Little Fox landed on the ground.
All four paws touched down, but her body was limp, and she could barely stand.
Her eyes were hazy as she turned her head in bewilderment, looking at the faces around her-Gold Horn's face was covered in blood and tears, Old Fox sat slumped with barely a breath left, Silver Fox lay on the bluestone slab, and an unfamiliar old Daoist stood before her.
She had no idea what had happened.
Her head simply hurt, as though she had slept for a very, very long time and had countless terrible, terrible dreams.
"Mother..."
She opened her mouth, her voice thin and babyish.
Old Fox trembled. Tears welled up, but she forced a smile. "Yes, Copper Horn. Mother's here."
Hearing her answer, Little Fox stumbled toward her.
She plunged into her mother's arms, nuzzling hard with her little head.
"Mother, I dreamed Second Brother died, and you died too, and Big Brother didn't want me anymore!"
As she spoke, tears fell in heavy drops.
"Waaah..."
Old Fox stroked her head.
"Silly child, isn't Mother right here?"
Her voice trembled, but she fought to keep it steady. "How could your brother ever stop wanting you? He's just tired. He'll be fine after a little rest."
Tears streamed down her cheeks and dripped onto Little Fox's fur.
She did not even notice.
Little Fox sobbed a few times, then suddenly stopped.
Slowly, she turned her head and followed the direction of her mother's earlier gaze.
On the bluestone slab.
Silver Fox lay silently, his fur dull, his body utterly still.
Little Fox went rigid.
"Mother..."
Her voice shook terribly, and her tiny body trembled like grass in the wind.
"Is that Second Brother?"
Old Fox said nothing. She only held her tighter.
Little Fox stared at that