Chapter 163: Still Me. Just More

The corrupted grove dissolved around them, and Kane’s consciousness slammed back into his physical body.

Kane’s golden eyes snapped open, meeting Cyrus’s crimson gaze in the collapsing laboratory.

His body felt alien, powerful in ways that made his spirit sing and terrified him simultaneously.

Nine silver tails writhed behind him, each one crackling with foxfire that could incinerate steel.

"Easy," Cyrus murmured, hands steady on Kane’s shoulders as he swayed. "You’re back."

Kane concentrated, drawing on instincts he’d never known he possessed. The overwhelming surge of nine tailed power responded to his will, condensing and reshaping.

His fully fox form shimmered, bones shifting and fur receding until he stood in his familiar half-human appearance—silver-white hair disheveled, amber eyes still holding flecks of molten gold, and fox ears twitching atop his head.

But nine magnificent tails remained, each one a testament to his awakened heritage.

Kane flexed his fingers, silver flame dancing harmlessly across his palm.

"Still me," he whispered, relief flooding his voice. "Just... more."

The moment of quiet shattered as growls echoed through the ruined laboratory.

Enhanced wolves emerged from the smoke, their augmented forms rippling with unnatural muscle and crackling energy fields.

Their eyes glowed electric blue, synthetic compounds pumping through their veins.

"Behind me," Cyrus commanded, crimson fire already wreathing his hands.

Kane stepped forward instead, silver flames dancing along his fingertips.

"No. Together."

The lead wolf lunged, claws extended and sparking with electrical discharge.

Kane moved without thinking, his body responding to centuries of buried instinct.

Silver foxfire erupted from his palm, striking the wolf mid-leap and sending it crashing into a bank of shattered computers.

Kane stared at his hand in amazement. The power felt effortless, like breathing.

Two more wolves flanked them from opposite sides. Cyrus met one with a devastating uppercut wreathed in dragon flame, while Kane twisted toward the other.

His nine tails moved independently, each one a weapon unto itself.

Three tails whipped forward, silver fire trailing behind them like molten ribbons, while another tail swept low, tripping the charging wolf.

The creature hit the ground hard, and Kane’s boot connected with its ribs, sending it sliding across the debris-strewn floor.

"Impressive," Cyrus noted, incinerating another wolf that had tried to circle behind them.

Kane barely heard him. His enhanced senses picked up every heartbeat, every breath, and every micro-movement of their remaining attackers.

When the last three wolves coordinated their assault, Kane felt time slow to a crawl.

He ducked under snapping jaws, his hand finding the first wolf’s throat. Silver fire poured into the creature, disrupting its synthetic augmentations from within.

The wolf convulsed and collapsed, its enhancements shorting out in a shower of sparks.

Kane spun, all nine tails spreading wide like a silver fan. Foxfire burst outward in a perfect circle, washing over the final two wolves.

They didn’t even have time to scream.

The laboratory fell silent except for the distant sound of collapsing infrastructure.

Kane examined his hands again, watching silver flames dance harmlessly across his skin.

"I can feel everything," he whispered, wonder creeping into his voice. "Every spirit in this building, every ward, every... everything."

Cyrus stepped closer, pride evident in his expression.

"Welcome to your birthright."

A thunderous crash echoed from above as another section of the facility gave way.

"We need to find Ginsei and Mochi," Cyrus said, taking Kane’s hand. "This place won’t hold much longer."

Kane blinked, his enhanced senses suddenly picking up familiar scents through the smoke and chemical haze.

"Wait—Ginsei and Mochi are here?"

"Long story," Cyrus said, tugging Kane toward the exit as another explosion rocked the facility. "I’ll explain later."

Kane’s fox ears twitched, tracking the sound of distant arguing—definitely Mochi’s dramatic complaints and Ginsei’s sharp retorts.

"You brought my rival and a chaos cat to rescue me?"

"They volunteered," Cyrus replied, navigating around fallen debris. "Totally didn’t bribe them or make them swear a dragon’s oath."

Despite everything, Kane felt a laugh bubble up in his chest.

"And they’re still alive?"

"Probably, they’ve been... somewhat useful," Cyrus admitted grudgingly, his crimson eyes scanning the corridor ahead.

Kane raised an eyebrow at the backhanded compliment.

"High praise coming from you."

"Don’t let it go to their heads."

A familiar voice echoed from a nearby passage—Mochi shouting something about "stupid wolves" and "ruining my favorite jacket."

Kane’s nine tails swished with amusement.

"Too late for that."

Kane and Cyrus rounded the corner to find Ginsei and Mochi, both looking worse for wear. Mochi’s leather jacket hung in tatters, and Ginsei’s usually pristine green hair was singed at the edges.

"Kane!" Mochi’s face lit up as he spotted them. "You’re alive! And holy shit, look at those tails!"

All nine of Kane’s silver tails swished involuntarily, betraying his embarrassment.

"Language, cat," Ginsei muttered, but his ice-blue eyes showed unmistakable relief. "Though I admit, your transformation is... impressive."

Kane felt warmth spread through his chest at their concern. These two had risked their lives to help rescue him.

"Thanks for coming," he said simply.

"Don’t get sentimental on us now," Ginsei replied, though his lips twitched upward. "We still need to—"

"Where’s Elias?" Cyrus interrupted, his voice sharp with barely contained fury.

Mochi’s ears drooped. "We lost him."

"Lost him?" Cyrus’s eyes blazed crimson. "How do you lose a wolf?"

Ginsei’s jaw tightened. "He vanished after Kane’s transformation. One moment he was watching from the upper observation deck, the next..." He gestured helplessly. "Gone."

"Probably has escape routes built into this place," Mochi added, kicking at a piece of debris. "Coward slipped away when things got interesting."

Kane placed a calming hand on Cyrus’s arm, feeling the dragon’s rage burning through their bond.

"He’ll surface again," Kane said quietly. "People like Elias don’t just disappear."

A distant rumble shook the facility, dust raining from the ceiling.

"Speaking of disappearing," Ginsei said urgently, "we need to leave. Now."

Cyrus nodded curtly, his fury still simmering beneath the surface.

"This isn’t over," he growled.

Kane squeezed his arm. "I know."