Soul Blaze [Progressive fantasy | No LitRPG]

On warm, sunny autumn days, children hurried to take advantage of the opportunity to play outside. Safia was no exception, and together with other children from nearby houses, she played tag in the street. Usually, Tao and Inya stayed inside the house or in the yard, under their mother's supervision. But today, Asarate had arrived, so she could watch the children outside while Sofra was working inside. When Safia decided to grab Tao by the hand and drag her brother to join the other children, Asarate only smiled encouragingly.

Do you think a child under 4 years old can play physical games on equal terms with children who are 2 or 3 years older? Not wise... Tao was judgmental in his thoughts.

Fortunately, he wasn't an ordinary child. Also, he figured he could use being closer to other children to his advantage.

The tag game was called "Undead." At the start, there was one Undead, who tried to catch the others. Each person who was caught became Undead themselves and also began catching the remaining 'living' players. The game ended when everyone except one had become Undead.

Something makes me think this game's origin isn't just fairy tales... Tao felt his face grimace.

The other children didn't object to Tao joining the game; to them, it just meant one more Undead to avoid for the more agile children. But soon the Undead players discovered that Safia's little brother wasn't so easy to catch. With unusual agility, he always managed to dodge their grasp or run away with unexpected speed and endurance. Even more, sometimes Tao managed to avoid the Undead who tried to approach him from behind, as if he could see behind himself.

Well, in a way, that was true.

Tao had learned to spread a wave of spirit power in all directions, including behind himself. He could therefore detect each child who tried to sneak up on him from behind. It wasn't easy for him to suppress a self-satisfied smile each time he managed to avoid attackers without turning his head toward them.

Does this make me look cool?

Nah, most likely not. This is still a small child's body. But in the future... The boy could only imagine the possibilities.

For now, though, this technique was imperfect. Tao could only perceive another person's spirit power for a few seconds. If an attacker moved quickly, they might already be in a different place before Tao could react. Furthermore, he couldn't clearly distinguish people's bodies, especially those with less spirit power. But he believed that with time, he could improve all these aspects and make this technique one of his most powerful tools against hostile people, monsters, and spirits.

The Undead soon decided it wasn't worth chasing Tao and chose to focus more attention on other children to increase their numbers. This allowed him to catch his breath for a moment and observe the others. Tao noticed that his sister was also quite skilled at avoiding capture, even without abilities like Tao's.

Well, she has more spirit power than the others, but at this age, that probably doesn't matter...

The amount of spirit power was usually inherited through bloodlines. This was told in stories in books, and Eleya also confirmed it. Although exceptions existed, overall, it was the reality of this world. Tao now could clearly see the difference between children whose parents were hunters or gate guards and those who came from herder and lumberjack families.

This made him feel conflicted. On one hand, Tao was proud of his family and excited about his own potential. But he couldn't ignore the fact that spirit power separated people. In a world where villages were threatened by monsters, the ability to use martial arts, magic, or blessings was vitally important. This made those with greater spirit power special, while the rest could only be ordinary workers...

Well, spirit power isn't everything that matters, right? Tao tried to push these uncomfortable thoughts from his head.

Asarate wasn't rich in spirit power, but she was undoubtedly a much better person than her magic acolyte husband.

When the number of Undead had grown, Tao again became a target. He resumed running, but felt he could no longer afford to be careless and experiment with the spirit power radar technique. Even more, Safia, who had also been caught a moment ago, was determined to catch her little brother. Together with other children, she tried to surround Tao. He tried to escape through a wider gap between two boys, but one of them managed to grab Tao's shirt. He didn't give up and pushed off from the ground forcefully to break free from the grip.

This succeeded, but Tao realized his leap had been too powerful. Surprised, he lost his balance and fell to the ground. Fortunately, the ground by the roadside was grassy, so it wasn't too painful. Before Tao could recover, several children fell in a pile on top of him.

"You're eaten!" Safia announced loudly in Tao's ear.

The children jumped to their feet to chase the remaining living players. Tao raised his head and saw that no one, neither the other children nor the adults working in their yards, was paying attention to him.

I guess no one saw... or understood, he sighed with relief to himself.

This had happened a few times over the past months; when Tao did something physically active and lost concentration, the spirit power in his muscles activated on its own. When Tao told Eleya about these incidents, she initially seemed surprised. After thinking, she agreed that a huge amount of spirit power and constant muscle strengthening could cause such a thing. She didn't consider it harmful, so she advised not to worry too much and try to develop self-control. Tao wasn't so optimistic, but couldn't simply stop muscle-strengthening training either. Unfortunately, it was the most effective method for expending spirit power reserves and cultivating more spirit power. He had no choice but to be even more careful during physical activities.

Don't relax and concentrate, he reminded himself.

Tao got up but no longer actively participated in the game. This wasn't expected of him either; almost all the children had become undead and were chasing the few remaining ones. Safia also stayed with her brother, putting her hand on his shoulder as if afraid he would try to escape. She was breathing heavily from running earlier, but seemed quite satisfied. Tao didn't really understand why she felt joy at catching him.

Soon, the remaining Undead had caught everyone except one boy.

"Anmore!" he shouted, raising his fist in the air to announce his victory.

The game was over. But soon the children started a new round. Tao, who felt he no longer wanted to risk his muscle disobedience, decided to return to his family's yard. Safia, caught up in the game, didn't notice.

Asarate was playing with Inya in front of the Rigg family's house. Inya, noticing her brother approaching, hurried toward him and hugged him, saying "welhom home."

Inya had recently entered a hugging phase. Tao, somewhat confused, gently patted his little sister's back. He found it very endearing, but it was embarrassing to do publicly, even if the only one paying attention to them was Asarate. Seeing the nanny's smile, Tao felt his cheeks redden.

Inya could now not only say more words but also follow simple instructions. Tao wondered whether it would be possible to teach her how to cultivate more spirit power. If Eleya was right and these abilities would disappear with age, then only children younger than Tao could do it. Did adults not make children do it because they didn't know it was possible to increase their spirit power this way? Or did they not risk it because it was dangerous if done wrong? In any case, Tao didn't really think about starting to make Inya try to cultivate spirit power. It was enough that he himself was the enemy's target.

"Are you tired?" Asarate kindly asked Tao, while he was still in his little sister's embrace.

"Yes..." he answered quietly and pretended to sag.

While Asarate spent time with both younger children in the yard, Safia played more active games with her peers, but gradually moved away until she disappeared around the corner. Although the children's voices could still be heard, this made Asarate anxious. She seemed not to really know what was better to do.

Fortunately, Sofra soon came outside from the house, wiping her brow of sweat or steam from her distillation apparatus.

"Please, here you are." She handed Asarate a small clay pot that could easily be hidden in one's palm.

"Thank you. I'm grateful." Asarate didn't hesitate to hide the pot in the wide belt around her waist, which also served as a kind of pocket.

"Well, I highly value your help. While Indres is away, I rarely get to rest from this storm of children." Sofra said with a smile.

Sofra's eyes turned to Tao and Inya, then to the street where neither her eldest daughter nor the other children were visible. She frowned, then turned her head in the direction of the children's voices and laughter. Inya let go of her brother and ran to her mother to hug her thighs. This made Sofra's gaze soften, and she began stroking the girl's head. Tao somehow wanted to do the same, but was shy. Even with his abilities, he couldn't guarantee that no watching eyes were observing.

"So, you can tell me when you need help again." Asarate offered.

"Well, I wanted to go to the meadows soon for medicinal plants that are ripening now. While Indres and I are away, someone will need to watch the little ones." Sofra said thoughtfully.

"Yes, I'd be happy to!" Asarate confirmed with a smile. "Just tell me which day."

Tao's face darkened, hearing the two women's conversation. He had hoped he could go with his mother to the meadows. He needed to get away from the village to pursue the next stage of his plan.

"I can't say yet, unfortunately. I'm waiting for Indres to return from the mountains first." Sofra shook her head.

Although she tried not to show it, Tao heard worry in his mother's voice.

He himself didn't think Indres was in any particular danger at the moment. But one could never be sure.

Perhaps Asarate also picked up on the tone in Sofra's voice.

"They've been gone about five days now, right?"

"A week," Sofra answered quietly, continuing to stroke her daughter's head.

"Do you think something happened?" Worry also appeared in Asarate's voice.

Sofra sighed quietly; her hand stopped moving over Inya's head.

"Indres said it could be longer than usual this time, so it's not unexpected, but still... My heart is heavy. All I can do is pray that the Eternal and all his Holy Ones be favorable."

Inya raised her head to look at her mother with concern, perhaps sensing changes in her mood. Sofra smiled at her, then spoke with Asarate in a more cheerful tone.

"But what about you, won't your husband be angry if you're not home for a long time?"

"No, he's usually only home in the evening now, because of the stone quarry and such."

"Ah, I see... so he's serious about establishing it?"

Asarate just shrugged.

"He doesn't tell me what he's planning. Only sometimes talks when drunk... Complaints about how much coin goes to tools and materials, that the deorgs don't truly teach the craft, even though they promised to help the newcomers. And also, that all the work-hands are dull and useless."

"I see..."

Tao had heard about this. With the deorgs preparing to move to live in the mountain mines, the village would be left without skilled stone masons and stone-workers. Although the lumberjack village didn't lack wood materials, which were also widely used in construction, stone buildings had greater prestige. If Ueki wanted to become a town, bricks and stones for construction were a must.

Asarate's husband, Vern, wasn't content to be just the village gate guard and combat magic user. He had also decided to become a stone quarry owner and hired a bunch of recent arrivals for work, those who hadn't been able to find employment elsewhere.

"But, he also wants to get the Elders to grant land to his workers and to help build them their own houses. I sometimes don't understand what's in that man's head." Asarate sighed heavily.

"So... you don't believe he wants to help them from a pure heart?" There was caution in Sofra's voice.

Asarate glanced around, then looked about to make sure no others were nearby. She paid no attention to Inya and Tao, after all, children don't understand such things.

"You told me not to speak ill of my husband, but... He greets the Elders, warriors, and hunters kindly on the street, but speaks contemptuously about them behind closed doors... About his workers, too. So, I can't understand why he bothers so much for their sake."

Sofra didn't seem inclined to continue this conversation; her gaze again turned to the place from where the children's voices came.

"In the Village Assembly, voice belongs to those who own a house. Those living in stables or shacks don't have that. If the stone quarry workers have houses, they'll be able to vote. Indres thinks your husband wants more votes in the Assembly that would be on his side." She spoke quietly but didn't sound too interested.

"Oh... Well, I don't understand such things very well, but it sounds like something he might want."

Asarate was neither disappointed nor surprised.

"What a foolish thing to desire." She shook her head.

"Indeed."

Indeed... Tao quietly puffed to himself, expressing his agreement, though for other reasons.

Not a month had passed since the drake was driven from Imperial territories when talk about it began to die down, not to mention older events. Deaths from monsters were a common thing. The Ueki village was blessed that, in recent years, such cases had been rare. Village residents now had on their tongues talk about harvests and upcoming harvest festivities, trade with southern cities, and relationships with the poor who wanted to settle in the village.

Perhaps the village attitude also influenced Tao's parents. Despite the threats in the forest not being resolved, Tao no longer heard them talking about leaving the village. Selesti Neter had informed them that Light Guard Baern was still trying to persuade local authorities to form a new expedition to the forest. Unfortunately, there was no idea so far whether this would have any results.

Well, can't say I'm not adapting either... Tao smiled to himself.

He approached his mother's herb garden and scanned it with spirit power, searching among the medicinal plants and edible vegetable bodies and leaves for rodents and other pests. Although there was some life in the soil, he found nothing serious.

Tao now tried to sleep a little each night, training with greater balance. This didn't always work, but at least during the day, he now felt more focused. This wasn't just so his mother would worry less. Rather, Tao needed his mother to worry less because he needed to accomplish something.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Right now, though, Sofra's face only became more worried. Asarate also noticed this and awkwardly spoke up.

"Um, Safia... All the children suddenly ran around the corner, but stayed close, so... I know you said not to let them out of sight, but we can hear them, so I thought maybe... Forgive me if I did wrong."

Tao had noticed that Asarate's speech had improved, with her regularly conversing with Sofra and reading books. She was also gradually learning not to give in so easily to Safia's whims and overall seemed to be growing up. But sometimes, when Asarate felt she had done something erroneous, she again looked like a young, insecure girl.

"I understand, and I'm not angry, just... You know how Safia is. What if she decides to run even further?" Although Sofra wanted to reassure Asarate, her voice conveyed anxiety.

"Is that really so... bad? As long as children run within the walls, an adult will always be nearby. Neither my mother nor others are so... cautious as you."

Indeed, none of the adults around seemed worried that a group of children aged about 5-7 had run around without direct supervision. Sofra nevertheless pressed her lips together.

"That's not sensible. Children are children. They don't understand... don't understand how easily they can hurt themselves falling from height or with sharp tools."

"Well, if something like that happens, then we have your medicines. And for serious things, selesti Neter is with us, right?"

"Even a selesti can't heal a pierced eye or death." Sofra's tone became harder, making Inya look at her mother with worry.

Asarate tensed again and lowered her gaze like a child caught misbehaving. She began wringing her palms together.

"Forgiveness, I know you didn't mean anything bad. Simply... I'll feel better if Safia is in sight, alright?" Sofra tried to ease the atmosphere.

"I know. I'll get her back right now!" Asarate bowed her head and headed toward the street.

"I can go myself..." Sofra began to object.

"No, rest after work, I'll be right back!" Asarate seemed determined to correct her imagined negligence and hurried toward the direction from which the children's voices came.

"Why does she insist on her own way only in such matters..." Sofra murmured, shaking her head as her gaze followed Asarate.

Tao, meanwhile, observed that some of the neighbors - older women - noticed Asarate walking hurriedly down the street and also looked at Sofra.

Is this how rumors start? That mother treats Asarate like a servant? Tao sighed to himself.

"Well, while we wait for your sister and aunty Asarate, do you want to tell me what you were playing before?" Sofra stroked Inya's head and smiled at Tao.

The question was too difficult for Inya, so Tao began to speak. In his childish tone and with appropriate words, he talked about the undead game. He, of course, didn't mention that he had lasted almost to the end of his clumsy leap.

Soon, the children's voices and laughter became louder. Asarate didn't return alone with Safia, but with the whole group of children, many of whom now had branches from bushes or trees in their hands, which they waved like swords. Leading the children was Safia, who ran, holding her branch high in the air and shouting something. She stopped in front of her house gate and began energetically waving her branch against other children who tried to reach her and strike with their branches. Asarate followed the group of children last, unable to keep up fast enough without starting to run.

"Hey! Hey! Don't fight!" Sofra raised her voice and went to the gate.

Adult interference made the children quiet down and step back. Safia turned toward her mother and seemed somewhat wary of her, though not as much as the other children.

"We're not fighting! We're playing!" she announced loudly, still holding her branch raised like a sword.

"Playing at fighting? With sharp branches? And everyone against one?" Sofra was noticeably displeased and extended her hand to take the branch from her daughter.

"I am Princess Hanore! I'm defending my castle from brutes!" Safia refused to surrender.

This seemed to confuse Sofra, and Tao noticed that his mother's cheeks even flushed red.

Meanwhile, Asarate managed to catch up with the group of children and came to Sofra. The other children's enthusiasm seemed to have waned, and they stepped away to continue playing elsewhere. Safia wanted to go with them, but her mother put her hand on her shoulder.

"I want to play more!" the girl whined, but Sofra was relentless.

"You know you weren't allowed to go so far that Asarate couldn't see you, but you didn't listen. Now come to the yard. Understand?"

Safia was dejected but obeyed her mother. Hitting the branch against the ground, she entered the yard. Sofra and Asarate followed her.

"Have you told her anything about Hanore?" Sofra quietly asked the other woman, but Tao still heard it.

"No, that... Stories about brutes aren't for children, definitely not!" Asarate fervently objected.

She seemed uncomfortable, even distressed.

"Safi, where did you hear about Princess Hanore?" Sofra then addressed the girl directly.

"From older children. They go listen to stories and songs in the evenings by the gates. I want to hear too!" Safia replied, waving her branch to fight invisible enemies.

Sofra and Asarate exchanged glances but said nothing. Sofra only sighed heavily.

"Princess Hanore alone defeated a thousand brutes with one sword stroke and became a hero! I want to do that too!" Safia continued energetically swinging her branch.

"I thought you wanted to be a hunter, like daddy." Sofra's voice was kinder now.

She watched her eldest daughter thoughtfully.

"Yes, but I also want to be a hero! Like princess Hanore!"

"I see... Child, please put down your branch."

Safia reluctantly obeyed and uncertainly looked at her mother, as if afraid of some reproach. But Sofra only came closer and gently stroked her daughter's head.

"You are brave and determined, like ancient heroes, also like Princess Hanore. It's true, she defeated thousands of enemies with one sword stroke and saved her city. But to accomplish this, Hanore made the Sacrifice and lost her entire life. But mama wants you to live long and happily."

Safia seemed thoughtful, trying to understand the meaning of her mother's words.

"When daddy is home, we'll ask him to tell stories about other heroes. Those whose stories ended happily, alright?" Sofra smiled at her daughter.

"Alright, mama." Safia bowed her head.

She still seemed thoughtful about her mother's words.

Tao was curious about the Sacrifice, which sounded like powerful magic but with fatal consequences. He realized, though, that his mother would turn gray with horror if he suddenly started asking about it.

***

That same evening, news ran through the village via children's and youths' mouths:

"The hunters are back from the mountains! They hunted a giant spawn! Come see at the gates!"

Without doubt, this attracted the attention of Tao's family. Safia immediately wanted to go meet her father. Sofra hesitated for some time, perhaps waiting for Indres to come straight home. But when this didn't happen, and seeing other village residents going toward the gates, she gave in.

It was already dusk, so Sofra lit the way with magic for the children so they wouldn't stumble. She had to call out to Safia several times not to run too far ahead.

A sizable crowd had already gathered at the gates. It wasn't easy for Sofra and the children to see what was happening in front until they got closer. In front of the gatehouse was a bonfire, in whose light stood 4 men. Tao recognized his father in his dark green cloak and the long war bow at his side. Sigi, as usual, was beside him. Both the sereni dog and Indres looked tired and battered from the hunt that lasted longer than usual.

The other three hunters looked similarly worn. The youngest of them, Arwain, was holding a stake on which was impaled a fearsome beast's head, deeply dark except for the yellowish fangs in the creature's mouth. Four massive paws, tied with rope, hung from this stake. People looked at the monster trophies with admiration while Arwain spoke in an elevated voice about what the hunters had experienced in the mountains.

"We felt there were too few spawns and other predators for such a vast territory. When we found giant tracks, similar to a bear's, we understood the reason -- a madspawn had appeared there! The cursed creature had devoured its kin all around, gorged itself full of Black Blood. To defeat such a thing with four of us, well, we knew it wouldn't be easy."

The hunters' relatives and friends came to greet them on their return, while others simply offered praise for the successful hunt and even offered drinks. Tao saw Eigar, the veteran hunter, who approvingly clapped his hand on the shoulder of Indres, his former student, and Erwan, his son. His face was dignified, though pride was visible in the old man's eyes. This made both hunters stand straighter and look brighter.

Safia was the first to rush to her father and hug him. Indres seemed surprised for a moment and put his hand on the girl's head. His beard and mustache had grown longer during his absence, but he couldn't hide the smile as he looked at his family.

"Welcome home, husband. We missed you." Sofra warmly said when she approached with both younger children.

She was also smiling, in a shy manner, and there was relief in her voice.

Inya didn't hesitate to follow her older sister's example and awkwardly approached her father to hug him too. This momentarily confused Tao, not knowing if this was expected of him. Fortunately, Indres seemed satisfied with the attention already shown by his wife and both daughters. Seeing that everything was fine with his father, Tao went to Sigi and stroked her forehead. The sereni dog licked the boy's hand lazily and remained lying on the ground next to Indres. Tao then turned his gaze to the spawn remains.

Arwain had mentioned bear-like tracks, and the monster's head indeed resembled a black bear, only larger and uglier with a longer snout. Both the head and paws looked larger than the biggest bears from Tao's previous world. Arwain revealed more details about the beast in his story.

"Although we went against the wind, the madspawn somehow sensed we were on its trail. It came toward us before we could develop a plan or set traps. Three were 3 steps tall on all fours, twice that when it rose on hind legs! Its roar could deafen even the brave! It's hide harder than steel armor, I tell you! Even war bolts couldn't penetrate the flesh deep enough! Therefore! We shot at the throat and eyes, that was the only possibility and hope!"

"Hmm, the boy has quate the tongue, eh?" Eigars quietly laughed, seeing how enthusiastically his grandson spoke.

"Let him be, father. It's his first madspawn." Erwan smiled.

Both looked at the young hunter with pride.

Safia watched the monster's head and paws with curiosity and listened to Arwain's story with interest, while Inya looked uncomfortable and returned to her mother to hide behind her skirts. Tao smiled to himself, remembering that Safia had done something similar a few years ago.

It also occurred to Tao to scan the spawn remains with spirit power; standing next to his father, he was close enough. He had discovered that dead animal bodies retained a little spirit power for some time after death, like smoke after an extinguished fire, so he was curious about what kind of spirit power spawn had. Sigi, sensing spirit power activity coming from the boy, reacted with a quiet growl, but he tried to quickly calm the dog by stroking her head and neck. Busy with what was happening around, his father didn't notice this. Tao tried to ignore the information about the people around and concentrate on the place where the monster's head and paws were.

Indeed, in the place where the monster's head and paws were, there was spirit power, weaker than in living beings, but also different from dead animals. Tao had never encountered anything like it before. Although these were only spirit power remains, they somehow seemed... thick or dense. Tao didn't sense anything that instinctively warned that this spirit power was corrupted or evil. He nevertheless resolved to keep the perceived spirit power in memory, hoping it would allow him to identify if some spawn were nearby.

Meanwhile, people continued coming to see what the hunters had brought. Others arrived from outside after the workday and stayed to watch what was happening. Among them were several deorgs. Their leader, Gareth, also approached to congratulate Indres and the others and wanted to learn more about what was happening in the mountains. Soon, a crowd of more than a hundred people was captivated listening to Arwain's story, occasionally shouting praise or encouragement. Other hunters' families also arrived - wives and children, parents and siblings.

Tao noticed, though, that not everyone looked happy. Vern with his companions had arrived from outside together with the deorgs, and like many others, stayed to learn what was here. If most people's faces showed interest and excitement, then the magic acolyte stood with pressed lips and arms crossed on his chest.

"Hang the spawn head and paws next to the gates! Let everyone who comes see how mighty the Ueki hunters are!" someone from the crowd shouted.

"Yes! Yes! Do it!" others joined in.

Vern's face soured even more, and his minions also looked gloomy.

Most didn't notice this and were ready to start a celebration evening, calling for drinks and food to be brought, and for Arwain to start telling from the beginning for those who came later. Seeing which direction events were heading, Indres and the older hunters humbly objected, saying they wanted to rest. The crowd reluctantly gave way, and some began to disperse, while others decided to stay to celebrate the event on a smaller scale. Arwain looked somewhat disappointed but raised no objections; he approached his comrades to say goodbye.

"Are you sure, Indres? You know, if I tell the story alone, you won't be able to dispute later that I was the one who shot the fatal arrow!" he said somewhat teasingly, putting his hand on his former teacher's shoulder.

"Well, I rely on your honor and honesty, Arwain. Even if your memory fails you a little, as it seems... So! Enjoy this evening and the fruits of your victory." Indres answered with a smile.

"Maybe your family wants to stay and listen? Safia likes hero stories, doesn't she?" Arwain looked at Indres's wife and children.

Tao thought the young hunter's eyes lingered on Sofra a bit too long.

"She does, but she's still too young for many of them." Sofra kindly but firmly said, putting her hand on her daughter's head. "Besides, she hasn't seen her father for a week and can hear the story from him directly."

Indres only smiled at his wife's words and nodded. Tao felt that his mother's words weren't only about Safia.

Two years, and this guy still hasn't given up? He dared to look at Arwain disapprovingly.

Soon, he pushed thoughts about the young hunter aside. Having said goodbye to his comrades and acquaintances, Indres, with his family, headed home. Sigi became more energetic, realizing this and wagging her tail, hurried ahead.

"Sorry, I didn't bring anything from that creature. Its insides were too blackened to distinguish what was or wasn't corrupted. Even the hide seemed cursed. We even hesitated to take its head and paws, not to bring its bloody remains here." On the way, Indres told his wife, while holding Inya's hand gently.

"Don't worry about it. You acted with wisdom, dear husband. Well done." She answered with a smile.

Safia walked behind her father, occasionally touching his backpack and war bow.

"Daddy, what is madspawn?" Tao decided to ask.

He hadn't heard this term before.

"Madspawn?" Indres thought a little before answering. "It's a spawn, but bigger, stronger, and more savage. Sometimes one of the spawns starts attacking and eating its own kind. This drives them mad, well, madder than usual. Although there are usually few other spawns in their vicinity, defeating such ones is difficult... but your father managed today."

Was that bat a madspawn? Tao wanted to ask, but controlled himself and only nodded that he understood the answer.

"Tell again! How did you defeat this spawn!" Safia began pleading.

"Well, I don't know how much you heard from Arwain's telling... But we tracked this madspawn for several days. We found broken trees without any sense or purpose, torn animals left uneaten. Indeed, madspawn are full of savage hatred toward all living things. But in battle they can be cunning and crafty..."

Indres continued the story even when they reached home. He didn't speak briefly and curtly as usual, but with richer language and a livelier voice. He told about how four hunters tracked the monster's trail in mountain valleys and passes, about the battle that came suddenly and unexpectedly, and about accurate arrows that pierced the spawn's eyes and finally forced it to collapse to the ground.

Safia continued asking her father questions while they washed Sigi and Indres dried her fur with magic, and resumed questioning her father even after he had washed himself and sat down at the kitchen table.

Inya didn't seem to understand much but wanted to be near her father and even asked to be taken on his lap while Sofra began preparing a meal. Tao and Safia listened intently to all the details that Indres revealed about his hunting quest. Tao noticed that his older sister's eyes sparkled with excitement, similar to when she spoke about Princess Hanore during the day.

Even when Indres could no longer remember anything new, Safia didn't calm down and began asking him to tell everything from the beginning. Then Sofra finally told the children to go to sleep.

"I want to go hunt spawn too! Please, take me with you next time!" Safia pleaded with her father as he tucked the girl into bed.

"Well, you first need to learn to master a bow, daughter." Her father's lips wore a smile as his hand gently stroked her head.

"I know! Promise you'll take me when I learn!" Safia didn't give up.

"I promise, but I'll decide when you're ready."

"Uh, alright..."

***

That night, Tao trained somewhat differently. He snuck into the hallway and sat down beside Sigi. The dog, of course, woke up and questioned the human presence. Tao gently stroked her snout and drew out a little spirit power, as much as he had accustomed Sigi to no longer react to. Then more. Then he invoked the spirit power radar, as weakly as possible. Sigi whimpered but didn't raise her voice further. Tao continued stroking her head and neck to calm her. He repeated this again and again, patiently teaching the sereni dog to ignore his spirit power. After some time, Sigi seemed to give in and lowered her head to sleep. Tao smiled triumphantly.

***

The next day, Indres mostly rested, only going to speak with the deorgs in more detail about things in the mountains and around the mines. He nevertheless agreed to accompany his wife to the meadows to gather herbs. Sofra wanted a protector because she planned to take Safia along to teach her about useful plants that grow in meadows. Asarate then arrived to watch both younger children.

"Mama, I want to go too!" Tao suddenly announced.

"Really? We'll be away from home longer." Sofra expressed doubts about this idea.

"I know, but I haven't been outside the village for so long. I want to see the meadows!" he tried to look sad and pitiful.

Tao hoped he wasn't speaking too cleverly for his age, but getting out of the village was important for his plan.

Sofra looked at her husband, who only nodded. Tao couldn't suppress a joyful smile.

Finally! I'll see if it was worth it!

Indres did take his war bow along, just in case. Asarate then stayed at home alone with Inya.

When the family went through the gates, they saw the spike with the madspawn head and paws on the other side. Safia wanted to examine them more carefully in daylight, but Sofra urged them to move on. The empty eye sockets seemed to stare threateningly. Indres hadn't mentioned that the monster had distinctive eyes, but red glowing coals flashed in Tao's mind...

The village surroundings were full of life. Grain and vegetables from the fields had already been harvested, so now manure was scattered on them, making Safia wrinkle their noses. From the stone quarries came the sound of hammering, new stonemasons learning the craft from the deorgs.

Near the village, meadows were deliberately preserved from the many herds of livestock. During summer, they were mowed to provide feed for animals in winter, and in late autumn, when days became shorter, herders didn't have to drive their livestock to distant places. In times when grass regrew and before livestock ate it, those who knew could find many valuable plants here.

Tao hadn't been outside the village since the drake attack. His heart beat faster, but not only because he could enjoy the natural scenery around. He began controlling his breathing to reduce the spirit power barrier that blocked his aura from spreading. Only a little, but enough for spirits to sense, hopefully.

Indres sat on a larger stone to observe the surroundings, while Sigi began running around, probably catching small animals hiding in the grass. Sofra, meanwhile, began showing the children useful plants and teaching how to recognize and properly collect them. Safia seemed to want to play with the dog more, but obeyed her mother and tried to find the flowers shown. Tao soon began pretending boredom and went to "rest."

He called Sigi over to himself, in case the dog started reacting too strongly. With one hand stroking the dog's head, Tao suddenly invoked the spirit power radar in all directions, with maximum power. Sigi whimpered, but he ignored it.

In Tao's mind arose spirit power belonging to his parents, sister, and dog. Likewise, underground were small rodents and critters.

But there was also something else.

Spirit power concentrated like living beings, with auras around them. Small, smaller than humans, but undoubtedly real. These beings were located around Tao, but his eyes couldn't see them.

Invisible spirits, most likely lesser spirits, had come, sensing his aura.

Tao felt his lips pull into a satisfied smile.

But this was only the first step.

Before the spirits could react to the radar, Tao raised his hand toward one of them and sent spirit power at it. Not chaotically, but with intent.

To grasp, seize, and capture.