Ao stepped outside, the crisp morning air brushing against his skin as he searched for Kuro. His mind was racing, piecing together what he had just discovered about his mother's condition. He needed answers, and he needed them now.
Kuro sat near the riverbank, finishing the last bites of a freshly caught fish. His sharp, feline-like ears twitched as he sensed Ao approaching, his piercing gaze settling on him with mild curiosity. He swallowed his food before speaking.
"You're awfully worked up for someone who just got home," Kuro remarked, licking his claws clean. "What's on your mind?"
Ao didn't waste time with pleasantries. "Kuro," he started, his voice firm, "I know you see it as clearly as I do. What exactly is negative spiritual energy, and what happens when it builds up in someone's body?"
Kuro raised a brow, clearly caught off guard by the directness of the question. He tilted his head slightly, then let out a thoughtful hum before responding. "There are two main types of spiritual energy: positive and negative," he began, resting on the ground. "Positive energy is the force of creation and healing. It fosters growth, restoration, and balance. Negative energy, on the other hand, is the opposite. It's the force of destruction. It wears things down—whether it be a structure, a spell, or the body itself."
Ao nodded, encouraging him to continue. Kuro shifted slightly, his tails flicking behind him as he thought. "When you conjure a spell or technique, regardless of whether it's purely positive spiritual energy from your body or drawn from the environment, it'll pull in negative energy if its purpose is offensive or destructive. But when negative energy latches onto a living being, that's when it gets dangerous."
Kuro tapped his clawed fingers against the ground, chipping at it without realizing it. "Think of it like parasites—ticks, to be specific. It attaches to spirit veins, essence, muscles, even organs, and slowly drains vitality. Depending on where it settles, it can cause exhaustion, physical ailments, or simply just physical sighs of aging, pimples, wrinkles, simply just preventing the body from looking its best or growing at its peak, that's of course if its just minor, not a massive amount in a certain area. A buildup in the chest could cause difficulty breathing. If it latches onto the nerves, it might cause numbness or pain, even nerve damage. Over time, the effects compound, weakening the body."
Ao's fingers curled into a fist at his side. That explains Mom's symptoms… "So how do you get rid of it? Are there multiple ways?"
Kuro let out a low hum once again, scratching the side of his head with a claw. "I'm not exactly the best in this area, but the only method I know of is something called Beastial Rejuvenation. It involves taking in pure spiritual energy, filtering out the negative, and reinforcing the body's natural functions. It helps the muscles, heart, and organs work at their peak, almost like an internal cleanse. But…" He shrugged. "Not many people know how to do it."
Ao's eyes narrowed slightly. Beastial Rejuvenation… that sounds almost identical to Respira and Spirit Cycle. It made sense—different people had different names for similar techniques. But hearing it described this way solidified his understanding. The only problem was… he didn't know if he could filter all the negative energy out of his mother without it building up again too quickly.
He let out a slow exhale, crossing his arms as he thought. "Do you know anything about demi-human anatomy? Maybe a book on it?"
Kuro shook his head. "I don't know much about your kind's biology, and books aren't exactly my thing. But if it's medical knowledge you're after, you should talk to Lady Kori. She's a healer, so she has to know demi-human and human anatomy inside and out."
Ao sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. I figured it would lead back to Kori. He had hoped for a more immediate solution, but if going to her of all people knowledge was what he needed, then so be it. "Do you know where I can find her?"
Kuro shook his head again. "I don't visit her, so I can't say for sure. Your mother might know, but she'd probably have to take you there herself. You could ask Shiro, but…" He trailed off, stretching his arms lazily while stretching his back into an arch, similar to that of a cat. "Honestly, I'd just wait until the festival this year. That way, she'd be more likely to gift you the book instead of making you work or pay for it. Books aren't cheap, you know. She'd probably offer it as a festival or birthday gift."
Ao's ears twitched slightly at that. The festival… He had nearly forgotten. In their village, the festival was not only a day of celebration but also a time of giving. It was customary to present gifts to those closest to you—family, mentors, and even the Duke, as a sign of respect and good fortune. The festival also coincided with Shiro's arrival to the village, making it a significant event for many.
Ao sighed, placing a hand on his hip. Waiting until the festival might not be an option. He needed answers now. His mother's condition wasn't something he was willing to leave to chance. If he had to, he'd find a way to reach Kori himself. He wasn't about to sit back and let time decide her fate.
"Thanks, Kuro," Ao said finally, turning on his heel. "I need to figure out what's going on before it's too late."
Kuro smirked, his sharp teeth flashing. "Just don't overwork yourself, kid. You're no good to anyone if you drop dead from exhaustion."
Ao didn't respond. He had too much on his mind. He needed to act. Now.
Ao's brows furrowed as he stared at Kuro, confusion flickering across his face. He had barely heard of the festival before, and now he was being told to wait for it? That didn't sit right with him. That was essentially waiting until he turned three just to get the book—and that was too long. He had no idea how quickly his mother's condition could worsen, and he wasn't willing to take that risk.
"Why would she only give me the book on the festival day? This is kind of urgent," Ao said, his tone edged with impatience.
Kuro, now lying comfortably on his side, cracked one eye open to look at him before stretching lazily. His long, dagger-like teeth flashed briefly as he yawned. "Books, especially ones about anatomy, aren't cheap, kid. They cost a lot. The festival isn't just about partying—it's about giving. Everyone offers a gift to the Duke, and to someone close to them. It happens once every five years, and that's the best chance you've got to get the book as a gift instead of having to work or pay for it yourself." He rested his head on his arm, his tails flicking idly. "I get that you're in a rush. From the way you're talking, I'm guessing someone's been infected by negative spiritual energy, huh?"
Ao's fists clenched slightly. He didn't confirm or deny it—he didn't need to.
Kuro let out a thoughtful hum. "Well, if that's the case, just focus on purifying her for now. Negative energy builds up slowly, but if you keep filtering it out, it'll stop it from clogging up too fast. That should buy you enough time so you don't have to panic before the festival."
That... actually makes sense. Ao thought, his tense shoulders easing just slightly. If I focus on keeping Mom's condition stable, I won't have to worry about things spiraling out of control too fast. I just have to make sure she doesn't overwork herself...
He glanced at Kuro. "Alright… I'll wait. But is there anything she can take to help her condition? Something for the pain, at least?"
Kuro frowned, tapping a claw against the dirt as he mulled over the question. "Hmm… hard to say. If we go to the village, we might find something. But most remedies I know aren't made specifically for cleansing negative spiritual energy. That's not exactly my area of expertise, you know. Your customs are different from mine."
Ao exhaled through his nose. Of course… the village. He didn't like the idea. First, he had to deal with his mother being sick. Then, he had to track down Kori. And now he had to go into the village—a place he didn't necessarily avoid, but didn't exactly wanna go there either, he liked the fact that they were separated from so many people. He wasn't fond of crowds or attention, and the idea of being stared at, whispered about, or seen as some kind of monster made his skin crawl. He still wasn't even sure how kids his age were supposed to act.
"Great…" he muttered, his voice thick with reluctance.
Kuro let out a low chuckle, his sharp fangs flashing in amusement. "Oh, come on, manling. Look at the bright side—at least you'll get to learn more about your people. Who knows? You might even find something rare. Or learn something even rarer. Connections are important in life." His grin widened, but with his massive black fangs and jagged canine teeth, it looked more menacing than reassuring—like a beast baring its teeth before a kill.
Ao gave him a flat look. "Man… aren't I lucky," he deadpanned.
Kuro snickered, rolling onto his back and waving a dismissive paw in the air. "You'll live."
Ao still gave Kuro the same deadpan expression as he said that.
Man.. why do I have to have such bad luck…