Aether Nexus: Curse of Love & Hatred

In the stillness of the night, Enohay Village lay beneath a blanket of stars, the only sound being the distant rustling of leaves in the gentle wind. The shrine temple, perched on the highest part ofthe village, stood as a sanctuary of peace.

Inside one of the huts, illuminated only by the faint glow of moonlight filtering through thin paper windows, two figures shared the warmth of a single bed.

Owain, the village chief, his face weathered with deep wrinkles, slept soundly, his breathing slow and steady. Tsubasa, the village chiefess, with her wolf-like ears and long gray hair, clung to him under the sheets, her smooth, ebony-toned skin warm against his.

Suddenly, Tsubasa's body stiffened. "Ah... ah... AH," she whispered, her breath hitching as she felt the familiar tingle in her nose. Her ears flicked nervously, and she desperately tried to hold it in. But the sneeze was inevitable. “AH-CHOO!”

The sound echoed in the quiet room, and Tsubasa, quick to act, sneezed into the sheets, muffling it as much as she could. Still, the force shook her frame, causing her ears to flop in disarray.

Owain blinked awake, turning his old, kind eyes toward her. “Tsubasa,” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep, “are you alright?”

She sniffled, her wolf-like ears lowering in embarrassment. “I’m fine,” she mumbled, “it’s just a sneeze.”

Owain chuckled softly, his hand finding its way to her head, stroking her gray hair with tender care. “That was quite the sneeze.” he teased, his voice warm and affectionate, a sound only given by age. “But as long as you’re okay, that’s all that matters.”

Tsubasa’s large ears perked up slightly as she glanced down at him, the tenderness in his concern making her heart warm. She pressed closer to him, her tail wagging slightly beneath the sheets. “Sorry for waking you.” she whispered.

Owain smiled, pulling her closer. “Nothing to be sorry for, my chiefess. Let’s rest. The villagers will need us tomorrow.”

Tsubasa chuckled too, and the two of them shifted back into their comfortable embrace under the sheets, their bodies molded together as if they were two pieces of the same puzzle. The silence returned, broken only by the sounds of their quiet breaths.

However, minutes passed,yet Tsubasa couldn’t find sleep again. Her mind was restless, her body too alert despite the comfort. After trying to close her eyes for what felt like forever, she let out a soft sigh and carefully slid out from under the sheets.

The cool night air immediately touched her skin, making her shiver and the hair on her body raise, giving her a slightly more wolf-like, furrier appearance.

Owain, half-asleep, noticed her movements and gave a weak protest, his voice a sleepy grumble. "Where are you going?"

Tsubasa ran a hand gently through his thinning hair, giving him a reassuring smile. "Just going for a walk. I can’t sleep."

His eyes, though heavy with sleep, held concern. "It’s late… Please be safe." he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I will." Tsubasa promised softly, bending down to kiss his forehead before standing. Her gray tail swayed gently as she tip-toed across the room, slipping out the door.

The night air greeted her in full now, crisp and cool. The village stretched out below her, a serene painting of shadows and starlight.

She walked slowly, her bare feet touching the stone path that led away from the shrine. Her ears twitched as she listened to the night, her sharp senses picking up the distant calls of nocturnal creatures.

Now descending down the stone stairs of the shrine with a slow, thoughtful pace, her arms hung behind her back, and she hunched forward slightly, the cool night breeze brushing through her long gray hair. Relishing in the stillness and peace, she closed her eyes and lifted her head toward the sky, the vast expanse of stars twinkling above.

Her mind wandered to Koul, Liam, Gus, and young Dama. “It’s been a few days, they should have made it to Briarstone by now… I wouldn’t be surprised if the reason I sneezed was because that damn Koul is yapping on about me to Briarstone’s chief.” The thought made her grin to herself, knowing Koul’s tendency to speak fondly of those close to him, even when he was far away.

As she passed the prayer area, the familiar stone statue of the Goddess of Earth, Helia, came into view. It was a revered figure, standing tall, her carved features reflecting both strength and serenity.

Tsubasa’s large, wolf-like ears twitched as she caught the sound of a gust of wind sweeping past, brushing over the shrine grounds. She opened her eyes, glancing toward the prayer area—and there, kneeling before the statue, were two figures in silent prayer.

Mary, Koul’s fourteen-year-old daughter, was the first figure, her small form dwarfed by the statue. Beside her knelt a taller and much more mature figure, with long dark brown hair flowing gracefully in the breeze—it was Alexandra, Liam’s fiance.

Alexandra's dress was of a deep, serene blue, inspired by the crystal-clear rivers that flowed near Enohay Valley, their shimmering waters reflecting both the beauty of the natural world and her skill as the village seamstress.

The bodice of the dress was carefully fitted, with delicate silver embroidery along the neckline and sleeves, resembling gentle waves rippling across a calm sea. The patterns on the main body were intricate, with swirling motifs that echoed the movement of water, cascading down the length of the gown like streams flowing toward the horizon.

Finishing her outfit was a deep maroon, silk hood tied around her like a scarf.

Both were deep in prayer, their heads bowed before Helia’s statue. The statue of Helia stood tall and elegant in the shrine’s prayer area, crafted from a smooth, yet unknown to Tsubasa, stone that glimmered faintly in the moonlight.

Helia was depicted as a serene and nurturing figure, her form both regal and maternal. She had long, flowing hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall, representing the nourishing rivers and streams that not only were believed to be blessed by her brother, Poseidon, but also helped give life to her domain of the earth.

Her outstretched arms cradled a bowl filled with soil, from which small, intricately carved plants sprouted, symbolizing life and growth.

Her face was soft, with calm eyes that seemed to gaze down with love at those who prayed beneath her, offering a sense of peace and comfort. Her flowing robes, etched with delicate patterns of vines and leaves, hugged her form, emphasizing her connection to the earth and all living things.

Finally, at her feet, the base of the statue was adorned with more carvings of flowers, trees, and animals, all designed to show the goddess’s role as the protector of nature.

Tsubasa quietly approached, her ears flicking as she listened to their soft murmurs. After a long moment, Mary opened her eyes, breaking her prayer. She slowly stood, clasping her hands together as she looked up at the towering figure of the goddess.

For a long minute, Mary remained in deep prayer, her lips moving in silence as she sought the goddess’s protection. The scene was peaceful, reverent, as if even the wind had paused to listen.

“Please, keep them safe,” Mary eventually whispered aloud, her voice soft but full of hope.

A teasing voice broke the silence. “Keep who safe?”

Mary let out a startled yelp, jumping at the sound, and spun around to find Tsubasa standing right behind her, grinning mischievously. Tsubasa’s gray tail swayed playfully behind her, clearly enjoying Mary’s reaction.

Mary blushed as she pouted. “G-Granny Tsu!? You scared me!”

Tsubasa chuckled softly. “Sorry, my dear. Who were you praying for, Mary?”

Looking flustered, Mary hesitated but eventually sighed. “For my dad…and Dama…and the others.” she half mumbled, rubbing her left arm. “I hope they’re safe on their journey.”

Tsubasa’s expression softened, but before she could reply, she noticed Mary’s nose twitching. The girl suddenly sneezed, a cute, delicate sound as she quickly brought her arm up to cover her face.

Tsubasa raised an eyebrow, her teasing tone returning. “You know, that sneeze could mean someone’s talking about you~”

Mary scrunched her nose and shook her head. “That’s just a myth, Tsubasa.”

Tsubasa’s ears twitched again, her hearing picking up Mary muttering under her breath. (“Even if it were true, it’s probably just my dad blathering on about his family while drunk.”)

Tsubasa let out a playful huff, smirking as she folded her arms across her chest. “Or…it could be Dama talking about you.”

The effect was immediate. Mary’s face flushed a deep shade of pink at the mention of Dama, and she fumbled with her words. “D-Dama? Why would he…?”

Tsubasa grinned wider, clearly enjoying Mary’s flustered reaction. “You tell me.” she said, her tone light but knowing.

Mary's embarrassment deepened, and she quickly got defensive. “It’s not like that!”

“Uh-huh.” Tsubasa teased, her tail swishing behind her as she stepped closer.

As Mary’s face continued to flush from Tsubasa’s teasing, a soft chuckle came from Alexandra. Her voice, warm and smooth like a mother. “Or, she’s just forming a mere cold from being outside at night like this.” she said as she took off her hood and tied it around Mary.

Using a handkerchief to wipe Mary’s face, of which she slightly protested, Alexandra patted her shoulders before continuing. “Also, it’s alright to feel that way, Mary.” she said gently, the words only deepening Mary’s embarrassment. Alexandra’s calm gaze rested on the younger girl, full of understanding. “I’ve been praying for Liam’s safe return myself. There’s no shame in caring for someone.”

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Next: (Chapter 54) Tsubasa’s Nightly Stroll: Part 2