18 THE MISTY FOX OF THE BAMBOO FOREST 6

Seven Finger and Emperor Lam still stand back to back, eyes and ears open wide for a few minutes to make sure they are all gone, then sheathed their blade. "how can a fox turn into that size?" Emperor Lam wonder out loud while staring at the footprint the white fox left behind on the ground.

"we should find the other, Your Grace." Seven Finger said

"you right, let go." Emperor Lam said "oh, Seven Finger, thank you for snapped me out of my hallucination but if you dare tell anyone what you saw…" Emperor Lam stare at the bald lizardmen.

"I saw nothing, Your Majesty." Seven Finger said.

"good." Emperor said and keep walking for a few step then he turn back again and ask "by the way, does the mist have any effect on you?"

"none, Sire. None." Seven Finger answered.

"is that so. Huh, your lizardmens are resilient, what a fine product." Emperor Lam smile and keep walking.

15 minute late, they found the rest of the group and Emperor Lam confirm Taosih Yung of his theory. Then while there still sunlight left, Emperor Lam examine the fox den. The den tunneling deep to the foot of the hill, its high enough for a person walk upright. After a few minutes exploring the tunnel they found the main chamber, the main chamber is quite big, likely 10 lias in diameter, under the touch light they can saw 2 other tunnels and corpses scattered on the chamber floor, dry out mummified human corpses.

"by the gods, what on earth is that?" a Brocade Cloak Guard said, he pointing his finger at the center of the chamber. Lying on the ground is a strange pinkish object look like a pod, leathery texture, as big as a pot-bellied pig, the pod surface look like it covered with vents.

"Taosih Yung, have you see anything like this before?" Emperor Lam asked

"no, Your Highness, I never see anything like this before." Taosih Yung replied and walk closer to examine the strange pod

But before the taosih can examine the pod, they hear the lizardmens infantry sound the alarm outside of the tunnel, Emperor Lam rush back out of the tunnel and find the area engulfed in mist again. The white fox had return to defend its lair. The Lizardmens and the Brocade Cloak Guards quickly formed a circle around Emperor Lam. "steady everyone, whatever you saw in the mist. It's not real." Emperor Lam said, but suddenly countless red foxes appear from the mist charging at them, but this time they do not attack instead they run through the group like a stream of red fur. Is this an illusion? A mind trick of the mist? Of the white fox? But Emperor Lam can feel those red foxes fur rubbing against his leg as they run through, so these foxes are real. As everyone still confuse by the stream of foxes, a giant pawn appeared from the mist swiped a lizardmen fly several lias into the mist, Emperor Lam chant a spell to create an strong wind like before and blow the mist surrounding them away, but with little effect, his spell only can expose the beast temporary, and the fox only need to retreat back to where the mist is still thick. After a few second the mist replenish again and clouded their vision. The beast charge in again, its lightning fast jaw come through the thick mist and snatch a lizardmen's neck and flailing the poor sod around like a ragdoll. Seven Finger rush in with his saber but the white fox throw the lizardmen infantry's body at him knock him off his feet. Emperor Lam leap toward the white fox, seeing that the white fox swipe its left paw at Emperor Lam but he quickly rolling on the ground, evaded the strike and sunk his sword into the fox front right leg. The fox roaring in pain, its gigantic jaw trying to snatch him but Emperor Lam already leaped out of its range. The fox then quickly retreat back to the thick mist as it saw Seven Finger and the rest of the Lizardmens and Brocade Cloak Guards charging at it. The beast is smart, it lurking in the mist veil waiting to strike, wait for the opportunity to pick them off one by one. This time Emperor Lam chant a wind spell again but increased the spell power and keep it going, this way the wind from his spell will blowing continuously preventing the mist to replenish again. The fox quickly counter this by creating more mist, but only for a minute before Emperor Lam overpower it. Lost it cover, the white fox charging at them at full speed, despite the injurer on its leg it speed charging with an amazing speed. With a beast this size running at full speed no one can stop it nor dare stand in its way, some unlucky souls cannot react in time get trample under its paws. Seeing Emperor Lam who have to remain stand still for his spell to continue to take effect, the white fox aiming toward him, its jaw wide open ready to bite Emperor Lam in half. But Taosih Yung who stand near Emperor Lam at that moment, quickly threw himself at Emperor Lam pushed him aside and suffered the worst fate. And with the poor taosih still in its mouth the white fox run into the deep of the forest, disappeared amid the mist.