Sacred Blessings

Bonds : The City

Many hours later, Hunter awakens to heat on his back. The fox who had sat so far from him before he fell asleep was now next to him sleeping as well. The fox's size had been reduced to about one third its original size. It was now small enough to carry around in both arms. Hunter rises slowly so as not to wake the fox. He began to make a small fire for coffee. The fox who was curled up sleeping was now sitting next to the fire along side Hunter. They began to talk. The fox's attitude and voice had both changed and Hunter could now tell that she was a female fox. She was being kind and also showing respect to Hunter she had not during the battle the day before. Hunter noticed this.

"Good morning.", said the fox, "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, I did thank you for asking. I assume you slept well too. Were you cold? I should have left the fire going. I'm sorry.", replies Hunter.

"That's quite alright. There is no need to apologize. I was not cold though it seemed you were.", says the fox, "If it was not OK I apologize."

"If that's the case, then I should be thanking you.", says Hunter, "What is your name?".

"I currently do not have a name. You see, the only ones I've ever known were the adventurers who have traveled to this floor.", says the fox, "So, I would like to ask you a question if you will indulge me."

"I see that's understandable. I also have questions for you.", says Hunter, "I will answer your questions if you do the same for me first."

"I agree. You may ask me 3 questions.", says the fox. "Anything else you want to know will have to wait till after I ask you my question."

"That is an acceptable proposal.", says Hunter, "For my first question. Did you just wake up one day and have consciousness or did you always have it and gain the ability to speak?"

"That is a fine question. For as long as I can remember I have always been here.", says the fox, "I can't remember when I was born. Nor can I remember being young at all. I remember many adventurers and I remember many of my lives. Each time, I am reborn as you see me now. "

"I see. That is quite unfortunate I guess.", says Hunter, "Do you have any affinities other than fire attack magic?"

"I do. The one I know is the Fox Fire Healing Cloak.", says the fox, "It heals minor cuts, burns, curses, and breaks. It won't heal the wounds you have. It takes a considerable amount of my mana just to summon it.".

"It sounds quite useful all the same.", says Hunter, "My final question will be. Have you given any thought to my proposal?"

"I have. The question I have for you will be your answer.", says the fox, "Will you be my master and form a contract with me? Doing so will give you access to all of my mana, spells, as well as curses. However, the only curse I have will not affect you."

"How does it work? Does it take a lot of time? I intend to set out shortly.", says Hunter, "I need to return to the surface to heal and take care of my home."

"The contract process is not lengthy. There are a few things that need to be done though.", says the fox, "You must name me, choose an object you have to bind me to, and a blood bond. The final thing to be done is magic appropriation, which is to be done by me. This is to ensure that my magic doesn't overpower yours."

"I see.", says Hunter, "How would you feel about being bound to this katana? It is the only thing I currently always carry with me. As for your name, would the name Tana be sufficient? It means Sun Goddess."

"All of the conditions have been met.", says the fox, "Let the binding begin."

The fox, now Tana, and Hunter now sit across from one another. Hunter hands the katana to Tana. She proceeds to prick her finger with the katana's blade and smear it with her blood. A magic circle begins to form around them.

"Now to appropriate the magic distribution. Something is off here. The only combination that works is 90/10... That is incredible.", says Tana, "That is 90% of my mana to just 10% of yours... Who exactly are you!? Never mind that, it's quite too late for that. Now, give me my name and the contract will be complete."

"Your new name will be Tana.", says Hunter, "I'll be counting on you."

The magic circle was now glowing twice as bright. Then the fox vanishes. In its place stands a young woman with yellowish-orange hair. She looked to be the same age as Hunter. The girl who had appeared in the fox's place then disappeared.

"Tana? Where did you go?", says Hunter.

"I am here inside your katana. I can rest freely here within.", says Tana, " So, shall we be on our way, master?"

"Don't call me that. Call me by my name.", says Hunter.

"I refuse. I will call you Master or Young Master.", says Tana, "It would be disrespectful otherwise."

"Fine! Do as you wish.", says Hunter with a sigh.

Hunter and Tana now prepare to set off. Hunter gathers his things which had been strong about when he fell, and begins walking back towards level 23. He makes sure not to leave anything behind because he will not be coming back for some time. Hunter and Tana make their way through the dungeon headed up. Tana is now protecting her new injured master from all of the creatures of the dungeon instead of hiding inside Hunter's katana. She was now wielding it to protect him. They faced many foes and many days in the dungeon traveling. Stopping making camp every 12 hours like clock work in order to rest and eat. When they stop to make camp, Tana gathers food while Hunter prepares the camp. Hunter starts the fire and gets places laid out to sit and lay in. When Tana returns with the meat and vegetation she has gathered, he then proceeds to prepare and stew them. After eating, they take shift watches, first Tana for 6 hours, then Hunter for 6 hours. After 12 hours, they put out the fire and headed out again. Finally, they made it to floor 15, the Dungeon City Floor. Hunter stops just outside of town to talk to Tana.

"Tana, when we get inside, hide your tail and ears the best you can.", says Hunter, "I don't know how these people will react to you. Just to be safe, they need to believe your human."

"I understand Master Hunter.", says Tana, "I will use a bit of my mana to bind a little light magic to them. This should allow them to be transparent. As long as no one gets too close to touching them, they shouldn't notice."

"Thank you.", says Hunter, "I am not ashamed of you. I would just rather not cause problems for us when I can't move very well."

They now head into town, Tana with her tail hidden with magic, also tucked behind her backpack and her ears were lying flat under her hood hidden with the same magic. The first stop on their list was an Inn. They managed to find a tavern that also had lodging upstairs. Hunter and Tana were able to pay for a room using the money they acquired selling monster parts on the way into town. They make their way to the room to remove their belongings and make preparations to go downstairs and eat. They decide to take all of their important belongings with them. They leave their pots, pans and camping equipment in the room while they take their weapons and armor with them.

"Tana, now that is settled, how about we go eat?", asks Hunter, "We have to prepare for tomorrow. We can only spend 10 medium coppers for dinner tonight. That leaves us 6 medium coppers, 12 large coppers, and 3 large silvers."

"I will take whatever you recommend, young master.", says Tana, "I do not know how to read or write yet, so I can't pick."

"Fine with me.", says Hunter, "Lets go."

They find themselves at a table and wait for a waitress. The waitress approaches the table with menus in hand and her pen at the ready. She places down the menus and removes her pad from under her arm and prepares to take their order.

"Hello, welcome to the Salty Unicorn.", says the waitress, "My name is Willa and I'll be your waitress today. What could I get you to drink?"

"Yes, hello!", says Hunter, "We would like water to drink. We also do not need these menus. We are just going to get 2 orders of the special."

"That's perfect! I will be back shortly with your water and food will be ready shortly after.", says Willa, "If there is anything else I can do for you, just let me know."

Willa leaves the table with their orders and shortly returns with two glasses of water. She then leaves to go and retrieve the food. She returns to the table with two plates of venison pot roast with potatoes, carrots, peas, and celery. There were 2 sides that went along with the main entrée, which contained a fresh bread basket and blackened fish filets. Tana and Hunter both started with the bread. The blackened fish was tender, salty, and fresh. The stewed venison was next. It was tender and could be cut with a spoon with little to no force needed. It was juicy and succulent. Each bite was euphoria. They both look more delighted with each bite. Tana, who had never tasted such flavors, was quickly scarfing down every morsel in her bowl and on her plate. She must have been famished. Once Hunter had finished with his meal, he gave the rest to Tana. Hunter waived for the waitress to pay the tab so that he could resign to the room. Willa approached and took the payment for the tab. As Hunter was standing up from the table, so was Tana. She had finished all of her food and the food Hunter had given her.

"So I see you have finished too. Shall we retire for the night, Tana?", asks Hunter.

"Yes, master, I have.", says Tana, "Let us go rest for tomorrow's journey."

"Yes. The first order of business is sleep though.", says Hunter. "I am quite exhausted."

They retreated to their room. When they get there, Hunter begins to get undressed, leaving his pants and eye cover . Tana, who was entering the room behind him, was placing her things next to the bed she had chosen. The room was dark so she couldn't see that Hunter had already removed his shirt. When she turned on the lamp by her bedside, she almost fell over in a startled state. She quickly regained her composure and began preparing the bed for Hunter by folding the sheets back.

"Why are you preparing my bed and not your own?", asks Hunter. "I can do that on my own, you know. You don't have to serve me like my servant."

"I intended to sleep inside the katana for the night unless that is not to your liking.", says Tana, "I do not mind sharing the bed with you either if that is what you wish."

"You may sleep in your own bed if you wish", says Hunter. "Tana, the reason I agreed to be your 'Master' wasn't to use you.. Well, maybe I did, but still it wasn't for that. Tana, I need you to be my eyes. To help me read and find places. "

"I understand, if its OK I'll sleep here in this bed for the night.", says Tana, "Is there anything you need? Master.? Would you like some water? "

"No thanks Tana, I am perfectly fine. You can rest for the night.", says Hunter, "We have quite the journey tomorrow. First, we need more supplies and then to head upwards. This arm should be OK to make it out after we see the local physician."

"As you say Master", says Tana.

Tana proceeds to put out the lamp and unravel her covers when she notices that Hunter hasn't moved from the window where he was sitting. His hands were on his lap and he was sitting on the window seal, his back to the wind, face turned and looking out. She could see him fiddling with something between his fingers. It appeared to be a ring of some kind, smoked and tarnished, and she decided not to pry about it. She sees him get up without making a sound and get into his bed. Hunter never even removed his pants before falling asleep.