Storm and Aurora struggled to see their surroundings in the complete darkness around them.
Until light suddenly flooded the tunnels as Leyocan ignited a torch he found on the wall.
"What is this place?" Storm asked.
"One of our hideouts. Whatever happens, don't show hostility and let me do the talking." Explained Leyocan.
He took the lead and walked deeper into the tunnels as Storm and Aurora reluctantly followed.
The tunnels stretched deep into the cliffs and seemed to grow increasingly narrower as it progressed, sparking a small hint of claustrophobia in Storm's heart.
It wasn't well known, but all dragons were uncomfortable in tight spaces.
Even though they lived in caves, they always ensured that the tunnels and chambers were large enough to sustain years of a dragon's growth.
Dragons hated confinement and due to their larger size, a narrow passage like the one they were in now could easily cause a dragon's death if they had to fight and the tunnels restricted their movements.
Thankfully, the tunnels eventually opened up in a large chamber.
Purple light crystals were spread out on either side of the walls at regular intervals.
The cave walls were painted black and several pedestal were scattered around the room along the walls.
An ornate urn rested on several of the pedestals, while others were still standing empty.
A small line of symbols was painted in gold on the wall behind the pedestals.
Storm tried to read the writings, but it was written in a tongue that Storm was unfamiliar with.
"What is this place?" Asked Storm.
"The Hall of Remembrance.
A place where we Nogitsune lay to rest our fallen brothers and a place where we can remember their deeds in life." Said Leyocan.
Storm looked at the urns.
"So those are?..."
"The ashes of Nogitsune that gave their lives for the cause." Finished Leyocan.
Before Storm could say anything else, a blur passed infront of him as a kunai was thrown from somewhere in the darkness.
He was about to draw his sword, when Leyocan stopped him with an wave of his hand.
He transformed into his Nogitsune form and called out to the darkness.
"Is that any way to greet a long lost brother returning home!!"
Storm noticed movement around them as several black clothed Nogitsune stepped out of the shadows around them.
They had loose fitting cloth shirts and pants, with sandals.
A single piece of leather armor protected their chests and strapped to their backs was a narrow, curved sword.
The hilt of the sword extended past their left shoulder so that the blade could easily be drawn.
Their faces and mouths were masked and only their eyes were visible.
"Most 'brothers ' don't bring outsiders into our home!
Drop your weapons and we'll take you to our Sensei for judgement!
He will decide whether you are deserving of hospitality or penalty, 'brother'."
Storm looked at Leyocan, who nodded his head in confirmation.
He slowly unfastened the scabbard from his side and lowered the weapon down to the ground.
Beside him, Aurora and Leyocan did the same with their own weapons.
After placing them on the ground, they took 2 steps back, then went down on their knees and placed their hands on the backs of their heads as a sign of submission.
3 masked men stepped forward and secured their hands behind their backs with rope, before pulling them to their feet and pushing them through a doorway on the other side of the hall.
They guided them through several different rooms.
Some where sleeping quarters or mess halls where Nogitsune were gathered and talking.
They fell silent and stared at their group as they were escorted through the room.
Others were training halls where several young Nogitsune were assembled and going through combat stances, or sparing with each other under the watchful eyes of a Master Nogitsune.
This was the first time that Storm saw Nogitsune children, they closely resembled their adult kin, but they only sprouted a single tail and had a softer, less menacing gaze that the adults.
They eyed Storm's group with equal amounts of curiosity and suspicion.
Storm was stunned to find an entire community of Nogitsune hidden underneath the human city.
They were guided through a large cave that was partially submerged in water.
In order to avoid the water, the Nogitsune had constructed wooden walkways around the cave.
The mouth of the cave was open to the sea, and small black brig with two sails was tied to a dock at the far end of the walkway.
The ship had two harpoon launchers on either side, and a strange device at the front that looked like some kind of cauldron.
Several Nogitsune were busy loading crates of unknown supplies into the ship's cargo hold.
Their tour through the tunnels ended in front of a set of double doors.
2 Nogitsune with polearms blocked the group's advance with their weapons.
"Who do you bring before the Sensei, Vexus?"
"3 intruders we found at the Hall of Remembrance. One of them is Nogitsune!"
The guard nodded his head.
They opened the doors and led them down a black carpet towards the foot of an platform that had a throne made of black metal.
The room was dark as the light sources located in the room wasn't enough to illuminate the entire room.
Storm could see that a figure was seated on the throne, but he was unable to make out his face in the darkness.
Only the golden glow of his eyes was visible in the gloom
They were forced down to their knees in front of the figure, who just stared at them in silence.
After a few tense minutes, the figure leaned forward and revealed his face.
He closely resembled Leyocan, although his eyes were gold instead of red and he lacked the white furred highlights at the tips of his ears and the top of his head that Leyocan had.
He was missing a ring finger on his left hand and a nasty scar traveled down the side of his muzzle.
He only had 4 tails however, showing that he was significantly younger than Leyocan.
Leyocan was especially surprised to see him.
"Onyx? Where is father?"
"He abdicated his throne to me and moved away from the dojo to retire.
He still teaches younger cubs that seek him out in the arts of stealth in his spare time." Explained Onyx.
"Ha!? That old fox actually did it?
He talked for years about retirement, I never thought he'd actually do it!"
"You broke his heart when you left, you know?
His dream was to transfer leadership of the clan to you some day.
He kept track of your exploits for a time!
You should have seen how proud he became whenever you did an exceptional act." Said Onyx
Leyocan averted his eyes.
"Do you still carry your resentment for him in your heart even after all these centuries?" Asked Onyx.
"I can't forgive him for all the pain he caused me! I'm sorry brother, but I just can't!" Answered Leyocan.
Onyx sighed.
"I had hoped that you had returned in order to reconcile with your family, but I see that is not the case.
You're here on business. So tell me what ails you, so that you can be on your way!" Exclaimed Onyx.