Aether Nexus: Curse of Love & Hatred

“Then it is settled…” Okun turned to Domitius and Ryuu. “Please, Domitius and Ryuu. Jr, see to it that these men from Enohay are quartered well. I will have some of our best chefs make a feast tonight for their bravery and generosity.”

Everyone in the room stood back up in response, with Domitius and Ryuu bowing in acknowledgement.

Liam and Koul would fist bump before patting Dama's shoulders. (“Good one, buddy! You did great!”) Liam whispered, ruffling Dama's hair, making the boy smile.

As Domitius and Ryuu prepared to exit and carry out their chief's orders, someone burst through the curtains of the room, catching everyone off guard.

It was a girl, around Dama’s age, with dark-red hair that was tied back and a delicate face, flushed with excitement. Wearing the same deep-green robe and bearing the same tanned skin as Okun, she clasped her hands. “Cooking!? Can I help, papa!?” she exclaimed, her voice full of youth and curiosity, yet also commanding.

Chief Okun's eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, a flicker of warmth passed through his expression. "Kaede," he said, his voice softening, "were you eavesdropping on us? I thought you were—”

Kaede crossed her arms whilst tilting her body forward a bit. “Really, papa?” she interjected, her tone full of teenage sass. “Did you really expect me to sleep through all of Domitius’ shouting?”

Recoiling in shock, Domitius hung his head in defeat. “Sorry, my lady…”

Okun sat up straight. “You were still eavesdropping. What have I told you about that, young lady?”

Kaede rolled her eyes while she walked towards her father in a huff. “And I will say the same thing again—why can’t I? I AM the chief’s daughter, I also should be in the know of what’s going on, no?” she responded as she made it to Okun, giving a smirk that was equal parts affectionate and challenging.

Before Okun could respond, Kaede twirled on her heel, her robe swirling around her, and faced the guests with a bright, mischievous smile. "Guests from Enohay! I, the chief's daughter, bid you welcome to our village! I’m Kaede Yamanaka, and trust me, I’ll make sure the food for tonight's feast is worth your long journey!"

After giving a playful wink, Kaede's eyes sharpened and scanned each of the four Enohayen men.

Her gaze first fell on Koul, with his scruffy goatee and rugged appearance. “Definitely someone’s father.” she thought to herself, noting how he had an aura of a leader. But there was something about his slightly aloof expression that made her suppress a smirk. “Though, he also gives off total idiot vibes. How does he manage to keep it together?”

Next, her eyes landed on Liam. He had a cleaner cut, his face not too soft nor too chiseled, his posture straight, and there was a calm, composed air about him. “Now this one looks like a gentleman!” Kaede mused, appreciating the way he took his outward appearance very seriously. He seemed almost out of place among the others, like someone who belonged in a more refined setting. “If only he was younger…”

Then she looked at Gus, whose unremarkable appearance made her pause for only a moment. “And here’s a nobody…” she thought bluntly, her interest in him fading as quickly as it had come. He blended into the background so seamlessly that she almost forgot he was there. Something Gus would feel a bit conflicted about.

Finally, Kaede’s gaze settled on Dama, and she couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow in curiosity. “Why did they bring such a scrawny boy with them?” she wondered, taking in his quite fragile appearance, especially his absent right arm.

Yet, there was something about his big, earnest eyes and rosy, freckled cheeks that made her linger on him for a moment longer. “He looks to be about my age, maybe a bit younger. Very cute too, like a stuffed animal you could hug for hours~!” she admitted to herself, feeling her heart flutter a tiny bit.

Kaede wondered what role Dama had to play in their mission as she spun back around to face her father. “I heard everything papa. Knowing that these brave men have come not only to stave off my people's hunger, but to also defeat that vile Oni, oh it just feels my heart with gratitude!” she said while putting both hands over her chest, making sure to add a touch of a dramatic flare to both her tone and expressions. “That’s why you must let me give back and help with the feast, papa!”

Koul, Liam, and Dama exchanged glances, both impressed and touched by her spirit. Dama in particular felt a connection to Kaede's youthful determination.

“You don't need to trouble yourself.” Okun responded, waving his hand in a dismissive manner. “We have many skilled hands to prepare the feast. You can relax, my daughter.”

Noticing Kaeda puff her cheeks in irritation, Domitius piped up in her defense. “If I may, chief, there's really no reason she can't. She also loves to cook. If it helps ease your worries, I'll be her 24/7 personal bodyguard during preparation to make sure nothing happens.” he said with passion, causing Kaede to smile.

There was a moment of silence before Chief Okun nodded, a hint of a smile touching his lips. "Very well… Kaede, you may help with the feast. Domitius, I trust you won't let her do anything too rash?"

Domitius straightened his posture. “Of course, please, follow me my lady. The other guards should already be at the food brought from Enohay. We can use some of that for the feast to save on our current supply!” he said as he started to walk to the exit, before raising a hand. “Junior, looks like you'll be in charge of housing our guests!”

Ryuu sighed. “I expected as much…” he said under his breath.

Running to catch up with Domitius, Kaede would turn to glance at the Enohayen men as she passed them, with her lingering on Dama more than the others again.

This time, Dama noticed and gave a small, but obviously nervous smile accompanied by a slight blush. Thinking that reaction was cute, she would be taken off guard by Dama's sudden expression shift from shy to shock.

Right after, Kaede ran face first into something soft and extremely malleable, like the bounciest mattress she could ever imagine. During the few seconds she sunk further into it, Kaede could feel that its surface was lined with tiny strands of hair, giving it a warm, cozy feeling.

Kaede then rebounded back from whatever she ran into. Closing her eyes, she braced for her inevitable fall. But before she could hit the ground, she felt someone's arm catch her, wrapping around her midsection.

Opening her eyes, she saw a huge, bear-like creature staring down at her. It had stitching and a blue spiral pattern all over its body. “What is that thing?” she thought to herself before turning to see who caught her, only to be face to face with Dama.

Kaede’s eyes widened in surprise while Dama's cheeks reddened more due to the closeness of their faces. For a brief moment, they were both frozen in place, locked in each other’s gaze.

“Er, h-hello…” Dama finally stammered out, beads of sweat starting to pour from the situation he found himself in. “I-I'm very sorry for my friend Mumu here, Ms. Kaede. Are you alright?”

Taking a moment to respond while she stood back up in Dama's hold, Kaede soon felt his chest pounding. Combined with his flustered expression, Kaede's lips curled into a playful grin, realizing Dama's vulnerability to teasing. "Oh my, why thank you, Dama, was it? I'm okay, looks like you saved me, no~?" she expressed with a light teasing tone, trying to hide that she felt her own heart racing from the unexpected closeness.

“I recognize that mischievous tone from anywhere! It's just like when Mary teases me, oh no…” Dama thought to himself, anxious as to what's to come. Letting her go, he stepped back whilst nervously laughing, his face flushing even more. “T-That's great to hear you're alright! Haha…ha…”

“So adorable!” Kaede mentally squealed. “I was right, he's not used to teasing, huh? I think I just found my new toy…” she thought, her playful grin relaxing into a more cheeky smirk.

Using the tips of her fingers to hide her smirk, Kaede gave Dama a final wink as she turned around and chased after Domitius. Okun watched her go while he leaned back, content.

Koul and Liam exchanged glances themselves witnessing the interaction, with the former giving the latter another snarky smirk, just like when they gave Dama ‘the talk’. Liam, again, rolled his eyes, but couldn't help his own grin this time.

Chuckling at Liam's grin, Koul sighed. “She really does remind me of my own daughter, you know?” he remarked, his tone nostalgic. “Same confidence, sass, and all, my sweet Mary. Right, Dama?”

“Hm!?” Dama jumped before sheepishly rubbing his head. “Well, yeah I suppose so. Though, Mary's not that, um, commanding?”

Okun nodded, a mixture of pride and a small drop of sadness lingering in his eyes. "My daughter, Kaede, has a strong spirit indeed. She reminds me of her mother, Fabiana." he said, his voice grew quieter, the weight of his loss evident.

Slowly shaking his head to ward off his grief, Okun turned his attention back to the men. "Again, I would like to thank you for coming, children of Enohay. We will have a feast in your names, and together, I guarantee we will find a way to resolve this crisis with the Oni."

Everyone present bowed once more, with even Mumu and Nina trying their best to replicate them. “No, thank you, Chief Okun Yamanaka.” Koul replied as the voice of the group.

“Well, if you'll excuse us, chief. I'll now quarter these guests of honor.” Ryuu said with a hand over his chest. Turning to take the exit, he then waved for the others to follow. “Come, Koul, Liam, Gus, Dama, Mumu, and Nina, I have a place in mind where you can properly unpack and rest.”

All who were named gave varying reactions of gratitude, excited to see what Ryuu had in store. They followed Ryuu out of the chief's room, except for one.

Dama, still a bit anxious, paused in the doorway and looked back at Okun. The chief, still seated with a thoughtful expression, met Dama’s gaze. For a brief moment, the room felt still and quiet, as if time had paused just for them.

Chief Okun gave Dama a slow, reassuring nod, his dark eyes conveying a silent message of trust and expectation between Soulful Technique owners. It was a gesture that held more weight than words, and Dama felt a sense of responsibility settle over him.

With a final respectful nod of his own, Dama turned and followed the others, now filled with determination…

-

(Chapter 45) Koul’s Reunion