AN: Short chapter, but it's a prelude to an extra long one. One that's almost 4000 words. Took me two days to write that one up. Oh, for those who don't know/remember/what have you, I have a bit of a buffer whenever I write something. For this one, it's in the form of extra chapters, as I am currently on chapter 22. It's so that if people, or myself, have anything to add, I can go back and change the story's flow a smidge.

Also, the kitsune bit won't show up until the MC has taken care of some thorns in his side. Don't really know how long that will take, truth be told. So if it looks like it'll take too long, I'll pop it in somewhere.

As always, folks, thank you for reading. If you've any questions, comments, or concerns, let me know down below.

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With the Undying discussing how to take down a whole house of tribal bear beastmen and bear-kins, I made my way towards a small garden near the squeaking queen's room. Once there, I spied the feline girl-child playing with a small human boy-child of one of the maids. She seemed curious, but happy to play with someone else for a change. Yes, I have played with the girl-child before, but I can only do so much. For you see, I am not well versed in the matters of raising small children. No, which is why the maids present are a large help in this. Indeed, they were quick to laugh at my blunders, until there were too many, and had to step in. For this, I was grateful for the assistance in caring for this child.

She turned her head towards me with widened eyes, and dashed off to jump into my arms. Once there, she snuggled up to my neck, while I stroked her head slowly. Mentally, I would sigh a great sigh. For you see, I cannot feel what others feel, see what they see, smell what they smell, nor taste what they taste. I do not have emotions as others do, or, perhaps, I was not allowed to have them. This was indeed my hypothesis as an Undead, and you may be wondering about the other senses, so let me tell you.

An Undead cannot feel pain. Have you heard of the stories where armies of the undead marched ceaselessly towards their goal? How they continue fighting even after losing each of their limbs until their heads are smashed? A normal, mortal being could not march ceaselessly, as they would tire and complain of sore muscles. Nor could they fight after losing a limb, for they would scream and cry once it is gone. No, they cannot feel pain, and because of this, they cannot feel emotions, nor can they feel the things they touch.

I would always become enraged within my mind, when I could not feel the softness of the feline girl-child's fur. However, if my anger persists far longer than it should, something within my being forces me to calm down. Yes, you have heard me laugh with glee, and these are true emotions, but my past self could only mimic those emotions. I could never call them mine, not until I stepped onto the path of an Ageless, but I digress once more.

The boy-child saw me, just as his mother saw me, and she waved me over. She was not, herself, a thrall, but she did act like one sometimes. You may be wondering how I know this. It is because each of my thralls have a tell tale sign of always knowing who I am, despite my illusions. They also have this peculiar smile that is both amusing, and creepy, whenever I am in their presence.

The maid herself was young, by human standards, at only twenty cycles old. With fair skin, eyes of gold, and hair of the same hue and shine, whoever didn't want her must be insane. Yes, yes. My past self was insane, so stop staring at me. Anyways, the female introduced her small boy-child as Gregor, but stopped and looked at me inquisitively. "I don't believe you ever told me your name."

She was right, now that I realised it, I never did tell anyone my name. Not the new queen, Brutus, or my thralls. Shrugging, I merely told her to call me Kobold, and cringed when she said, "Gregor, this is Kobold-san-"

"Stop," my left eye squinted in annoyance.

"Wha-"

"Don't. Just don't EVER use those sorts of honourifics around me," I growled a low growl, to which the girl-child mewed pitifully, and cowered a bit to my side. To which I stopped and hugged her small frame close to my own. My growl also attracted two of my Undying thralls, who stood near me, searching for an unknown enemy. When they could not find one, they turned towards me, waiting for instructions, but were waved away.

"I do not like hearing them, as I've heard enough to last several lifetimes from the former 'hero' and his old starter harem."

"But," she began, then stopped when I raised up a clawed finger.

"If you must use it, then do so when I am NOT present. Or else, you will find me very much angered, and you would not like to see me angry."

*****

The bear-kin awoke later that day, as I was carrying the feline girl-child back to her room for her afternoon nap. As to her age, in case you were wondering, she was, at the time, around eight or nine cycles old. She is easily impressionable, and far too adorable for her age. At the time of my returning her to her room, she had a new habit of sucking on her thumb when nervous or sleepy. She was doing so now and I couldn't help, but coo down at her. Yes, the action was fake, but it looked real to the rest of the world.

A two-armed Undying saluted me just as I was about to enter her room, and informed me of the bear-kin's awakened state. The Undying also said she was looking for my human self, and was wondering why she wasn't allowed to leave. I sighed at the report, and dismissed the Undying. So troublesome, as I wanted to just end it all, but seeing her reaction was what kept me from doing so. Ah well.

Placing the girl-child to bed was a battle in and of itself, but I had an ocean of patience by my side. She continued to cling to me, even while she was mostly asleep at this point, and it seemed to take forever, but I finally was able to tuck her into the bed. Unfortunately, she mewed pitifully until after I rubbed a pillow across my chest and back. I did this so that she could hold onto something with my sent. This is what the maids told me, but seeing how I could not smell anything, I took it at their word.

The girl-child was clinging to the pillow, and even began to chew on the edges a bit, when I shut the door as I exited. A robe was handed to me as I became my human self once more. Two guards trailed behind me, as I made my way to the door of the bear-kin. It was here I could hear shouts and demands of the bear-kin, and entered quickly.

She was currently screaming at one of my enthralled Undying, demanding my presence. I did not like her demanding anything, and felt only disgust for her as I cleared my throat quite loudly. The screaming stopped, and she gave an exasperated sigh of relief when she saw my form. "Finally," her body seemed to just appear before me once she said this, "Where have you been?" Her hands were on her hips when she asked her question, and I couldn't help, but wonder what happened to the adorable bear-kin I wanted to journey with me. It seems my job is going to become much easier, if she has been like this since meeting the "hero". Indeed, I would savour her reaction when the time came.

"My business is my own," I rumbled slowly down at her. I was annoyed at her, and it showed.

"Thank you for your hospitality, but I have to leave. My family-"

"Will die soon," I was grinning with madness etched upon my human face.

"What?" She was flabbergasted, and took a step back. Her eyes widened to large saucers, as my grin became wider, and cracks began to form all over my face.

"I must apologise," I chuckled as the Undying and guards unsheathed their weapons, pointing them at her body. "You see, I cannot have any loose ends. You refused to become a companion of mine of your own free will, and instead, chose the hero. I cannot have you running around, finding out the truth, and becoming a thorn in my side. No," I had become my skeletal self as I spoke, and quickly snatched her up by her arms. She struggled, and I pulled her close to my head, "No. We cannot have that."

"Why are you doing this?" She screamed at me, struggling in my grip, despite it being a futile effort.

"Why?" My imaginary lips grinned evilly, "Because, I am in charge, and your 'friends' were annoying." I would not tell her anything else, even after she realised my story was a lie. "Inform the guards. They will have a new toy to 'have fun' with." I laughed a boisterously chilling laugh, as a guard, who licked his lips with expectation, attached a blackened collar to the bear-kin's neck. Who then became limp with dead eyes, and a slight moan of pleasure escaped her lips, when several guards began to remove her clothing.

I, and many of those who did not wish to participate, left quickly just as grunts and loud moans came from the room. "Now then," I began speaking to those who were with me, "let us go and plan murder and mayhem. For soon, the nights will be filled with the blood and screams of our enemies." My eyes flared a baleful crimson, just as the Undying began to make preparations for the battle to come.

It would be my first real battle upon this world, and I couldn't wait for it.