Volk "The Blaze Beast"

## Summery

There are many tales of Kitsune spirits wrecking havoc on mortals, fulfilling their desires. Although some of these spirits are rather harmless, wicked spirits are often used as cautionary tales across Aruvia. One of the lesser known tales is that of The Blaze Beast. According to legend, The Blaze Beast was responsible for the mysterious deaths of many nobles, and royalty, and was often depicted as a large beastly creature, whose body is wrapped in perpetual green flames. His legends were used to teach about the dangers of greed. The legends describes it as "setting their homes, and bodies ablaze in an unceasing fire, twistedly grinning through their harrowing screams, leaving nothing but snow-like ash." Though the beast has not been seen in recent times, the stories are still passed down every so often. Due to the original written story being deemed as unsuitable for children, the old tale is slowly fading into obscurity. However, in recent years sightings of the beast have been reported frequently, but never confirmed to be true.

## Background

### The Beginning

Several centuries ago, there was once a young man that lived in poverty. His home was one where nobles frequently convened, whether they lived there, or were attending an event. The young man, named Volk, grew up never having basic necessities, fighting tooth and nail to survive. He was then infected with a plague that slowly chipped away his life day after day. Volk grew to despise the wealthy, and nobility. "Why should they deserve to live?!" he often thought angerly. He hated those he deemed privileged, wishing to kill them himself. But he was sickly, and could never achieve these goals. One day, his last breath approached. As he laid dying, a strange man approached him. "What a pity," the man said, "that a man be put lower than mere dogs." The man offered Volk a mask. Even though Volk had no affinity to magic, even he could tell something was wicked about the mask. "Here. It should be YOU that burns this city." Blinded by rage, hatred, and a desire to live, he took the mask instantly, placing it on his face. Suddenly, he felt his face burn, green flames emitting from the mask. The flames enveloped him, burning his body, replacing flesh with flame. It caused his body to grow, and change into some sort of beast. Once the mask burned away the transformation was complete. The mysterious man simply smiled and said, "marvelous!" When Volk opened his eyes, the man was nowhere to be seen, though he did not care. Within the hour, the whole had been burned, taking the lives any who lived there. Such a display of power comes with a price, however. Volk was killed by this power, however, he felt no satisfaction from what he did. He began to believe the mystery man used him. "That bastard," he said as the green flames extinguished, "retribution shall find you." But his hatred was strong, and his spirit was retained. For centuries, he has searched for this mystery man, but to no avail. Along the way, he tried to satiate his bloodlust through killing nobility, but this only provided a satisfactory "high," only making his rage for the mystery man grow. He truly believes the man to be the cause of everything.

### Present Day

As time passes, Volk's strength as a spirit was waning. He knew he had to do something to keep his spirit alive, but didn't know how. Just then, he felt something. Something was nearby. Though unsure what is was, his curiosity lead him to search for the source. That is when he found a young Kliff Hargrave, who was working some farm lands. Upon further investigations, he realized that he was not protected by Kitsune wards. Not only that, but he recognized the remains of a suppressing seal on the boy. He had an idea. Knowing that even a weak spirit such as himself could possess the boy due to his lack of warding protection, and the seams of the suppressing seal gave his an opening to the boy's spirit. Unable to pass on this opportunity, Volk invited himself into the boys spirit. There he resided, slowing regaining his strength as he slept. Until one fateful day, he awoke, enacting his plan. Volk took over, forcing the kitsune to transform so he could mutate his fox form to his liking. Enveloping Kliff in green flames, his fox form became reminiscent of his old Blaze Beast form. After gaining consciousness, he sees a woman in a red cloak watching in horror. Volk ignored her initially, and turned to the nearby village. With a twisted grin, he reveled in the moment, and attacked the village. Though there was no nobility, he wished to test his power. However the girl from before, Cethline, challenged him, demanding to have Kliff back.

The ensuing battle was fierce, as illusory rose petals flew, green flames consumed the village. Though she tried her best, she could not save the village. What's more, Volk managed to actually hit Cethline, tearing her cloak from her. He proceeded to taunt her as he approached her, ready to kill. Summoning flames around her, they slowly closed in, as she was unable to flee due to her injury. But right before the flames set her ablaze, Volk felt a sharp pain in his head. He heard the voice of a woman, chanting some kind of spell. His body began to shrink to his original size, and the flames subsided as Volk's control over Kliff was faded. Volk saw Cethline being pulled away by a figure he couldn't quite make out. He yelped and howled in anger until Kliff was back to normal, after which he collapsed. Volk fell back into slumber, but in his "dreams" experiences whatever Kliff sees. To this day, he slumbers, silently wishing for the day the seal grows weak again.

## Appearance

### According to Legend

The Blaze Beast is often depicted as a large monstrous wolf covered in green flames, usually with a twisted grin. While the depiction of a wolf is most common, the type of beast he is has been long debated by many, with some sticking to the claims that he is a wolf, while others describe him as draconic in nature. In the Kitsune nation of Kyūbi-no-Kuni, the depiction resembles most other tales of a demon fox.

### Actual Appearance

While the depictions in legends are never consistent, Volk's form looks most akin to a violently ferocious wolf covered in green flames. It's important to note that it's less that he looks like a wolf, and more that wolves are the closest comparison.