[Fox Girl Evolution] Chapter 2: GODDESSES SUCK!

Two robed figures appeared on the doorstep. I peered from my hiding spot, through the narrow eyes of the skull and noticed something odd.

Behind them, the forest stretched as usual. Trees, shadowy undergrowth, and strange shadowy nope-shaped figures that sometimes lurked in the distance, creatures I never got a clear look at and, frankly, never wanted to. I’d assumed my goth mage just lived far from civilization. Kind of on brand for her.

But when she opened the door, her brow twitched in annoyance. And maybe even a hint of… anger?

“Hello there, Lady Curtis,” said the lead figure as he removed his mask. His voice was deep and husky, and matched the handsome face beneath, sharp features, strong jaw, piercing blue eyes. Not exactly the gothic, creepy aesthetic Julia favored, but I guess everyone had their own style.

His gaze drifted into the house like he owned the place. “Hopefully I’m not intruding on anything?”

Julia dropped her civility mask like a hot turd.

“You’re interrupting my existence,” she snapped, trying to slam the door. “Kindly fuck off into the sun-”

He just smiled and held it open, effortlessly. Her scowl deepened.

“Of everyone they could’ve sent,” she growled, “they sent you.”

“Julie, you cut me.” His smile was poisoned honey.

“Don’t.”

“Julia, then.” Smugness levels were critical. “Rivals once, yes, but a year apart warrants more warmth. Least you could do is offer some tea.” He tapped the doorframe. “Invite us in?”

I saw her jaw clench, radiating pure nope, before she reluctantly stepped aside. Two figures entered: Handsome McSmug and a silent, hooded shadow glued to his heels.

“I thought Father said he’d be visiting me personally with Mother,” she hissed, shutting the door behind them. “Not sending his fucking dog in his place.”

“Your father is… preoccupied.”

“Preoccupied? Torturing dissenters? Abducting villages for ‘conversion’?” She bared her teeth. “Get to the point. I still had seven days.”

“There’ve been… complications,” he said, tone smoothing into something more formal. “Your parents command your return to the Sanctum. Immediately.”

“I’m not setting foot in that festering shithole again. Told them when I bailed, I want zero part of their fucked-up crusade. They should be grateful I haven’t ratted them out to the local holy church yet.”

He made a tch sound and tilted his head. “You’ve gotten soft. I used to see you as more than a rival, almost a shining example. Sixty percent success rate with your subjects-”

“SHUT THE FUCK UP!”

His grin only widened. “One of those subjects was a child, wasn’t it? The one you successfully awakened. I wonder-”

“I ASKED YOU TO SHUT UP!”

That seemed to be the last straw.

A matrix of swirling dark mana spun into existence behind Julia, and with it, a massive tentacle erupted from the void, lashing toward the man with the force of a collapsing building.

It should’ve hit him.

But it didn’t.

Because the second robed figure, silent until now, vanished.

And a heartbeat later, the entire tentacle was shredded in place.

I felt that weird ping go off in my head again, but before I could tap it, it was gone.

Damn it.

That usually happened if I didn’t activate the ability fast enough on instantaneous spells. If I missed the window, I didn’t get to see their info or do anything with them.

The smug bastard emerged unscathed, looking even more pleased with himself now. His robed bodyguard reappeared behind him, sheathing two absolutely nasty-looking daggers. They had weird shadows swirling around them.

"Well, whatever," Smug Bastard Prime drawled, brushing non-existent lint off his immaculate sleeve. "Still emotionally volcanic, I see. And hey, no mockery intended. Genuinely impressed you managed to awaken a kid. You’d have made a decent priestess for the Lord. But maybe being aggressively mediocre fits you better."

He shrugged.

"Not my circus. Just your escort. Come quietly, or…" He glanced back. Robed Attack-Dog gave a shadow-blade a lazy, threatening spin.

"Let’s keep this… tidy."

Appalling. I was speechless.

Well… speechless, but brimming with graphic architectural plans for that bastard’s face. It needed structural demolition. Violent landscaping. Urgently.

And it wasn’t just because of Julia. Dude just radiated punchable aura.

As for the backstory bombshells… sounded like Julia had a past. A murky one. Did it change shit?

Why was that even a thought?

She was the warm lap I claimed. The fingers that found the mythical itch behind my ears. The voice that babbled nonsense while spooning me soup. She was mine. Her past was murky swamp water; her present had bacon. The math wasn’t hard.

Obviously I didn’t give a single fuck.

[The Goddess of Trickery is verklempt!]

Honestly? Life was better without a divine peanut gallery narrating your brain. What the fuck was even ‘verklempt’? I mentally swatted her away.

Julia gnawed her lip. Torn? Sure. But the defeat in her posture screamed I’m cornered. Saying no wasn't an option. Not against this kind of firepower.

And suddenly my tiny world just got a terrifying upgrade. I’d witnessed two monstrous displays. Julia’s shadow-tentacle? Felt like it could pulp an elephant. And Robed Attack-Dog shredded it like wet toilet paper. A glimpse into a power-scale that made my demon fox paws feel laughably, pathetically small.

[Goddess of Trickery is HEADBANGING ENTHUSIASTICALLY!]

[YES, SMOL FLUFF! YOU TOO CAN REND THE FABRIC OF EXISTENCE! (Primarily for hilarious fuckery.)]

…SERIOUSLY?!?!?!

I COULD DO COOL GLOWY MAGIC TOO?!

AND WEAPONIZE IT FOR PRANKS?!

Huehehehehe. Possibilities detonated like ill-gotten fireworks in my brain.

But focus, Clover. Unwanted assholes first.

Julia sighed. The sound was pure, bone-deep exhaustion. Resignation. “I’m not staying long,” she muttered. “This visit will be shorter than my current fuse.”

Smug Bastard Prime’s grin hit maximum smug. “Try not to misplace either on the journey.”

“Don’t fucking prod me again,” she snapped.

Then his gaze drifted. Again. And landed right on the skull hiding me. His grin became positively predatory. Julia followed his look, tension crackling off her.

“Also,” he added, smooth as poisoned silk, “bring that mask you bankrupted yourself for. Master found its… acquisition… intriguing.” Julia flashed micro-relief he hadn’t mentioned me… instantly vaporized as he continued, “And the demon you’ve got stashed under that skull. Detected its little mana-fart the moment I landed. Did you truly think a basic glamour would fool me?”

Welp. So much for hiding in plain sight. Or anywhere, apparently. He’d sniffed me out before he even crossed the damn threshold. Also, hold on… a demon? From what angle did I look like a demon? I was a little fox, thank you very much. No horns. No fire-breathing. Unless these people had a… broader definition of “demon,” in which case… yeah, hopefully that was it.

And wait, do these people come with built-in demon radar?! Holy fucksticks, that was unsettling.

Julia bit down hard, drawing blood. “Can I have a shred of privacy, you invasive fuck?”

“If you possess the skill to conceal it, my lady.”

I hated him. Julia radiated matching hatred.

Julia scowled but she obeyed. Her hand wove a quick pattern through the air. Ping! Fired off in my skull again.

This time I mentally slammed YES. What choice did I have?

[{Trickery} has detected a spell. Would you like to view the information?]

FUCK YES!

[Mana Mark Retrieval: Summons a previously marked object directly to the user, navigating the optimal spatial path.]

Neat trick.

The mask zipped down the stairs like a panicked bat, dodging furniture with impossible grace, and slapped into Julia’s waiting palm. She gripped it like it was coated in plague. Then she strode forward. A sharp finger-snap shattered whatever spell hid me, and her hands scooped me up gently. I hissed at the man and his silent shadow lackey.

“Adorable,” he drawled.

Julia flipped him a blistering middle finger. “Eat shit, Bedivere.” Yeah, eat shi- Wait. That’s actually a cool name.

Bedivere offered a mockingly deep bow, flourishing towards the door. "Milady."

***

The world outside, or at least the little slice I could peek at from the second-floor window, was all trees and tangled undergrowth. So thick and gloomy, it could’ve passed for either a forest or the world’s most poorly maintained garden. But those shadowy figures creeping around behind the tree trunks… Yeah, those confirmed it was definitely not a garden party. One creepy fucker would press itself against a tree, clutching the bark like a perverted ghost, and just stare at me with glowing crimson orbs. Then its buddies would pop up behind other trees, copying the move like a synchronized stalking squad.

Creeped out? Uhh, Not really. Mostly just annoyed. Especially since every time Julia showed up, they’d vanish, then reappear one-by-one like they were rehearsing for a horror pantomime. Since she didn’t give them the time of day, I followed her lead. Still, I did want to pelt them with foxy poop pellets. Unfortunately, magic fox biology didn’t come with that feature. Disappointing. Maybe “demon fox” was more accurate now. Whatever, it was weird.

As for why Julia wasn’t all that bothered by them? That, I only figured out now.

“YOU SMASHED MY FUCKING BARRIER?!?” Julia roared, whirling on Bedivere.

He shrugged, infuriatingly casual. “Frankly? It was tissue paper. Camping in the Phantom Glades with that flimsy shield might stop a soggy ghost. But if a Phantom Lord were to appear? Or its fucking cavalry? You’d be mincemeat. Consider it… preventative maintenance, Julie.”

Julia shot him a glare.

“…Julia. Anyway, I needed an entry point for my plus-one.” The hooded figure beside him – who I’d assumed was human – gave a stiff nod. Twin orbs of icy blue light ignited where eyes should be. “Your barrier specifically blocked undead and spectral entities. Tricky. Yet he bypassed it silently. Impressive, no?”

“Seems you lucked out, bastard.”

“Oh, come now,” he said with mock modesty. “I’m the best Surgeon they’ve got right now.”

He patted the shoulder of the cloaked thing standing next to him like a proud coach. “Best thing I’ve ever pulled off. Used to be a noble before he got sold off as a slave, lord handed him over to me. Say hi to Fabio, my death knight.” He wore the smuggest grin imaginable, like he was waiting for Julia to explode.

Julia… didn’t. Her expression stayed frozen contempt.

“If you’re done gloating, let’s go. Your face makes me want to vomit.” Julia shoved past him, clutching me tight, and climbed into the waiting carriage.

Bedivere sauntered in after her. Fabio remained outside, taking the reins. The horses snorted, and the carriage lurched onto a neglected forest path. After sticking around Julia this long, I’d learned her tells. She was uneasy, trying to bury it under layers of disdain. Her gaze kept flicking to the rear window, like she was waiting for something. Or someone. But there was nothing there.

So she just radiated imperviousness, sitting rigid across from Bedivere.

I did my part. I yipped softly and nudged her hand. Got you, witch.

It worked. A flicker of warmth crossed her face. She kissed my forehead. “Don’t fret, little Clover. Just a quick ‘chat’ with the parental nightmares. We’ll be home by supper.”

[Goddess of Trickery is smiling deviously.]

Uhoh.

That didn’t sound like we’d be home by supper.

Was something about to go spectacularly wrong?

“Don’t tell me you’re deranged enough to talk to a demon? Taming one’s a fool’s errand and contracting one usually ends… messily.”

Julia started rummaging frantically through her black gown, hands digging into folds like a pissed-off badger.

“What are you searching for?”

“Looking for a single, solitary fuck to give you, since you seem so starved for them.” She sighed dramatically. “Seems I’m fresh out, Bedivere.” Her voice dripped fake sugar. “So how about you weld that sewer-trap you call a mouth shut? Let’s enjoy the blessed silence.”

Bedivere just chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Peace, then. Peace.”

The rest of the ride was dull. Outside, I still saw some of those creepy shadow-creeps hanging around, but this time, they were keeping their distance. Guess even they had the sense to fear the death knight. Can’t blame them from what I witnessed him doing earlier.

Still… the Goddess’ earlier message kept looping in my head.

HEY! WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU SMILING DEVIOUSLY FOR?!

Silence. Absolute, infuriating radio silence. Precisely when I craved divine snark! GODDESSES SUCK!

Welp. Third mental shout unanswered. Fine. Back to not giving a rat’s arse. Maybe plot minor homefront trickery later. Pranks were my mother tongue. If only I could unleash a lethal one on Smug Bastard Prime right now… but yeah. I was severely outgunned here.

Didn’t take long before the carriage came to a halt and we all hopped off.

What waited outside was a full-blown manor, big, clean, and stuck right in the middle of nowhere. Surrounded by gardens so unnervingly perfect they looked painted. The transition from nightmare forest to this manicured hellscape was so abrupt it gave me whiplash.

Rows of servants stood waiting, clad in crisp black-and-white uniforms. They bowed in eerie unison as Julia stepped down. “Lady Julia,” greeted the fanciest one, monocle gleaming, with another deep bow. Head Butler? Probably.

Julia swept past them like they were furniture. “Where the fuck are my parents?”

“Awaiting you in the Undercroft, my lady,” the butler replied, tone still polished respect.

“Alright. Let’s see what those fuckers want with me this time.” And off she went, marching ahead with me in one hand and that mask in the other.

The mask’s empty eye sockets still somehow managed to feel like they were staring straight at me. My fur bristled. I spat at it. Or, well, tried to. Fox biology vetoed it. Fuck anatomy.

Julia just patted my back, mistaking my outrage for a weird cough. Ugh.

Inside, the mansion screamed vomit-worthy opulence. Spotless, polished, dripping with that "filthy rich medieval bastard" aesthetic. Julia took an immediate right in the first cavernous hall, descending stairs that quickly shed their noble facade. The walls morphed into rough-hewn stone, like we’d walked straight into a mountain’s guts carved out by ambitious lunatics.

Blue-flamed torches lined the walls, casting flickering, cold light down the increasingly oppressive stairway. It finally spat us out in front of a truly massive gate. Ornate black stone shot through with veins of sickly blue and gaudy gold. Dominating the center was a colossal, gleaming golden skull. Yeah.

This screamed "Sanctum." Loudly.

Two enormous figures flanked the gate, encased head-to-toe in heavy armor hidden under black robes, with shadows curling and writhing from the armor’s joints. Death Knights? Probably. I’d only met one before, Fabio, and these two looked like they could use him as a toothpick. The term sounded appropriately terrifying but the details were beyond my fluffy expertise.

They bowed in eerie unison, the movement smooth and silent, and hauled the massive gates open.

I caught a glimpse of the shadowy expanse beyond-

THUNK.

Julia screamed. Her face slammed into the unforgiving stone floor. Lodged inches from her neck, vibrating with the force of its impact, was a spear.