Machina Arcanis: Two Worlds Collided-Interlude. Chasing Foxes

Interlude. Chasing Foxes

Morning broke. Marionette and Apollo had been camping at a tea shop near the fish market, waiting.

The shop was a marvel of wooden architecture, exuding a distinct medieval charm. Three storeys of interlocking black timber formed a Stave style, standing upon a thick stone slab that had sunk almost completely into the dirt. The structure boasted stacked roofs tiled with weathered obsidian, and upon the pointed edges sat small, wooden wyverns. It was perhaps too majestic and grim for a simple tea shop, but it suited their needs.

They picked a spot where they could view the passing crowd with ease. Apollo ordered some herbal tea Marionette had never heard of. It had a kick to it, chasing off her drowsiness completely.

"There!" Apollo signalled with a subtle shift of his eyes.

Marionette turned toward the shed.

The fox Wildren child emerged from the store, delight evident in her steps. She wore a fur hat that matched her silver hair and an adorable short coat. Her tail poked out from the mid-part of the garment, swaying behind her.

"It’s the big win!" Nohr exclaimed as she carried baskets full of Chūtoro in each hand.

However, as her shopping craze subsided and the excitement faded, her hands began to feel the true weight of her purchase. Now, she had to carry this burden all the way back to the estate.

"I really should’ve brought someone with me," Nohr murmured regretfully to herself.

She squinted at the warm morning sun. The snow hadn’t fallen recently, and the weather was in her favour, adding to her optimism. "Never mind that! Grandma would be thrilled to taste this incredible, succulent meal!"

She bounced on her feet and continued her journey. Carefree, she walked to the east, crossing the wooden bridges. Even now in winter, she spotted fishermen engaging in ice fishing. Jernvik was always a major exporter of seafood, and the freshest catch of all passed through this outlet.

"It is a blessing indeed!" Nohr smiled as she reached the edge of the forest. She rested for a moment, removing her eyepatch. It was a nuisance, but a necessary one.

Suddenly, her fox ears twitched at a shift in the wind. Two figures emerged from the road. She realised then that they had been tailing her this whole time. A tall blonde man and a redhead, both possessing divine features.

"Nohr, is it?" Marionette asked softly, raising her hands in a non-hostile fashion.

Nohr stiffened, her claws extending to her sides at the ready. "Who’s asking?"

"We’re after Nohrell Voss Fenrith!" Apollo shouted bluntly.

Marionette grimaced, almost slapping her forehead.

The hair on Nohr’s body stood on end. She spared a look at them, then at her fish basket.

Then she bolted, her boots crushing the gravel road.

"Z’smite me!" Marionette cursed the gods under her breath, her legs shuffling into a sprint.

Despite her short stature, Nohr was nimble and fast. Her headstart put a big distance between them.

"Heyyy!" Marionette called out, already short of breath.

Nohr entered the dense spruces, shifting through white snow and dark bark.

The gravel road gave way to thin snow. The chasers did their best to follow, but the distance grew wider. Hot steam hissed from Marionette’s lips. She was breathless. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Apollo matched her speed with ease. "Use the Sol Bow, Marie," he suggested, his voice calm.

"Where did she go?" Marionette rounded a corner, not seeing Nohr anywhere as she swept back and forth. Everything was dizzying snow and dark trees.

"Use the Sol Bow," Apollo reiterated.

Reluctantly, she summoned the shimmering, ornate gold weapon. The reflection of light danced mystically against the ground.

"I can’t shoot a target I can’t see," she wheezed, inspecting the tracks Nohr had left behind.

With an unfaltering smile, Apollo pointed at the sky. "It’s the legendary arc weapon for a reason. You must have some faith, my dear."

There’s no other option, "Alright…" Marionette blew out a breath, calming herself. She closed her eyes and pointed in the direction she thought Nohr had gone.

Dutifully, Apollo helped adjust her posture, pulling her shoulders to square up and correcting her leg position.

"There! Perfect, like the divine!" He made a frame with his fingers, capturing her image.

"If this doesn’t work—"

"No, no! You complain after, not before." He waved his fingers at her.

"Fine…" She gritted her teeth, her fingers slowly pulling the string.

Slivers of light and a beautiful halo completed the arcane circle with the arch of the bow itself. An ancient hum of harmony resonated as she drew the string. The arrow materialised with bright golden illumination, sparking and flaring, yet untiring to the eyes. It was as if this arrow was created to be witnessed, to be appreciated for its intricacy and exquisite magnificence.

"Fire!" Apollo flicked his hand.

The wind shocked the air, and snow swept outward from her. The arrow launched into the sky in a streak of light before falling in a golden flash as it hit the target.

"Aha!" Apollo pumped his fist.

"Okay… I suppose we did hit something." She bumped his fist, though not entirely willingly.

For a three-minute trek, they followed the golden shimmer that filtered through the layers of bark and branches until they came across the fox Wildren. To Marionette’s surprise, Nohr’s small body was coated in semi-translucent golden light. Her legs were frozen in mid-run, her eyes unblinking, her lips remaining open.

There was a big smirk on Apollo’s visage; he looked pleased and ecstatic. "I knew it’d work! Ha, you’re an amazing arcanist, Marie!" He clapped, his footsteps bouncing.

"Thanks… I guess?" Her voice was a murmur, still dazed at the arcane that could stop time in golden light. It was both poetic and ravishing.

"What in the world?" She poked at Nohr’s cheek. The stasis rippled at the touch, but Nohr remained frozen in time.

"Behold the might of the Bow of Sol!" Apollo announced with a victorious grin.

She watched him, realising this had been his plan from the start. "What a show-off," she muttered, hugging herself and jerking her head to the side.

"The Sol arrow is soul-based. The Fates have bestowed fortune upon us after all." Apollo rested his hand on the frozen Nohr’s shoulder. "This little fox did not cast Phoros."

"Wait, what—Did you just say Phoros can also fence against soul-related attacks?" Marionette gasped. She had never intensively researched the matter before. Her academic side emerged fully.

"Baaa, mortals." The god shook his head, disappointed by her ignorance, specifically regarding historical knowledge. "Of course, Phoros can also be the line of defence against a pure magical attack, Aetherion. But that’s not the gist of it! In the end, it’s a matter of magnitude rather than the arcanic attribute of the attack and defence."

Marionette could only blink. Her mind was still on the previous soul-related topic. "Aetherion, is it? And what did you just say? I lost it! Do I need a note for this?"

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Apollo shook his head. "You need Mythic-tier Phoros to counter Mythic-tier Aetherion. Only then can the Phoros break. Aetherion or mana-blast is the pure magical attack, remember?"

"What?" She found herself nauseated. This was the only time Apollo had really lectured her on new arcane rules she had never heard in the Arcana Institute before.

"What’s the mana-blast, exactly?" Marionette probed, rubbing her cheeks.

"Aw, you don’t know the basics of it all? Aetherion, really?" Apollo clicked his tongue rapidly. "It’s the purest form of attack, simply converting mana into a magical strike. Purest as it is, it is technically the weakest attack." He waved her off casually.

"Ohhhh! The warmongering arcanists in this era have already invented much more complicated spells for offensive capability." She got the hang of it now.

"Correct. The gods used to lift the mountain of Olympus by consuming mana equal to a dying star. Now, the arcanists can achieve the same outcome with their mortal mana. The disparity is extremely vast." When he looked at Marionette’s frown, he sighed. "It gets really complicated from there, so that’s a lesson for another day."

Just as she was about to ask more, hoping to be educated by the God of the Sun and the fifth-dimensional supreme being, the golden god turned his attention toward the fox girl, indicating the lesson was over. They should get on with the issue at hand.

"Don’t let this fox slither through your grasp for the second time," he bickered at her to be prepared to catch the fox.

She did so, both hands at the ready.

"Now see this!" He snapped his fingers. The magical hum ceased, and Nohr fell into her grip.

"BLOODY HELL?!" Nohr groaned, bemusement in her eyes. Her stance shifted to aggression, teeth bared.

"Stay still! We’re not trying to hurt you!" Marionette reassured her, grip tight on the girl's coat.

"Ugh! You stinky woman!" Nohr growled.

"Listen to the lady, you fierce fox!" Apollo taunted.

"Not helping!" Marionette chided.

"Don’t you dare call me FOX!" she screamed, heat seething in her eyes. She was shaking, thrashing about. Her small size was an illusion compared to her strength.

"Alright, we won’t—Stop resisting, please!" Marionette struggled to hold her down.

Nohr unleashed a kick that connected squarely with Marionette’s groin. Marionette choked on air, her mouth hanging open in agonising pain. As her grip loosened, Nohr snapped free before running for the forest.

Tears flushed Marionette's eyes. "You little… rascal…" she muttered, her forehead resting on the snowy ground as she crouched forward.

"So much for that diplomatic skill of yours, my Queen." Apollo chuckled at his own joke. "Let me try something else."

As the fox girl shuffled through the hazy snow, Apollo reappeared in front of her, levitating and radiating golden light.

"Enough playtime, little mouse." His voice was firm and commanding, echoing through the forest like a divine hymn.

"Are you an arcanist!?" she pried, raising her claws.

"No… I’m a god, but—" Apollo admitted with a grin. Then, his gaze flicked to the figure behind Nohr, cornering her.

"She is." He gestured to Marionette, whose hands were engulfed in slithering fire.

"Fine!" Nohr raised her hands in defeat.

"Let’s talk properly this time!" Marionette said firmly, still reeling from the pain.

For a good while, Nohr listened to them speak about the Sixth Apocalypse and their true identities. Marionette explained why she sought out this individual, the Champion of Gaia, who happened to be Nohrell Voss Fenrith, also Nohr's grandmother.

Nohr was sceptical at first, but then she began to believe them — including his claim of godhood. No ordinary Essence possessed the power to execute such a feat of golden time like that.

"Fine, I’ll bring you to Nohrell," Nohr conceded with a sigh. "But first, let’s get my fish back, and you help me carry them too!" she demanded. Childish.

In response, Marionette exchanged a lighthearted smile with her companion.

It took half an hour of walking to arrive at the estate's gate. They passed through snowy farmlands before reaching their destination.

Where there were originally glamorous cabins, new extensions and buildings now stood, along with smaller cabins to the side. It was almost like a small village of over twenty residents. The estate bustled with activity — chitchat, wood splitting, cooking, and more.

From the front, two twin ladies carried laundry baskets, high-pitched voices chirping like little birds. Those two looked like Nohrell, similar in height but less dignified, less mature.

"Is that Nohrell?" Marionette probed, her forehead creased in perplexity. "Or another one? Or the one in the back?" She pointed at a bigger lady splitting wood from afar.

"I don’t know. They all look the same to me," Apollo replied, touching his lower lip.

Nohr smiled. "No… But we’re her."

Marionette looked at Apollo with confusion; he shrugged.

"I’ll explain more once you meet her! Come!" Nohr urged, striding in the lead. They followed her into the estate.

The double gate ground open, letting warmth drift against their skin. Nohr led them through a passageway which opened to the high ceiling of a living room. The interior was clean, but cluttered with crates and boxes lying near the far walls and behind the furniture. It looked cramped, even within the spacious chamber.

Taking off her hat, Nohr tossed it onto a pile of stuff, then shoved other items off the long table, making room. "You can put the baskets here for now!" she suggested firmly.

"Do we have guests?" A soft, soothing voice rang from behind them.

They quickly spun, looking at the sweet smile of a lady. It was a chubbier variant, wearing a white apron over her blouse.

"Yes, Nirie…" Nohr fidgeted on her heel and wriggled her tail, sheepishly looking at the carpet.

Three more identical Wildrens walked behind them, peeking out with curiosity.

"How many are there?" Marionette whispered to Apollo.

The god shrugged at the lost count. "Twenty-plus." She gasped silently, covering her lips.

The new arrivals took a bit of time to exchange pleasantries with Nirie, who appeared to be the most mature of them all, before Nohr urged them to get on with their mission.

"Can you get someone to prep the sashimi, please?" Nohr pleaded, interlacing her hands on her chest. Her adorable blinking worked like a charm.

"This must be a lot! Thank you for helping her carry them all the way. I know she wants to surprise everyone!" Nirie brushed Nohr's head, messing her hair. Nohr seemed tamed, purring in joy.

Marionette and Apollo approached one of the doors on the second floor. Their moment was about to come through. Their Champion of Gaia, the saviour who could fend them from the Sixth Apocalypse.

Except when the door gave way, revealing the woman inside.

It was a frail lady, though not of old age. She appeared malnourished, with thin limbs and sunken cheeks. If her physical condition was awful, her mental condition was worse. The void eyes that once held crystal, glittering with passion, were now dull and lifeless.

This was not Nohrell Voss Fenrith in her glorious days, as they expected her to be.

This was a patient on life support.

"I didn’t…" Nohrell’s voice was weak, soft. "Expect to have any guests at all."

"Grandma, don’t be mad at me!" Nohr stirred, taking the woman's hand to her cheek. Nohrell smiled at the child, anything but affectionate. She couldn’t hate or be angry at her.

"Empress, my deep apology for seeking your audience unannounced." Marionette performed a curtsy in respect.

"Are you…" Nohrell cracked her voice, coughing. "Are you the Queen of Solis Aeternum?"

"You knew?" Marionette gasped, hands flying to her lips.

"I do…" Nohrell said. Her eyes swam, unfocused. "I must apologise for…" There was a sob coming from her lips. Tears streaked her eyes. "No, no—those glowing eyes. Silver light!" Her words were a jumbled mess. She groaned and reeled, twisting in agony.

Nohr puckered her lips, "It’s no use. Let’s leave for now," she suggested with a big sigh.

"Is she alright?" Apollo pried bluntly.

"Yeah, more or less, she’ll calm down after a bit," Nohr said before whispering something in Nohrell's ear — likely about the food she had prepared for her.

Nohrell pulled up her blankets, turning away. Her sobbing still haunted the room as they exited.

Afterwards, Nohr led them back to the living chambers. No one said a word on their trip back. When they returned, Nirie started to move the items and boxes around to tidy up the room with the help of two identical Wildren in maid uniforms.

"So… what do you wanna do next?" Nohr asked, lifting her shoulders. "Surely, you don’t think my grandmother can save the world. She can’t even walk."

The small Wildren was right.

A question hung heavy in the air. Marionette felt a nauseating headache now. Her index finger pressed hard at her temple.

"We should at least stay for a bit, figure things out?" Apollo suggested.

"I think that’s the only way. Perhaps, we can find a way to nurse her back to health…" Marionette agreed, although she already knew of the slim probability.

Nohr strolled over to Nirie, who was picking up loose plates and tools and placing them into a box, humming as she went.

"Nirie, can we have guests staying over?" Nohr asked her for permission; her request was nothing but cute.

"It’s doable!" Nirie lilted sweetly, smiling at the guests. "If you don’t mind the cramped space. We’re in the process of the expansion, you see." She referred to the extension of the buildings and other newly erected cabins.

"We, um, don’t mind that," Marionette replied promptly. These Wildrens were kind and nice folks once she got to know them.

“Perfect, then! I’ll prepare each room for both of you!” Nirie nodded before turning to issue orders to the maids.

Marionette found herself exhaling deeply, thinking there was never an easy mission after.

Before Marionette was drowning in her thought, Nohr grasped her hand, "Also, you are the Queen, for crying out loud!"

“Yes…” She conceded sheepishly.

"You should really bathe and have a big scrub." There was an eagerness in Nohr’s voice. “I’ll help!”

That earned a big laughter from Apollo. "You heard that, Marie!" He slapped his legs, continuing to laugh even louder.

"Alright…" She conceded defeat, running a hand through her tangled, unkempt locks. The unforgiving months in the wilderness had certainly taken their toll.

The reprimand from a child struck a chord, yet she could only smile and accept the truth of it. It was high time Marionette Zel Celerius reclaimed a shred of her dignity, scrubbing away the grime, the grease, and the weariness of their long journey.