Chapter 22: Trouble
After several minutes of observation, Draco moved to a new position downwind from the two foxes. His strategy was based on research he had conducted about the creatures inhabiting this particular gate.
From his studies, he had learned that Leaf Foxes possessed an exceptionally strong sense of smell, using it as one of their primary hunting tool. They typically targeted weaker beasts that either carried strong scents or made noise that revealed their location.
Draco wanted to use that hunting instinct against them.
Draco had come prepared for this possibility. In his pack, he carried several pieces of particularly pungent fish, chosen specifically for their strong, lingering odor that would travel well on the wind currents.. Naturally the fish was sealed in a pack that kept its smell hidden. Unless opened, the smell will not appear.
He positioned himself outside the estimated range of the foxes’ scent detection, carefully calculating wind direction and distance.
[Master, what’s the plan with the smelly fish?] Zephyr asked, wrinkling his tiny beak at the powerful aroma emanating from Draco’s pack.
"We’re going to separate them," Draco explained quietly.
"I need you to drop this fish at that specific location when I give you the signal." Draco pointed with his hands.
Working quickly but quietly, Draco placed several pieces of fish in a trail leading away from the clearing, creating a scent path that extended roughly one hundred meters to a cluster of bushes where he could set up an ambush position.
Draco’s goal was to lure the female fox far enough away that he could eliminate it before the other realizes what’s happening. That was the best case scenario, as for the worse, it was to buy him enough time and distance to escape.
Before executing his plan, both Draco and Zephyr applied more of the special scent-masking powder he had purchased near the gate. The fine, odorless dust would help prevent the foxes from immediately recognizing the trap through human scent.
"Everything needs to be perfect. One mistake and I’ll be facing both foxes at once." Draco muttered, as he continued his preparation.
Once they were properly concealed, Draco positioned himself behind the chosen bush cluster and signaled to Zephyr, who took off silently into the air.
Thud!
The fish landed exactly where Draco had indicated, it was close enough to the female fox to catch her attention, but not so close as to seem obviously planted. Zephyr immediately flew back toward Draco’s position, staying low to avoid detection.
The sharp, fishy scent began drifting on the breeze toward the two resting foxes. Beside the larger alpha male, the smaller female’s nose twitched as the enticing aroma reached her sensitive nostrils.
The alpha lifted his massive head, his eyes scanning the treeline wit alertness.
His ears swiveled, listening for any sounds that might indicate a threat. After a few tense moments of observation, sensing nothing immediately dangerous, he lowered his head again with a soft huff and returned to his resting position.
Not only was it not the mating season, but the large fox had no competition. He had already claimed the vixen next to him, he was relaxing, and simply wanted to sun bathe.
Unless he felt danger, he wasn’t going to act unless it was his hunting period, which usually came later on in the day.
The female fox, however, remained alert. She rose carefully from her position, her paws making no sound on the frost-hardened ground.
Her movement showed her natural predator instincts, she stepped away from her mate, keeping her body low and her movements slow.
The bait had worked and the vixen was approaching cautiously.
The vixen began slipping toward the scent source like a shadow in the fading light, following her nose while maintaining the awareness that had kept her alive in this dangerous realm.
Each step took her further from her powerful mate and closer to Draco’s ambush position.
[Master, she’s coming this way! Should I get ready to use our abilities?]
"Not yet, Zephyr. Let her get closer to the fish trail. We want her committed to following the scent before we reveal ourselves."
Draco gripped his sword handle, feeling his heart rate increase as the crucial moment approached. Everything depended on timing, strike too early and she might flee back to her mate’s protection. Wait too long and the alpha might grow suspicious of her absence.
Just a little closer.
...
The female fox approached the first piece of fish with extreme caution, every muscle in her body coiled and ready to flee at the first sign of danger. Her eyes darted constantly between the enticing morsel and the surrounding terrain, searching for any hint of a trap.
She circled the fish twice, nose twitching as she analyzed every scent carried on the wind. Her ears swiveled like radar dishes, picking up the smallest sounds.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she darted forward, snatched the fish in her jaws, and immediately retreated several steps to consume it while maintaining her vigilant watch.
The taste confirmed what her nose had promised, fresh, rich, exactly the kind of prey that would provide substantial nourishment. But still, her wariness remained.
Following the scent trail, she discovered the second piece of fish about twenty meters further along. This time, her approach was even more cautious. She spent long minutes studying the area, her keen predator senses analyzing every detail of the surrounding bushes and grass.
The vixen’s vigilance sprouted from the questions in her mind.
Where is this food coming from? No fox leaves such easy meals without reason.
Yet the second fish proved just as rewarding as the first, and gradually, her confidence began to build. Perhaps she had simply stumbled upon the remains of another predator’s successful hunt. Perhaps some larger creature had been interrupted and fled, leaving behind these gifts.
By the third piece of fish, her movements had become slightly less cautious, though she maintained her alertness.
The pattern seemed safe enough, find the food, secure the area, consume quickly, move forward.
The fourth fish brought her within fifty meters of Draco’s hiding position.
The fifth fish was only thirty meters away.
She’s committed now, Draco thought, watching her approach through the concealment of the bushes.
When she reached the final piece of fish, she was directly within Draco’s striking range. But even here, even after successfully claiming five previous meals, her wariness remained sharp.
Draco remained perfectly still, his eyes locked on the fox, never letting her leave his sight.
She was within attacking range, but her vigilance was so intense that he almost felt their eyes make contact through the bushes.
The female fox studied the final fish with even greater suspicion than she had shown the others. Her nose worked overtime, trying to detect any scent that might reveal the source of this convenient trail. Her ears twitched at every tiny sound, and her body remained coiled like a spring.
After an agonizingly long inspection, she finally darted forward and bit into the fish, grabbing it securely in her jaws.
Having found no immediate danger despite her thorough investigation, she began to turn back toward her mate’s location.
She didn’t know where the food came from, but there’s been no threat. She had decided that she was getting far and it was time to head back.
With her back now turned to his hiding spot and her attention focused on returning safely to the alpha male, Draco saw his opportunity.
[Now, Zephyr!]
[Skill Activated: Super-Sonic]
[Agility increased by 1.5x]
Draco burst from the bushes with explosive speed, his 34 points of agility propelling him forward faster than any normal human could move. Zephyr launched himself simultaneously, his tiny form becoming a blur as his own Super-Sonic ability activated.
The fox’s sensitive ears immediately caught the rustling of the disturbed bush and she began to spin around, her predator reflexes kicking in.
But it was too late; Draco had already closed the distance and arrived within striking range.
Without wasting a second, he slashed downward with his slender sword, aiming precisely for her hind legs to prevent any chance of escape.
Swish!
The blade cut through the air with a sharp whistle, striking true and severing tendons in her rear leg. The fox let out a sharp yelp of pain and surprise as her mobility was instantly compromised.
At the same moment, Zephyr dove toward her head with pinpoint accuracy, his tiny claws raking across her left eye and temporarily blinding her on that side.
The ambush had been executed perfectly, the female fox was wounded, partially blinded, and isolated from her mate’s protection.
[Master, we did it!] Zephyr chirped triumphantly as he pulled up from his attack run.
"Don’t count your eggs before they hatch, Zephyr! Attack!"
Draco knew better than to celebrate prematurely. The female fox was wounded but still alive, and every second they delayed increased the risk of the alpha discovering their location.
Zephyr immediately obeyed, diving down for another precise strike at the fox’s remaining good eye. His tiny claws raked across her face, completing the blinding effect and leaving her thrashing helplessly on the ground.
The fox was now both blinded and severely mobility-impaired, but her survival instincts remained strong. Feeling the approach of imminent death and overwhelmed by pain and terror, she opened her muzzle and released a piercing cry that echoed across the meadow.
AWOOOO!
The mournful wail carried clearly through the still air, a desperate call for her mate’s protection.
A few hundred meters away, the evolved fox’s eyes snapped open at the sound. His massive head immediately turned toward the direction of the cry, his senses analyzing the tone and urgency of his mate’s distress call.
Without hesitation, the alpha leaped to his feet and began charging across the terrain with devastating speed.
"This isn’t good, she needs to die... now!" Draco said, immediately intensifying his attacks.