"There," I whispered, ruffling Amari's hair. "Take her to the plane, sweetheart."
Amari skipped away happily, fox in arms.
Dean stared at me. "Why the hell would you give her your memories?"
I smiled, sharp and humorless. "Because she's my daughter. And because she needs to know who she is."
Then, calmly, I explained the night to him-Kitsuna's awakening, her sin, her carnage.
Dean's face grew paler with every word. Finally, he buried his head in his hands. "So, just to confirm-the 'pet' our daughter is cuddling right now is actually a primordial Sin-holder. Wrath, no less. The second-strongest Sin in existence."
"Correct."
"And you thought it'd be funny to let Amari carry her around like a stuffed toy?"
"Yes."
Dean groaned. "Are you insane!? When she wakes up, she'll go batshit crazy! She'll shred us!"
"Mm." I shrugged, already walking away. "Let that be her punishment. Besides-her reaction will be worth it."
The sound of Dean's despairing groan behind me was music to my ears.
Yo
In my opinion, the most deadly sin is Gluttony. Then it will be Wrath. It also depends on how you want to use them. But overall, gluttony wins for me.
TheRealSkolliecreators' thoughts
avataravatar
Chapter 22: Stacys' past
"Happy birthday, little kitten. Time to wake up. We're going to church today."
The voice was deep, steady, and oddly warm. It tugged me from sleep like a fishing hook pulling a lazy carp. My eyes blinked open, and the first thing I saw was a pair of bright green eyes staring down at me. They belonged to a man with silver hair that tumbled down to his shoulders and a beard so thick it could probably catch crumbs for later. He also had two fluffy silver cat ears twitching on top of his head.
"You have an hour to get ready," Father said in his calm soldier's tone.
"Is Mother going with us?" I asked groggily, rubbing my eyes.
"Of course. It's your birthday and the first time seeing your status. She wouldn't miss it."
"I see. I'll be ready on time."
"Good." He gave a small nod before rising to his full height. The floor creaked under his boots as he turned and walked out of the room.
"Okay, see you in a while, Father," I mumbled, but he was already gone.
I swung out of bed and dragged myself to the mirror across the room. Staring back at me was a five-year-old girl with long silver hair tumbling down her shoulders, silver eyes that reflected the morning light, and two small silver cat ears perched on her head. My tail-long, silver, and annoyingly expressive-swished behind me.
"Haah... I wonder what sort of powers I'll get," I muttered, grinning at my reflection.
After brushing my hair, washing my face, and putting on my best clothes, I finally looked presentable.
(40 minutes later)
When I walked out of the mansion, the sun was already high enough to sting my eyes. My father stood by the carriage, talking quietly with a woman whose presence commanded more attention than the armored guards lined up at the gate.
Mother.
Her silver hair gleamed like polished steel in the light, and her eyes-also silver, but sharper-narrowed when they found me. She wore a long black dress that hugged her waist and arms like armor disguised as silk.
"Brat, what took you so long?" She snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut bread.
I glanced at my little pocket watch. Only forty minutes had passed. "Father said I had an hour. I'm early. I still have twenty minutes left."
"Don't get cheeky with your mother," she growled. Then, to my surprise, she smiled, reaching out to ruffle my hair. "But fine. You look halfway decent. Let's get on the road."
"Yes, Mother."
Father adjusted his white suit jacket, the silver hilt of his sword glinting at his waist. He didn't say much-he never did-but the small smile tugging at his beard was enough to calm me.
I hadn't left the estate many times, but I knew both my parents were soldiers. My father was a catkin of a rare bloodline, while my mother was... human. Pure human. Which was strange, because the Federation usually frowned upon cross-race marriages. Not that I cared. They were just my parents.
(2 hours later)
Finally, after what felt like a lifetime of bumping along in the carriage, we arrived.
"We've arrived," Mother said, brushing imaginary dust from her sleeves.
"Why did it take so long?" I grumbled.
"Because today's ceremony is in the capital's main church," Father explained as he opened the carriage door. "You're not the only child receiving their status today. Many noble families will be attending."
Stepping out, I saw at least fourteen other families gathered in front of the church. The building towered above us, four stories of immaculate white stone lined with tall stained-glass windows that glittered in the sunlight. Broad stairs led up to massive double doors carved with angels and runes.
"Stacy, come," Mother called, already halfway up the steps.
"Yes, Mother."
We joined the others, and just as the clock struck, the church bells began to toll. The massive doors swung open, and a line of priests glided out as though their feet never touched the ground. They fanned out, making way for one man in ornate golden robes: the head priest.
"Praise the Angels. Seek the Angels. Worship the Angels. Trust the Angels," he intoned. His voice rolled like thunder over the gathering. "The heavens declare their glory; the skies proclaim their work. Day after day, their light shines; night after night, their wisdom speaks."
Stopping at the top of the stairs, he raised his arms. "Children of the Federation, step forward!"
I hesitated only a moment before joining the other kids. We lined up nervously, small figures compared to the grand church behind us.
"Today you receive your blessings," the priest continued. "Follow me."
We trailed him into the church. The main hall smelled faintly of incense and candle wax, its high ceiling painted with winged figures watching us from above. The polished marble floor was so clean I could see our reflections.
"Children," a younger priest announced, "you will change into the ceremonial robes provided. Then you will return to the entrance, where each of you will place your hands on the sacred plate. It will draw from your mana and reveal your status before all. Do not be afraid."
Robes were passed out. I deliberately took my time and ended up last in line, tugging the robe over my head. It was itchy.
At the entrance, again.
"Are you ready, children?" the priest asked cheerfully.
The first boy was nudged forward. He approached the black plate positioned in front of the church, placed his small hands on it, and gasped as the plate lit up. A glowing screen appeared above it, showing his stats. Everyone outside clapped. The boy puffed up with pride.
"It seems he got a favorable status," the boy in front of me whispered.
"Is that what it shows?" I whispered back.
"Yes. Didn't your parents explain this to you?"
"Nope. I didn't even know we were coming here today," I shrugged.
He looked at me like I'd just confessed to never hearing of bread. "The plate draws on your mana. It reveals your race, bloodline, stats-everything. Then the Angels' blessing chooses your class."
"Ohh, thank you," I said with a little smile.
One by one, the children went, each glowing screen met with murmurs, claps, and a few disappointed sighs. Finally, the priest turned to me.
"You are the last one. May the Angels bless you."
I nodded and stepped forward. My parents were standing at the back of the crowd, my mother smiling brightly, my father's expression tight.
I placed my hands on the plate. Mana surged from my body like water down a drain. The plate glowed bright white, then projected the status screen for all to see.
Name: Stacy Acura
Age: 5
Race: Cat-kin
Bloodline: Nekomata
Gender: Female
Level: 1
Class: Unknown
HP: 60 / 60
MP: 120 / 120
STR: 5
VIT: 30
DEF: 5
INT: 60
END: 15
AGT: 80
Skills: soul link, illusions, and mana fortification.
The crowd gasped. Whispers spread like wildfire. My jaw dropped at the numbers.
'Eighty agility at level one? What is Soul Link?'
I looked to my parents. Mother's face was radiant with pride, while Father's was pale with worry.
Then a booming voice cut through the noise.
"What a powerful weapon she will make for the Federation!"
I whipped my head toward the source. A man with short silver hair and a golden crown stood at the stairs, smiling like he already owned me. His eyes-sharp and familiar-glittered with amusement.
"Your Majesty!" someone gasped. The crowd dropped to their knees, heads bowed.
My stomach twisted. I knew who he was. Everyone did. The King.
"Brother, what are you doing here?" Mother asked, her tone sharp but laced with unease.
Brother?
I blinked, staring at her, then at him.
The king spread his arms wide, still smiling. "Of course I am here to see my lovely niece."
The word hung in the air like a guillotine about to fall.
Yo
How much of Stacy's past should I tell.
Until she meets the draigs or more?
TheRealSkolliecreators' thoughts
avataravatar
Chapter 23: Stacys' pass 2
"Well, that's fine. I was about to go to the castle to show you in person anyway." Mother shrugged, as if the matter were a passing thought instead of a decision that would change the course of my life.
"That's a great idea," the King said smoothly. "Why don't we go to the castle? We can talk all we want there."
"Come, sweetheart, let's go." Mother waved her hand at me, calm as always, her expression unreadable but her tone light.
"I am coming, Mother." I stood up quickly, robes still heavy around me, the stiff cloth brushing against my legs as I moved. In my excitement I forgot what I was wearing.
"Wait, you need to change first." The head priest's voice cut across the air like a warning bell.
"Ooh, yeah." I looked down at myself, grabbed the edges of the ceremonial robe, and started tugging it off. The fabric resisted, threads snapping, until-rip.
"Don't change here!?" Dean shouted hurriedly, his hand half-reaching out before he stopped himself, face already red with exasperation.
"It's fine. I never changed my clothes; I just put this over it," I said simply, letting the robe fall to the floor. Underneath was the simple dress I'd been wearing beforehand. With no shame, I bent, picked up the torn robe, and handed it back to the stunned head priest.
"..." His lips pressed together, but he said nothing.
Not waiting for anyone else, I ran toward Dean, who stood stiffly next to the King, his hand resting almost absently on his sword hilt.
"Okay, let us take my carriage to the castle," the King said, already turning, robes trailing like he owned not just the land but the air itself.
Taking Dean's hand, I leaned close, whispering up at him. "What did he mean about a weapon?"
Dean's jaw tightened. "Not now, Stacy," he muttered, pulling me along as if to prevent more questions.
"Stacy, sit here with your uncle," the King said once we reached the carriage, patting his knee as though I were still a toddler.
Confused, I looked at Dean.
"Un," he said with a short nod.
Seeing no objection, I climbed onto the king's lap, the cushions beneath us sinking a little under the added weight. His body smelled faintly of polished steel and expensive wine.
"Well, Stacy, how does it feel sitting on a king's lap?" His voice was full of amusement, as if he'd been waiting to ask that all day.
"Weird." That was all I said.
"Hah. Honest, aren't you?" He chuckled, then turned his attention to Mother. "Sis, how has it been?"
"It has been great. I am close to having another breakthrough in my training." Mother smiled faintly, the kind that carried both pride and challenge.
"That's good to hear."
The two of them kept up a stream of small talk, words bouncing back and forth in practiced rhythm, until the carriage rocked to a halt.
[Castle Gates]
The sight before me stole my breath.
I had seen the castle from a distance, its white spires piercing the sky like the teeth of a giant beast. But up close, it was something else entirely. The walls loomed impossibly high, stone upon stone layered with care, the banners of the kingdom swaying in the late afternoon breeze. Light reflected off the polished marble steps, almost blinding.
Our mansion, which I always thought was far too large for our small family, suddenly seemed like a dollhouse. The castle wasn't just bigger; it was overwhelming, built to crush any who dared to stand against the king's authority.
"I knew the castle was big, but why is it this big?" I asked aloud.
"Haha, it is to show that the king is almighty and how important he is. You can almost say it is to compensate for something, hehe." It wasn't the King who answered, but Mother. She spoke lightly, amusement dancing in her eyes.
"Ugh... why do you have to be so mean, Sis?" The king groaned, his expression twisting into a parody of being wronged.
"Can't we move on? I wanted to start with Stacy's training today." Dean's voice cut through the banter, sharp and tired.
"Hmm? Yeah, let's get to business," the King said with a raised eyebrow.
We followed him through the enormous doors, each one so tall I thought they could let a dragon stride through without ducking. Inside, the air smelled of polished wood and burning incense, the stone floors echoing with our footsteps.
[Drawing Room]
The room was lavish but cold. Velvet curtains framed tall windows, and chandeliers burned overhead, but it felt less like a home and more like a stage.
I sat between Dean and Mother on the long couch, my legs dangling above the ground. The king stood opposite, hands clasped behind his back.
"Does anyone want something to drink? Stacy?" he asked, voice smooth but distant.
"No, thank you." I declined politely.
"If you say so." With a casual wave, he dismissed the maids. The heavy door shut with a soft click, sealing us inside. His tone changed immediately, the warmth fading from his face. "Now, moving to the business talks. You both know the deal we had."
"Yes." My parents spoke together, voices steady.
"Then we understand that Stacy becomes the property of the kingdom from today onwards."
My stomach clenched, but I forced my face to stay neutral.
"Your majesty, she is just five years old. I know you want to use her Soul Link skill, but she is too young to be effective with it," Dean said, tension thick in his words.
"You don't need to worry about that. I will have one of the older ones teach her," the king replied easily.
