Dama explained everything, starting with how, last year, while climbing down the mountain from his cabin, he'd found an unconscious girl at the bank of the Enohay River—her body scarred with bruises and fever burning her skin. With Mumu and Nini's help, he'd carried her back to his cabin. For two weeks, he'd refused to leave her side, too afraid she might die if he did.

Liam's eyes softened with understanding. He stroked his chin. "So that's why you vanished for those two weeks." He paused, brow furrowed. "But…why didn't you bring her to the village infirmary? As the doctor, I could have helped treat her."

Dama's shoulders tensed. "I panicked," he admitted, voice low, "I didn't know if the people who hurt her were still nearby. My cabin was closer, and I…I just wanted her safe as fast as possible."

Liam nodded thoughtfully. "Even though you panicked, seems you made the right choice. I assume she eventually woke up, correct?"

Dama's lips curved into a small smile. "Yes. The same day Mr. Koul came to check on me and reminded me to come down to the village. So, the next day, I did."

Liam held up a hand. "And that was the day you started bringing only Mumu or Nini—never both—to the village. I get it now! One of them was always watching over her while you were away!" He looked at the two toys, admiration in his voice. "I'm right, aren't I?"

Mumu and Nini both bobbed their heads eagerly, their stitched mouths smiling.

Liam grinned and ruffled Dama's hair. "You three are smart," he said warmly, "very smart and kind."

Dama's voice lowered as he continued. "That's not the full story."

Liam looked up again, his expression unreadable, as Dama explained how after returning to the village that day, he immediately went to Tsubasa for help. "She... smelled something on me," he said. "Something that told her I'd been near a witch. So I brought her to Giona."

He went on to describe how, at the time, Giona couldn't read, write, or speak properly. She was fragile, afraid, and would often have panic attacks triggered by mentions or memories of what she called The Bad Men. Dama recounted how Tsubasa had responded with care and quick thinking, crafting a curriculum that would help Giona heal not just physically, but mentally too. "Granny Tsubasa would visit every now and then. To test her progress, give me updated notes, and check her condition. That's what I've been doing this past year."

Liam stood in thoughtful silence. He crossed one arm over his chest and supported his chin with the other hand, lips tight and brows furrowed. His eyes dropped to the floor, unfocused. "So, the teaching notes Tsubasa personally asked me to prepare..." he murmured, mostly to himself. "And her being a bit more secretive lately. Then there was Alexandra—she told me Tsubasa had asked her to make dresses for a girl no one knew. Add that to everything else… bruises, the speech delay, the fear of 'Bad Men'..." His tone darkened. "That sounds like abuse to me."

The last sentence escaped through clenched teeth. Dama could see it—Liam's bangs shadowed his eyes, but the tension behind them was clear. There was a quiet fury growing, just his own whenever he himself thought about Giona's past.

Then suddenly, Liam's head tilted up—his intense gaze snapping toward Dama like a blade unsheathed. "Is there anyone else who knows about Giona?" His tone surprisingly stern, like a military commander.

Dama blinked, taken aback, but quickly answered, "Other than me, Mumu, Nini, and Granny Tsubasa, only one other person: Pops Owain."

Dama explained that he found out during last year's Enohayen Spirit Festival. It was right before the celebration began—he had run into Owain by the Enohay River, the same place he found Giona. The two struck up a conversation, and during it, Owain revealed he knew about the girl. "Apparently, Granny Tsubasa had eventually told him after he started to catch onto her strange behavior."

Liam held Dama in his intense gaze for a long moment—so long that Dama shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny. Then, unexpectedly, Liam's lips twitched into a chuckle. He raised a hand to his mouth as if to stifle it.

"What's so funny?" Dama said, brow furrowed.

Liam shook his head, still smiling. "It's just… Chief Owain and Chiefess Tsubasa's secret-keeping sounds a lot like what's going on between you and me right now." He glanced off to one side, then back at Dama. "Here I am, asking a hundred questions due to catching onto your strange behavior, and finding out about Giona."

Dama rubbed the back of his head, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Y-Yeah! You're right!" He laughed.

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Once the moment passed, Liam's expression grew serious again. "So, how is Giona doing now?"

Dama's smile brightened as he settled back against the pillows. "She's doing remarkable!" He said proudly. "Physically, her wounds and scars have healed almost completely. Academically, Tsubasa says she's learning faster than anyone she's ever taught, but she's still catching up to where she should be. The only downside is the trauma—she still has the occasional panic attack or nightmare."

Liam nodded as he absorbed the update, eyes flicking to the floor before settling back on Dama. "Is that everything about Giona?"

Dama and, in unison, Mumu & Nini, all nodded. "Yessir."

"Good," Liam said with a soft clap of his hands. Then he cocked his head. "How about this… 'Mr. Saa'ir'?"

Dama's grin faltered, and he rubbed the back of his head again, eyes drifting away. He thought about Saa'ir, and when they first met. It was when Saa'ir saved him from The Curse of Hatred.

A shiver ran down Dama's spine, his whole body shivering as he remembered that shadowy face that seemed to swallow all the light around it, reflecting its motives to drown the world in shadows. Even now, Dama's mind just couldn't fathom that such evil existed in this world.

Shaken to his core, Dama would stand frozen but shaking, his fearful expression catching Liam's attention. Just then, Mumu would pat Dama's shoulders, snapping him back from his mini spiral.

"OH! Uh, y-yeah, Mr. Saa'ir..." Dama blurted out, realizing he didn't answer. "Honestly, I don't know much... I could tell you everything I do know about him, but it's a long story, and it's a bit much for right now. I promise I'll explain everything once we get back to Enohay Village."

Liam's smile returned, warmer this time, though, his mind kept replaying Dama's fearful expression, causing his brow to also furrow. Still, he ruffled Dama's hair in a gesture of affection. "Fair enough. And don't worry, your secret is safe with me! I can't wait to meet Giona and talk with Chiefess Tsubasa about all this."

Dama's heart swelled with gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Liam." He murmured. A memory then resurfaced from last year, when Tsubasa had told Dama out of all the families in Enohay, she wanted Liam and Alexandra to take in Giona. "I think they both would love that..." he said with a grin.

With that out the way, Liam walked over to the curtained window. He drew the velvet fabric aside in one smooth motion, and a flood of golden sunlight poured into the room, illuminating the quilts, the small table, and the two watching plush guardians.

Dama blinked against the brightness, realizing for the first time that dawn had broken.

Liam glanced out at the sunlit snow drifts before turning back to Dama with an easy smile. "Well," he said, stretching one arm, "now that we've got all that settled, it's time for you to meet the Chief—Okun Yamanaka." He chuckled, stepping closer. "Unless you need a bit more rest?"

Dama shook his head, pushing himself to a sitting position. "No, I'm f-fine, Mr. Liam." He insisted, though he rubbed at his side where his ribs still ached and throbbed. He looked to Liam, curiosity shining in his eyes. "But, why does the Chief want to see me?"

Liam folded his arms, his expression turning questionable as he noticed Dama's rubbing. "You sure? You're rubbing the left side of your stomach, that's a tick of your's when you're nervous—or are you hurt?"

Jumping a bit at this, Dama then looked at how he was indeed rubbing the left side of his stomach absentmindedly. Retracting his hand, the boy looked at it for a moment before waving his hand fast in front of him as he tried his best to quell Liam's worry. "Oh no no, don't mind that, Mr. Liam! I swear I'm fine, promise!

Nodding, but with a cocked eyebrow, signifying that he wasn't buying that either, Liam simply decided to not press further and continue to observe Dama. "Chief Okun wants to begin your training with something called "Soulura" and your Soulful Technique right away." He tilted his head and grinned. "He specifically asked me to bring you along. Kind of odd, but since I was looking after you while you were out, I'm happy to play chauffeur."

Dama's heart fluttered as he perked straight up, the thought of learning more about his gift was rather exciting. He swung his legs over the bed, bracing himself for what lay ahead.

When his feet landed on the floor however, a sharp twinge in his bruised ribs nearly sent him pitching forward. He winced, hand instinctively pressing against his ribs.

Fortunately, in Dama's mind, a gentle knock sounded at the door at the same time he landed, taking Liam's attention away. A familiar voice called through, "Is that Dama I hear? Is he okay, Liam?"

"Yes, it's Dama, he's awake and seems fine!" Liam answered, causing Imke to open the door a bit. He gestured warmly, "Come on in."

Imke's face brightened at the sight of Dama upright. She rushed over, hands on his shoulders. "Oh, thank the stars! You gave us quite a scare, passing out after the village feast." Her eyes searched his face. "What happened, dear?"

Liam cleared his throat and offered, "He was just exhausted from the journey back from Enohay. Fell into a deep sleep, that's all." He winked at Dama, and Dama cracked a relieved smile.

Imke nodded, none the wiser. "Well, you must rest plenty from now on," she said, motherly.

Dama chuckled. "Yes ma'am."

Straightening, Imke turned to Liam with a flourish. "Breakfast is ready! Sorry it took so long though, I'm not used to cooking for six people, only three." She said, using the appropriate amount of fingers.

Liam beamed. "Absolutely no problem. We're all grateful you're feeding us at all! You even gave us a place to stay!"

Imke clasped her hands. "What kind of host would I be if I didn't cater to my guests who not only saved Briarstone from starivng, but also brave enough to face the Oni?" She replied proudly.

Perking up at the mention, Dama asked, "Are Mr. Koul and Mr. Gus eating now?"

Imke shook her head. "Himon Koul left with Jr. early, and he dragged poor Gus Ralphman along." She said, with Liam nodding in confirmation.

Imke added, "Chief Okun wanted to see you as soon as possible, Dama. If you two are planning to head there now, could you ask Koul, Gus, and my son to return for breakfast?"

Dama and Liam exchanged glances, grinned at each other, and in unison said to Imke, "You can count on us!"

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Next: (Chapter 75) Prelude to Training

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