Koyuki, the Necromancing Foxkin

CHAPTER 320: Guardians

Lady Nanami did not have a lot of time to stay; her discoveries required her to report to her superiors. However, she agreed to give me one lesson on guardians before her departure. She wanted privacy so we moved to one of the training rooms. Privacy meant only the two of us, and all the tier three undead.

"Guardians are in some way an open secret but we do not share the specifics with outsiders." She began. "You are in a complicated situation, since you are an outsider in some way, but you are clearly a descendant of Kitara and have successfully formed a bond. As such it is my duty to teach you some basics."

"Can only dark foxkin form a guardian bond?" I asked.

"So far we are the only ones who have managed, as far as we know. However, nobody has ever discovered why we have this ability. It might be inherited if only one parent is a dark foxkin." She clarified. "Back to the bond: It is a mutually beneficial relationship with an existing intelligent undead. It benefits both parties, however the necromancer is in control. A guardian has more freedom and an easier time rebelling, if they choose to do so."

Nyx had moved next to me, in her small form, and I started petting her. Most of my undead listened carefully while Garm was talking with Kotara about fashion.

"How is the bond helping Nyx?" I asked.

"A guardian is able to grow in power over time, without the need to constantly feed on external mana. Mages live longer than non-mages, however even archmages are not immortal. A guardian will always outlive their necromancer, unless they are destroyed. It is an easy way for them to gain power over time. Further, they are respected in Kitara and they learn our language through the bond. Any former guardians are free to live openly, unless they break the law." Nanami explained.

"Can they bond again?" I wondered.

Nanami nodded. "Yes, but not all of them want to. However, there are some ancient ones around who have watched over us for a long time."

"What about her constant desire to devour things? Even stuff she should not be able to get any mana from. Is that part of the guardian bond?" I asked. Maybe Nyx was unlocking hidden powers with her gluttony?

Nanami shook her head. "No, being a guardian has no relation to food."

I looked at Nyx. She manifested a purple tongue and licked her bony lips.

Nanami continued her lesson: "What you get is more than a powerful undead. You saw me call Kotara earlier, that was an ability we have developed over time. The range is limited but I can call him if there is need. The exact abilities the two of you will manifest depends on the undead, on you and your affinities."

"How do we learn such abilities? Is there a special way to train?" I asked.

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"Normally you bond after you finish your basic education in magic, then you spend time training and fighting together. In Kitara all dark foxkin mages are tested to see if they have the ability to form a bond. If so they are sent to a special school which prepares them for the bond, helps them find a suitable undead and then provides training to the pair of them." She explained. "I cannot reveal any special methods, I can only encourage you to train with your guardian and take them into battle by your side."

"What about Nyx' bond with other undead? I feel like she has an easier time commanding them." Kaito asked.

Nanami nodded. "Yes, guardians are better at controlling tier twos than most tier three, especially if the guardian helped with the raising. They can more easily contribute to your necromancy and they function like a secondary hub for your control links. A guardian can strengthen the links you have with your other undead. Even if a necromancer was incapacitated their guardian could direct their armies just fine."

Nanami looked at Nyx. "The bond is a gift but it can be dangerous. As you hopefully know, a tier three could control you, if you fail. A guardian would have an easier time overwhelming you and the nature of the bond would give them even more control. You would become a puppet, you would become a source for their energy; they would drain you dry to evolve and raise their army. If a beast usurps the bond it will become a great danger."

"I don't think that will be an issue." I replied, while Nyx purred.

"It seems that you got lucky and found a friendly undead. However, in Kitara the way you found your guardian would be held against you. People would show you less respect because of it." Nanami explained.

I shrugged. "I don't need their approval."

Nyx nodded. "Meow."

"Could Koyuki have more guardians?" Hatsumi asked.

Nanami shook her head. "No, you can only bond one. If their guardian falls, some Necatari are able to establish a new bond, but not all. Losing that connection can hurt you permanently. That is another reason why you need to choose the right one."

"Oh, I have another question: Nyx has somehow managed to evolve the tier two cats but it hurt her, was that a guardian thing?" I asked.

"She what?" Nanami asked.

"I tried to raise a third tier two cat but Nyx interfered with the spell. Somehow they all became tier three; it was a type of pack magic? Or something." I tried to explain.

Nanami stared at Nyx. Nyx ignored her and started licking her paw.

"A guardian can influence your spells, if you let them. Usually that would be a planned joint casting and not something a guardian just does. Evolving tier twos is not a guardian power and might be something specific to Nyx. You said that she was hurt, if she could do that at will it would make her extremely dangerous." Nanami stated.

"I mean, I could just raise more tier three the normal way." I pointed out.

"You don't understand, the amount of tier threes you can have is limited! What would happen if Nyx evolved others beyond your limit? You would be overwhelmed and it would allow her to take control! Is that how you got seven tier three?" Nanami asked.

"Well, I had Nyx first and Hatsumi was my second. After that I got to five with Nyx' antics. Kaito was planned, although the dullahan part was a bit of a happy accident. Garm was added just recently because we had such a promising corpse." I clarified.

"If Nyx wanted control she would just use her feline powers: Meowing and looking cute." Hatsumi stated.

"She is very good at it." Kaito confirmed.

Nanami shook her head. "You are all mad. However, your undead seem devoted to you and I have to agree that Nyx does not seem to be evil. I believe it is best if we stop here and I report back to Lady Yuka."

"Splendid! I have been informed about a shop in the city we need to visit. Garm has given a variation of neckwear I should consider, perhaps even something with the clan crest? Unfortunately we won't have time for a special order, maybe we can buy more in Neth?" Kotara said, while walking over to us.

"A tie with your crest would look formidable, especially with your mane." Garm's left head suggested. "However the color might be a bit dark. Perhaps you can put the crest on a lighter color?" The right head added.

"You are still talking about neckwear?" Nanami asked, sounding a bit frustrated.

"Oh we have gone further than that." Kotara replied. "I was introduced to the marvel that is a top hat. They are using magic to form them from their elements during certain occasions. I believe I can recreate one using shadow magic, but it will require more training to ensure it is perfect. Really, I do love this cultural exchange."

I smiled. For all of Lady Nanami's complaints she did seem to have a good relationship with her undead. And Kotara would look good with a tie and a hat.