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_{Character List}
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[Chapters Are Below]


Please don't post anything on this forum thread. I'd like to keep it clean until I'm finished!

[After hours of trying to figure out what I should write about, I finally figured out a plan. This will technically be a short story so it may not take me long to complete. Though I do plan on using more elaborate words and editing the chapters from time to time]


Chapter One
_{The Empress Meets The King}

The King rested on his throne scowling down at the scouts beneath him. "You let a Zolnixi into our gates? One of this kingdoms greatest enemies?!" He roared clearly frustrated. One of their greatest enemies where Zolnixis, unless it was during the festival. Usually, they wouldn't dare enter the Umbra Forest a day before it started.

"Your Majesty her rank was above us and we could not ignore her orders.." The head scout whimpered as the King growled at his words. This was not acceptable.

"She is but a Zolnixi you fool!" They bowed their heads. The King glared holes into their heads before waving his paw towards the door.

"Bring the foul creature to the palace! If you don't get back before sundown, you will all be executed for treason against this kingdom!" With those words, the scouts hastily stood up and trotted out of the throne room. The King gazed out the large stained-glass windows.

"Those scouts better be prepared for the next time they show their disgusting muzzles in my palace.." The King sat in his throne for what seemed like hours before he decided to take care of some business that was located in the dungeons below him.

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Within an hour, they were able to escort the Zolnixi to the King's palace without trouble. She was quite respectful of the Lupora scouts and even started up a conversation with them. It nearly looked as if she was their friend and comrade.

"We apologize for making you travel here with us, Empress Fenry."

"Don't think much of it," She smiled at them and walked through the towering wooden doors. This entire kingdom was old-fashioned, but it was sort of charming in a way. The traditional style door frames along with the cobblestone paths and stained windows. It was like walking into a fairytale.

"The King will be with you shortly, Empress." The scouts shut the doors behind her and scampered off to find their group. Inside the palace was rather dull, unlike the outside of it. Banners draped down from the ceiling, each having a mythical creature sewn into the fabric.

The windows had stories painted into them. One with a Lupora covered in gold armor, battling a Ny'vene. The others had a similar story for all the Sylestian races. The only species that seemed to be missing was the Zolnixis. Fenry presumed that these staged battles the Lupora have won. Paw steps disrupted her thoughts.

"Tell me your name, Zolnixi." The King stated profoundly as he plopped down onto his silver throne.

"My name is Fenry, Empress Fenry." She has reenacted this line ever since she was born. It was a requirement, that is what her father told her anyway.

"Empress?" That word, it seems, did not faze the King. He had an adversary of a higher rank in his palace. She could easily take over his throne if she felt necessary. Wild ideas did not run through his head before she spoke once again.

"My King, I wish to know why you demanded my presence here before the festival begins tonight." He could not overlook this question, for she would presumably try to strike the answer from him.

"I just wanted to know why my loyal scouts would have let in an enemy before the festival, but they never answered me directly, so I had them bring you to me instead." She smiled at the King.

"Well, the mystery has been solved, I shall now take my leave." That answer made the King narrow his eyes. The more he looked at her, the more he thought she wouldn't be powerful enough to kill him or take his throne. She is but a mere Zolnixi after all.

Chapter Two
_{Stage Two Begins}

"M-my Lady, please wait!" A small Zolnixi followed in pursuit of her mistress. The Empress looked back at the tiny creature and grinned.

"Cynthia we have two hours until the festival!" Fenry exclaimed bouncing up and down with excitement. This was a once in a lifetime chance to admire the kingdom's beauty.

"My Lady, we still have to prepare your appearance for the Third and Second stage!" Cynthia spoke in a firm voice.

"I know..." Fenry muttered disapprovingly. It wasn't fair that she was the only one to be prepared.

"Now then, follow me, my lady."

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Cynthia lead Fenry all over the populated part of the kingdom. They visited multiple shops that held exotic perfumes, paints, as well as flowers. It was one of the most exhausting trips the Empress has ever partaken in.

"I believe this will do!" Cynthia nodded her head and moved her lady to one of the many mirrors positioned on the walls. The fabrics mirrored those from her father's empire. But these ones truly matched her fur color.

"Wow, it looks wondrous!" One of the small Lunemaras that help with robe fittings praised Fenry's attire.

"Thank you.." Fenry looked at the ground in embarrassment. When the Lunemara fluttered away, Fenry began to talk.

"Speak, Cynthia, have thou ever faced the King?"

"I can't assume that I ought, no." The fox-like creature responded. The ringing of bells filled the kingdom's walls. The festival was about to begin.

"My Lady! We must hurry!" The first stage had already ended when they arrived, yet Fenry wasn't particularly troubled. The first stage was intended for the common folk nevertheless.

"Empress Fenry!" A voice called out from in the dispersing crowd. A grey Zolnixi ran towards Fenry giggling.

"Long time no see?" The Zolnixi nuzzled Fenry's cheek and simpered at her.

"It's been quite some time, Frost."

"Yup!" Frost regards Cynthia standing next to her, "Is this a familiar of yours?" She nodded her head in acknowledgment. They walked over to their spots on the grassy floor. The twilight sky above them was glittering because of the stars. She figured the number of nobles there was fifteen at least.

"Welcome everyone, upon the 21st festival of the moon!" The King shouted above the conversations. Most applauded and others stayed placid, already uncomfortable being around potential foes.

"Feel free to speak to each other in a calm, respectful manner!" Frost left Fenry to converse by herself. Two female Luporas sat and discussed quietly with each other. She guessed they seemed favorable enough, so she decided to join them.

"Can you believe the King granted a Zolnixi special leeway into the g-" The Lupora stopped speaking when she noticed Fenry.

"I hope thou don't deplore if I take a place next to thee?"

"Of course, may I ask your name?" The Lupora to the right of Fenry asked politely.

"My name is Fenry, yours?"

"I am Elven, the Head Dutchess of Faerina's Shrine and this is-"
The other Lupora interrupted her, "Her sister, Cherri!" They continued to talk to speak to Fenry as if she was one of their own.

"Say, have you ever met the King?" Elven asked the Zolnixi with a questioning face.

"Yes, admittedly I ought, I shall reply that I wasn't impressed though." Cherri stared at the ground and Elven essentially glared holes into Fenry's smiling face.

"He is going to be my match after the last stage of this festival." Elven flourished haughtily.

"I wish thou luck, Elven," Fenry replied, noticing her annoyance at the way she portrayed the King. A loud horn blared around them, interrupting the silence.

"The third stage shall begin, allow the moon to chose your match as you attain below its glorious brilliance!" The King did not announce it; a small Lunemara took his position on the platform.

Chapter Three
_{You're Mine?}

The commencement of the third stage was considerably tedious. Each royal member that was currently there had to assert their title and recount to every one of their tribes well being. Most of the female Lupora's glanced at either King Smoke or Duke Tacca.

"Are you excited?" Frost requested Fenry questioningly. Though Fenry deemed she should have inquired her companion who was essentially trembling with excitement.

"I am not precisely thrilled, yet thou could assume that I am considerably pleased to be here," She replied with a small smile.

"Everyone, please separate into the corresponding groups that we have composed for your distinct themed variety!" As most of the royals gathered together, Fenry was left alone. She knew this would occur. Not many of her type are left.

"Let the moon choose.." Fenry murmured to herself, her eyes skimming around the clearing for anyone that could be hers. The moonlight glistened westward and Fenry's fur shot up. Her soul mate was notably nearby. She could see a beam of moonlight land on a point near a assortment of themed sylesti's.

"So it appears that the moon has fancied y-" They gazed at each other. Her fur stood on the edge and a low rumble reverberated from inside his throat.

"Is this a joke?" The Zolnixi stated, clearly perplexed. Fenry was also remarkably bewildered. Why would the moon give her someone who was of a different theme?

"Evidently this isn't," Fenry grinned. The male seemed agitated.

"So what is your name?" She required innocently.

"My name is Sadao, yours?" Sadao seemed to be calming down just a bit, noting that his soul mate may not be that bad.

"Fenry."

"As in Empress Fenry?" His mouth gaped open. Not only was Fenry a rare themed, but she was also the heiress to one of the mightiest empires.

"I hope we can become positively acquainted with each other, Sadao," Fenry was not entirely sure she would enjoy this one's company, yet if he decided to be a pest, she would reject him.

(reserved for chapter four)

(reserved for chapter five)