My Kitsune System

"I can't be seen, but I shape what you do. I can't be held, yet I weigh upon you. I'm both fleeting and endless, yet I can't be rewound. I'm given to all, but never the same. What am I?"

now this is a tough one

"how many attempts do I get?"

"You get only one, my little fox friend"

what can't be seen but shapes what I do? It can't be held but it weighs on me. It's fleeting and endless yet can't be rewound. It's given to all but never the same. 

Dan turned to look at the old woman wheezing on the bed. She looked very feeble and weak. The demon had taken a toll on her and she was at her wits end.

It's gonna kill us all. I don't think it will keep to its words. Dan thought as he looked toward the shadowy creature stuck on the wall.

He didn't know how long he had but he knew he had to be done quickly and leave the house before she got back home. Dan looked at his watch and saw it was almost 5. She should be almost home by now.

"Do you promise to keep your word and let us all go if I pass your riddle?"

"Of course why not? As long as you provide the correct answer to the riddle... All this would be like a dream and she would wake up all hale and hearty tomorrow"

"You said you can't be seen but then you shape what I do. You can't be held yet you weigh upon me. You are both fleeting and endless and yet can't be rewound" As Dan was saying these words, he felt his heart beat faster.

Though the room was air-conditioned, beads of sweat were formed and ran down his forehead behind the mask.

I only get one shot at this. Any mistakes and all the three souls are gone. I have to make this one-shot count.

Dan was analyzing the situation when he heard a shout from outside.

Hit the jaw!!!

A shout came from the outside. With high senses, he was able to pick out the words clearly. It seems two people were fighting.

Two people fighting? 

"I'll cause a commotion" Ryan's words rang in his head.

that means she's around. 

He had to get this over with fast and immediately.

His senses then picked up someone who was coming up the stairs.

I have to do this and get it over with.

Dan drew in a deep breath.

Having listened to the riddle. I believe I have your answer

"Okay, what is it?"

Dan looked at the woman one more time.

Here goes nothing

"I believe you are hope"

This better works. Dan thought as he clenched his fist.

The shadows rippled, a laugh echoing through the room.

"You had me there little fox. I for one thought you would get the answer but then you are wrong"

And as the agreement states your soul is mine

Dan's eyes widen behind the mask. He said nothing but just watched the shadows swirl around the room.

"So tell me what I am to do?"

"All you have to do is let me in"

"Let you in?"

"Yes," came the reply.

Dan stretched his arms wide open, his eyes closed shut behind the mask. The aura around the room started to swirl together and started to form a kind of whirlpool.

It condensed and took the form of a beast that stood in front of Dan. Its breath landed on Dan's mask. As it did the wheezing within the room stopped.

Immediately Dan noticed that the woman's breath had now become stabilized, and his pounding heart seemed to calm down.

So this is it then

Vooom!!! Dan's hand whizzed through the air, cutting the distance between him and the demon within mere seconds. Dan's hand grabbed the demon's throat.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"I'm sorry change of plans"

""You arrogant fox how dare you trick me""

The demon's aura began to intensify turning into a raging tide. The demon stretched out its hand and grabbed on to Dan's hand. It tried to yank Dan's hands off but then it found out Dan's grip was firm and unmovable.

Thank you Ryan for all your training. Now I just need to protect her. Dan thought to himself as the corner of his eyes looked at the woman on the bed. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

The demon realized that Dan's grip on him was unyielding. It tried reaching for Dan again but this time Dan moved out of the way. He then later stood between the Demon and the old lady.

I need to take this outside before she comes back home.

And as if right on cue they both heard a sound from the apartment door.

Click!!!

The key to the door was being twisted.