Interlude: The Fox

The mastermind of the thieves had been cornered by that contemptible Hound, even after the foolish Hare had severed the reins of the Celestial Serpent. The Fox’s perfect plan to steal the contents of the princess’ treasury had been thwarted without them even getting their mitts on a single mystical trinket!

It was loathsome, and aggravating, having roped in that simpleminded, lovestruck courier to execute the most crucial part of the Fox’s immaculate deception. Severing the ethereal reins was meant to sow chaos and draw every guard from the castle to try and calm the divine beast.

Yet the Hound was still in their path!

That abhorrent being, having cast their original partner from the moon on mere suspicion, suspicion!, of potential wrongdoing, was waiting right at the doorway of the treasury!

And that despicable beast had the arrogance, no, the audacity, to pursue the Fox when the Hare, a significantly more modest target, who had no survival strategy to speak of, was a much more fitting prey for that pretentious creature.

All because he was “chosen” as the princess’ “noble” guardian!

That accursed scavenger, snatching the role that, by all rights belonged to someone far more intelligent!

As if that wasn’t bad enough, when that scornful man had given chase to the Fox, he had left the divine protection of the princess’ barrier, which in turn had activated the pact with the royal family.

Or, rather, triggered the breach of it all and labeled The Hound as a traitor, no longer allowed to stand upon the moon’s heavenly domain.

It would seem to have been a boon to the Fox’s plan, but no! That vile, deplorable, craven Hound had latched onto the Fox with its ill-gotten, unmerited shroud!

Thus, the Fox had been unfairly punished and displaced from the moon.