Akarum inhaled the energy, but it rushed into his body all at once. The Purpi immediately lost its tension.
"It doesn't carry any kind of smell," Akarum said, confused.
"But it's useful," Kashime replied.
"How did you get Purpis?"
Inside Akarum's body, the energy flowed through his veins, repairing damaged blood cells and reconnecting them like a spider weaving its web.
"I used spiritual teleportation to collect Purpis from Farms Origin," Kashime said.
A low sound came from Akarum's stomach.
"I'm starving," he said, wearing an innocent look.
"What about you, Kashime?" he asked. "Aren't you going to inhale it too? You used a divine scar, didn't you?"
"Yeah. The case is different for the chosen ones. Damage caused by excessive energy recovers through divine energy."
"We should keep moving anyway," Akarum said.
He stood up and began gathering the tents.
"We'll reach Flowless by evening," Kashime said. "Then we'll cook fish for you."
She stared at Akarum as she spoke.
He didn't respond and continued folding the tent.
"Last night was emotional," Akarum murmured to himself, smiling faintly. "Thinking about it now feels awkward."
"Awkward? Why?" Kashime asked.
She noticed Akarum more closely as he worked.
"Hey, Mysterious One. Those are butterflies, not tents."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Akarum said.
Kashime stepped closer and touched the folded fabric. Instantly, white butterflies scattered into the air. They had been forming the tents.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Akarum asked.
"You didn't ask." She teased.
Akarum facepalmed.
The butterflies floated upward and settled on Kashime's head.
"Why aren't they disappearing?"
"They won't, until I wish them to," Kashime said.
She picked up the basket of Purpis.
"Let's move."
Early morning light washed over the land. White, glowing butterflies followed Kashime as she walked ahead. Akarum ran beside her, holding the basket of Purpis. Hairo floated nearby.
Only their footsteps broke the quiet.
"I'll lose soul energy eventually, right?" Akarum asked.
"Even faster if you keep summoning divine-tier weapons," Kashime said. "Prime Thorn accepting you was unexpected. I've never seen a divine weapon acknowledge someone like that."
"Strange," Akarum said. "So they drain massive amounts of soul or divine energy?"
"Yes," Kashime nodded "That's why you lost consciousness. The flow exceeded what your body could handle."
"So don't try to be flashy unless you don't value your life," She added.
"I'll remember that," Akarum said, nodding.
Silence returned, their steps echoing along the path.
At the Village of Queens, near the pond, Flint stood sipping tea, one hand in his pocket. A memory surfaced.
Aeni stood among children, healing her wrist as the white outline of her scar glowed. The children watched with fascination.
Flint and Asami arrived from the stairs and noticed.
Flint rushed forward.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Sis is showing magic," one of the children said happily.
Flint took another sip of tea.
That wasn't magic.That was foolishness.
He looked at the children playing with Asami, some clinging to her back, others sitting on her lap.
Then his gaze shifted to Aeni, standing apart, visibly awkward and guilty.
"Aeni," Flint said.
"You don't need to use yourself to amuse children," Flint said. "Even if the pain fades because white outline resonates with the White Spirit."
"You're right," Aeni said, nodding.
The children continued playing, unaware of her inner conflict.
"By the way," Flint said, glancing at one of them, "is that boy your brother?"
Aeni turned toward the boy.
"Hm. Dery Limson."
Asami was busy amusing the children.
"He's adorable," Asami said to Aeni.
"Stubborn too," Aeni replied.
Dery pouted and crossed his arms.
"I am not rude," he said in a heavy voice.
He climbed onto Asami's back, clinging to her.
Flint chuckled softly. "He really is. That's natural for kids."
Asami smiled faintly, nostalgia creeping into her voice. "This reminds me of Flint and Noyu's childhood."
One of the children pinched her cheeks while laughing.
A single tear slipped down Flint's cheek. He wiped it away immediately.
"Noyu," he said quietly. "He was a very curious child. Always questioning everything."
Asami let out a slow breath. "Life never goes the way you plan it."
Aeni sensed the weight settling in the air and chose not to interfere.
"Well, Flint," she said after a brief pause, her voice careful, "did you have breakfast?"
Flint nodded. "Yeah. I did."
"Good."
Flint smiled faintly and finished the last sip of tea. He walked toward the stairs to put the cup away. Aeni watched him go while Asami remained surrounded by children, their laughter filling the space.
Elsewhere, high above the forest.
A woman sat on the branch of a tree. A small white snake-like being was attached to her ear, shifting slightly. A mask concealed her face.
Her gaze followed Kashime and Akarum as they moved through the land below.
"Nephew alive," she murmured. "Should I keep following?"
The tiny white snake glowed.
"Hm. Understood."
The glow lingered, as if something on the other side was still responding.
She stepped back, and in the blink of an eye, she vanished into the distance.
Akarum sneezed while holding the basket of Purpis.
"You caught a cold," Kashime said.
"It'll be fine," Akarum replied.
"Like things ever happen the way you say," Kashime muttered. "Fate decides everything."
He sneezed again.
"You're a monster. Stop with that," Kashime said, clearly annoyed.
"Even a monster could be human," Akarum replied, rubbing his nose.
"So, you are a monster," she said, a grin forming on her face.
"I didn't say that!" he protested.
"Indirectly," Kashime replied, teasing.
"I didn't!" he repeated.
Their voices faded as they disappeared deeper into the forest, white butterflies drifting behind them.
Later, at Flowless.
Akarum knelt near the water, drinking with both hands for support.
When he turned back, tents were already set. A campfire burned steadily. Kashime was frying fish while a soft glow from the butterflies lingered nearby.
Akarum hurried over.
"Can I feed my stomach now?"
"Control your urge," Kashime said, focused as she rolled the stick holding the fish.
Akarum sat by the fire, staring at the fish without blinking.
"Here."
She handed one to him.
Akarum took a careful bite, blowing on it first.
It's a masterpiece.
"How is it?" Kashime asked, already working on another.
"Normal," Akarum replied.
"I'm not giving you another one then," Kashime said.
"You can't," Akarum said stubbornly. "It was delicious. I admit it. Happy now?"
"That's good then," she replied.
She picked another fish for herself.
"I wonder if Flint regained consciousness or not," Kashime said quietly.
They ate beside the fire as the flames crackled, the night settling around them in silence.