🇬🇧 Divine Assistance ⛩️✨🦊💫

The forest still tickled Yuka’s nostrils with its musty, dusty scent as she finally lowered the heavy scrolls onto the stone floor of the ancient shrine in the Miyama region. Three days without sleep, three days among forgotten languages whispering from pages like dried skin — and now she was here. She had found the incantation… A deity that could be summoned here… It could help her. The air was thick with the scent of pine and ancient tranquility. Yuka arranged the books in a circle, pouring out the remains of her magical energy. Around her, on the ancient stone, an incredible, complex runic circle began to appear, glowing with a warm golden light. She closed her eyes, imagining that voice from her dream and that very word — LoRA — and began to weave the magical threads. Suddenly, the runic circle exploded with light. It wasn’t fire; it was pure, concentrated solar radiance breaking through the night clouds. — What strange insolence... or what desperate courage, — a voice rang out, warm as a summer afternoon. Yuka opened her eyes and froze. Hovering just above the center of the runic circle was she. The girl’s golden hair shone brighter than any magical fire, and nine fluffy tails the color of ripe wheat swayed slowly in time with the wind. She looked surprised, her golden eyes studying Yuka with interest. — Why did you summon me, and by such a method? — Misato lowered herself slightly, her nine tails creating a majestic halo. — Who would have thought my slumber would be interrupted by one of my own? Couldn't you find me in our plane? Why stoop to human rituals? Yuka bowed her head in respect, her voice trembling slightly from exhaustion: — I don't understand what you mean? What plane? Who even are you? — Me? — Misato looked at her… The white kitsune’s clothes seemed strange, as if she wasn't from here, and the ruby pendant emitted a power unusual for the deities of these lands. — Guardian Misato. Protector of these lands. And who are you? And what is that ruby around your neck? Yuka grabbed the ruby with her hand, shielding it from Misato, thinking the worst: — I am Yuka, and this ruby is a gift from my beloved… — after a short silence, picking her words carefully in her mind, Yuka continued — Misato Hizashi. I am looking for answers to what I do not know. I seek the path to my beloved, and a key called LoRA. Misato stepped closer, and Yuka felt the warmth radiating from the demi-goddess. Misato reached out, touching one of the folios Yuka had brought. — LoRA... — Misato repeated the word thoughtfully, a gentle, almost sad smile appearing on her face, while her eyes remained fixed on the ruby. — Your beloved left a memory behind; I sense a certain power from it… A dark power, but not for you. I am not able to answer your questions… However, it seems to me that this artifact might — Misato’s finger pointed to the pendant — Simply, the next time you go to sleep, hold this pendant in your hand and fall asleep with your questions in your mind… Perhaps something will come of it. I, being a child, used to bring nightmares upon myself that way. — Ha-ha… Good advice, but thank you anyway… — Yuka replied with a hint of sarcasm. Yet, hope still burned in her chest. — If you want, we can try doing it now? I will be right here and supervise the process. You didn't summon me for nothing, after all. If it doesn't work, I'll go to the Gods; maybe they will have some advice… — Really? — Of course, I won't leave a kitsune in trouble… we have to stick together. Misato knelt down. — Lie down beside me, Yuka, let’s begin right now… Special thanks to @Meten Foxtec for the OC and inspiration for this story 🦊💎