Kitsune of the Blue Sun

Chapter 186- Witchling

[Witch POV]

Standing in the underground chamber the noble prepared for me, I was slowly stirring my cauldron, the misty, glowing green liquid forming shapes like in a mirror. It was boring, disgusting work on my end, but the pay was too good to pass, though after seeing a noble screw a kitsune for the nth time I started to feel really bad for them. Though recently things have been getting more interesting. I even got to see a few get killed by some really pretty ladies of a race id never seen before.

“Wonder if I I could form a contract with one of them?  Would probably be more lucrative than this job. Good thing this contract is almost up and he hasn’t asked for a renewal.”

My stirring and observing continued for a few minutes when I was interrupted by the sound of the door opening and my mongrel of a contractor walked in, his smile even slimier than normal.

“Got another thing to add to the scrying?” (Witch)

“And more. I’d like you to imbue an object that lets me control her.”

I grimaced. I hate that kind of magic, but the contract is absolute and I can’t go against it.

“You know what I need.” (Witch)

Nodding eagerly, he pulled out a lock of silver hair that ended in blue. I walked up to take it but before I even touched it I recoiled.  That single lock of hair had such dense Death Magic inside it that I’m surprised this mongrel of a contractor was even able to walk, much less be alive.

“Something wrong?”

“*Ahem* I just needed to see it. Since it’s a special request this time, some of you input is necessary.” (Witch)

This immediately showered his mood, but I didn’t back down.

“Tch. Fine.  What do I need to do?”

“For observation, toss one strand in the cauldron.” (Witch)

Stepping up to the black pot, he looked inside and, with a heavy sigh, took one strand of the hair and let it fall into the liquid. The strange thing was, it didn’t dissolve like it should have, but stayed floating. I stepped closer to peer inside and what greeted me was a horrendous thing. Even with my poor divination abilities, all I could see was death. This mongrel here, many others, all the while a silver haired kitsune with five tails stood atop the mountain of corpses, blue eyes blazing like the blue sun and staring right into my soul.  Behind her the form of a god I knew all to well was seen looking at the five tailed fox with an amount of love I’d only ever seen a handful of times.

“Sir…I don’t think-” (Witch)

“Shut up, witch, I don’t pay you to think!”

‘Your funeral then.’ (Witch)

The picture I saw faded and was replaced my an extremely blurry image of the same silver fox from the accidental divination. Her ear twitched and she turned, looking right through the image seemingly at the noble. The room filled with a sense of dread and for a moment I thought I saw a strange black symbol appear above his head before vanishing.  The image then disappeared completely, turning the contents of my cauldron black and unusable.

“What happened!?”

“The mana still in the hair was too potent, it completely took over and destroyed…no, killed, the contents of my cauldron.” (Witch)

“Can you still make the control item?”

“It would kill us both.” (Witch)

“…That’s a risk I’m willing to take so I can make that kitsune my bitch.  That ass of hers is simply divine and I need it for my collection.”

If it didn’t have the backlash it did, I’d sever my contract and kill this man myself, but I also value my life and ability to use magic.

“Ahahahahahahaha!!” (???)

A beastly laugh echoed around the room after my contractor said those words and interrupted my thoughts. The smell of fire and brimstone began to waft about the room and the fire beneath my cauldron slowly died along with all their other light sources, leaving us in pitch darkness.

“Another one seeking my Mistress to sate their lust, how pathetic. And a little witchling who knows her place. Good. This makes the next task much easier.” (???)

Soft, scraping steps could be heard coming from the stairs down into the chamber.  The only thing I could see as the source was a being with orange, fiery eyes staring at the noble next to me with hunger.

“Shame, such a male is unworthy to even look upon my Mistress, not that she’d spare you a thought to begin with. Hehehe.  But that just means more fun for me.” (???)

The eyes got closer slowly, and the tension grew with every step.

“W-witch!  Do you job and protect me from whatever that is!!”

“How about no.  My contract doesn’t cover protection!” (Witch)

With the butt of my broom, I pushed the noble standing next to me closer to the mystery being.

“Good girl.” (???)

I didn’t need to see to know what happened next, the sound of a deep crunch as the noble’s neck was quickly snapped. I did, however, see what happened after.  A muddy black orb was plucked out of the body. The being looked at it with disgust in its eyes before placing it somewhere I couldn’t see.

“Now that this is about if the way, let’s have a proper chat, witchling.” (???)

Snapping its fingers the fires in the room lit up again, revealing the being in front of me.  She stood a head taller than me and looked exactly like one of the mystery assassins that have been killing nobles for a while now.

“Don’t worry your pretty little head, witchling, you aren’t marked for death like that thing was. I would, however, advise you to leave and not get caught up in the events to come.  An upheaval is nigh, and my Mistress would like to keep her identity secret.” (???)

“I’d love to, but unfortunately I think I’ve already seen your Mistress’ face.” (Witch)

“A shame…hmm?  Understood Lady Amaterasu.” (???)

I had shut my eyes tight, expecting to be killed any moment, but it never came, and I opened my eyes wide when the being in front of me mentioned the Goddess of Magic herself.  My reaction must have amused the being in front of me because she smiled sweetly, causing my heart to flutter a bit.

“You have an opportunity, witchling.  You can keep you life, but you must sign a Soul Contract binding you to this land until my Mistress ascends or decides her identity is to be revealed.   The contents of this contract are simple, don’t leave the country unless stated you can, you will assist High Priestess Sif in her endeavors, and you cannot mention what my Mistress is until otherwise told of the contract is ended. Of course there will be exceptions like when you are in the presence of one of us or the High Priestess and her wives.  Do you accept?” (???)

“I have no choice if I wish to live, so yes, though I would like to know your name.” (Witch)

“I am but a humble Spirit of Death, as such I have no name.” (Spirit)

The spirit walked up to me and grabbed my hand. I felt a slight burning sensation and on the back of my hand a small mark appeared, signifying the contract was signed.

“I know you dread this and wish to return to your homeland, and I assure you, you will if you don’t break the contract. My Mistress is not overly cruel, but the world isn’t ready to fully know her yet.  Patience is key in all things, and rewards those who understand this. Now, go find High Priestess Sif and tell her of this, I have more people to save.” (Spirit)

Sinking into the shadows the spirit left me alone and stunned.

“*sigh*At least I get to live. And who knows, maybe things will get more exciting this way. I’m tired of just spying on people after all.” (Witch)

Packing up my things, I left the former noble’s residence and began wandering the city in search for this High Priestess Sif.

Chaos Realm:

Luna: I forgot there were witches in this world.

Tamamo: I did as well.  Their magic seems different than normal.

Luna: if it follows the conventions I know, then they focus more on ritual type magic than quick casting like most people.

Tamamo: Makes sense. Though didn’t Payto or someone else say the witches hated dragons?  I wonder if that’s going to be a problem?

Luna: …Should be interesting.

Tamamo: Agreed.