A Journey Beyond
The Nine-Tailed Fox God of Gluttony was notorious among the constellations, not just for his insatiable appetite, but for the trouble his hunger often brought. A creature who was never satisfied, he craved more—more food, more knowledge, more power. That endless yearning eventually led to his downfall.
Back in the celestial realm, he had everything: respect, authority, and admiration. But one fateful day, he made a mistake that would cost him all of it.
The Divine Tree of Carior—a legendary tree created by Cenis, the god who forged the constellations and shaped their world. The tree was a living archive, holding the past, present, and future within its branches. Each leaf shimmered with a golden hue, and its branches glowed softly, as if touched by the hands of time itself. The Golden Apples that grew from it were not for consumption, but for maintaining the balance of existence. To eat from the tree was to disrupt that balance—a grave sin.
The constellations were warned by Cenis himself, back when he still guided them. The god had set this tree as a boundary, a reminder of the power they wielded and the restraint they needed to exercise. And yet, the Fox, with his unrelenting desire, couldn’t resist. The golden sheen of the apples called to him, promising something beyond mere nourishment. He told himself he was just curious. One bite couldn’t hurt, could it?
He was wrong.
The moment he bit into the apple, a blinding light erupted from the tree, and the entire celestial realm trembled. The other constellations watched in horror as cracks appeared in the sky, rippling outwards from where the Fox stood. The air itself seemed to fracture, and a powerful surge of energy swept across the heavens.
The constellations themselves had to punish him for this grave sin. They warned him, but he still succumbed to his flaws.
They were his family, his companions, and yet they were the ones who judged him unworthy to remain among them. They stripped him of his privileges and cast him down to the forest of Tivera with the other exiled constellations. The Fox didn’t protest. He simply watched them with a detached gaze, licking the last of the apple’s golden juice from his lips, seemingly indifferent to his punishment.
And just like that, the once-revered Nine-Tailed Fox became an outcast, left to wander the forest in exile. The other fallen constellations barely acknowledged him when he landed. When he landed in the forest, the other fallen constellations didn’t pay him much mind. They were dealing with their own losses and struggles.
Even so, Fox didn’t change his ways. He continued to indulge his hunger, roaming freely through the territories of the other constellations, consuming everything in his path—fruits, plants, magical creatures. Anything that seemed edible was fair game to him.
At first, the others ignored him. They didn’t need to eat, so why bother caring about his habits? but by indulging his appetite, he was taking away resources from the creatures of the forest who did.
But when they began to notice the effects. The areas he visited became barren, leaving less food for the creatures who depended on the forest’s bounty. It disrupted the delicate balance, and finally, they confronted him.
“Enough is enough!” The Tiger God of Envy growled, his voice rumbling like thunder. “If you keep this up, there won’t be anything left in the forest. Do you even care?”
The Fox blinked lazily, his gaze shifting between the group. “Why should I care? There’s always more to eat somewhere,” he drawled, his voice dripping with indifference.
“You’re draining the very life from the forest,” the Snake God of Pride hissed, his eyes narrowed. “If you don’t stop, everything here will die. Do you understand that?”
The Fox scoffed, his lips curling into a mischievous smile. “Oh please, you’re being dramatic. I’m just… indulging.”
Drac, the Dragon God of Wrath, stepped forward, his scales reflecting the flickering light of the forest. His eyes burned with a fierce intensity as he fixed the Fox with a steely glare. “This is not indulgence,” he snarled, voice low and dangerous. “You’re consuming every source of food. Creatures are already struggling to find what little remains. If you don’t stop, the forest itself will wither away.”
The Three horned bull God of Greed, reclining against a tree trunk, glanced at the Fox with a frown, finally breaking his usual silence. “It’s true. You’re pushing everything to the brink.” He scratched his head, his voice slow and almost reluctant. “Even in my territory, there’s less to go around. You’ve eaten through most of it.”
The Fox’s ears twitched. For a moment, a shadow of something crossed his face—guilt, maybe. But it vanished as quickly as it came.
“And then what?” the Fox sneered, his voice turning sharp. “It’ll just grow back. It’s what the forest does, right?”
The Peacock God of Lust spread his wings, his voice like a soothing melody laced with steel. “You’re missing the point, Fox. The forest is struggling to keep up. Every time it regenerates, you consume even more. At this rate, it’ll never recover.”
The Fox huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. “You all worry too much. It’s just a little food. There’s always more where that came from.”
“No, there won’t be,” the Tiger countered, stepping closer. His claws dug into the earth, and he exhaled slowly, trying to keep his temper in check. “The forest’s magic is depleting. If the balance tips too far, even we won’t be able to reverse it.”
The Snake’s eyes narrowed to dangerous slits. “We’re warning you for the last time. If you don’t stop, you’ll be the one responsible for this forest’s death.”
The Nine-Tailed Fox God of Gluttony glanced over at the Griffin God of Sloth, who was lounging nearby, barely paying attention. He hesitated, his gaze shifting for a moment as if considering their words.
“Fine,” he muttered, almost begrudgingly. “I’ll stay out of your territories.”
But the Griffin God of Sloth yawned, stretching his wings lazily. “Eh, do what you want in mine. Doesn’t make a difference to me.”
Fox's lips curled into a sly smile, his earlier reluctance melting away. “See? Someone who understands.” He gave a mocking bow in Griffin's direction, then turned back to the others with a smirk. “Looks like I’ve still got a place to go.”
With that, he resumed his gluttonous feasting in the Griffin’s land, devouring everything he could find. His hunger was insatiable, unchecked, and now… technically allowed—because someone, in their indifference, had given him permission.
And so, they left him alone, deciding it wasn’t worth the conflict. But that didn’t stop him. His appetite was never about hunger. It was about filling the void of something lost long ago.
Then one night, everything changed.
The Fox watched from the shadows as the Dragon God of Wrath brought a tiny, defenseless human girl into the forest. He narrowed his eyes, intrigued. What was the Dragon doing with a human child? The dragon, known for his solitary nature, didn’t seem the type to take on a caretaker role.
But then, the Dragon God did something unexpected—he left her there, alone. The Fox’s ears perked up, curiosity flaring. Was the Dragon abandoning her? His gaze shifted to the girl. She looked so fragile, standing amidst the towering trees with only the moonlight for company.
A part of him wanted to step forward, to take her for himself. But just as he moved, the dragon returned, his massive form radiating a protective aura. He scooped the girl up, his demeanor unreadable, and took her back to his territory.
The Fox smirked to himself, retreating back into the shadows. So, Drac hadn’t abandoned her after all. Interesting.
From that night on, Fox found himself drawn to the girl. He observed her from a distance, always watching but never approaching. He saw how she struggled at first, how she slowly gained confidence, and how she adapted to her strange new life among the constellations. He was fascinated by her progress and the way the others seemed to rally around her.
He even visited Drac’s cave once, lingering at the edge of the clearing. The dragon must have sensed him—he always did. But he didn’t react. They both knew the Fox wasn’t there to cause trouble. Not yet, anyway.
The more he watched, the more questions he had. Why was she here? What made her so special that the constellations, who rarely agreed on anything, seemed to take a unified interest in her well-being?
Sometimes, he wondered what would’ve happened if he’d been the one to find her first. Would she have grown stronger under his guidance? Or would he have consumed her like everything else?
He didn’t have an answer. All he knew was that he couldn’t look away.
So, he continued to watch, hidden among the shadows of his territory, observing her every move. He’d seen her face danger, triumph over challenges, and even cry in frustration. Each emotion she displayed, each step forward she took, only deepened his interest.
There was something about Nyx. Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. She wasn’t like other humans. There was a power within her—a spark that seemed ready to ignite into something far greater.
What would she become? Would she rise to be their equal, or would she crumble under the weight of their expectations?
The Fox didn’t know. But he wasn’t going to miss a single moment of her journey.
So, he waited. Hidden, patient, and still hungry for something he couldn’t name. And for the first time in a long while, he felt something other than the gnawing emptiness inside him.
Anticipation.
*******************************************************
Six months had passed, and Nyx was now on the verge of turning seven years old. Over this period, she had made incredible progress, regularly conquering slime dungeons and refining her abilities with every encounter. Each victory earned her more experience points, pushing her power and honing her magic with each battle.
EXP: 100/?
The experience points kept piling up, though the exact threshold for the next level still eluded her. Even so, Nyx could feel herself growing stronger—more capable, more confident. During this time, she managed to gather all the necessary materials to level up Rion. Although she had given her permission for the upgrade, nothing seemed to happen yet. She figured it would come in due time and chose to remain patient.
She had also acquired a few magic stones for Airy, but she still needed to get a proper sword, shield, and healing potions to complete her gear.
When she wasn’t busy raiding dungeons, Nyx continued visiting the other constellations, sharing her experiences and picking up advice and encouragement.
At Griff’s Cave
The visits to Griff’s cave were always soothing. Nyx and the Aetherlings would tackle their regular chores together—sweeping away feathers, dusting the stone surfaces, and tidying up the place. They worked efficiently, chatting and laughing as they went.
“Can’t believe how messy this place gets every time,” Len muttered while dusting off a shelf.
“I know, right?” Ryu replied with a smirk. “It’s like the dust waits for us to leave just so it can take over.”
Nyx giggled as she carefully groomed Griff’s feathers. “Maybe the dust just likes being around Griff.”
“Do you ever run out of feathers, Griff?” Nabi teased, holding up a particularly large one.
“Maybe he’s growing more just to keep us busy,” Suli added, giggling as she twirled a feather like a dancer’s prop.
Griff let out a long, lazy yawn, his massive wings stretching as he shifted in his spot. “You all sound like a flock of chirping birds,” he muttered, his eyes half-closed in drowsiness.
Nyx, perched on his back, gently plucked loose feathers. “I don’t mind it. It’s fun to talk while we work. Plus, I get to tell you everything that’s been happening!” she chirped happily.
She’d then launch into stories about her recent dungeon raids, the treasures she’d discovered, and the skills she’d acquired. Griff would listen, nodding occasionally or letting out a soft grunt to show he was paying attention. More often than not, his head would droop, and he’d teeter on the edge of sleep.
“Be careful, little one,” Griff would murmur slowly, his voice deep and deliberate. “Don’t push yourself too hard. You’re still just a child, no matter how powerful you think you are.”
Nyx would smile, warmth spreading through her chest. “I promise, Griff. I’ll be careful.”
“Yeah, yeah, but seriously, where do all these feathers come from?” Len jokes, tossing one in the air.
“You could make a mountain out of these,” Guerim said with a grin.
“Or a giant bed big enough for all of us!” Ryu added, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
They all laughed, including Nyx. Despite the hard work, spending time with Griff and the Aetherlings always felt light and joyful.
At the Snake’s Cave
Nyx’s visits to the Snake’s cave were marked by her constant stream of chatter. She would talk about her dungeon raids, her dreams, and even trivial things like the meals she’d eaten or random thoughts that popped into her head. Although the Snake often seemed indifferent, Nyx knew he was paying attention.
“Did I tell you I cleared an entire slime dungeon all by myself?” Nyx bragged, bouncing on her toes.
The Snake sighed deeply, his tongue flicking out. “Yes, several times.”
“Do you ever stop talking?” the Snake would hiss, his tongue flickering in annoyance.
Nyx would giggle. “Nope! Because if I did, you’d get lonely. And I know you secretly like my company.”
The Snake would narrow his eyes, but the faintest hint of amusement would glimmer there. “Hmph, your arrogance knows no bounds.” And then, almost as if to distract her, he would grant her yet another skill.
New Skill Obtained
Blessing: Rift Mastery
Level: SS
The ability to control rifts for any purpose.
The Snake explained the skill to her, emphasizing the delicate nature of manipulating rifts and the power it could unleash. They practiced until Nyx felt comfortable using it, though she wasn’t planning to incorporate it into her regular repertoire just yet.
“Now, will you finally be quiet?” he’d grumble, hoping for some peace.
But instead of silencing her, Nyx would beam up at him, her gratitude overflowing. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Snake! I promise I’ll use it wisely.”
The Snake would sigh deeply, realizing that his plan to silence her had backfired spectacularly once again.
At the Peacock’s Territory
Visits to the Peacock’s territory were filled with treats and surprises. Every time Nyx showed up, he would offer her new sweets, dress her in beautiful clothes, and even take the time to comb her hair with meticulous care.
Nyx excitedly recounted her adventures, describing every slime dungeon and every new skill she’d received. He nodded along, listening attentively and interjecting here and there with praise and admiration.
“You’ve really grown, haven’t you?” he murmured, smoothing out the creases on her dress. “Just be careful, alright?”
She nodded, looking up at him with wide, innocent eyes. “I will! And thank you for the new clothes. They really help.”
“These clothes are so pretty!” Nyx would exclaim, twirling in a shimmering tunic that looked like it was made of starlight. “Where do you get all this stuff?”
“Now, now, darling, no need to worry about that,” the Peacock would say with a secretive smile. “Just enjoy them.”
And she did. Every visit was a delight, as the Peacock would tell her fantastical stories about the world beyond the forest. Tales of grand cities, mighty warriors, and other beings just like her.
“Are there really people like me out there?” Nyx would ask, her eyes wide with wonder.
“Of course,” the Peacock would reply smoothly, though he kept many truths hidden. “One day, you’ll see for yourself.”
Their time together was always filled with laughter and warmth, and Nyx cherished every moment she spent with him.
At the Tiger’s Territory
The Tiger continued to train Nyx, pushing her limits while ensuring she remained grounded.
Nyx explained her new skill, Rift Mastery, to the Tiger. He was impressed but also felt the need to step up his game to match the Snake’s constant gift-giving.
“Hmm. That snake’s being unusually generous,” he mused, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully. “But I suppose I’ll have to keep up, won’t I?”
One day, Nyx crossed her arms and pouted, her expression set in determination.
“Tiger, I’m tired of just going to slime dungeons. Can’t we try something different? Something more challenging?” she asked, looking up at him.
The Tiger raised a brow, surprised. “Why the sudden interest in tougher dungeons?”
Nyx grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “That’s a secret.”
“Hmph. A secret, is it?” The Tiger’s gaze softened, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Very well. Prepare yourself. I’ll take you to a different dungeon next time.”
Her face lit up with excitement, and she nodded eagerly. “I’ll be ready!”
The Tiger nodded thoughtfully. “We’ll see how ready you are.”
At Drac’s Cave
When she wasn’t exploring dungeons, Nyx would spend her time with Drac, honing her skills and learning about magic and aurora. Drac would take her to new slime dungeons from time to time, letting her practice her skills in different settings.
One day, during a lesson, she hesitated and looked up at him with worry in her eyes.
“Drac?” she called softly.
“Yes?” he replied, his voice gruff but gentle.
“Don’t you think I have too many skills?” Nyx asked him one evening, her brows furrowed in concern.
Drac’s gaze softened as he looked at her. “Your magic is strong enough to handle them all. But remember, having power is one thing—knowing how to control it is another.”
Nyx nodded thoughtfully. “I understand. I’ll make sure I learn to control all of them.”
Drac nodded, pride gleaming in his eyes. “Good.”
She would also share any new skills she acquired. When she told him about the Rift Mastery skill the Snake had given her, Drac raised a brow.
“The Snake is giving you many gifts,” he remarked, his voice thoughtful. “Rift Mastery, huh?” He huffed softly. “Looks like the Snake’s trying to outdo the rest of us.”
Nyx looked up at him, a smile on her face.” I don’t know why he does it, but I’m happy he does.”
Drac’s expression softened. “I’m glad you’re happy, just be careful when you’re using the skills.”
Nyx nodded. “I will.”
The most surprising discovery over the past six months was a hidden lake deep within Drac’s territory, found by Len, Ryu, Suli, Nabi, and Guerim. The lake was long and clear, its waters sparkling like crystals under the sun. The first time she saw it, Nyx’s breath was taken away.
“Wow… it’s so beautiful,” she whispered, eyes wide with awe.
The others fluttered around her, their tiny bodies casting shimmering reflections on the water.
“It’s even prettier when the moon’s out,” Len told her with a smile. “You should see it sometime.”
Nyx nodded eagerly. “I will!”
Since then, the lake has become her favorite spot. After each dungeon raid, she would teleport there with the Aetherlings to relax. They would splash around, the cool water refreshing after a long day of fighting.
“Take that!” Len called, sending a spray of water towards Nyx, who squealed in delight.
“Hey, no fair!” she shouted, laughing as she splashed back.
The Aetherlings watched her play, a sense of protectiveness washing over them. No matter how powerful she became, Nyx was still a child at heart.
After playing, Nyx would use her Steam Convergence skill to dry off, giggling as the steam swirled around her. Then they would return to Drac’s cave, where she would eagerly recount her day to him.
“Did you have fun today?” Drac would ask, his tone gentler than usual.
“Always,” Nyx would reply, a big smile on her face. “And I can’t wait to go again!”
With each passing day, Nyx’s bond with the constellations deepened. Her strength continued to grow, and her heart remained full of determination and courage. The path ahead was long, but she was ready for whatever lay beyond the horizon.