In a meadow near the mountain,Kyro was under an oak tree,its expansive canopy provided a large shadow that was good shelter from the afternoon sun. 

Jiya popped up between some wild flowers, moving forward to confabulate with his grumpy self that kept gazing ahead, avoiding eye contact. Somewhat ashamed of his earlier outburst.

"Why are you hung up on that sword? Aren't your powers sufficient?" She sat beside him.

"They would be,if I wasn't a sorry excuse of a fox!" His arms were folded on his chest, defensively.

"You made it this far and I didn't even see you use your powers. What are you afraid of?" 

"I'm frustrated, not afraid." He glared at her.

"Anger is your way of masking fear, isn't it?" She hit the nail on the head.

He froze on the spot, his heart palpitating like crazy. His eyes darted from hers, that transparent gray color did the impression of staring at an accusing mirror. She didn't need to hear his answer, his reaction gave away the confirmation. 

 He hated his vulnerability, that hatred extended to himself. 

The sensation of living thanks to the predators's mercy didn't sit right with him. His destiny was annoyingly in the hands of others. This fox strived for power, in hopes of getting recognized as powerful.

"I'm a facile target, that sword was supposed to alter that." His eyelids dropped, he blankly observed the wind moving the grass.

"Kyro, you're too critical. If you were that weak, you'd be a fox fur coat by now."

He frowned, it was revolting to compare him to a nirus, feeble things that are skinned to make fake fox fur winter coats. 

They possess similar fur. For that reason, humans insist on labeling nirus and foxes as identical. Even though they aren't alike. Equating them, it's the worst offense that no fox can tolerate.

"I'll show you what a real fox is capable of." 

His composed wrath was blood chilling to her. Perhaps because it was a rare sight. Smoke engulfed them and when it dissipated, she was in that dreadful place. That forest.

A shadow came out from behind the trees, a ferocious appearance like the one of a werewolf on a full moon, brown fur covering everything except for its green eyeballs,plus sharp teeth and claws... Those features belonged to none other than the hanlin.

The beast lunged at her that stood still. She seemed awfully calm like it was a puppy that was going her way, not an undead beast trying to slit her throat. 

Her demeanor unsettled him who couldn't sustain the illusion. The scenario switched back to the both of them sitting under the oak tree.