(Killian)
4 years later, which is ten years later, total, meaning Sonny is 18 years old.
—-
He limped further into the forest with the sword—Lunaris in his hand. His body ached with the injuries he gained from battling ten demons.
It doesn't make him flinch for it's his duty. Demons are dangerous beings, and they need to be eliminated, or they will pose a risk to humans and the rest of the citizens.
Killian is exhausted mentally and physically; he can't walk anymore, but he forces himself to walk inch by inch.
His legs bleed out like a brilliant red star, and he doesn't look down. His eyes remain cold and icy like a blade.
When he reached the lake in the middle of the forest, he looked around with his cultivation sense, and he was truly alone. He slowly placed the sword down on the rock next to the lake with a silent hiss.
Killian can hear the sword pulsing faintly from the battle, and it cries out to him, worried about his mental and physical state.
But he remains motionless and silent.
He removed his bloodstained robe from his body and stepped into the water, letting the chill numb his pain.
He had been alone for the past ten years, and he had been on missions and other missions, killing deadly and vicious demons that would bring harm to the human world just because they could.
Killian sighed deeply, and cold air appeared from his mouth.
He closed his eyes and tried not to think about the pain in his body. The forest was still and silent except for the whispering of birds and foxes coming out of their hides.
Killian turned his head and lay down on the rock with his eyes closed.
He had traveled from location to location wherever the wind took him; he hadn't been back to the sect after ten years.
Then a beautiful creature with black fur and a medium-sized build walked across the grass, capturing Killian's attention.
Killian noticed the animal, which is a shadow animal called the shadow fox. It walked lazily toward the water not noticing his appearance.
Killian was intrigued by the fox, with its red ears and shiny black fur.
Killian was also cautious, for he heard myths. He never met one in person before, but it doesn't mean he knows about their craftiness and deadliness to righteous cultivators.
Killian carefully grabs Lunaris from the water, his hand dripping.
His eyes are observing with sharpness and observant.
Then the shadow fox turned around, and his tail curled up and wagged like an excited dog to see someone.
A man from the fog appeared. A beautiful at that. Dark soft hair like midnight. It frames his face in a delicate way that makes him look fragile and fierce.
Killian arches his brow, about to warn the young man of the shadow fox, for they are a dangerous creature.
But to his surprise, the young man bent to his knees and smiled softly at the fox. He petted the fox on the head with gentle hands.
The fox curled his head to the man's chest, and Killian was surprised, for shadow foxes are only friendly to demons.
He narrowed his eyes. What if he's a demon in disguise?
Killian carefully stepped out of the water, his body dripping with water. He put the robe back over himself, not worrying about being soaked through, and his long hair shifted behind him.
He walked to the man, and he listened for any tricks that the man might do when he lowered his guard.
But nothing happened, and the man continued kneeling on the ground, petting the fox.
Killian lifted his sword into an attack position, and without a sharp warning, he threw the sword in the man's direction with swiftness and speed that normal cultivators can't do.
However, the unexpected didn't happen. The man didn't dodge or anything. He continued his action with petting if he noticed the sword in the first place until the sword got close to his face.
The man dived to the side!
A small piece of black hair fell to the ground.
And the shadow fox, rumored for their viciousness and craftiness, bared its sharp teeth at Killian.
However, the young man rose to his feet and picked up the fox in his arms in a protective manner, and his eyes moved toward Killian with a wary stance.
Killian approached the young man with caution in his eyes, and he asked in a low voice, "Who are you invading this territory?"
The young man with his long black hair lifted his eyes in surprise, and a glint of speechless horror like a nightmare appeared before him.
Killian was confused by his reactions, so he spoke again. "What is it?"
The young man lifted his head and nearly stepped forward like he couldn't help himself, "…Killian."
Killian arches his brow. "Who are you?"
The boy smiled softly, "Sonny."
Killian frowned, for the name didn't register in his memory. However, the way the boy looked at him with happiness and sorrow, and heavy emotions like he knew him personally kept Killain's mouth shut.
But he forced those feelings aside. "I don't know you. Who are you and what are you doing here?"
The boy's happy smile fell like his world fell apart, and he forced a sad smile on his face. "Oh. It's just that my name is Sonny and I'm a disciple of the Righteous Sect. I came here because it's a free territory and I like to explore around sometimes."
Killian listened to his explanation but found no plot holes in his story, but for some reason, he found the young man suspicious and strange.
He observed the boy more closely and sharply.
The boy was wearing a white robe, but it wasn't the best material. More like an old material that was worn for a long time, which was a sign he had been neglected for a while.
Killian arched his brow. "What's your relationship with the shadow fox?"
Sonny furrowed his brow like he didn't understand what he was talking about. "Uhh, what are you talking about?"
He looked at the fox in his arm that was lying very still and obedient, "You mean him, he can't be a shadow fox. He's a normal fox named, Raiko, and I've had him since he was a baby."
"And he never harmed anyone."
Sonny said with an innocent expression.