[Corruption of Champions 2]: Father and Son Outing
AN: Playing God of War and Corruption of Champions 2 inspired this.
The snow fell in soft, silent waves over the Frostwoods, catching on my fur and melting against the warmth of my breath. I adjusted my grip on the hilt of my Belharen Claymore, feeling the familiar weight in my hand. Beside me, Tatsumi's four tails flicked with nervous energy. He was barely fifteen, his eyes wide with that barely-contained excitement that comes just before a hunt. His bow was already strung, quiver full of arrows, and though he wore the serene expression he'd inherited from his mother, I could see the spark of eagerness just beneath the surface.
"Elk trails are fresh," I murmured, crouching to examine the forest floor. Snow had layered thinly over hoofprints and patches where the animals had scraped for food. I rose and gave Tatsumi a look, nodding towards the tracks. "You lead us."
Tatsumi blinked up at me, momentarily surprised, before setting his jaw and stepping ahead. It wasn't often I let him take the lead on our hunts, but he needed to learn to trust his own instincts, even if he still looked back occasionally to check my reaction. I kept my face neutral, allowing him space to focus.
The Frostwoods were quiet except for the crunch of snow underfoot and the occasional call of distant birds. We moved in silence, scanning the treeline and listening for the telltale signs of movement. Tatsumi's ears twitched, his gaze darting from shadow to shadow.
We stopped when he raised a hand, signaling to me. In the clearing just beyond a line of snow-dusted pines, I saw what he'd spotted: a small herd of elk grazing, their coats thick and white to blend into the wintery landscape. Tatsumi glanced back, and I gave him a single nod. This was his shot. I wouldn't interfere—unless he needed it.
He nocked an arrow, drawing his bow with smooth, practiced precision. But when he looked back at the elk, I saw hesitation in his eyes. His hands trembled slightly, and the bowstring quivered as his aim wavered. The pressure of the hunt, the fear of failing—it was all coming down on him.
"Tatsumi." My voice was low, but it carried. "Steady. A warrior doesn't let panic steal his aim."
He swallowed, his gaze flickering to me before he took a breath, shoulders straightening as he steadied his bow once more. I could see him drawing on the calm he'd been taught—not just by me, but by his mother, Kiyoko, and Vivianne, his stepmother and my mage companion who'd taught him to scribe runes along his arms. The markings glinted faintly, a reminder of the magic he carried.
With a final, controlled breath, Tatsumi released the arrow. It cut through the air and struck true, burying itself deep in the elk's side. The herd scattered, the wounded animal collapsing as the others bounded away into the trees.
"Yes!" A triumphant grin broke across Tatsumi's face as he sprinted forward, sliding to his knees beside his fallen prey. I followed at a more measured pace, letting him have his moment.
But as I was about to clap him on the shoulder, a tremor shook the ground beneath us, and I froze, instincts honed from years of battle flaring to life. Tatsumi felt it too, glancing up at me with wide eyes.
"Back," I ordered sharply, pulling him behind me as I turned, drawing my sword.
From between the trees, a massive bear emerged, its black fur dusted with snow, eyes glinting with hunger as it sniffed the air. It had been tracking the elk just as we had, and now it was sizing us up, deciding whether we were a threat—or an easy meal.
"Tatsumi, stay back. Keep your bow ready, and give me cover," I commanded, holding my sword between us and the beast.
The bear roared, a deafening sound that reverberated through the woods, and then it lunged. I sidestepped, swinging the claymore in a broad arc that bit into the bear's shoulder. It reared back, blood spraying onto the snow, but it wasn't enough to slow it down. Tatsumi's arrow whistled past, striking the bear's hind leg and causing it to stagger. Good shot.
"Again, Tatsumi!" I shouted, focusing on the bear as I moved in, my sword flashing with each strike, seeking weak points in its thick hide. Tatsumi's arrows flew true, one after another, each finding its mark, but the bear was a relentless beast, clawing at the ground and swiping at me with monstrous paws.
The fight was brutal, each clash echoing through the forest as my blade struck against claws and teeth. I could feel the burn in my arms, the familiar strain of battle as I held the bear's weight back. Another arrow from Tatsumi pierced its shoulder, and I saw the creature falter, exhaustion beginning to set in. It roared once more, but this time the sound was weaker, pained.
"Now, Tatsumi!" I called, and with a final arrow, he struck the bear in the chest, just as I drove my claymore deep into its side. The bear let out a final, shuddering growl before collapsing, blood seeping into the snow around it.
I pulled my sword free, breathing heavily as I turned to find Tatsumi jogging up, a look of awe and relief on his face. I gave him a hard stare.
"You did well with the elk, Tatsumi," I said, my voice stern. "But rushing forward without checking your surroundings? That's a quick way to end up dead." I held his gaze until he nodded, understanding the gravity of what I was saying. But then I allowed a small smile, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Still, your aim was perfect, and you kept your head when it mattered."
His face brightened, though he tried to hide it, brushing snow from his armor as if it were nothing. "Thanks, Father. I… I'll remember to check next time."
I chuckled, already knowing how his mother Kiyoko would react. "Oh, there won't be any forgetting. Your mother, Kinu, and every one of your siblings will hear all about this."
"Ugh!" Tatsumi groaned, rolling his eyes. "Aya's going to be unbearable once she hears of this won't she?"
"Perhaps," I said, smirking as I began to clean my blade. "But you'll have a story to tell. Not everyone can say they helped take down a beast like this albeit with some help."
Tatsumi looked down at the elk, then at the fallen bear, a mixture of pride and awe on his face. He was my son through and through—both the fierce warrior and the curious spirit. And as we prepared to haul our kills back to camp, I knew today had taught him a lesson he'd carry with him. This was how warriors were made: through blood, sweat, and a father's guidance, tempered by the love of family waiting just beyond the Frostwoods.
AN: This event takes place a bit further along the COC 2 timeline but not past the Elven Kingdom portion of the game. Obviously, the Champion, a Lupine known as Mikhail is a former soldier, who is currently taking a brief break from adventuring to spend time with his Kitsune family. I mostly focused on Tatsumi because we've only seen glimpses of him from Kinu's content along with his other siblings and I just really wanted to work off my God of War 4 high.
Anyways, I hoped that anyone enjoyed it!
AN: Playing God of War and Corruption of Champions 2 inspired this.
The snow fell in soft, silent waves over the Frostwoods, catching on my fur and melting against the warmth of my breath. I adjusted my grip on the hilt of my Belharen Claymore, feeling the familiar weight in my hand. Beside me, Tatsumi's four tails flicked with nervous energy. He was barely fifteen, his eyes wide with that barely-contained excitement that comes just before a hunt. His bow was already strung, quiver full of arrows, and though he wore the serene expression he'd inherited from his mother, I could see the spark of eagerness just beneath the surface.
"Elk trails are fresh," I murmured, crouching to examine the forest floor. Snow had layered thinly over hoofprints and patches where the animals had scraped for food. I rose and gave Tatsumi a look, nodding towards the tracks. "You lead us."
Tatsumi blinked up at me, momentarily surprised, before setting his jaw and stepping ahead. It wasn't often I let him take the lead on our hunts, but he needed to learn to trust his own instincts, even if he still looked back occasionally to check my reaction. I kept my face neutral, allowing him space to focus.
The Frostwoods were quiet except for the crunch of snow underfoot and the occasional call of distant birds. We moved in silence, scanning the treeline and listening for the telltale signs of movement. Tatsumi's ears twitched, his gaze darting from shadow to shadow.
We stopped when he raised a hand, signaling to me. In the clearing just beyond a line of snow-dusted pines, I saw what he'd spotted: a small herd of elk grazing, their coats thick and white to blend into the wintery landscape. Tatsumi glanced back, and I gave him a single nod. This was his shot. I wouldn't interfere—unless he needed it.
He nocked an arrow, drawing his bow with smooth, practiced precision. But when he looked back at the elk, I saw hesitation in his eyes. His hands trembled slightly, and the bowstring quivered as his aim wavered. The pressure of the hunt, the fear of failing—it was all coming down on him.
"Tatsumi." My voice was low, but it carried. "Steady. A warrior doesn't let panic steal his aim."
He swallowed, his gaze flickering to me before he took a breath, shoulders straightening as he steadied his bow once more. I could see him drawing on the calm he'd been taught—not just by me, but by his mother, Kiyoko, and Vivianne, his stepmother and my mage companion who'd taught him to scribe runes along his arms. The markings glinted faintly, a reminder of the magic he carried.
With a final, controlled breath, Tatsumi released the arrow. It cut through the air and struck true, burying itself deep in the elk's side. The herd scattered, the wounded animal collapsing as the others bounded away into the trees.
"Yes!" A triumphant grin broke across Tatsumi's face as he sprinted forward, sliding to his knees beside his fallen prey. I followed at a more measured pace, letting him have his moment.
But as I was about to clap him on the shoulder, a tremor shook the ground beneath us, and I froze, instincts honed from years of battle flaring to life. Tatsumi felt it too, glancing up at me with wide eyes.
"Back," I ordered sharply, pulling him behind me as I turned, drawing my sword.
From between the trees, a massive bear emerged, its black fur dusted with snow, eyes glinting with hunger as it sniffed the air. It had been tracking the elk just as we had, and now it was sizing us up, deciding whether we were a threat—or an easy meal.
"Tatsumi, stay back. Keep your bow ready, and give me cover," I commanded, holding my sword between us and the beast.
The bear roared, a deafening sound that reverberated through the woods, and then it lunged. I sidestepped, swinging the claymore in a broad arc that bit into the bear's shoulder. It reared back, blood spraying onto the snow, but it wasn't enough to slow it down. Tatsumi's arrow whistled past, striking the bear's hind leg and causing it to stagger. Good shot.
"Again, Tatsumi!" I shouted, focusing on the bear as I moved in, my sword flashing with each strike, seeking weak points in its thick hide. Tatsumi's arrows flew true, one after another, each finding its mark, but the bear was a relentless beast, clawing at the ground and swiping at me with monstrous paws.
The fight was brutal, each clash echoing through the forest as my blade struck against claws and teeth. I could feel the burn in my arms, the familiar strain of battle as I held the bear's weight back. Another arrow from Tatsumi pierced its shoulder, and I saw the creature falter, exhaustion beginning to set in. It roared once more, but this time the sound was weaker, pained.
"Now, Tatsumi!" I called, and with a final arrow, he struck the bear in the chest, just as I drove my claymore deep into its side. The bear let out a final, shuddering growl before collapsing, blood seeping into the snow around it.
I pulled my sword free, breathing heavily as I turned to find Tatsumi jogging up, a look of awe and relief on his face. I gave him a hard stare.
"You did well with the elk, Tatsumi," I said, my voice stern. "But rushing forward without checking your surroundings? That's a quick way to end up dead." I held his gaze until he nodded, understanding the gravity of what I was saying. But then I allowed a small smile, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Still, your aim was perfect, and you kept your head when it mattered."
His face brightened, though he tried to hide it, brushing snow from his armor as if it were nothing. "Thanks, Father. I… I'll remember to check next time."
I chuckled, already knowing how his mother Kiyoko would react. "Oh, there won't be any forgetting. Your mother, Kinu, and every one of your siblings will hear all about this."
"Ugh!" Tatsumi groaned, rolling his eyes. "Aya's going to be unbearable once she hears of this won't she?"
"Perhaps," I said, smirking as I began to clean my blade. "But you'll have a story to tell. Not everyone can say they helped take down a beast like this albeit with some help."
Tatsumi looked down at the elk, then at the fallen bear, a mixture of pride and awe on his face. He was my son through and through—both the fierce warrior and the curious spirit. And as we prepared to haul our kills back to camp, I knew today had taught him a lesson he'd carry with him. This was how warriors were made: through blood, sweat, and a father's guidance, tempered by the love of family waiting just beyond the Frostwoods.
AN: This event takes place a bit further along the COC 2 timeline but not past the Elven Kingdom portion of the game. Obviously, the Champion, a Lupine known as Mikhail is a former soldier, who is currently taking a brief break from adventuring to spend time with his Kitsune family. I mostly focused on Tatsumi because we've only seen glimpses of him from Kinu's content along with his other siblings and I just really wanted to work off my God of War 4 high.
Anyways, I hoped that anyone enjoyed it!
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