Hetnen's story

Story by Hetnen Silver on SoFurry

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This is for my main fursona


Hetnen Silverfox

A lot of the past is unknown to the foxes. The ruling wolf race has made it a crime to educate the enslaved vulpine. The only knowledge passed down was by word of mouth, causing much of what was history to become legend. The vulpine eventually began to doubt they ever had a place in this world, doubted that there was ever a time that the two races lived in equality. It went on for many generations.

Hetnen was an ordinary silver fox, in the servitude of the well off widow Mae. She had purchased him on auction from a breeders and trainers facility at a young age to serve with her existing servant Avieth. Hetnen and Avieth were kept busy on a daily bases, taking care of the massive estate, cleaning, repairing, and serving Mae. Mae required much attention, she was quite large for a wolf, her loneliness leading to a life of little activity outside of the estate. She found joy in the torment of her servants, finding it especially pleasing to toy with and speak down to Hetnen. Hetnen remained submissive, he couldn't fathom any other way, but Avieth was different, a bit defiant, but also very careful. Avieth had secretly broken a major law, and had managed to teach himself how to read. Took many years associating words with images, but a lot of it had to do with a special gift he seemed to have, something that seemed to come from a past life. Needless to say, Avieth spent all the time he could dusting the masters library, secretly borrowing what he could. One night, when Avieth and Hetnen retired to there servants quarters, something Avieth borrowed from the library would change there lives.

"Bathing night?" Avieth asked as they entered there cramped living quarters. Hetnen nodded sheepishly while sitting on the floor "she's gotten so big that she cant do any of it on her own anymore, and she screams at me the whole time, like her condition is my fault". Avieth sat down beside him, hugging his friend. "Your not alone my friend, here I got some dried meat from the kitchen". Hetnen, didn't have much of an appetite, but he took some from Avieth, and nibbled on it. Glancing down, Hetnen noticed Avieth had brought something. "You got to stop doing that, you have any idea what they'll do to you?" Hetnen cried as he noticed the book. "I..I..,I'm sorry my friend, but this one, its different, its old, and looks to have our history in it". He brought it up into the light, and both noticing that the book looked ancient. The pages were yellowed, the ink a bit faded, but still visible. On the first page an ink drawing of foxes and wolves. Yet the foxes did not look like servants, the scene seemed peaceful, with fox and wolf pups playing together. Hetnen looked up at Avieth, "is this about the legends?". Avieth shrugged, "Maybe their not legends, what little I got from this so far, is that their was balance, a world were foxes and wolves were equals".

Now the legends that had been spread from fox to fox was that the world was once equal. Balance was kept by elder wolves, and a race of multi tailed foxes. The elder wolves kept the piece, and insured equal prosperity, while the multi tailed foxes were more of a spiritual leader. It is said that both had unusual abilities and powers. The rest of the history/legend has been debated, but usually ends with the disappearance of the multi tailed foxes, and the wolves overpowering and enslaving the vulpine race. This is the bulk of what both Hetnen and Avieth had known, until now. The book contained a reason for the foxes disappearance. The multi tailed foxes found something, a way to form a portal of sorts, but the book ended with that. No clue to how they vanished, or if they managed to form said portal. After weeks of going through the book, Hetnen and Avieth felt disappointed, and still full of questions.

"I think the ancients achieved making this portal, that's why they disappeared" Avieth said as he placed the book under one of there floorboards. Hetnen didn't respond, and just stared at the floor. "what if it is possible to make the portal, what if we can bring back..." Hetnen looked up, clearly distraught, interrupting Avieth in mid sentence. "you'll get us killed, why cant you see, this is our only lot in life?" Avieth sank a little, "I just cant believe that. I want to gather whats needed for this portal, I promise to be careful". The thought still terrified Hetnen, and he would continue to try to dissuade his friend. Despite Hetnen's warnings, Avieth went about getting what was needed for the portal. This included certain types of crystals, ones that adorned the masters jewelry. Avieth gathered these in secret, not even telling Hetnen as he knew it would frighten the fox. The other part of the equation was moonlight from a full moon, and a thought of a beautiful moment one had with someone who had passed away. It was that last step that Avieth knew he would need Hetnen for. Avieth had no loved ones who had passed, Hetnen was the first person he had ever gotten close with. Hetnen on the other hand, he had a special moment as a pup, a memory of his mother before he was taken away. He could still here her sing in his dreams, and still had nightmares of the night he was taken from her by the trainers that would mold him into the servant he was today. Avieth knew that moment for Hetnen, remembering her song, was the beautiful moment needed.

"Hetnen?, I know it frightens you, but I must tell you something" It was late at night, and the two were huddled and curled on there rags. "I have everything needed for the portal, all we have to do is focus the full moons light through this tube with these crystals lined up, and, well, you need to think of your mother" Hetnen sat up listening to his friend while giving him the oddest of looks. "Are you well?, you actually sound like you believe this fable" Hetnen replied. "and do I even want to know how you got all this?" Shaking his head Hetnen laid back down. "this is a foolish tale, and I fear your going to get yourself hurt over it, I don't want to loose you my friend. Please forget about this, I beg you". Avieth couldn't forget it though, it burned in him. He slept little that night, hearing his companion whimper through the night, no doubt dreaming of his past. He felt so bad for poor Hetnen, a defeated fox, willing to be part of this system, no hope of anything better. Avieth wouldn't give up, he continued to try to encourage and convince his friend until the day would come.

The days continued, dust the wood furniture, make food, clean, and clean. The two fell into there routines, and Avieth began to realize there was no convincing his friend. Mae only seemed to be getting worse, she was getting bigger, and had broken many a chair from her weight. Each time it happened she would become enraged, yelling for her two servants to help her up, then screaming, and sometimes throwing bits of broken chair at them. This continued until the day Hetnen had been dreading arrived.

It was approaching the winter months, the two foxes tasks increasing with the movement of coal to the various burners in the estate. Mae was getting progressively bitter, she had garnished an increasing mistrust with what little family she had, and cut all ties with them. Both foxes were exhausted, paws stained with coal dust. Avieth, feeling bad for his friends general misfortune with the master, insisted on supplying her burner with coal that day. Hetnen was returning from supplying the kitchen when he heard the screaming. At first he wasn't phased, it was common to here Mae loose her temper, so he continued with his tasks. Little did he know, on the other end of the estate, a furious wolf loomed over his friend Avieth, holding a book that had fell out of his shirt. "You think you can steal from me!!!," Mae screamed, "I..I..was gonna put it back." the terrified Avieth replied. The master tossed the book onto an in-table, the walked over to the burner grasping one of the pokers. "You know what the law says about an educated fox" she said while approaching him.

"Good the screaming has stopped", Hetnen thought to himself as he crossed the great room to retrieve more coal. Then, to his horror he heard a lowed yelp, his ears perked up, another yelp, unmistakably the voice of Avieth. Leaving his cart he ran in the direction of the noise, his heart pounding. It was coming from the masters room, and now, his heart sank, he could smell blood. Before he could even make it to the door, Mae began to yell for Hetnen. "Hetnen! You are needed in my chamber!" Slowly he entered her room, blood all over the master, and there on the floor, a fox curled up, not moving. "You will..." she paused for a bit "He, has broken ..a law, this is what is required. Just, remove him, and clean up this mess" With that, the master left the room. Hetnen, quickly, ran and knelt beside his friend. "Avieth?" but no response. Hetnen's eyes filled with tears as he slumped over his lifeless friends body. "This is my fault, I shouldn't have let you near her" he cried. Slowly, he picked up Avieth's body, and made his way back to the great room were he had left his cart. Carefully, he placed the body in the cart and made his way outside to the shed. He could here the master calling out to him "Don't be long, I need all this washed off me". He cringed a bit, then grabbing a shovel from the shed, he made his way off the estate. It was getting late, nearly dark as Hetnen began to dig. He tried easing his mind, thinking of his mother, her warmth and kindness, it was so many years ago, but he still remembered her as if it had just been yesterday. A bit of a chilly breeze picked up causing him to shiver a bit, clouds formed from his heavy panting. Just the sound of the wind, and his shovel. Finally, he had finished digging, turning he returned to the cart, taking one last look at his old friend. Gently, he put his arms under him, lifting him out of the cart. Hearing something fall to the ground, he laid the body into the hole he dug and return to the cart. There on the ground, the cylinder with stones in it that his friend had made. Hetnen picked it up, and held it to his chest, and wept, he would all ways keep this trinket close.

"why do you weep" A voice from the darkness broke the silence. Hetnen quickly getting up, scanned through the dark trees. "who..who's there?" the fox replied, now hearing cracking branches in the darkness. Whatever it was, it seems larger than either a fox or a wolf. "I smell blood, will you share your kill?" the creature said, still hiding in the darkness. "Please, go away, this is no kill, he was a friend, and I will not let you eat him". With that the noise stopped, Hetnen still straining to make out the creature in the darkness. "Why do you kill each-other?" the creature asked. "I have killed no one, he perished at the hands of our master" the fox responded. "I can never tell your two kind apart" the creature stated while slowly getting closer. Hetnen's eyes grew large as a large scaled creature emerged from the darkness. To him it resembled a large lizard with wings. He had never seen anything like it. The creature approached the hole. "Please don't" the fox cried. Without a word, the creature glanced over at Hetnen, then back at the hole, then using its large tail, pushed the large mound of dirt that was piled beside the hole into it. Then turning around facing the grave, it spoke some strange words, then breathing across it, turned the ground as solid as stone. "Why did...thank you" Hetnen cried as he slowly approached the creature. "Your heart has proclaimed this companion of yours an honorable being, is the least I can do" the creature responded.

The creature stayed, watching as the fox toss the shovel into the cart. Hetnen sighed a little while brushing of dirt from his fur and clothing. "your not going back to that master of yours, are you?" The creature inquired. Hetnen glanced up, heart was heavy, he dreaded what awaited him back at the estate, but he knew if he were to try to flee, a hunting party would certainly find him and kill him. "I..I have too" The creature quickly moved around the fox and his cart, stopping in his path. "Your friend was just killed by this master of yours, yet you return to that master. Why is this?" The fox, dropping his gaze to the ground, explained the perils of a slave running from there master. After he had finished, he looked up at the astonished creature, finally gathering the courage to ask "what are you?" The creature was surprised by the question, "have your kind already forgotten the dragons?" it asked. Hetnen feeling a bit embarrassed apologized, and informed the dragon that the foxes were not permitted any form of education. The dragon shook its head, "this world is so unbalanced,...hmm, as for you" The dragons expression became more assertive. Hetnen's anxiety began to grow, uncertain of the dragons intentions as it got closer. "I can take you somewhere where no one will find you" and before the fox had a chance to respond, the dragon grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, spread its wings and launched its self into the air, kicking the branches of trees as it rose above the forest. After clearing the tree line, and catching an updraft it clasped the fox more comfortably with its forearms. The sound of rushing wind made speaking impossible. The fox had no choice but to wait for the dragon to make it to its destination.

The fox shivered as he tried his best to scan the horizon, the wind making it difficult as it caused him to tear up. The air was cold, and the dragons talons provided no warmth. The dragon, feeling the fox shivering tried its best to hold the fox close to its chest.

On top of a mountain range, a watch-out yells "Dragoness Diamond approaches" The fox was unaware of the yelling, but did notice the fast approach through the rocky slopes of the mountain. Finally, old stone structures became visible, then a sort of courtyard, were the dragoness began to descend, gently laying down the near frozen fox.

"This poor creature needs warmth" Diamond yelled out "bring him coverings, and get him to a fire"

No sooner did Hetnen get to his feet before a couple more dragons scurried over, one holding a sort of robe.

Hetnen, confused and a bit disorientated fumbled a bit with the rob, trying to talk "Thank you, but.."

"shh," Diamond interrupted "Lets get you to a fire, then we can talk"

Only making it but a few steps, they were stopped by two of the dragons. One, looking quite upset began talking down to Diamond, "who is this outsider that you bring to us, you know we are only interested in the multi-tailed ones!" Diamond bowed looking at the ground, "Forgive me high lord, I saved him from certain death, he has no were to go, I..I will keep watch over him" The Skeptical dragon looked over to Hetnen, "he is your responsibility, but any sign of treachery, and I will tear him apart." As they continued, Diamond whispered down to the fox, "can I trust you?". Hetnen looking back up nervously nodded his head.

Hetnen found it odd, most the dragons seemed to completely ignore his presence, they all seemed preoccupied and nervous. It was clearly a very large community ,young and old, that had resided there for ages. Many of the older ones were buried in scrolls and books, completely ignoring all that was around them. Younger ones were flying in and out of the entrance, some bringing food, others more books, and various supplies. Still even younger ones were taking what was brought in, and bringing them to there proper spots.

Diamond looked down at the fox again, "you see the ones caring in what the others are flying in? I believe we can have you help with taking these items to there proper spots" Then looking the fox up and down, realizing his small build. "well, some of the items, perhaps we'll dedicate you to bringing writings to the elders." Hetnen acknowledged the dragoness, letting her know his willingness to serve them.

Hetnen quickly began to enjoy his time with these strange creatures, and it didn't take long for him to be seen fondly by a few of them. He still wasn't permitted in some areas, but he did start to guess what was going on. It seemed, that the dragons were getting more, and more nervous about the wolf race. They always mentioned how nature was out of balance, and how things needed to go back the way they were in the golden age. Even though Hetnen could not read, he knew from overheard discussions, that the elders were looking for clues on how the ancient multi-tailed foxes had kept balance. Even more intriguing was he overheard them talk of some multi-tailed fox that they were working with. He wanted to tell them of what his friend had discovered, and show them the device that Avieth had made, but was certain they would find it ridiculous. They didn't seem to believe that they ancients had any dealings in making portals, at least, it was never mentioned.

As the days went by, Diamond did her best to keep Hetnen company, but he was hesitant to bond with another. She was patient, and could sense his turmoil. She couldn't spend to much time with him though, as she was constantly being summoned to restricted areas, where he was not permitted. A few sleepless nights she would find him near the peak of one of the mountains, staring at the sky, or the valley below. Her company was calming for him, and he would often lay up against her side, often in silence.

One clear night, as the two kept each-other company, Diamond was pointing out, and telling the stories behind the constellations. After a while, they were silent, Hetnen was laying against Diamonds side as usual, and she turned her head over to him . "Hetnen?" he responded with a simple, ya. "Are you afraid to let me in? I mean, you seem do distance yourself from everyone. It saddens me to think of how lonely you must be."

Hetnen leaned forward a bit, eyes getting a bit misty.

"Everyone I have ever loved has been taken away from me," the fox began to cry a bit, "I don't want you taken away too."

His concern choked the dragon up a bit, she wrapped her tail around him, holding him closer, and kissed his forehead. "no one is going to take me away"

A few weeks went by, and Hetnen ran up to the flat stoned ledge as usual, greeting the incoming dragons. It was becoming more rare for them to find ancient books and scrolls. Today, the dragon he greeted only had one book he had found. Hetnen grabbed the item, rapped in a cloth and quickly took it over to the elders. Apon arriving, he unbound the cloth, and proceeded to set the book on the old stone table, but he paused, frozen for a moment, looking at an all familiar book. One of the elders took notice, and asked the fox if he was OK. Hetnen, shedding a tear, nodded, gently setting the book down. The old dragon got up, and approached the table. Hetnen began to turn away as the dragon picked up the book, but before he could go, the dragon gently grabbed the foxes shoulder. "What meaning does this book have for you, that your heart cry's out?" Hetnen, rubbing his nose, and wiping his eyes, sat down with the old dragon, and told him his story, and a book, of the same cover that his dear friend had found. The dragon sat and listened to every word, his eyes growing large as Hetnen presented the crystal filled device that Avieth had made.

"This...this is something new, I need to get the others. Wait, right her." with that, the dragon left the fox at the stone table, returning with the rest of the elders, in heavy discussion. Many feeling that they had realized what happened to the ancients.

"why didn't you mention this to us before?" one of the dragons questioned.

"I...I thought it was just legend" the fox replied.

There was little more discussion as they all started walking down a corridor, with book, crystal device, and fox. They entered a part of the facility Hetnen had never been before, and that's were he saw her. Nose buried in a book, a fox, but like none he had never seen. This one did not have the common earth tones he was accustomed to seeing. Instead her fur was of vivid whites, pinks and purples. But what really caught his attention was her tails, all three of them.

"Is she a.." Hetnen's attempt to ask was interrupted by the three tailed foxes instructor. "what is the meaning of this, and why is that fox here, he is not permitted?"

The three tailed fox quickly looked up "Hetnen?" Hetnen quite confused responded, "you know me?" The two foxes stared at each-other for a moment, then Hetnen noticed something in her eyes. "Diamond?" he asked, tilting his head a bit.

"My real name is Dove", she responded. "they have been trying to teach me many powers, one of them being able to take there form, I am sorry I had to keep this from you."

Looking again at her tails, "Are you descended from the ancients?"

Dove tried to respond, but the elders broke the conversation as each of them told the new found information to the other.

"This changes everything, if they did it right, we can bring them back, but if they did it wrong..." one of the other elders finished the thought, "then they would have perished, those foolish foxes, theirs no record of them asking the ancient dragons of the use of moonlight." Then another spoke up, "Its likely they thought any full moon would do, we have two and a half months until a proper full moon will rise, were gonna have to wait."

Eventually the room got quiet, most staring at the floor in deep thought. Hetnen broke the silence, "if all this is true, then perhaps... well, I can enter the portal, and try to find them,"

The dragons looked at each other, mumbling, "It would have to either be him or Dove, and we need to keep Dove encase he fails, and time is short" With that one of the got up approaching Hetnen, "Dove has seemed to find you trustworthy, so I to will. When the night comes, you may make your attempt."

The dragons became more frantic, and the two foxes were under constant watch. Hetnen learned that they had found Dove over a year ago, in there search for descendants of the ancient race of foxes. They were desperate to restore balance in the nature of this world as the wolves were getting more aggressive towards the race of dragons. They new that the multi-tailed fox races had access to great powers, at-least that's what the ancient writings had pointed to. Dove had become there great project, tapping into her full potential as a spell caster, and training her how to take the form of one of them. Despite this, neither Dove, nor the dragons could access the amount of power needed to suppress the world growing darkness.

Now that Hetnen new the secret of Dove, she no longer took Diamonds form. There occasional night watches were now accompanied though, as none of the dragons wanted to take any chance of something happening to the foxes. Despite Hetnen's fears, he couldn't help but bond with Dove, especially now that they were constantly in each-others company.

It was only a few days until the full moon, and tensions were high. Word had come that the wolves were actively looking for the dragons. It wasn't clear if they had discovered what the dragons were attempting, or if there were other intentions. What was clear was the wolves were arming themselves, and actively sending out scouts. All of nature seemed effected by a wave of darkness. Even the sky seemed to darken. The Dragons new it was only a matter of time before there compound was discovered, and to there fears, one of the wolf scouts was discovered on the mountain side.

The dragons were in an uproar. Several took flight, waiting on the wolves response, and to there horror, legends of wolves gathered, and started making there way to the mountains. They were grossly outnumbered.

"We need to buy our selves time" one of the elders spoke, one of the younger dragons yelled "we need to take flight and run". There was a rift between the dragons on how to respond. The elders for the moment convinced all to try to make it to the full moon. To buy time, all available dragons took flight, and burned the forest surrounding the mountains. There was no way the wolves could cross a wall of fire, and the forest would certainly buy them a couple of days. The sky filled with smoke and ash, there was no daylight. It was clear that on the night of the full moon, the fires would have to be gone, and there would be little time left as the wolves would certainly start there climb up the mountain side.

Hetnen and Dove nervously waited. The wolves gathered on the forest edge, waiting for the fires to die down. The dragons kept watch, but due to the thick smoke, did not take flight.

Two days of fire, smoke, and darkness. The only light coming from the flames at the base of the mountain. But it was thinning, and would only a matter of time before the wolves could start there ascent.

The eldest dragon began to command the others. "Time is short, position the fox, and the crystal device, we need to get started as soon as the moon is ready" They all listened, and Hetnen was taken to a flat open area. "All able available dragons will need to fly above the area, and fan away the remaining smoke.

One of the scouts ran up to the group, "some of the wolves are starting to cross parts of the burned out forest."

With great urgency the dragons took flight, even Dove took form, and joined them.

One of the elders approached Hetnen, "you know what to do, dwell on your cherished thought of a passed loved one, I will align the crystals."

With that, Hetnen did as he was told, and he remembered the song his mother sang. Her voice, as clear as it was when he was a pup. As he did the light of the moon began shining through the crystals in the cylinder that the elder held. A hew of light formed around Hetnen as the elders watched in amazement. Hetnen continued to dwell on that song, her voice becoming more real to him. As it got brighter he closed his eyes, making sure not to stop dwelling on the memory. Then all background noise faded away. The only sound, the voice of his mother singing that sweet melody. He wondered how long he should dwell on the memory, he was scared to open his eyes.

It was silent, he could tell it was bright, despite his eyes being closed. Slowly he opened them, seeing a figure in-front of him, his eyes slowly adjusted as he finally made out the fox staring into his eyes, singing.

"Mama?" Hetnen cried, realizing that the song he was dwelling on was no longer just in his head. He ran up to her, embracing her, "It's you, it's really you...how?"

His mother held him," shhh, my Hetnen, you've come so far my son, I am so proud of you."

Then another familiar voice as Hetnen looked up from his mothers shoulder, "We all are"

"Avieth!" Hetnen cried, "Oh my dear friend I have missed you, I am so sorry I doubted you."

Avieth chuckled, "Its OK dear Hetnen, you have succeeded, there is now hope"

"I need you, both of you, and the ancients too. We need to go back through the portal. The world is falling apart and the dragons..." Hetnen was interrupted by his mother.

"Our lives in that world have ended, its up to you son"

Hetnen's eyes lowered as his heart grew heavy, "Me, I'm not strong enough, I can't do this on my own."

Hetnen's mother gently nudged the bottom of his chin bringing his eyes back up, "your not alone, you have never been alone. We are and all-ways will be with you."

Hetnen, with tears still falling, "What do I do, I am so lost"

His mother responded, "When you go back, Face the wolves, we will do the rest." and as she spoke, he saw countless wolves in the distance, not like what he was used to, they looked gentle, but sad. All staring at him, all looking desperate.

The intense light began to fade, the dragons slowly beginning to see Hetnen's form appear as the mist cleared. Dove flew back down, landing in front of the fox. Looking in awe as a glow still emanated from behind the fox.

One of the elders spoke up, "we had it wrong, it wasn't a race of foxes with more than one physical tail." Hetnen looked up at dove as she motion for him to look at his tail. All could see, he had one tail, but a faint glow of two other tails could also be seen, one in the image of his mothers, and the other in the image of Avieth.

"I need to get the the ledge overlooking the mountain side" Hetnen yelled, and with that, Dove took to her dragon form, grabbing him she flew faster than she had ever flown. Dodging through corridors and dropped him on the ledge. Returning to her true fox form she stood beside him, looking across the sea of wolves that had begun there ascent up the mountain.

Just as she started to ask what they were to do, the light from the image of the two tails formed beams of light that split the cloud layer above them, electrifying the once dark clouds. From the clouds, bolts of pure white lightning struck the ground all around the wolves opening chasms. The wolves fell to the hand and knees, screaming as if in pain. Out of there mouth came out, what looked like dark clouds, which were all drawn into the chasms. Each wolf collapsed as the dark cloud left them. Then, chasms all closed, and the wolves laid lifeless across the ground.

The foxes, and the dragons stood, looking across the valley and mountain side in amazement, overhead the clouds began to part. Then, slowly, orbs of light began to descend from the parting clouds. Each one landing on a wolf, and absorbing into the wolf. Life sparked back in each wolf as they slowly got back on there feet, looking themselves up and down, with astonished looks on there faces. Looking up, faintly they saw the two foxes standing side by side, and one by one, they knelt in honor of the ones that restored there spirits back into there proper vessels.

The age of darkness was over, the dark spirits that had taken over the wolves had been vanquished and the noble spirits of the wolves had returned.