Himon Koul jammed the end of a heavy wooden joist into the snowy ground with a grunt of effort, then straightened and sighed in contentment. "Imke made breakfast, did she?" he chuckled in a grateful manner.

"Yep," Liam confirmed with a grin, "me and Dama have already gotten our share. It's pretty good I must say!"

Koul threw his head back in response and let out a hearty, husky laugh to the sky, hands settling on his hips. "I'll be! I haven't tasted Imke's cooking in decades! I wonder if she's perfected her recipes even more."

Nearby, Ryuu Jr., with Gus struggling to help, guided a second joist into place alongside Koul's, Mumu and Nini watching from the sidelines. The boy called over, "Mother would be pleased to hear that compliment, Mr. Koul. Her cooking's the best!" With that, he coached Gus, "Right here is good," and the older man lowered the beam with an exhausted groan.

Gus then shook out his shoulders and waved dismissively as he passed Liam, Koul, and Dama. "Thank the gods for a break…and food..." he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Didn't even get breakfast before you dragged me out here...!" He said the last part through gritted teeth, only registering as agitated mumbling to the other men.

Dama offered a nervous chuckle, and Liam cracked a light joke. "Judging by his attitude, you worked him hard to the bone this morning, eh?"

Koul wiped his nose, pride tinting his tone. "Pfft, the lad will live. Either way, he's earned every bit of that attitude today—for once, har!"

At that moment, Dominitus moved two more joists behind Ryuu Jr., surprising the boy. "I could say the same for you, lad, minus the attitude!" Dominitus teased, ruffling the boy's hair.

Ryuu Jr. saluted with a grin in response. "Thank you, captain. Your praise is an honor."

Dominitus chuckled and patted his subordinate on the shoulder. "Go on home and eat a hearty breakfast—you've earned the day off."

Koul nodded in agreement, then ambled over to Liam and Dama. He ruffled each of their hair in turn. "I'm off to get some food myself. Good luck with the chief. Don't embarrass Enohay on our behalf!" He paused, breaking into another laugh. "Who am I kidding? You two are Enohay's finest—nothing to worry about! That includes you two, Mumu and Nini!"

While Mumu & Nini waved and gave smiles in response, a rather pensive Dama only said, "Y-Yeah..." his quiet tone and reticent expression betraying the fact he was barely listening.

The only people to notice this uncharacteristic side of Dama were Mumu and Nini, who wondered what exactly held their master's thoughts captive.

Liam, on the other hand, scoffed playfully as he brushed off Koul's hand. "Oh yeah, we'll for sure leave a good impression with this hair?"

Koul just chuckled and patted their shoulders. "You'll figure it out on the way." With that, he strode off toward Imke's house with Ryuu Jr. trailing behind.

Alone now, Dominitus turned his attention to Liam, Dama, Mumu, and Nini. "Ready to meet Chief Okun and start your training?"

Before Liam could answer, Dama, in a brief reverie out of his contemplation, punched a fist into the air, eyes blazing with determination. "I'm more than ready!" Mumu and Nini, while at first caught off guard by Dama's sudden shift in attitude, copied him, showing their determination as well.

Liam grinned at Dominitus. "You heard the little man—lead the way!"

Dominitus gave a both satisfied smirk and a wave for them to follow, thinking, "No wonder the Chief sees something special in this boy."

He led the small group down the village's main lane, the snow crunching beneath their feet. Liam and Mumu raised friendly waves to the villagers who had emerged from their warm homes—smiling faces peered from doorways, and some even ventured into the street to call out their thanks.

Nini padded ahead and allowed a cluster of children to stroke her soft, patched fur. Their laughter rang like bells, and her tail wagged in delight, matching their excitement step for step.

Liam glanced around, admiration in his eyes. "The whole place has turned a 180!" He observed. "When we first arrived, everyone was huddled indoors, afraid of the cold—and whatever else was out there."

Dominitus nodded, his hand over his heart as if making a solemn pledge. "All thanks to you Enohayean Men. They've not only learned that it was you fellas to bring the food, leading to the village wide feast, but also that you all will help with the Oni! Y'all have earned my gratitude, if no one else's!"

As both Liam and Domnitius continued to talk, Dama walked in silence behind them, the joyous greetings and clattering laughter passing through him without registering. Inside his mind, memories tumbled—

* The winding Labyrinth of Giona's mind, full of shadows and impossible walls.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

* The sight of Giona's terrified face, saved by Mumu and Nini's strength and courage.

* Saa'ir's ancient magic and the twin orbs of silver and gold that guided them home.

* His own "mindscape," the lake of clarity and the revelation of his soul.

* The Curse of Hatred, its mocking grin, and the cold promise of doom it left behind.

His ribs throbbed with each step, a reminder that he had barely escaped with his life. The uneven snow underfoot sent shocks of pain through his bruised body. But it was his soul that bore the deepest wounds—he felt the imprint of dread and hatred seared into him, the taste of death and hopelessness as tangible as bitter iron.

As if on cue, Dama saw what seemed to be the uncanny flickering of shadows in the corner of his eye. In that next split second, he swear he saw one half of The Curse of Hatred's mocking face, peeking around the corner of a house. Its one visible white void of an eye gleaming with malicious intent, and its smile as unnerving as Dama remembered it.

Without even thinking, Dama's body almost jumped out of its own skin as it turned to where Dama swore he saw The Curse of Hatred, his breath hitching in fear. However, nothing was there, only the happy faces turned confused stares of Briarstone villagers.

Realizing how crazy he must have looked, Dama shrunk back as he sheepishly raised his hand in a half wave, half apology. His grin crooked from awkwardness and nervousness seemed to tell the villagers that he was just on edge, with some of them sympathizing, knowing that he'll face the Oni.

As the faces of the villagers switched from confused to sympathetic happiness, a contented Dama coughed into his hand, catching his breath, before quickly going back into his thoughts.

"What if any one thing had gone differently? He thought, and shivered despite his layered tunic. "If I hadn't arrived…if Mumu or Nini hadn't held back that darkness…if Mr. Saa'ir wasn't there...Giona would have been lost—and so would we. We...We would have died..."

Dama closed his eyes against the realization no child should have to face. For a moment, the outside world in its entirety ceased to his senses. All he could feel was just how fragile the gift of life he had been granted by the gods really is.

Admist this dark realization, a sudden image of Giona's grateful smile flitted through Dama's mind—her light shining brightly against the darkness that had threatened to swallow him whole.

He opened his eyes, a weary smile creeping across his face. "Thank the gods," he thought, "especially you, Goddess Helia, for protecting me and the ones I love. And you, Mr. Saa'ir. Without you, who knows what would habe happened... I wonder where you are now?"

He pondered whether he'd ever see his mysterious savior again when his foot struck something soft—and then solid. "Oof!" Dama grunted as he tumbled backward into the snow.

Looking up, he saw Dominitus standing before him, the carved porch of Chief Okun's house looming over them.

Quickly, the foreman stooped, scooped Dama to his feet, and brushed snow from his shoulders. "Careful, lad!"

Dama rubbed his backside, cheeks warming. "S-Sorry! I wasn't watching..." he admitted, stepping aside as Liam watched with a curious look.

Dominitus clapped Dama on the shoulder, his grin telling Dama it was alright. He then led the way up the porch steps and through the open front door. "Come on, now. The Chief will be thrilled to see you!"

Dama managed a bright, though somewhat forced, "Y-Yeah!" and followed, with Mumu and Nini padding close behind.

But as they reached the threshold, Liam's voice, his tone a bit worrying, stopped them. "Dama?"

The trio turned, concern flickering in Dama and the stitched guardians' eyes.

"Yes, Mr. Liam?" Dama answered, voice a little too high.

Liam stepped forward, placing a steady hand on Dama's shoulder. "Are you really all right?" he asked, tone gentle but probing.

Dama's heart fluttered. "What do you mean?" he replied after a second too long, voice trembling, praying his unease wasn't obvious.

"You've seemed…shaken since you've awoken. Is everything okay?"

For a long beat, Dama's mind raced—part of him wanted to spill everything: the Labyrinth, the Curse, the weight pressing on his soul. But he'd promised himself he'd wait until Liam met Giona.

With a small, apologetic smile, he said, "I'm still a bit sleepy." Without another word, he turned and walked through the doorway. Mumu and Nini followed, but each stole a quick, sympathetic glance at Liam—an unspoken confirmation that Dama carried a terrible memory.

Liam watched them go, concern etched in his eyes, before following suit.

Dominitus drew back the heavy curtain and knelt on one knee before the throne-like chair at the far end of the chamber. Chief Okun Yamanaka sat sprawled upon it, his frame draped in the village chief's ceremonial robes.

With a respectful bow, Dominitus raised one arm in a broad gesture. "Chief Okun," he announced, "as you requested, I have brought the two men for training, Liam and Dama, alongside Mumu and Nini."

On cue, Liam, Dama, Mumu, and Nini stepped through the curtain and knelt in a neat line. Dama spoke first, voice steady but tinged with a nervous tremor: "Sir, I am ready to learn to control Soulura—and my Soulful Technique."

Beneath his determination, Liam noted the boy's hidden fear. Okun's sharp eyes also flickered to Dama's clenched fists before returning to Dominitus.

Rubbing his broad beard, Okun regarded Dama with approval. "I am impressed that at such a young age you have shown up. Understanding and wielding Soulura normally takes years of arduous study. Yet some are born with the gift—myself included—and mastered its secrets in months."

He leaned forward, voice firm. "We do not have the luxury of time if we are to defeat this Oni. Therefore, I will place you, Dama, Mumu, Nini—and yes, Miuson and Liam—through an accelerated course."

Liam and Dama both murmured, "I see." Dama's shoulders rose in a nervous half-nod, while Liam dipped his head, eyes closed briefly, a confident grin playing on his lips at the challenge.

However, after a moment of silence, both Dama's and Liam's entire face shifted from understanding to outright confusion, their brows shooting up.

"Wait... Chief, d-did I hear correctly?" Liam said first.

Dama followed, sharing in Liam's confusion. "You said Mr. Liam will be trained too?

Okun's beard quivered as he nodded. "Your Wind Affinity and weapon skill are evident, but can be refined. That alone served as excuse to train you. But, I also sense a spark of a Soulful Technique in you as well. Same goes for Miuson Hakasha. Did I not mention this?"

Dama's face lit up instantly in wonder as he turned to Liam. "R-Really!? Mr. Liam has a Soulful Technique? How do you know that?" He exclaimed as he turned back to the chief, his eyes wide with a childish curiosity.

Liam didn't have near the same reaction. "N-No…you didn't, sire..." he stammered, his broken laughter trembling with breathless surprise, sweat comically forming on his face.

Dominitus, still kneeling, glanced to one side. "Speaking of Miuson," he said, "where is the boy?"

-

Next: (Chapter 76) Latent Soulful Potential

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