria could have meant by years. How many years, exactly? How long had this village and shrine been abandoned? Did anything await them at the top other than the same cold emptiness as the rest of the village? What should have been a place of reverence felt eerie, much like an abandoned church in his homeland. Even so, despite the aches in his muscles and the chill he was fighting desperately against, the knight nodded to Aria.

"Yes, I'm ready," he said. He squeezed her hand once encouragingly. "We do this together. I am honored to be by your side as you return to this holy place of your people. In my homeland, many Christians will go on a pilgrimage to a place called Jerusalem, the place where Christ, the son of God lived and taught in his lifetime. I feel something sacred here as well, a great importance unspoken, and I wonder what we may find either in the shrine itself, or in ourselves as we climb these steps. Let us climb now—towards destiny..."

With that, he began walking up the long steps. At first, his pace was consistent, commanding his legs to carry him up the heights. He grew short of breath after so many steps, and eventually he began to feel a weakness in his muscles, his eyes focused on the shrine at the top of the steps that seemed farther and farther away. Eventually, his legs would carry him no more, and he suddenly tripped up the steps, finding himself rolling back down a few steps, grunting in pain as he weakly panted.

No, not now, he thought to himself. Not so close to our journey's end...

He rolled back onto his side, ignoring the pain from having smacked his joints on the steps a few times while rolling. He crawled onto the next step, barely able to muster the strength to move forward. At last, he gave up, propping himself up on his arms. It seemed he was too weak to continue, and as snowflakes began to fall from above, he contemplated if this would be his final moment before he gave up the ghost and passed on to the afterlife...
 
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