Aether Nexus: Curse of Love & Hatred

After a few hours of rest in the guest room, the atmosphere was nothing but peaceful silence.

Liam had settled into one of the chairs by the small table, a book open in his hands—its title reading ‘Apothecary’s Journey.’ The book was well-worn, its pages filled with detailed illustrations and descriptions of various herbs, potions, and apothecary techniques.

Liam's brow furrowed in concentration as he absorbed the knowledge, occasionally pausing to trace a finger along a particularly interesting recipe. “To think Briarstone would have such knowledge on this topic. I’ll have to ask Ryuu later.”

Gus, on the other hand, was still knocked out, having not moved a muscle since he plopped onto the bed he rested in. His head lolled to the side as snores escaped his lips. The soft rise and fall of his breathing was the only other constant sound in the room, blending with the rhythmic crackle of the fire from the next room.

Likewise, Dama was also sleeping, cuddled with both Mumu and Nina on the floor. Mumu sat motionless, acting as a beanbag of sorts for Dama to rest on. Nina simply laid upon Dama’s lap, snuggled beneath his arm.

Looking up for a short moment, Liam couldn’t help but to smile at seeing Dama’s peaceful sleep. It was obvious the warmth of the room and the long journey had finally caught up with the boy.

Curiously enough though, Dama would smile himself as his cheeks reddened a little, catching Liam’s attention. “Gio…na…” he said in between soft snores.

Liam tilted his head a bit. “Did he say just Giona? That’s the second time now…” he thought to himself as he remembered the last time when Dama blurted out the name during the hike to Briarstone. “He could just be talking about Giona Tamaki, but something tells me that’s not quite it…”

Before Liam could question it further, the tranquility of the room was interrupted by the sound of the door creaking open. Ryuu stepped into the room, his presence bringing a subtle shift in the atmosphere.

"Sorry to disturb you," Ryuu said quietly, his voice respectful of the calm that had settled over the room, "but the village-wide feast has begun at the chief’s hut."

"The feast?" Liam echoed, his voice laced with curiosity as he closed the book and set it aside, careful to remember where he had left off. He stretched his legs, feeling the stiffness from sitting too long begin to ease.

Gus stirred awake at the mention of the feast, blinking as he sat up. He rubbed his eyes, the remnants of sleep still clinging to him. "Already?" he mumbled, slowly coming to his senses.

Liam chuckled, standing up to stretch the rest of his muscles. "Looks like you had a good nap, Gus.”

“Gotta admit, I did. This bed was top-notch, especially compared to that damned carriage we were in.” Gus replied as he got out of bed and walked over to a nearby vanity table.

“While you could have put it a bit nicer, I agree.” Liam chuckled again before making his way to Dama, Mumu, and Nina. “But it sounds like we shouldn’t keep the village waiting. Come on lil’ buddy!"

Feeling Liam’s hand ruffle his hair, Dama stirred awake as well alongside Mumu and Nina. “Eh…? Wha-happen?” Dama said, still high on the effects of deep-sleep.

“The feast is ready,” Ryuu answered, “and Mr. Koul is already there. The chief is looking for you three.”

Gus nodded in agreement, pushing himself up on the table and rolling his shoulders to shake off the last of his drowsiness. "Yeah, wouldn’t want to miss out on the food and festivities. I know I wouldn’t."

“The f-feast?” Dama questioned before his senses came back to him. “Oh yeah! The feast!” he exclaimed as he shot straight up, full of excitement.

Startled by Dama’s burst of energy, Nina and Mumu both followed Dama as he stood up. Mumu began twisting and turning, while Nina extended her front legs and arched her back, stretching as if they too had been resting.

Ryuu smiled at the group, his demeanor calm and welcoming. "The whole village is gathering as we speak." he said, gesturing for them to follow. "The chief has certainly gone all-out—plenty of food, music, and booze. Of course, we wouldn’t have as much of the food or booze if it wasn’t for your village. The chief would want you all there."

As Liam and Gus nodded at each other, they went to follow Ryuu. Expecting Dama to follow suit, Liam looked back, only to find Dama facing Mumu and Nina.

“Hey, you two, I’m sorry to ask you this, but could you sit tight for this one? I rather not risk causing any confusion.” Dama inquired of his stuffed companions. “Some villagers might think you guys are monsters and make a ruckus.”

Mumu and Nina glanced at each other in response for a few seconds before looking back at Dama and nodding their heads, heeding his request.

Nodding himself, Dama gave Mumu and Nina a grateful smile before he followed the others. As he stepped out into the hallway, he gave a lingering Liam a fist-bump, sharing in each other’s anticipation.

Later, as the snow crunched beneath their boots, Liam, Gus, Dama, and Ryuu made their way through the village, the cold air crisp against their faces.

The sky above was a vibrant gradient of black and blue, signifying the coming of night. Thankfully, the path ahead was illuminated by the soft, golden glow of lanterns hanging from poles, leading the way to the chief's hut.

As they passed, Dama could see that the village was alive with excitement and energy.

Adults walked ahead of them while chatting and gossiping about the event. Toddlers ran alongside each other, with some engaging in snowball fights, despite the snow previously being a reminder of their grave situation.

The excitement of the feast was indeed palpable in the air.

Drawing closer to the chief’s residence, the warm light spilling from the windows became more pronounced, casting a welcoming glow onto the snow-covered perimeter.

The hut itself was a beacon of warmth amidst the cold. Its timber walls glowed softly in the night from the lights within, flickering through any cracks.

From inside, they could hear the sound of lively conversation and the clinking of dishes, accompanied by bursts of laughter and cheers. The village’s anticipation had given way to full celebration, and the sounds of joy filled the air, drawing the group closer with every step.

Liam exchanged a glance with Ryuu, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Sounds like they’ve already started.” he remarked, his voice carrying a note of eagerness.

While Ryuu grinned in return, Gus quickened his pace, driven by the prospect of food and festivity. "Good thing we’re not too late!"

Dama, walking beside Liam, listened closer to the sounds of the celebration. His heart curiously started to pound with a mix of curiosity and excitement, the cheers and laughter sparking a sense of wonder in him.

The group then stepped onto the front porch, seeing the door slightly ajar, allowing glimpses of the bustling scene inside—villagers mingling, food being passed around, and music playing in the background.

Ryuu paused at the threshold, glancing back at the others with a welcoming smile. "This way, my friends." he said, pushing the door open wider to let them in.

As the door opened, the full warmth and light of the feast enveloped them, drawing them into the heart of the celebration. The sounds of cheers and laughter grew louder as they stepped inside, joining the village in their moment of joy and unity.

The room was alive with the energy of the village's celebration—laughter echoed off the wooden walls, and the rich aromas of roasted meats, baked bread, and hearty stews filled the air. The hut was bustling with activity, villagers gathered in groups, talking, eating, and enjoying the feast laid out before them.

But what caught their attention most was the sight of Koul who was already deeply immersed in the festivities. He was in the middle of a lively line dance with a group of villagers, his cheeks flushed from both the heat of the room and the drinks he had clearly been enjoying.

Koul’s broad grin stretched across his face as he moved in time with the music, his feet kicking up in unison with the others. The dance was simple yet spirited, with each step punctuated by a rhythmic stomp and a hearty cheer from the participants.

The villagers around him seemed equally spirited, matching Koul's enthusiasm with their own. Their movements became synchronized as they kicked up their feet in a shared rhythm.

Liam paused one step into the room, unable to suppress a chuckle at the sight. "That old geezer, he’s already making himself at home." he remarked, watching as Koul threw his head back in laughter.

Ryuu shared the chuckle with Liam as he took in the scene. "Koul seems to have found his way into the heart of the celebration. Wouldn’t expect anything less from him." he said, crossing his arms as he leaned against the doorframe, amused by the sight of Koul’s unabashed enjoyment.

Dama, standing behind them, watched with wide eyes, a mix of surprise and fascination on his face. He had never seen such a celebration back in Enohay, nor Koul: "So...carefree"

It was clear that Koul had already become part of the village’s celebration. At this point, he was just another member of their community, if only for the night.

As the group watched him dance, soaking himself in the jovial atmosphere, they felt the impossibly strong attraction of infectious joy that radiated from the scene. It was a pull most couldn't resist.

First to yield was Liam. Unable to resist the infectious energy of the room any longer, he ruffled Dama's hair with a grin before heading toward the line of dancers. He threaded his way through the crowd carefully until he reached Koul, who was still in the thick of the dance.

The moment Koul saw Liam approaching, his face lit up even more, and with a hearty laugh, he beckoned Liam to join in by dragging him deeper into the crowd.

Liam needed no further invitation. He fell into step beside Koul, quickly catching on to the rhythm of the dance. Soon, the two of them were moving in sync with everyone else.

The sight of Liam and Koul dancing together drew cheers and claps from the villagers, who welcomed them into the fold with open arms.

Meanwhile, Gus, drawn by curiosity and the desire to understand just what had gotten Koul so merry, made his way to the long table where a variety of drinks were laid out.

He eyed the selection, spotting a jug of what he assumed to be the source of Koul's drunkenness. A strong, amber liquid sloshed inside as he poured himself a cup, the scent of potent spirits wafting up to his nose.

Gus raised the cup to his lips and took a hearty swig. The drink was strong, burning pleasantly as it went down, and Gus felt warmth spread through his chest. "Not bad!" he muttered to himself, quickly going for another sip, ready to catch up with Koul in spirit, but not dance.

Seeing that Liam, Koul, and Gus were now well-occupied, Ryuu scanned the room for the chief. Spotting Okun Yamanaka seated on a raised platform at the far end of the hut, surrounded by a few villagers and Domitius near, he nodded to himself and began making his way over.

This left a mesmerized, and slightly overwhelmed, Dama standing alone at the entrance…

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Next: (Chapter 47) Dama's Reflection