Commission for  electricfox777

Illustration done for his story "Thieves". This is the story excert:

"
An hour later they approached the large foreboding shadow of Bartholomew’s Castle. “That’s it alright.” said Luck checking her map with a lantern quickly before putting it out. “It took two hours to get here. That means we have 10 hours to finish the tasks and get back to Sly’s castle before these collars start sapping our energy.” said Luck uneasily as she felt the leather item around her neck. It felt like a leech to her; especially now that she knew what the runes on it did. She wanted nothing more than to remove it right now. Maneki watched her friend a little sadly. She knew Luck better than anyone. The thought that her friend was so uncomfortable was painful to watch. A stray glance from the cream colored feline caught the melancholy gaze of the red collared calico. Luck sighed and turned away as she realized what she had been doing. “Gotta bear with it. The collar is just an object. It isn’t going to do anything as long as I don’t do anything stupid. Don’t want to unnerve ‘Neki, or make her do something she’ll regret.” thought Luck to herself as she pulled her cloak up. “Alright ‘Neki; let’s find a way in.” she said as she pulled the reigns of her horse. Maneki watched her friend for a moment longer, but the light smile on Luck’s face assured her she was okay now.

The pair hitched their horses to trees a short distance from the castle and approached it cautiously. Soft footsteps in the dirt accompanied the two felines as they walked. The light of the moon lit the area just enough for them to see as a large cloud flowed between them and the celestial body. As they went Luck’s foot caught on something that made her stop in her tracks. She looked down as a tingle went down her spine to the tip of her tail. “What’s a runed collar doing all the way out here?” she asked as she bent to pick it up. Luck looked the article over quickly and could faintly see a couple of old faded lines of red ink on the outside rim. Maneki’s right ear twitched quickly as she heard Luck’s words. “Looks like a slave escaped recently.” she continued with a chuckle. “Hopefully we can be so lucky one day right…’Neki?” she said next as she turned only to see a horrified look on her friend’s face. “’Neki? What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” she said confused. A shiver went up the calico feline’s back as her mind registered her friends words. “I…Lucky can I see that?” asked Maneki next. Luck raised an eyebrow in confusion, but all the same handed the metal item over. To her surprise Maneki turned, crouched, and began to dig in the dirt. “Luck watched thoroughly confused as her friend took a moment to bury the collar. “What was that all about?” asked Luck before seeing the somber look in Maneki’s eyes. The calico had tears in both eyes that threatened to spill over at any minute. This was a look that Luck hadn’t seen on Maneki in a very long time. The last time she’d seen that look was when she’d first met her. “Lucky…” said Maneki as she suddenly embraced her friend tightly. Luck held her confused look but hugged her friend back. “What’s going on?” asked Luck seriously. “He did this. The collar…Didn’t you notice?...On the ground…” said Maneki as she began to cry softly. “On the ground?” asked Luck as she cast a glance first down; then around them as the shadow from the overhead cloud moved passed them and the area brightened a bit. Her breath caught in her throat a second as she saw it. There was a burn mark on the ground, and around them was a small coating of ashes, scattered lightly by the wind. “They didn’t escape. The collar killed them on the spot.” said Luck absently. All at once the reason the runic marking was faded and not glowing hit her. It wasn’t old. It had been activated. And being that the ink used was red; the element was fire. “He’s a…horrible male.” said Maneki next. “Come on now ‘Neki. Snap out of it. We’ve dealt with our fair share of horrible people; both male and female. What is it about this male that’s got you so rattled?” asked Luck seriously. “Master…Sly brought me here yesterday…Bartholomew he…he tried to rape me…” explained Maneki; her eyes clenched shut as if trying to block out the mental image coming to her mind. “He did what?” asked Luck quickly as anger flashed in her eyes. “I didn’t have any weapons…No way to escape…His guards were going to beat me first…the one who saved me was…” “Sly…” finished Luck for her. Maneki returned a soft nod. Luck looked taken aback. Her anger turned to surprise for just a moment. “Well I guess that sort of explains part of why she’s vouched for him.” thought the cream furred feline to herself. “It’s alright ‘Neki. You don’t have to go near him tonight. I have that…honor; perhaps by design. Remember what Sly said. This heist is important. You’ll be getting revenge this way right?” asked Luck lifting Maneki’s chin up with a soft smile. “Right.” replied Maneki softly. “Alright. Now dry those tears and let’s get going.” said Luck. The calico feline sighed to herself as she let go of her friend for the first time in what seemed like hours. “Thank you Lucky. I’m okay now.” she said seriously, wiping her eyes. “Anytime ‘Neki. Remember you’d do the same for me.” said Luck in return. The two felines shared a non verbal nod as they each turned to the castle. It was time to begin, and they each had a job to do. “See you when this is over.” said Luck gearing herself up. “You too Lucky. Good luck.” said Maneki. “You too. Be careful ‘Neki.” said Luck as the pair split up. Each took a different approach to the castle to avoid being spotted."


This is an example of my simple digital color commissions

Maneki and Luck ©  electricfox777
Art by me

Dont use it without authorization