At the end where Destiny awaits: Book 6 of the Kinstone series
Chapter 27: Another decision

I knock my head from side to side, feeling the joints pop as I stroll through the corridors. Last night was great, just a simple dinner with my mother and sister. We laughed, ate, drank like a normal family. For us, the world beyond the Estate didn’t matter. It’s a wishful bliss I wish could last forever.

I still feel amazing and yet humbled after singing for them for the first time in years. It felt like a weight being lifted off of my chest.

I grin softly, feeling my cheeks warming up. Mom is now my birthmother, a revelation that rocked me completely yesterday. I guess I knew the truth after my battle with Diana last summer, and how calling out to Mom forever cemented my life to hers. Yet now my entire life as I am now began after the first time I arrived here, and began to feel that Rachel Rivenfeld is my true mother.

Heh, I’m now hers from birth and moving forward.

I reach my destination, the library. It’s always been one of my sanctums here at home, a place to relax and study. Granted, I always love to study no matter what.

I stand up the door and knock on it a couple times and wait. This may be my home, but it’s always proper etiquette to knock on closed doors. I watch as the door then swings open, revealing the library at large. I smile, seeing a massive sphinx standing on the other side.

He grins much like a grandfather. His face is warm and gentle as his snow-white, braided beard dangles in front of him.

“I am glad to see you, Little Scholar.”

I grin as I reach up and hug him tightly, clinging to his furry mane. I feel a massive paw stroking my back. It’s been so long since I last saw him, saw someone I really do view as a grandfather to me. Granted, I have another now waiting for me.

I swish my tails softly behind and around me. Xiphos has been my teacher and tutor since I began studying magic under Mom. It’s always a good rule of thumb to have a sphinx as a tutor.

I pull back a little and look to him. “I think I have a lot to offer the Order.”

He chuckles. “Of that I have little doubt.” He then steps back and ushers me inside.

We stroll over to the fireplace, to which I grab a seat by it. The fire crackles as the logs split amongst the flame. I smile as the heat radiates from it, warming my body. Xiphos then sits opposite of me, staring gently.

I pull back and look to him. “I heard the Order’s been looking for me.”

He nods. “I have no doubt that they have. A pupil of mine, along with how highly many in the Order view you, having been lost and in danger is something they take rather seriously.” He then sighs softly, “Even I couldn’t reach out to them thanks to the seal. That alone probably worried them more.”

I nod. Xiphos is one of the grandmasters of the Loreian Order, someone incredibly well-respected. So I agree that when I went into hiding and him presumably having fallen in battle, that it caused a massive stir within it.

I smile to him, “I have to ask, have you really been grooming me to join to the Order?”

The great sphinx smiles and nods to me. “You, my dear, would make an excellent Loreian. Now you must understand that I haven’t been training you to be a mere librarian. Loreians are also seekers and guardians of knowledge. A talent you seem to possess in abundance.”

I grin, but lower my gaze, laying my hands into my lap. “Would…would my joining the order affect my decision to assume the throne?”

This is major consideration for my future, one that I thought of briefly in the summer. During the Gathering, I watched as my friends spoke of their plans when they went onto college. I myself had no idea what my future could be.

I am basically starting over in my life. I simply didn’t possess a single inkling of what possible roads I could take. Yet now I have a couple potential futures for myself.

He looks to me with a shocked face. “Have…have you been considering taking the throne?”

I nod softly. “It’s why I wanted to come to you first before going to my mother.”

The throne is a calling, not to mention a huge, beyond belief measure for my life. I never wished for power or control. I simply wished to live out my life in peace. However…Dewloura is my city, my home. I could simply walk away from it all and leave it to others. Yet can I really?

If I were to assume the throne, there’d be a metric shit ton of stuff I’d have to learn. Mom already grilled me on politics when I first started visiting here, but now I’d have to learn how to govern. The immensity of ruling a nation is incredible.

Plus…I feel a duty to the city. Not only because I’m its rightful heir, but as a daughter of Shyair.

Xiphos leans back, pulling his paws towards him. He peers to me with his ancient eyes. “I truly am honored that you sought me for council on this matter, little one. Yet I believe this to be subject that you should bring up with your mother.”

I sigh, nodding. I know he’s right, but I wasn’t quite sure how to, like always. I love my mother dearly and without question, trusting her implicitly. I think I just want to gauge the response from others.

The sphinx takes a deep breath and closes his eyes for a moment. He then opens them and looks to me. “Your joining the Order would not conflict with you assuming the throne in my opinion. This would merely be you connecting to others on a grander scale.”

He then reaches up and strokes his beard. “Although, I would still caution you to ponder both decisions greatly.”

I smile, nodding. Both paths and their implications are an incredible decision that would not only affect me, but possibly a lot more in the world at large. I could choose to take either one or both, just a lot to think about.

I then pull over my bag and reach into it, retrieving my Orkona. “This contains everything I learned while there.” I also retrieve my Dewloura journal. “And this is everything I observed during my time in the city. I even have sketches I made at different times.”

I blush softly, recalling spending time in so many places and sketching anything that caught my attention. I have several of the wolves in the den, sitting in the crystal gardens, even a few while at school.

He smiles, levitating my Orkona over to him, summoning another just like it.

I stare at him as my eyes grow wide. “Are you saying you’ve had one this entire time?”

He chuckles. “Indeed. However you weren’t ready at the time to know of such artifacts.”

I grumble at the sphinx, swishing my tails. Oh great, even more secrets that were kept from me. However…should I really blame him? It’s not like him showing it to me would have changed much in my life.

He chuckles as he begins to copying and transfer highlighted sections from my Orkona onto his. “As for your journal, little one,” he adds, “I think it best if you were to give me a written report. For I know what secrets it contains.”

I nod, gripping it tightly to me. So many secrets, a practical guidebook to facets of Shyair that the world is never meant to learn. While at the same time, my journal is a firsthand account to the people and goings on of a civilization that only now exists in fragments and survivors. Me being one of them.

He then looks to me as she scans the information on it. “It would appear that your studies in the past were extensive,” he says. “The notes and lessons stored on here are incredibly diverse and exhaustive.”

I grin softly, peering at the hovering Orkonas. “Oh…they were. Serasfall gave me everything I could have ever asked for.” I pull my legs into my chest, coiling my tails around me.

That’s saying it mildly. She took me in and basically began to raise me as her own daughter much like Mom did. I learned so much from her, etiquette of the Royal Court, how to move about the city as member of Shyair, even rituals and practices of the city at large.

I even learned the deep history of the city and certain ritual that only been performed once in its entire history. A ritual only meant to be conducted by those of royal blood.

He smiles to me, “You truly loved her, didn’t you?”

I nod, hugging my legs even tighter as I peer towards the door. She became my mother while there, my teacher, my guide to a world and era I knew woefully little of. I can still feel her touch, the warmth of her body as he held me, even the sound of her voice, apart from the various recordings I made of her and Celes.

I miss her so much as any child would their parent.

My ears flatten as my face forward, staring at my knees. “There’s…something I left behind there in the past. Something that’s left unfinished.”

He nods, “There’s more there than you realize, my dear.”

I nod. So much, just simply so much still resides there. There are even certain hopes and prayers I have that I want to be true.

I then smirk as I glance up at him, “I knew that the Loreians there were watching me.”

I know it would’ve been super easy to walk up to one of them and leave a message for them to give to Xiphos about me ala Xanatos from Gargoyles. However, that potentially could have easily caused major disruptions in the timeline. Temporal prime directive much?

Aside from Serasfall, Celes, and the knights knowing about me, I really couldn’t interfere or alter anything while in the past. History played out exactly as it did. Which begs the question, what would’ve happened if I chose to stay in Japan and not travel to the Outpost?

He grins proudly as he reads over my notes. “The Order is worldwide as you obviously know, including Dewloura. Yet when Dewloura fell, we obviously lost contact with them.”

I nod, “I think some may’ve been killed trying to flee the city.”

He nods grimly. “Many lives were lost on that day. Many of them were once dear friends of mine.”

I grip my arms tightly, recalling how Nethune had sent out troops to prevent people from fleeing. It was thanks to the aid of the Lesser Houses allied with Shyair along with the dragons the many more were able to escape. Yet still raises a question in my heart, a question that I hope to answer in the future.

I look to him as another pops into my mind. “Were you there?”

“No,” he replies as he continues to read and transfer my notes, offering me a glance. “Although I wish I was.”

So many possibilities that could have played out if a single different decision had been made. I know he’s thinking the same as me on that matter.

I nod softly as yet another question comes to mind. “Was the Order aware of the fox spirit and the black wolf while there?”

He grins, peering to me, “There was indeed a report concerning the incident at the Court on the day you are no doubt referring to. There were even pictures taken while it happened.”

My burns burn hotly, even feeling my fur standing up. It was a boneheaded, on the spot plan I came up with to save Tyrion and Veylana. I’m still grateful that it worked and no one was the wiser of who I really was or knew what a kitsune was aside from my family.

“Do…do you have a copy?”

He chuckles, summoning one and floats it over to me. My eyes grow wide as I stare at myself in the kimono I generated with Fenris standing in front of me. I hold it gently, eyes scanning every inch of the image. I smile softly, seeing my uncle and cousin off to the left of where I was standing. Fenris simply looks magnificent as he stood there, watching everyone in the room.

“I would have never guessed that the child and wolf in the photo was in fact you and Fenris,” says the sphinx. “Even after your wolf had arrived here.”

I smirk, holding the picture more and looking to him. “Did you know that he had arrived here two years ago?”

Xiphos shakes his head. “Your bonded managed to slip past even my watchful gaze. A true feat in of itself."

I smile, once more gazing at the picture, still amazed to have actual evidence of it. My gaze again focuses on Tyrion and Veylana, missing both of them terribly.

I know I have more pictures of everyone and might have a few printed out. But it’ll never be the same.

Xiphos them hands me back my Orkona, looking to me. “Is there anything else you would like to discuss with me, my dear?”

I smile, shaking my head, “Not right now, Professor.”

He smiles then leans over and presses his head to mine. “I was just as fearful as your mother the day you fled,” he says. “It was also paramount that I was the one to handle the young sphinx, as neither you nor your mother would have stood a glimmer of a chance against him.”

I reach up and hug his neck. “Thank you, Professor.”

I’m grateful too. I glance over, seeing the sphinx’s chest, still showing signs from the battle, only now healed. It stings as I remember seeing how badly injured he was after fighting him.

He smiles, “You are still my favorite pupil, my dear.”

I grin, “You might have more in the future. After I get older and married, that is.”

He pulls back and looks to me. “Is that young boy you’ve spoke of the one?”

I nod, staring into his eyes. “I know I’m too young to be thinking that far ahead.”

He chuckles, “You are never too young to plan out your future.”

I grin and nod.

Xiphos then leans in and kisses my forehead. “Now, off with you to your mother.”

I nod, putting away both my journal and Orkona. “Thank you, Professor.” I then rise to my feet.

He smiles, “Shoo, little one.” I giggle as I then head out the door.

After a few minutes of wandering I arrive at Mom’s room, seeing the door open and my mother on the bed. I reach up and knock on it. She smiles and looks up, motioning me in.

“Come in, dear.”

I grin, hopping over and crawl in with her. She smiles, pulling me into her, stroking my hair.

We simply lay there together as we did a couple days ago. I still feel small when compared to her, despite the obvious size difference. My mother is larger than life in my eyes, always has been. I softly breathe in her ever-present scent, the very same one that could always melt away my defenses.

“So, what is on your mind, my love?”

I sigh softly, nodding as my conversation with Xiphos is fresh in my mind. “I was considering assuming the throne, or something along those lines.”

Mom looks to me shocked, her heart jumping slightly as I lay next to her. “Is this something you truly wish to pursue?”

I lean into her, laying my head onto her chest with my tails covering us. “I’m not sure,” I reply. “It’s just an idea. Birthright or not, it’s a possible future I’ve been considering since the summer.”

Mom then sighs, pulling me in her lap like a child, continuing to stroke my hair and even massaging my ears. “If it were possible, who would you rule?” she asks. “I highly doubt either Almarec or Eneius would accept you. Not to mention the entirety of their families.”

I nod softly, remembering how their predecessors acted in the past. Their arrogance and cruelty really were made known to everyone there. The current generation is no different really, seeing firsthand with Lana and Mistral.

I still have wonder why they support Dewloura when it was Nethune that was the main cause for its downfall and its people scatter. Was it for glory’s sake? For power or dominion? I just don’t understand their motivations.

Celes and I only prevented any further damage from occurring. Yet why do they still retain their arrogance after all this time and not reflect on what happened? I don’t know.

I lean into her. “There is a way to rule,” I say softly. “But I’ll need to talk it over with Master Titalos.”

There are so many things I still don’t know about the aftermath of the Fall. I remember Galen and Darius talking about Dewlouran colonies. They also said that many were abandoned for numerous reasons. That’s why I need to go see him.

She peers down at me. “You are saying that’s where you want to go next? Back to the Court?”

I nod, “There’s so many people there worried about us. Not only friends but loved ones.”

I blush softly, thinking of Kerrigan. She and I are beyond close and I know she’s in love with me. So that’s one person I personally need to see. Then there all of Mom’s friends, and one other person in particular we both need to see again.

She looks at me for a moment and sighs, nodding. “You’re right sweetheart. However knowing you, you have something else in mind while there, don’t you?”

I close my eyes, nodding. It’s not only for the past, but for the future.

Mom holds me close to her, wrapping my tightly in her arms. “I only just now got you home, and you want to leave again.” She looks to me, “Why not simply remain here and allow Regulus to spin himself around the world like a madman?”

I peer up at her, “Because even if I’m still out of the picture, he’ll still be able to reach Dewloura.” I blink softly. “There are these markers he’s been looking for since he doesn’t have the Xur’canah. They’ll allow him to unseal the city. The defenses surrounding them and everyone else hindering him can’t keep the ass at bay forever.”

I sigh, taking a deep breath. “Plus I want to draw him out for a change. I’m banking on his frustration and rage with me to bring him where I want him to be.”

Like I said to Miriam back in December, I’m tired of playing defense, it's time we took the offensive for a change.

Mom shakes her head, “Sweetheart, even with those factors, I highly doubt he’ll fall for such a ploy.”

I smirk as my tails flop gently on the bed. “I already have the issue covered. Or at least I think I will.”

Her eyes then grow wide as she stares at me. “You already have a ploy within a scheme for going to the Court?”

I grin, “Yep.” It’s more like a gamble. A big fat one in fact.

She sighs, rolling her eyes. “I truly have a fox for a daughter.”

I giggle, nuzzling her. Yep, a true kitsune for a little girl. Granted, I’ve been known as a fox since long before I first transformed into a kitsune. I think like one and have been raised like one.

She smiles, stroking my hair. We rock softly on her bed, while listening to the fan whirl above us.

I stare out into her room as more thoughts slowly creep in. There are things that I experienced that I want to continue.

I sigh, looking up at her. “I want to go back to school when this is all over,” I declare. “I really fell in love with it while in Dewloura.”

Mom looks to me shocked. “Is this something you really want to do?”

I nod. This isn’t like it was a year ago when I was apprehensive about returning to Concordia. I was struggling with who I used to be and who I had become. Concordia was part of my old life, my old world. Now that’s all over with and I want to move forward with my new life and experience it as a true teenager again.

I smile to her, “I will never forget how much I loved you teaching me,” I tell her. “However…maybe I should be a bit more, normal. Like my friends.”

She sighs softly, eyes still locked onto mine. “You do know that even if Dewloura is restored, the Acadenora will not be as it once was.”

That’s the truth if I ever heard it. I loved the Acadenora and my time there with all that I am. She is right that it won’t be the same. However that’s not quite what I’m thinking and it’ll probably break the hearts of my friends in Japan.

I nod to her, “I know, but I was thinking along the lines of a normal school.”

Mom closes her eyes for a moment as she thinks. This is big for me, something I know she really wasn’t expecting me to suggest given the past few years. I still remember a long time ago about asking if she was going to send me to school. Well…that was then and this is now.

She nods softly. “There might be a school that I can send you to,” she says. “One that may fit you perfectly.”

I grin, “Is it like Hogwarts?”

She smirks, tapping my nose. “Something along those lines.”

I giggle. I really can’t wait. In all honesty, this will be a refresher for the last time I was in high school. However now it will be with a brand new set of circumstances, not to mention it won’t be a public school.

She sighs, stroking my hair and continues to rock us. “This will be like it was a year ago,” she says softly. “Seeing you off to school and waiting for you to come home again.”

I smile, nodding. “Speaking of that,” I reply. “When this is all over, we need to go see Chris.”

She smiles, “I am rather anxious to meet your old teacher.”

I smile, curling up more into her. I really have no idea what’s been going on after I left Concordia for the final time last spring I wonder if Chris has been watching the news concerning me. If he has, I’m pretty sure he’s been worried about me. I do miss him at times.

“We have much to prepare for then,” she says. “However for now, let us rest and enjoy ourselves.”

I nod softly as I close my eyes. No arguing there, just a chance for Mom and me to have some more time alone. Although, I really should spend some time with everyone else. I will with Marron at some point, but we’ve spent all the time in the world while away. Granted it never hurts to spend more.

I feel tired the more I rest against my mother as thoughts and plans start to circulate in my brain. I guess I’m more tired than I thought as I start to fall asleep.

I feel something softly pressing against my head. I smile, realizing that it's Mom planting a kiss on my head as sleep finally claims me.