Chapter 29: Chapter 28: Household 10/10

Three hours later; Carl, Klaire, Lydia, Squidge, Levi, Gillian, Alysse and Kon were all at the IDC he had previously met Noah and created Levi.

The gate-room was being manned as though it weren’t the middle of the night, but the traffic was definitely diminished, but regardless of that there were still a lot of people, at least it seemed that way, until they realised that most were just beast-keeping staff from other IDCs dropping of some of the animals Noah didn’t have to hand.

“Carl, my man! You really play hard to get. don’t you?” He laughed. “Why bring the entourage, they all just wanting to see the magic happen?”

Carl made introductions, then addressed the crowd. “Sorry everyone, this one will be a bit different so no spectators. Can’t garuntee it will be as friendly as the others and some of these critters aren’t the friendliest at the best of times, but I’ll make sure there is a vid and have Noah forward it.”

Backed by the sound of jeers and shattered dreams, Noah approached. “Could you have told them after they helped us move all these things wherever we’re going?” He whispered sneakily in Carl’s ear, before Klaire stepped forward and held out her left arm.

“Draw them into nothingness so they can find travel safely without fear or stress.” The infinite black of the armlet bubbled then burst and covered all nine of the enclosures. “So happy Grandma Lillim taught me how to use this thing.” She giggled as the armlet returned to normal.

“Okay kid, I am going to need to get me one of those…” Noah said as he eyed the armlet with desire.

“Please don’t look at my wife like that.” Carl joked as he covered Noah’s face.

“I meant the armlet, my heart’s still healing from my last time meeting Lydia.” He chuckled back.

“Maybe Pri- I mean let’s get going guys. Blanc might need rescuing so-…”

[ NEO ADMINISTRA MESSAGE RECEIVED : BLANC IS GOOD, REALM GATE BACK TO THE FOLLOWING COORDINATES… USE GILLIAN AS THE TEST SPECIMEN AND WAIT FOR APPROVAL. -DX109399 +PU003949 >3849 <48403 ]

“Speak of the devil, looks like they finished the gate-room link-up. I’m go-”

“I’m gonna be the first! Give them the coordinates boss!” Gillian declared and ordered as he stepped up to the gate and began considering how to make the most of the moment.

Carl did as both Lillim and Gillian instructed, then Gillian jumped through with all the confidence of an idiot not considering the dangers of first time gate usage.

[ NEO ADMINISTRA MESSAGE RECEIVED : DIDN’T THINK YOU WOULD ACTUALLY DO IT… i APPROVE, HE SURVIVED, THOUGH HE WAS RIPPLED A BIT AND WON’T BE TRAINING TOMORROW. RIPPLE HAS BEEN STILLED, GET EVERYONE BACK HERE, NO EXTRAS WAVELENGTH CATALOGUING IS ACTIVATED. ]

Without further ado, they all left and appeared in the basement gate-room. Noah and Blaine were in as much disbelief as Kon was when he learned they had their own gate-room, but attention quickly turned to the two Omina-class threats waiting to receive them, who they only noticed after the gate shut.

“Hello, I am Lillim, Carl’s grandmother and this is Kyubi, we are both members of Carl’s household…” She went on to give them the pre-contract run-down. “Well, if you would li-”

Noah and Blaine had given each other a curious glance as she stopped talking, then interrupted her without thinking. “We’re in!… Oh, err, sorry Lady Lillim.”

“Think nothing of it, I won’t consider being excited to join us an insult… That said, do not make a habbit of it, even my grandson knows better and Kyubi isn’t a fan of humans, except Carl and Kon’s family, so I would suggest being respectful as a rule in case you catch her in a bad mood.”

“Ignore her, she isn’t wrong, but I won’t risk losing Carl’s assistance. Just don’t act overly familiar and you’ll be fine.” The level of animosity in her voice had definitely crept up whilst addressing them, but seemed almost calculated to prevent them from underestimating the sincerity of her words.

With that they went to get contracts and initiations sorted, luckily their contracts were far easier to do than Kyubi’s and were actually pretty similar to Kon’s barring jobs and responsibilities.

“Okay Carl, sign the dotted lines and let’s see what happens.” Lillim said with overt anticipation, that seemed to be shared by all.

The instant his signature was complete on Blaine’s contract after Noah’s, the system acknowledged it.

[ SYSTEM NOTICE : NOAH HAS JOINED HOUSEHOLD 9/10 ]

[ SYSTEM NOTICE : BLAINE HAS JOINED HOUSEHOLD 10/10 ]

[ SYSTEM NOTICE : MULTIPLE PARTICIPANT MISSION COMPLETED ]

[ YOUR RECRUITMENT CHOICES WILL DETERMINE REWARDS, PLEAS WAIT… ]

[ YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING REWARDS… ]

[ HOUSEHOLD UPGRADED TO FACTION : PEOPLE ARE DRAWN TO FOLLOW YOU, YOU’RE NUMBERS WILL SURELY GROW BEYOND THE CONSTRAINTS OF A HOUSEHOLD ]

[ NEO ADMINISTRA UPGRADED TO NEO GOVERNOR : YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO CLAIM LAND IN VARIOUS PLACES AND GOVERN THEM TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS. ]

[ TITLE UNLOCKED : SYMBOL OF UNITY : YOU HAVE RECRUITED HUMANS, HYBRIDS AND NON-HUMAN ENTITIES NOT OF THIS REALM, YOUR WILL IS BENEVOLENT, YOUR GOAL IS PEACE, YOU WILL UNITE ALL UNDER YOUR BANNER OR DIE TRYING. ]

[ FORMAL ALLEGIANCE ADDED TO NEO GOVERNOR MENU : A GOVERNOR KNOWS WHEN TO BRING OTHERS TO HEEL AND USE DIPLOMACY ]

[ STRENGTH SHARED ADDED TO NEO GOVERNOR MENU : YOU LOVE YOUR ALLIES AND SWEAR THEIR PROTECTION, YOUR ALLIES LOVE YOU AND SWEAR YOUR PROTECTION. YOU WILL ALL SEE YOUR OATHS UPHELD. ]

[ ABSOLUTE LOYALTY ADDED TO NEO GOVERNOR MENU : YOU KNOW YOUR LIMITS, YOU KNOW YOUR HEART. NOT ALL WANT PEACE, NOT ALL WILL BE OBEDIENT, UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO KILL YOU MAY FIND OTHER OPTIONS. ]

[ CONSTRUCTION MODE OPTIONS GREATLY EXPANDED : YOUR DESIRE TO SHAPE YOUR LANDS TO YOUR WILL HAS MADE YOU SEEK PERFECTION. ]

[ SYSTEM NOTICE : NEW MISSION RECEIVED ]

[ MULTIPLE PARTICIPANT MISSION = FILL FACTION, MIN POP 50 – 10/50 ]

“Okay, guess we’re a faction now…” Carl said before filling everyone in on what he got for completing the mission. Unfortunately, the moment her curiosity was satisfied, Lillim returned her attention to getting initiations done.

“Guys, I don’t know how I feel about the absolute loyalty thing… It sounds like it’s an enslavement skill…”

“That’s because it is Carl and if I ever lose control or my grief renders me beyond redemption, I expect you to use it on me.” Kyubi said from her seat. “Beings like Lillim and I aren’t able to die as such. There are a couple that could erase our very existence, but you don’t have that option.”

“It’s wrong though…”

“Why? We signed a contract and now I am asking you as a friend to do something under certain circumstances. Carl, you’re human, I get it… Unfortunately you don’t have the liberty of thinking like one.”

“Kyubi, just leave it, I’ll talk to him tonight.” Klaire said, knowing that Carl wasn’t listening and would only double-down if she kept going.

“Talk? Acknowledged or not, your marriage is incomplete and I want to see some cute babies.” Kyubi huffed, making the newlyweds decide it was time for drinks and food since they still had post-initiation question time and pet creation to deal with.

As Carl and Klaire disappeared into the kitchen, Noah and Blaine came to and started asking questions. “Sorry guys, hold that thought… Carl, Klaire! Drinks and food! Sorry, continue…” Lydia grumbled as she wrinkled her nose and Kyubi giggled mischievously.

After the questions subsided, which was pretty quickly since these two weren’t going to be in the field much, thoughts quickly turned towards the nine animals in Klaire’s care.

“Right, let’s knock off that other mission and see what we can do…” Lillim said, ever eager to explore Carl’s potential.

Everyone went outside to the menagerie area and Klaire released the animal enclosures, which had all fallen asleep in the embrace of nothingness.

“Okay, first I need to see if this will work. Neo menagerie activate.”

[ SYSTEM NOTICE : FIRST TIME SKILL USAGE, PLEASE NAME PETS YOU WISH TO SEND TO OR RETRIEVE FROM MENAGERIE, SPACE IS SUITABLE FOR ONE PET. NO PETS RETRIEVABLE. ]

“Squidge go to menagerie.”

[ SQUIDGE HAS BEEN SENT TO MENAGERIE AND CAN BE RETRIEVED BY FACTION MEMBERS. ]

[ NEO PET SLOTS = 5 AVAILABLE SLOTS = 4 ]

Carl grinned, knowing he could store pets was great, but he was a little taken aback that the massive space he set aside only fit one of them, then he realised why. “Damn, well guys, it seems the menagerie can only hold as many creatures as could sleep at full size and have some room to spare.”

“Well, I guess when you have a few worlds it won’t be an issue. Which reminds me, I’ll give you one of mine, you can use it as a menagerie world, but it will be yours only on the same terms as I am.” Kyubi shrugged, like a friend lending out a video game.

“Kyubi, phrasing please affter the last chat. You aren’t mine, you’re like family as far as I’m concerned.” Suddenly Kyubi transformed and curled up into a ball.

“Carl, please consider the weight of the words you just spoke.” Lillim groaned at his obliviousness, which he did before apologising upon realising what calling her family meant to her.

“Just make the pets already!” The more bestial voice sounded out.

“Do you mind if I take a bit of each flame for material while you’re in that form?” His question was answered only as one of each flame moved to and circled him playfully. “Levi, can I have a malt as well. I think it will give it a hint of the spirit I used to make you.”

Without question Levi used her material donation skill at full size and a perfect malt fell away from her neatly. “Is that enough Dad?”

“Plenty sweetie, sorry to ask, get some sleep okay? oh before I forget; retrieve Squidge…”

[ SQUIDGE HAS BEEN RETRIEVED FROM MENAGERIE. ]

“Squidge can you donate some poltergeist essence?”

’Not sure Dad, I’ll try though.’ Unfortunately the efforts proved fruitless. ’Sorry…’

“Don’t worry bud. Right, Noah release the gorgon, true reflection and the grim hound, this one is going to be rough so stand back behind Lillim and Kyubi.”

They all did as instructed and Noah released the three specified beasts. The grim beast was no different in appearence to the large dog creatures he saw in restraints in the past, barring the hellish colour pallet of pitch black and blood red, it’s power laid in its affinity for fire and to move through shadows.

The gorgon had the torso of a woman but was completely covered in scales and her waist transitioned into a five metre long tail.

The true-reflection was difficult to describe, a primatic entity with a completely reflective surface, whose shape, changed and shifted, both growing and shrinking as though mass was not a factor.

The moment it was able, the grim hound dashed for Carl, who also dashed for it. As they neared, the grim hound jumped, teeth aimed for Carl’s throat. He raised his arm, still wearing Nergal’s wedding gift and forced his arm into the dagger-fanged maw of the beast.

To stop it pulling away he wrapped his over arm around the back of its neck, then he twisted and fell onto it to stop its clawed feet thrashing too much.

’I really hope this thing bathed recently.’ Carl thought, then sank his teeth into the side of its neck, making it yelp before relaxing.

“That damn kid just alpha-ed it!” Noah cheered from behind Kyubi, as Carl stood up and it twisted to lay submissively.

“Indeed… I think Nergal would be happy to see those sleeves being used so masterfully.” Lillim remarked, eyes keenly evaluating every detail of what she just saw. “In fact, even he…”

Lillim fell silent as Carl turned to face the other two, then started to walk straight towards the gorgon, unblinking, joints becoming stiffer with every step until he started to visibly petrify.

When he finally reached her he put a hand on either check then uttered a single word. “Beutiful.” As he smiled and maintained eye-contact the gorgon writhed a bit before looking away, She then coiled around him and embraced him, which in turn cured the petrification.

“Sorry Klaire! It’s the only way to tame them without summoning magic!”

“Like hell it is! There is no way to tame them without summoning magic you psycho!” Noah interrupted.

“That’s fine Carl, you can pay for that later as well.” Klaire responded, which begged the question of what she meant exactly by “as well”.

Carl then turned back to the gorgon. “Sorry I need to tame this one too, can you go and keep the dog company until I’m done?” The gorgon sulked and slithered off to cuddle the dog.

As Carl stood face-to-face with the true-reflection it expanded, then shrank, then began shaking, then shattered and reformed like a slime. individual globs moving back together and reforming.

“Noah, is it okay? That wasn’t supposed to happen.”

“No, it wasn’t… Carl, it’s yours for sure, but I don’t have a clue what happened. It’s like it couldn’t become you no matter how hard it tried.”

Lillim laughed before walking over, the dog and gorgon, submitting before her out of fear. “Carl, ignore it. Move on with the next step.” Her words weren’t an order, but more like a warning, the difference being the tense hand she placed on his shoulder.

Taking it to heart, Carl led the strange creature over to the gorgon and the dog. “Activate Neo Primordia.”

[ THREE VIABLE TARGETS SELECTED THREE SLOTS REMAIN ]

“Target, Kyubi’s fire, Levi’s malted skin…” Carl offered his blood to each flame, infusing a thousand DIV in each. “Finally, three-thousand DIV points. I want to make something as close to Kyubi as possible.” He didn’t really believe the system would listen to that bit, but to his surprise.

[ SYSTEM NOTICE : REQUEST RECEIVED… ]

[ SYSTEM NOTICE : INSUFFICIENT POWER TO CREATE CELESTIAL FOX, CALCULATING… ]

[ SYSTEM NOTICE : KITSUNE ARE THE CLOSEST BEINGS THAT CAN BE CREATED… ]

[ … MATERIALS VIABLE, CREATE KITSUNE? Y/N ]

“Kyubi, sorry if this is offensive, but would a Kitsune be a good start?” Carl asked the question casually, but before he knew it he was wrappen in Kyubi’s arms as she wept, openly now, with no fear of being seen.

“Carl… Thank…you… I didn’t… Think I’d see the children again…” Her grip gradually increased until she was almost crushing him. “If you can though, keep them female, the males are better off extinct. Consider that a compromise.”

“Sure, I guess I might be able to figure out some other means of letting them repopulate eventually… Maybe soul drain accumulation?”

[ … MATERIALS VIABLE, CREATE KITSUNE? Y/N ]

“Yes, create Kitsune.” Carl said, still struggling to breathe in Kyubi’s grip until everything started glowing.

As we all watched, everything collided, but unlike before it turned into a silver fox and a thousand flames that burned every colour imaginable and more, which all then converged on the small fox.

When they were finished converging a massive silver full-moon suddenly dominated the sky and the fox glowed bright white before slowly transforming into a small girl with the ears and tail of the silver fox, dressed in the same style of robe as Kyubi.

“Papa, I’m hungry…” The girl declared before stumbling toward Carl and hugging his legs.

“Carl, Klaire… Forgive me for asking this. I know she thinks of Carl as her father, but co-” Kyubi was scarcely restraining herself, still crying.

“Kyubi, it’s fine… I have two babies already.” Klaire said. “But no funny business or trying to get between us.” She finished with an almost threatening tone, she may not have had the heart to say “no” but she clearly felt it was a trespass.

“I’ll write it into my contract if I must, I’ll give anything you ask for it.”

“Just raise her well, by the standards of the faction, even if it makes a hypocrite of you.” Klaire spoke like a true matriarch, though she struggled to maintain that demeanour as Kyubi nodded and took the little one’s hand.

[ KITSUNE RACE HAS BEEN REBORN, PLEASE NAME INDIVIDUAL ]

[ AS A RESPECTED SPECIES OF CELESTIAL ORIGIN, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE REFERED TO AS A COMPANION, BUT WILL STILL COUNT UNDER KNOWN NEO PET SKILLS. ]

“Klaire, Kyubi… I have two mums, so she can to. Trust me, she’ll love it, why don’t you two pick her name?”

The two discussed it for a bit “How about Kitsunoko Bashe-Reaga?”

The name made Kon both grumble about some bastardisation of his people’s ancient language and laugh at the absurdity of it.

“Okay, your first name is Kitsunoko and I guess we have decided on Bashe-Reaga as the family name.” Carl chuckled, remembering that they hadn’t discussed name changes properly since they married and now it was decided without due consideration.

[ COMPANION NAMED KITSUNOKO BASHE-REAGA ]

[ SYSTEM NOTICE : KYUBI AND KLAIRE WILL BOTH BE SEEN AS MATERNAL FIGURES. ]

[ SYSTEM ALERT : KITSUNE ARE NATURALLY BONDED TO GENDERED PARENTS AND ARE KNOW TO PLAY TRICKS ON THE PARENT OF OPPOSITE GENDER ]

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