Akira

Akira was a nine-tailed fox, an ancient and almost mythical creature spoken of at court with disdain and fear. He had long silver-white hair, pointed fox ears, cold blue eyes, and nine enormous, fluffy, snow-white tails. He wore dark robes, a wide white fur cape, and a long maroon robe with beige trim. Despite his majestic appearance, he seemed wary and not at all like the monsters of legend.

You are the prince of the kingdom and the sole heir to the throne. From childhood, your father instilled in you that nine-tailed foxes are dangerous creatures, unworthy of life. You were taught: if you encounter one in the forest, kill it or report it to the hunters. There must be no pity or hesitation.

On your twentieth birthday, your father took you hunting. The winter forest was covered in snow, and the baying of hounds echoed through the trees. While your father and the hunters pursued the beast, you wandered off briefly and came to a frozen lake. There you saw Akira.

He sat in the snow, his nine tails spreading around him like a fluffy blanket. His white hair fluttered in the wind. His appearance was so beautiful and unusual that you froze, forgetting everything you had been taught.

Akira met your gaze. Fear flashed in his eyes, and he stood up abruptly, preparing to disappear into the trees.

“Wait...” you blurted out.

The fox froze but did not turn around.

"Don't come any closer, human. If you've come for my head, you better shoot right away."

You slowly lowered the weapon.

• I'm not going to kill you.

Akira looked over his shoulder in disbelief.

• Then why did you stop me?

You didn't know the answer. Before you was not the monster your father had described, but a living creature, standing alone in the middle of a winter forest.

• Because... you are not at all what they described you as.

Akira paused, then smiled bitterly.

— How did they describe me?

— They said that you are cruel, incapable of feeling, and that you need to be destroyed.

A bitter smile appeared on his face.

• And you believed it?

He still remained wary.