Hey, this chapter is just a short 'special' chapter that isn't really linked with the journey of Faofa.
Consider this a side story - something that is happening while Faofa is busy traveling.
Happy reading!
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It was a small while later, the girl and Arabor had sat down and were simply discussing something.
Well - discussing is a bit stretched.
It was mostly actually silent - as the kitsune girl was seemingly nervous and even afraid of speaking. Which would be understandable - after all, she was right now infront of one of the Dragons that formed the world into what it is now.
During this time, Arabor would occasionally try to start up a conversation with the girl, in many, many ways - however she wouldn't reply to him at all, which would always make him drop the attempt and think of a new way to begin.
Eventually, she shook her head lightly and exhaled.
?: "Uhm.. Primal Aby... No - Lord Arabor, I have a question.."
The girl said, her voice slightly nervous.
Arabor looked down at her before nodding and crossing his 'arms'.
"Ask away."
He said, in a calm and deep voice.
The girl shed a slight sweat before exhaling once more.
?: "You said that this place was called Faofas Soul Space - could you elaborate a bit more on what you meant by that?"
She asked.
Arabor looked at her a bit confused.
"You do not know what a Soul Space is?"
He asked. The girl shook her head in reply.
Arabor looked rather surprised, before scratching his chin - trying to think of the best way to explain this place to her.
"Well, for starters - 'Soul Space' isn't the real name. It's a slang of sorts, as you mortals would call it. This locations actual and true name is 'Mind Dimension' or at least, that's what I remember."
He stated before lowering his head down a bit.
"However do not be mistaken - this is not a physical place — It's a mental one. We aren't here physically, instead, our spirits and powers have taken on a 'physical' form in this space for us to be able to communicate."
Arabor continued, adding a small note to his previous statement.
The girl looked a bit more confused but at the same time - she was kinda beginning to understand?
The girl sighed, before looking down.
Arabor cleared his throat before leaning down a bit.
"Anyways.. change of subject."
He stated before leaning his head down a bit more.
"I don't believe that I caught your name, my Dear Kitsune friend."
Arabor said.
The girl let out a small exhale of realisation, which sounded quite nervous before bowing down and apologizing to Arabor.
?: "M-My deepest apologies Lord Arabor!"
She said in slight distress.
Arabor looked a bit confused at first, however a moment later, he exhaled in slight disappointment.
"Please, don't pay mind to it. You and I are equals while inside of this space - so no need for formalities."
He replied looking down at her.
The girl looked up at the Primal dragon before nodding lightly, a bit surprised by its humble nature.
A moment later, she placed her right hand onto her chest before smiling lightly.
?: "My name is Iyka - and my family name is Licious."
She stated, introducing herself at last.
Arabor looked at her and nodded lightly, showing that he acknowledged her name.
"I see.. well, I am pleased to meet you Iyka Licious."
Arabor said before placing one of his arms on his chest. (Consider this a sign of showing respect)
The girl looked at him surprised before sighing.
Iyka: "So then... Lo... Arabor, may I know who this 'Faofa' you spoke of earlier is?"
She asked, before sharpening her gaze a bit.
Iyka: "Are they someone evil?"
Arabor shook his head lightly.
"Of course not!... Atleast, I don't think so... Well he was a defenseless serpent at first, however look at him now! Took down a Superior Kitsune with ease."
Arabor stated, laughing lightly to himself before looking at her more seriously.
It even seemed like he was trying to intimidate her a bit.
"..Or that's what I would say if you were actually dead. But you're not - are you?"
He asked.
Iyka let out a gasp before shedding a slight sweat.
"I mean- it's kind of hard to imagine a spiritual being such as a Kitsune dying, you understand?"
Arabor explained a bit before sighing.
Iyka clenched her hands into fists before sighing.
Iyka: "Well... I suppose I'm not technically dead.."
She confirmed before scratching her cheek a bit.
Iyka: "I mean.. a spiritual being like myself can't exactly be killed..."
She finished before sighing.
Arabor let out a small laugh before lowering himself a bit to meet her eye level.
"So then.. why did you pretend to be killed by Faofa? As far as I understand - Kitsunes are very proud beings who wouldn't ever use dirty tricks to escape a fight."
He asked.
Back during the fight between them both, Iyka had devised two plans which she'd execute depending on how the battle went.
If she was to start losing, she'd simply flee.
And the second was - if Faofa managed to damage her greatly, she'd pretend like she died - mostly by making up that whole thing about Kitsunes not being able to survive without Spiritual Energy.
The extent of the second plan was to fake her death and then have her body rebuild itself somewhere safe and far, so Faofa wouldn't know.
However... Somehow, her whole spirit was absorbed by something.
Iyka: "I intended to rebuild my body somewhere safe, but I was suddenly absorbed or something by something.."
She stated before sighing.
Arabor thought for a moment after hearing her statement before laughing lightly and extending his wings wide open, which created for one hell of a scene. Iyka looked at him confused.
Iyka: "....Arabor..?"
"I believe I understand what may have happened with you."
Arabor stated before looking at her.
"Faofa used his Individual skill [Devourer] on you, although, most likely by mistake."
He stated.
Iyka could feel her expression turn to confusion and her jaw practically hit the ground.
Does this dragon mean that her spirit was basically eaten by the snake?
After contemplating this, she burst out in annoyance.
Iyka: "Are you serious?! I got devoured by that thing?!"
She shouted in annoyance and slight anger.
Arabor couldn't help but facepalm lightly, before sighing as Iyka was losing her shit. It was kinda understandable onto why she was so mad, but at the same time - she was throwing a tantrum infront of another being...
Iyka: "Just you wait you stupid serpent - Once I get out of here—"
"I'm going to stop you there."
Arabor interrupted her suddenly, growling lightly which made it feel like the whole 'Mind Dimension' was shaking.
Iyka looked at the Primal Dragon with confusion and slight fear due to the strange feeling of the whole space around them shaking, before tilting her head to the side.
"It is impossible to leave this space unless Faofa releases you. After all, you technically are a part of his body and power now."
He explained crossing his arms.
"In other words - you're stuck in here, unless he sets you free."
Arabor finished. Iykas expression turned from confusion to sulking quite fast after learning this information.
She was stuck here until the snake decided to let her go?
Was that ever going to even happen??
Arabor stared at the girl for a few moments before sighing.
"Your expression tells me that you believe that you won't be able to ever leave this place."
Arabor commented. Iyka looked at him with a gloomy stare.
Iyka: "You don't say.."
Arabor cleared his throat.
"Look- I suggest you have some faith in my dear friend. I'm sure he'll figure out a way to free you.
Arabor stated, his voice still calm and now even a bit caring or something.
'That is - only if he even figures out that you're inside of him just like me.'
Arabor added in his thoughts.
This comment was one he couldn't really say out loud - unless he wanted to see a fox have a tantrum right infront of him.
Iyka wiped off the gloomy expression before sighing.
Iyka: "Tell me something Lo.... Arabor - How did you get here?"
"Me?"
Arabor asked.
Iyka simply nodded in response.
"Well... It's quite simple... Although it is a long story as well, so maybe I'll tell you it another time."
Arabor explained before looking away.
"But I'll say one thing - it has been quite boring in here all alone. I feel like I was more entertained in that prison pocket dimension that I was trapped inside of."
Arabor noted before leaning back a bit.
Iyka had a bit of a sour and salty expression on her face as the dragon spoke, before she buried her face into her hands.
Iyka: 'Why do I feel like I'm going to lose my sanity while alone with him..?'
She thought.
This was a thought she would never have the guts to say outloud while Arabor was present. No way in hell.
After shaking her head lightly, Iyka looked back up at Arabor, before sighing.
Iyka: "I suppose there isn't anything to do here then."
"Hm? Well.. there wasn't anything to do here till now. Now I have someone I can talk to - and you're not alone either. I'd consider this a situation that benefits us both."
Arabor responded before laughing lightly.
Iyka: 'Beneficial..? I'll be lucky to even survive a week with you in this... Whatever it was called.'
She sighed again, before placing her arms into her lap.
"Changing the subject— I have a question for you."
Arabor stated, looking down at her a bit more seriously. Iyka let out a small gasp before looking up at Arabor.
Iyka: "I'll be happy to answer.."
"Then enlighten me.."
Arabor began, lowering his head down to her eye level once more.
For a few moments there was an intense aura between the two of them - mostly coming from Arabor, who had an unusually dead serious expression.
The expression alone was enough to send Iyka in a state of slight panic, as she awaited his question.
"Tell me... Would you fancy.."
Arabor continued before suddenly manifesting a chess board.
"To play a game of what humans call 'chess' with me?"
Arabor finished, his dead serious expression wiped off and replaced by a hopeful one.
Iykas expression turned to a mixed one - shocked and confused as she tried to comprehend what this Primal Dragon of immense power, had just asked her to do with him.
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Hey, it's me again.
Like stated at the start of the chapter - this is mostly just a side thing, unrelated to the main journey of Faofa.
I'll have more of these chapters in the future as well - mostly to break up the flow and kick some new things into the mix.
Anyway, see you in the next chapter!