Fukushu gazed out from his mountaintop retreat, admiring the view. These mountains were mystical (probably why Katie and Kellie had been drawn to this area for their marriage). Looking downwards he could see the hotel, a small spot on the horizon now miles away.
"Beautiful," he whispered as he admired the scene. Glancing at the small newborn in his arms, he frowned. It angered him that this child should foul the landscape with its presence. Perhaps, he should dispose of the child now. Save himself the trouble of dispatching him later.
"I wouldnt do that."
Fukushu turned slowly, bowing his head solemnly as a large man with dark hair now approached. "Lord Villar," he said.
Villar smirked, looking over Fukushu and the child before turning towards the horizon. "You have done well Fukushu," he smiled. "Bringing the child here has cleared the way for my arrival. Well done."
"I still do not understand," Fukuahu stated. "Why is this child so important? You can materialize in this timeline now my Lord."
"Only on this mountaintop," Villar countered. "This place is connected to the very fabric of magic. All realms of existence connect to these mountains. For now, this is the only place I can make my presence known in this timeline."
"And the child," Fukushu asked.
Villar smiled wickedly as he slowly began to pace. "Tell me Fukushu," he smirked. "What can you tell me of time? Are you aware of how it flows?"
"Like a river," Fukushu finished. "But how does time and this child coincide?"
"Time flows like a river my old friend," Villar stated. "However with that flow also comes various branches. A single moment of time can branch out into infinity. For each branch something differs, even if the result remains the same."
Fukushu could only nod, looking between the newborn and his master. "It is how I know you wish to harm that child," Villar stated, narrowing his eyes at the kitsune. "I have seen every branch of time from this moment. In all those branches your efforts to destroy that child fail."
"So why bring the child here then if not to destroy him," Fukushu stated.
"And that is the question that needs to be asked," Villar smiled. "You see my old friend, this child is responsible for my existence. Without him or you we would not be having this conversation."
"Wait," Fukushu whispered. "Are you saying you and this child...."
Villar gave Fukushu a cutting look, quieting the kitsune. "I have seen the results from this moment in time," he stated. "In some timelines you escape from Katie and Kellie, raising the child as your own. Other timelines, they rescue him. No matter what though, by bringing this child to this mountain you have assured that I shall soon be able to cross over into this world."
Fukushu sat quietly staring at the child, still trying to wrap his mind around what his master was saying. "So what shall become of me," he asked.
"In some timelines you die," Villar shrugged. "Struck down by those who are pursuing you now. In others you escape. No matter what though you must fight them."
"And if I refuse," Fukushu stated.
Villard eyes glowed red as he angrily gazed at the kitsune. In a lightning quick motion he now grasped Fukushu around the throat raising him off the ground. "If you flee like a coward I will hunt you down and kill you slowly," Villar growled. "Running will destroy all the progress we have made. They will catch you, they will defeat you. I have seen that option and it helps only them."
Fukushu gasped for breath as Villar slowly crushed the kitsunes throat under his iron grip. Before the kitsune could pass out, Villar released him causing the kitsune to crumple to the ground gasping for air.
"For us to have any chance of success you need to fight them," Villar stated. "I will be unable to help though. Hopefully you survive the encounter, I have seen all possible outcomes and give you a 50/50 shot. Hopefully you can survive Fukushu, we still have much work to do."
Fukushu said nothing as Villar turned, vanishing into the other and leaving the kitsune alone. As he now stood and gazed at the vanishing image of his master he scowled. He had assured that his master would be a leader to gain access to this timeline, when that would be though was anyone's guess.