Sachihiro

Ma and Daewon walk up towards us from the Dawn with the forest looming large and distant over them in the background. From the beauty of the place one would never guess how deadly it was until it was too late, the way the canopy sparkles and dims with the movement of light. I stifle a sigh thinking about Harold and Om's reaction to the death.

"What did you do with Harold?" I ask Om. I'm not sure I will like the answer and inwardly cringing at my lack of tact, but death is a common enough thing among the tribes. Death fighting a worthy enemy is an enviable end.

"After burning that thing and its most twisted creations Dee could identify'' he spits, ''we buried him deep in the ground under a strong tree by the pool. Used the stones from the stream to make a cairn."

"Sounds nice... Why didn't you burn him?"

"Didn't seem right to burn him just after burning that thing you know? It was a plague that needed to be cleansed while he will be claimed by Gaia."

I nod my understanding and we remain quiet till ma and Dee join us by the fire. I look at them, really look. Daewon seems recovered, he has his colour back as well as his energy it seems.

"Explain yourself Dee," I say as they sit and ma starts skinning a cloud chaser hare she had tied around her waist.

"Let's eat first," ma says as she quickly roasts the hare on a spit over the fire. Without preamble she begins to narrate a story.

"Legend goes that every creature of the worlds used to be used by the seven gods in their childish games of war. This is when the worlds and the gods themselves were young and they wanted to prove whose creations were better.

"After a time, some of the gods realized that sapient creatures fought harder under the illusion that they were fighting for themselves, with something to gain and keep. This made the gods experiment by giving rewards to creatures that pleased them, modifying them or gifting them a treasure.

"Some of the gods left an insatiable hunger in their creatures that made them vicious and drove them to kill more often to satiate this hunger. We, humans, were once such creatures, and with the illusion that we satisfied ourselves better after each victory we fought."

She pauses as she divides the hare into four parts and puts them on four different flat wide razor-leaves. I love ma's stories, and I always try to get a bit of wisdom or more worldly advice from them. Dee also loves them but he treats them as nothing but fables most of the time. I think there is more to them.

The heart and left breast is served to Dee on a leaf, the liver and right breast to Om, the head and left lower leg are served to me and ma takes the rest. The innards are sacrificed to the flames.

The razor leaf actually tastes quite nice so I carefully bite through its sides to get to the meat wrapped within. Juices melt within my mouth blending with the bitter-sweet tang of the leaf, with my tongue I let no juice escape me before taking another bite. I whimper, almost having forgotten the pain. Magical beasts taste great and are also very restorative to lost energy. The razor leaf adds a sweet tang but you always need to be careful of the edges as they can cut open your tongue.

"Humans used to have to eat at least once every 24 hours or they would start to become weak and exhausted."

"Vampire," I add quickly.

"No, normal humans as well. Vampires are hungry for blood and ether in the body. Humans hunger for everything, water, blood, meat, herbs, ether, sex, everything to an insatiable degree for as long as they remain just alive." She takes another big bite into her leaf and looks up at each of us as she chews. We are all chewing but otherwise, she has our undivided attention.

"This made humanoid creatures come up with very clever and vicious ways to kill quickly and efficiently. Nothing motivates us to slaughter another as efficiently as hunger and the fleeting but blissful pleasure of having the ever-constant hunger finally satisfied.'' I crunch through the bones in the face, this is delicious; I swallow slowly savouring the taste in my mouth.

"Some humanoids even started keeping creatures in pens and cages so they could slaughter and eat them quickly and keep the hunger at bay more efficiently. 'Who has time to hunt, when you can slaughter a fresh victim that's held down for you and you get the satisfaction of a full belly?' they asked themselves."

"I would think constant hunger every 5th of a day a great weakness," Om adds sagely, ma nods.

"Yes, it was also a great weakness, " she adds. "They couldn't travel great distances without needing to stop for food. They couldn't move large armies without finding a way to feed the hungry maw that was their stomach, their enemies learnt to destroy all food in their routes, it was crippling... bringing many changes but not all for the worst.

"It is said the hunger for ether was such that there wasn't enough free-flowing ether in the worlds those days to sustain them. And no one Awakened a more efficient way to convert ether to be used by the body." More chewing from me as I gnaw on both the meat and the words of her story. I can picture such a world, barely.

But to need to eat every 24 hours or you weaken and die? I shake my head imagining the indignity of living with such a leash on my neck or the indignity of dying of hunger.

"All of mankinds efforts were for his mouth, yet his appetite was never satisfied," ma continues with the horrifyingly fascinating story.

"The war lasted for many millennia. Those times are now sometimes referred to as 'the proxy wars of the seven.' But that's enough of that. Let's speak of more urgent matters before the night arrives."

"Thank you Divina for the story, it made me forget my woes for a time," Om says to ma bowing his head. He always acts so seriously and respectful around her. She gives him a smile and nods.

"I am glad I could help Om." She then looks at Dee more sternly, "Daewon, explain yourself."

Dee grumbles and looks away under her glare. I smirk, I think those were my exact words. He sighs and produces a colourful crystal the size of da's fist that emits a slight pulsing glow. Nausea fills me, I tilt sideways with dizziness awash in a powerful weight that hangs heavy all over me then colour blooms in my stomach pleasantly like a juicy fruit melting in my stomach.

The colours are ever-changing and swirling within the thing. It affects me, sometimes it makes me feel relaxed, a moment later as the colours change a nauseating feeling fills my body.

"What is that?" I ask fascinated and repulsed by the thing in Dee's hand.

"I don't know, but it has some kind spirit inside. A powerful one that's been talking to me for months now teaching me things. It first contacted me just after I started training in spirit-energy, it has been getting weaker ever since." his words are spoken with excitement, there is fever in his eyes as he gazes on the thing in his hand.

He sighs heavily, "first it broke me from the witch's hold somehow. I started remembering things that happened I wasn't aware of. Of how our little clearing actually housed a beautiful woman, the most beautiful woman I have ever imagined. And she would welcome us, all four of us, and we would bed her. Together...

''At first, the dreams were blissful and I was happy about them a little, but also ashamed. Then I started wondering if they might mean something or even be real.. 3rd time I was sure they were memories but I was stuck wondering what this beautiful woman was that we took pleasure from in the forest and why she made us forget about it after."

''You should have said something sooner,'' I say angrily. That fucking witch touched my brother, touched me?!

"The dreams felt like memories but I wasn't sure about their provenance still so I didn't mention them to any of you,'' he says quickly; taking a slow breath. ''The Seer taught me how to ward my spirit. After that the dreams started becoming more sinister. I started remembering additional things, troubling things,'' his voice is low again, trembling.

"Twisted skeletons that confuse the mind and gave me headaches when I looked at them too long, dead birds and other small animals, the beautiful woman wasn't so beautiful anymore but we seemed not to care.

"She became more hideous to look upon every night until I woke in a cold sweats sometimes,'' he keeps his eyes down lowering his voice, ''disgusted by the things we had done but painfully erect all the same.''

He sighs, shaking his head and drinking from a water skin to wet his lips. His eyes are mostly downcast as he continues his telling.

"I told Harold and Om," he gestures towards Om, who grunts in response.

"They convinced me to talk to ma," he looks at her.

Ma seems relieved for some reason, ''she told me there was no shame in bedding other humanoid creatures and I was only taken advantage of, but that she would watch over my dreams."

He squirms as he speaks as though the words are uncomfortable, giving ma a look under his lashes and quickly looking back at me then into the fire. The is shame in his posture but also acceptance, this is not a burden he had to bare alone thus it hasn't crippled him.

"I stopped getting the dreams but the following ten-day the Seer taught me to listen for spirits. After a few days of practice, this thing started whispering to me." He holds up the crystal again.

It seems to have rough edges, definitely the biggest crystal I've ever seen. But I want that thing as far away from me as possible. I look away as its effects on me seem to be making me dizzy again as it plays with my emotions with every change of its colours.

"It said it was a spirit in the form of a crystal in the possession of a vile creature. It told me it followed my spirit energy from the creature and has been trying to contact all four of us ever since. It taught me how to ward better and how to shield others from spirit attacks.

"It advised me not to confide in any of you if you weren't showing signs of gaining your memories back naturally. I believed it. Obviously Sachi you had no such memories return, Om and Harold slowly did as we all stayed away from the forest for longer. Ma forbade me from going to the forest without her or da after catching us on the outskirts but we felt we should do this ourselves."

He lifts his eyes and gives ma a stubborn look, waiting for the scolding. She nods at him to continue, which deflates him as he sighs.

"You know the rest. We fought the creature, Harold died. I'm sorry..."

Awkward silence.

"It was a good death," Om says quickly. "She was a worthy foe," that brings no one true comfort. Everyone is quiet for a while.

"So what is that?" I finally asked, pointing at the crystal clasped in Dee's hands. Ma holds out her hands and Dee reluctantly passes it to her. She closes her eyes and sighs for a moment in what I would assume is bliss...?

"This is a spirit being in the form of a dungeon core," she says slowly. I perk up as I look at the thing with awe, fear, anticipation, greed...? I'm not sure exactly what a dungeon core is but everyone knows what a dungeon is.

"A dungeon is an underground place that propagates and attracts magical beasts and other creatures into itself and feeds of the raw ether they produce and refines it into the pure ether that can be used by humans and other creatures. It is alive and uses raw resources and ingredients to attract humans and beasts into its depths to try and kill them to feed on their raw ether.

"If you survive long enough in a dungeon you come out stronger than you were upon entry because of the purer already filtered ether inside."

The more powerful the dungeon the purer the ether. I know all about dungeons, everyone does. They are the greatest treasure in our world. Not sure what a dungeon core does though.

Ma nods as she sees our thoughts painted onto our faces. "Yes, it is a great treasure and we need to protect it and shape it to our purposes and, of course help the spirit." She looks at us intently. Letting us take in her words. Satisfied we are listening she continues.

"The creature you killed was either very stupid, had no idea how to use this or the spirit was resisting her. There is no way you should have been able to kill a magical creature in possession of this. Do any of you know why dungeons are so rare? No?" She looks around as Om throws more logs into the fire.

"People kill dungeons for their cores."

"That's stupid, why would anyone kill a dungeon?" I say quickly.

"For these." She holds up the core and passes it to me. It's heavier than it looks as I heft it in my remaining hand. Surprisingly I don't feel anything bad whilst holding it. It feels warm and soothing. I quickly pass it to Om. I'm not in a hurry to trust anything that can change how I feel or any spirit creatures for that matter. Not anytime soon.

"Dungeon cores can be a perpetual source of pure ether. An Awakened human can use it to fuel their Awakening, spells, aura, anything. All of you should be dead from that creatures hand, you got lucky."

We take that in as Om passes the core back to Dee. "Dungeon cores are usually born from beasts and are instinctual in their development. It takes centuries for them to develop what we would consider sentience. A creature with this core should have been able to maintain spells for hours." She sighs, "it's still talking to you isn't it?" Ma asks.

"Yea," Dee says closing his eyes.

"What does it want?"

"It wants me to help it establish a dungeon and become a dungeon keeper." Nodding ma seems to accept all this. I'm still reeling while she seems to be taking it in stride and Om, well I can't tell what Om is thinking.

"Is that what you want to do?" She asks gently.

Dee takes his time responding as ma comes towards me checks my stitches and bandages then Om's. Whose face turns red as she unclothes him without a word. He doesn't resist though.

He seems to be enjoying her ministrations and be slightly mortified all the same time. In all the time I've known him I have never seen him as animated as I have today.

"I think it is. I don't know what it all entails but I think this is what I should do."

"Ok then. Rest now, don't let it rest on your bare skin. We will negotiate with it in a few hours if you will accept my help of course."

"Of course ma."

"Good, then all of you drink this. You are in no condition for a 2-hour hike to the village, especially not in the dark. This will help you sleep peacefully, I will keep watch." I drink whatever it is I drank before and slowly start drifting away. My head is getting heavier and I hear no more.

*

The walk to the village was slow and painful for me. Every step hurts but not as bad as before the 20-hour rest. I don't think I've ever slept that long before in my 20 years of life.

The night is at its zenith 20 hours in, the darkest part of the 40 hour night, the witching hour when dark affinity creatures are said to cast magic the easiest. I look around hearing distance sounds quickly get muted abruptly before being replaced by a different sound, I love this time of night.

The air is crisp, the wind is cold and invigorating on my face as I push on. The Lunar moon is out though, so it's a bright night even during this zenith considering... I slip on damp grass, catching myself with my remaining hand whilst rolling to my back not to exacerbate my wounds. Pounding pain fills my entire body in several intense pulses; I sigh when it subsides and Dee is there to help me get to my feet when I unclench my eyes. Even with the brightness of the moon it's difficult to see these grass puddles and the hike home is steadily upwards, we keep going.

Back in the village longhouse, we retell our stories to the village elders. The village leader is Daen van Stormm, Daen son of Stormm the Norse Tribe Chieftain.

Leaders aren't chosen just by martial strength in the tribe but also by endorsement from the Seers and tribal elders. If there is a disagreement as to whom the chieftain should be, then it is decided in a deathmatch. The victor becomes the new chieftain and has to provide for the family of the deceased if they so choose to remain in the tribe.

No one may challenge for chieftain without the endorsement of the Seers. If there are three challenges or enough people want to leave a new village is established far enough away for it to grow but close enough to be provided for and protected by the mother village until it becomes independent.

As Dee finishes the retelling of the tale, excluding the part about the dungeon core. "We are to have a feast tonight," Chief Daen declares loudly.

"Surely the gods look favourably towards us, as these young men have rid us of a blight we didn't know we had. At dawn a few men will escort Tabitha to the burial site, Divina you lead them to this cabin."

"It shall be so Chief."

And so it is that on the 30th hour of the night I find myself in the company of Teá and her friend Ava, telling the tale of how we killed the witch for the 5th time and it all feels so hallow. I've been eyeing Teá for months and all she has shown me has been disdain until tonight; I should probably be happy for getting her attention at all but I can't help overthinking it.

I have a reputation among those who don't know me or have ever seen me fight, a reputation of cowardice. I've heard them talk. To never get blooded after as many battles as I've been in, people start whispering about your prowess or lack there of.

I cannot deny Tea's beauty and prowess in battle but she is so shallow... I know I'm being a hypocrite and judging the girl too harshly but from never even acknowledging my existence to sitting staring at me as I talk like I'm the most interesting person in the room is a bit much.

No Norse woman would ever consider anyone suspected of cowardice as a potential mate. Even I only wanted her for her long smooth legs, pouty red lips, beautiful brown eyes and luscious brown-blond hair that catches the sun just so. Yep, I will definitely bed her given a chance despite my condition or reservations.

Ma told me not to worry about the hand so I probably won't be a cripple till the day I Awaken and can grow limbs back if ever I Awaken. Can mana Awakened even do that though? I hope I'm not crippled forever. Teá serves me more mead in a flask. It has a strong minty taste, I like mine sour but I can't muster the energy to care. I wonder what they did to my hand. I should definitely ask about that.

''What are you thinking?'' She asks.

I look at up Teá again as she fuses over me, she smells nice. She's so attractive just looking at her is a sensual pleasure. I hope she lets me bed her, I could muster the energy to perform well even in pain.

"See anything you like?" She asks with a smile and her friend snorts out a giggle. Somehow when you just don't care anymore you get a different perspective and clarity of thought.

"I wanna bed you tonight and I'm wondering if I have the energy to perform admirably," I say boldly. She flushes a deep red from her neck to her face and quickly looks away. Her friend laughs uproariously nearly tipping her stool over. The only one who claims to have ever bedded Teá is Victor van Daen.

A 25-year-old arrogant ass but a great fighter, not once have I beat him in a spar and I've seen his berserker, it is formidable and semi-controlled, which is impressive for his age. He's an an entitled talented asshole but girls love him. The ass has bedded every girl of age in the village, even the older unmated ones apparently.

"Oh, you will do." The friend says encouragingly. "I like this one Teá you should keep him." I would not have spoken to her this way yesterday. I would have been fawning all over her and I guess that would have been a mistake judging by the reaction I'm receiving right now. I grin mischievously.

"I hope I didn't offend you. I've just imagined bedding you for almost a year now and I don't want to leave a bad impression." I sound so slimy, I grin as she flushes again. Have I accidentally discovered how to talk to women?

"No... no offence taken," she stutters flustered. "Let me get you a refill." She takes a half-finished flask and flees. Her friend laughing the whole time.

"Make it sour," I shout to her back.

"I like you Sahiro van Damage. Why haven't we been acquainted before?" The friend asks, draining her own cup.

"It's Sachihiro, I think it means happiness or some such.'' I say lready anticipating her question. ''Nothing Barbaric about it sadly, I was teased endlessly for it when I was younger. And to answer your question, we don't usually associate with the same people." Why did I correct her, why did I tell her I was teased? I clear my throat trying to get back in the vibe I had with Teá.

"I'm Ava, and now that I know you I will definitely watch out for you," Ava says with a mischievous smile. "She is usually an ice queen around boys. I am glad someone finally managed to unsettle her." I like this girl, she has a personality and she drinks like a true barbarian.

"Ava, Viking Tribe?" I ask as Teá returns.

"Yes. You know me?" She asks, lifting an eyebrow. I have to learn how to do that.

"Just heard your name around here and there."

"That's strange 'cause I've never heard of you before tonight." She says nonchalantly. I shrug taking the flask passed to me after Teá fills Ava's cup.

"It's a big village and I'm not outstanding so I don't see why you would know me." She snorts and waves her hand dismissively.

"A village of barely 3000 people is not a big village you probably all know each other somewhat. I'm just surprised my cousin never mentioned you, I thought she showed me all the eligible men, keeping this one for yourself little Teá?" She asks teasingly.

"But I did mention him!" Teá quickly rebuts defensively. "He lives at the edge of the outer ring of the village, closest to the forest."

"Ah... now I remember. The son of the beautiful foundling Divina who used her otherworldly charms to entice the most sort after man and fearsome warrior in the village and then refused to share. For shame!" Ava says seriously and then laughs out loud, spilling her mead all over the floor as she slaps her knee.

"Is that what the women say about ma?" I ask amused. Seeing that I'm not offended Teá quickly enlightens me about the gossip on my family. Apparently I'm considered quite handsome but everyone thinks I'm a coward.

Barbarian and coward in the same sentence is an oxymoron in my opinion, I'm just not as suicidal as the rest of my people. Some of the girls that want multiple mates would apparently not mind that l'm a coward if I took the position of second mate or even third. Definitly never gonna happen. It isn't unheard of for Barbarian women to take multiple husbands, but it is rare because only one of the men can be a berserker. Having two male berserkers sharing the same woman is a recipe for disaster if ever there was one.

Dee is considered even better looking but very strange and too quiet. Ma is the envy of the older women who wonder how she keeps da to herself even after all these years and only producing two children.

We spend the rest of the night talking and the only time anything remotely sexual happened is when Ava offers to help me urinate lest I aggrieve my injuries and I quickly assented. Not that all men don't know this but there is a big difference in size between an erect cock and a flaccid one.

And in my defence, its still winter. I knew the moment we left the longhouse that my cock was in a comatose state hibernating and nothing I did to mentally wake it before we reached an appropriate tree worked. Plus I am too prideful or stupid or drunk to back out.

Ava ends up holding it for me, in its smallest form as I urinated with a Cheshire smile on her face. I become beat red when she only uses two fingers to shake it.

The rest of the night is a blare.

Not all magic beasts are Awakened but all Awakened beasts become magical.