Aether Nexus: Curse of Love & Hatred

Dama lingered for a moment, watching as his companions dispersed into the crowd. The room was loud with laughter, music, and conversation. However, Dama felt a little out of place amidst all the revelry.

“Helia… So many people, so much noise and flashing lights…” he thought as he looked around, becoming increasingly more overwhelmed with each passing second—a feeling that soon multiplied tenfold once he noticed he already lost track of Liam, Gus, Koul, and Ryuu.

With the dread of nervousness now starting to set in, Dama started to rub the left side of his stomach. Though, his attention would be brought towards the table, full of food, after catching whiff of his favorite food: apple pie.

The scent felt as if it blasted him back into Enohay Village and at the Alder's Residence. There, an apple pie of almost divine class was made, by none other than Kina Alder. "What I'd give to have a slice of Ms. Alder's apple pie right now... To be honest, what I'd give to get one of her encouraging hugs right about now too."

After a moment of contemplation, he decided to get something to eat. He made his way to the food table, careful to not bother anyone along the way, where an array of dishes was displayed—roasted meats, fresh rice, stews, and various produce all steaming hot and inviting.

Dama filled a large plate, choosing a bit of everything: Roasted peppers, bundles of rice, a small bowl of stew, even some of the meat. "If you wanna be like me fast, you gotta eat ya meats, kiddo!" Dama said to himself, repeating something Koul said as an answer to becoming a man.

Even though his previous diet fell more into a vegetarian custom, it wasn't out of a preferred choice or malice for meat. Rather, it was more out of accessibility, since Kina would always give him a free basket of her produce whenever he visited.

Dama always remembered trying his best to pay her back, but she would always refuse. "To me sweetie, you're just as much of a son as my darling boys. You don't need to pay me back, promise! Either way, your mother already did, tenfold." her words echoed in Dama's head, who still wondered what his mother did in order for Kina to be so grateful, even in death.

Last to be added was a slice of apple pie, though he had great difficulty getting it onto his plate due to his one arm.

Feeling a fuse of annoyance starting to ignite as more of the apple pie slice broke off his fork, Dama would be surprised when a random pair of hands loomed over him.

They took his fork and a knife, cut into the pie, and set a fresh slice upon Dama’s plate in one swift motion. While grateful, Dama looked up with confusion written on his face, half expecting to see Ryuu. His gaze though met another, an individual he didn’t know.

His face was rather youthful, as if he was just a year older than Dama. Adorned with the guard outfit akin to Ryuu’s, his most eye-catching feature came in the form of his olive-toned, though darker than usual, skin and black spiky hair that jetted out to the sides. His sharp, black eyes stared back at Dama’s, giving the boy the feeling he was being assessed, before leaving.

Pondering on who the man was, Dama then looked around the room again, still feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the noise and the crowd. “This is a bit much, I think I rather eat somewhere else…” he reluctantly decided as he picked up his plate and headed for the door.

The cold night air hit him as he stepped outside onto the large porch, sending shivers down his spine. Yet, he found it was a surprising welcome change from the bustle inside.

Dama found a spot on the edge of the porch where he could sit and eat in peace, away from the noise but still close enough to feel part of the celebration.

He settled down, the wooden porch creaking slightly under his weight, and took a deep breath, savoring the crisp, fresh air.

Armed with a spoon and fork, he started eating as his thoughts drifted, staring out into the snow-covered village around him.

The glow from the lanterns casted a soft light over the white landscape, almost giving an eerie feel when combined with the fact there was no movement to be seen.

“Seems EVERYONE is attending the party at this point, huh?” he thought to himself as he took a bite of a green apple, a thought that gave way for the feeling of loneliness to seep in.

However, from inside the hut, the sounds of the feast continued, muffled but still lively, reminding him that he wasn’t alone, even if he chose to spend this moment in solitude.

Relishing in that comforting feeling, Dama closed his eyes while lifting his head towards the stars, letting the cold breeze rush past him.

“This breeze, this chill, reminds me of that creature—the Oni. Am…Am I really going to go through with this? Am I really going to fight?” Dama questioned himself whilst remembering the brave act he put on for the chief. “This party basically means there's no going back…is there? Granny Tsu, Gramps Owain, Jula, Mom, Dad… Giona…”

Dama audibly groaned as he started to shiver a tiny bit. Whether it was from nerves or the cold, he didn't know. “I wish Mumu and Nina were here…” he sighed out in defeat, since they weren't here only because of him.

Right then, Dama's ears would catch a hair of a soft rustle in some bushes. At first, he thought it was just the wind playing with some loose leaves. However, he would not only hear the sound again, but spot the very bushes where it originated from.

“W-Who's there!?” A spooked Dama asked, crawling up the porch a bit.

The bushes would shake again in response to Dama, only this time, a pair of green, stitched ears popped out at the top. They turned and twitched, like the owner was extensively scanning the area.

Dama knew that pair of ears anywhere. “N-Nina…?” he said, exasperated.

On cue, the ears twitched again as the owner popped their head from the bushes with a stitched smile Dama also knew well. It was indeed Nina, who excitedly ran up to Dama, awaiting a command.

Dama set aside his plate to pet Nina whilst looking around. “I-I'm glad you're here, girl, but where is your brot—!” he started to say before witnessing a rather hilarious sight.

Mumu, his presence unmistakable even in the dim light, was behind a skinny tree beside the bush Nina was hiding in. It was a tree that didn't even come close to covering his pudgy frame. He occasionally, but confidently, peeked from behind it, as if he thought he couldn't be seen.

Staring at Mumu dumbfounded, Dama couldn’t help but burst out in laughter. “You can come out, Mumu!”

Adhering to Dama's call, Mumu showed himself and made his way to him. Plopping down beside his master as Nina sat on the right, the trio were now back together. Both of them made sure to keep body contact with Dama, trying to keep him warm.

Dama sighed, though there was a fondness in his expression. “You two,” he murmured, shaking his head with a soft smile, “I told you to sit tight. You weren’t supposed to follow me here, hehe!”

Nina began to rub her head on Dama, as if she were both apologizing for not listening and insisting that they couldn’t just leave him alone. Mumu hugged both of them in his arms, agreeing with Nina.

Dama couldn’t help but chuckle softly, feeling the warmth of their company despite the coolness of the night. “Either way, I’m glad you guys are here, I don’t know what I was worried about in the first place.” he said, reaching out to pat Mumu’s soft head, his hand sinking into the plush fabric.

He realized that, despite his initial plan to keep them hidden and out of sight during the feast, there was a certain comfort in having them near. They had been with him for so long—animated by his Soulful Technique and bound to him in a way that went beyond the physical realm—that being apart from them felt unnatural.

Together, the three of them sat quietly, watching the snow-covered village with the sounds of the feast still drifting out from the hut behind them. Dama knew that soon enough, he would rejoin the others inside, but for now, this peaceful interlude was just what he needed.

Just him, Mumu, and Nina—the three of them simply appreciating each other’s company. It was a constant in his life he was all too accustomed to, and something he would never take for granted.

Relishing in their warmth and silent companionship, Dama closed his eyes and fully relaxed, slumping in between the two.

After a long while of simple silence, Dama couldn’t help but to feel nostalgic as his mind flashed through many of his memories—with almost every one featuring Mumu and Nina by his side.

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Next: (Chapter 48) Dama’s Reflection: Part 2