The corrupted grove dissolved around them, and Kane's consciousness slammed back into his physical body.
Kane's golden eyes snapped open, meeting Cyrus's crimson gaze in the collapsing laboratory.
His body felt alien, powerful in ways that made his spirit sing and terrified him simultaneously.
Nine silver tails writhed behind him, each one crackling with foxfire that could incinerate steel.
"Easy," Cyrus murmured, hands steady on Kane's shoulders as he swayed. "You're back."
Kane concentrated, drawing on instincts he'd never known he possessed. The overwhelming surge of nine tailed power responded to his will, condensing and reshaping.
His fully fox form shimmered, bones shifting and fur receding until he stood in his familiar half-human appearance—silver-white hair disheveled, amber eyes still holding flecks of molten gold, and fox ears twitching atop his head.
But nine magnificent tails remained, each one a testament to his awakened heritage.
