The moment I touched the ember in Komraad’s heart, my consciousness was sucked into a bright tunnel leading to his mind. I emerged in a mental landscape that closely resembled Kurrbryde.

 

“I can’t believe it worked! It actually worked!” I shouted in disbelief, jumping in excitement.

 

After calming down, I looked around for clues that might help me locate Komraad’s consciousness.

 

I tried walking around, observing the scene. The Kurrbryde in his mind was full of Beastkin residents, but I couldn't interact with them. I was like a ghost: unseen, unheard, and untouched. This was a memory, and I was merely an observer.

 

As I was deep in thought, a loud voice came from behind me, and the memory instantly shifted. I was now in Nilda’s bedroom, witnessing Erica’s birth. Kedrick, Nilda, and a young Komraad were present with the midwife.

 

Finally, Nilda successfully delivered the baby. The midwife handed the baby to Kedrick.

 

“Welcome to our world, my sweet daughter,” Kedrick said. He then passed the baby to Komraad, who was instantly mesmerized by his baby sister. “Don’t worry, your big brother will always protect you,” Komraad promised genuinely.

 

It was a beautiful, wholesome scene, made sadder by the knowledge of the future heartbreak awaiting the siblings.

 

The memory instantly shifted again. I was now in the mansion hallway, observing a young teenage Komraad and Erica happily running around and playing catch. Nilda appeared, interrupting their fun.

 

“Komraad, my son, it’s time to resume your training,” Nilda reminded him.

 

“B-but Mom, I wanna play with my sister,” Komraad responded, looking disappointed.

 

Nilda knelt, looking Komraad in the eye. “My son, you might not know it yet, but you are very special. You must be prepared to protect this land in my stead one day, for it is the responsibility given to you by our creator,” she explained.

 

“B-but I don’t want to,” Komraad whispered to himself.

 

I understood the feeling. Nilda was placing too much pressure on her son, pushing him toward a path he didn't want.

 

Erica grabbed her brother’s hand and comforted him. “Big bro, it’s fine. There’s always tomorrow for everything.”

 

“O-okay, I’ll make it up to you next time, I promise,” Komraad responded.

 

“Tee-hee, I know you will,” Erica said with a genuine smile.

 

Komraad went to train with his mother against his will, sustained only by his little sister’s support.

 

The memory shifted once more. I was back in the couple’s room. Kedrick was sleeping, and Komraad barged in, jumping onto his father to wake him up.

 

“Dad, wake up! It’s my little sister’s birthday tomorrow! You gotta help me find the perfect gift for her,” Komraad reminded him excitedly.

 

“Ugh… son, it’s so early in the morning, let your dad get more sleep,” Kedrick groaned.

 

Komraad pouted. 

 

Kedrick sat up and patted his head. “You shouldn’t overthink this. You know your sister will love anything you give as long as it’s from your heart,” he said to cheer him up.

 

“I know, but I want it to be so special that she’ll never forget it,” Komraad insisted.

 

“Then why not give her something that you’re good at? Like a woodcarving, perhaps?” Kedrick suggested.

 

Komraad’s eyes sparkled. “You’re a genius, Dad! Thanks!” He hugged Kedrick, then rushed out, and I followed. He was trying to sneak out of the mansion when Erica stopped him.

 

“Big bro, where are you going this early in the morning?” She asked curiously.

 

“It’s nothing important, so go back to bed,” Komraad responded.

 

Erica didn't believe him. “If you’re not going to tell me the truth, then I’m going to tell Mom that you’re sneaking out of the house.”

 

Komraad caved. “Gah! Fine! I’m going to the forest to get a piece of wood from a special tree.”

 

Erica’s eyes widened with curiosity, and she begged to come along. “I wanna see the special tree, so can I come with you? Pretty please?”

 

“Absolutely not! It’s too dangerous for you!” Komraad responded with an imposing voice.

 

Erica responded with a huge, genuine smile. “I’m not worried at all cause I know I have you.”

 

Komraad tried to resist, but his sister was too adorable, so he finally agreed.

 

The siblings snuck out and eventually reached their destination far outside of town. The sight was enchanting: a special tree that glowed with a golden hue in the sunlight, a breathtaking vision.

 

Erica was in awe. “It’s so pretty.”

 

“It’s even prettier at night. It glows blue under the moonlight,” Komraad explained.

 

“R-really? How do you know that?” Erica asked.

 

“This is my secret place whenever I feel troubled. I come here to relax and forget all my responsibilities, even if it’s just for a little while,” Komraad responded truthfully.

 

Erica, happy to learn a new side of her brother, hugged him. “Is it helping?”

 

Komraad smiled and patted her head. “It’s more than enough.”

 

Erica giggled.

 

Komraad took his carving knife and prepared to climb the tree to get the best wood for his sister’s present.

 

“Wait for me here. I’ll be back before you know it,” Komraad assured her.

 

“Okay, be careful,” Erica responded.

 

Komraad climbed high, but an unforeseen event struck. A horde of two-headed lizards, the size of a full-grown gray wolf, suddenly appeared and surrounded Erica. They had waited until the siblings were separated. Komraad, with his sharp hearing, noticed immediately. “Erica!!!” He shouted.

 

He jumped off the tree and rushed to his sister’s side. He used his sharp teeth, fangs, and claws to tear apart one of the two-headed lizards. The sight of him covered in blood terrified Erica, causing her to panic and cry.

 

“Big Bro, I’m scared,” she muttered through sobs.

 

Komraad hugged his sister to comfort her. “Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you,” he assured her.

 

I steeled myself to watch how the events played out, needing to understand Komraad’s past better. I watched Komraad fight the creatures alone to protect his sister, but the memory suddenly glitched and jumped to the aftermath of the tragedy.

 

My heart ached, and my knees gave way because the outcome was gruesome. I almost looked away.

 

All the two-headed lizards lay mutilated and torn apart by Komraad. Nilda, Kedrick, and some servants were on the scene. Kedrick was carrying an unconscious Erica, whose legs were broken beyond belief.

 

Nilda was heavily injured and bleeding, having stopped her son from going berserk. She used an artifact, a bracelet, to contain his power.

 

Nilda hugged Komraad tightly, trying to calm him. “Everything’s all right now, my son. There are no more enemies, so you can relax now,” she assured him.

 

Komraad was sobbing, blaming himself. “Mom, it’s all my fault. I lost control and hurt my sister.”

 

“It’s not your fault, my son, don’t blame yourself. You did your best to protect your sister. What’s important is that she’s still alive,” Nilda reassured.

 

“Mom, why does it have to be me? If all I do is cause pain, then I don’t want these powers anymore,” Komraad said before losing consciousness.

 

Learning this, the source of Komraad’s trauma, made me realize why he acted the way he did during Fae’s birthday. I felt guilty for snapping at him. I should have tried to understand him better.

 

The gruesome memory faded, and everything went pitch black. Even with this knowledge, I was still clueless about how to save him. All I could do was call his name.

 

“Komraad, where are you? I don’t want to leave any more regrets, so please show yourself to me,” I muttered.

 

I was alone in the dark, clinging to hope, when I heard a soft sound, crying. I followed the source, which led me to a young, curled-up Komraad, sobbing and looking utterly lonely. 

 

“Thank goodness, I finally found you,” I said softly.

 

As I reached out my hand, I heard him mutter.

 

Sob Sob

 

“Someone, please help me.”

 

Tears welled in my eyes. I sat down and looked him in the eye. “I’m sorry, Komraad, but I can’t do anything to help you get over your past. All I can promise is that moving forward, we’ll eventually replace your old memories with happier ones. For now, I need you to come back with me. Your family needs you,” I begged.

 

“I can’t go back. I’m a monster. I’ll only hurt those I love, so it’s better if I just stay here forever,” he responded.

 

“You’re not a monster. All I see is a kind brother and a good friend,” I insisted.

 

“You don’t understand. I hurt the very person I ought to protect. It’s unforgivable. If only I didn’t have this power, then none of those would have happened,” he said sadly.

 

“But without those powers, your sister wouldn’t even be alive. You saved her, just like you saved the girls when they were in danger back in the castle. Komraad, you might not see it yet, but your power is just another side of you. You won’t be able to keep moving forward if you keep rejecting it. It’s time you fully embrace it and accept that it’s always been a part of you,” I convinced him.

 

He finally stopped crying, wiped his tears, and stood up. “That’s not it. I’m scared that if I lose control again, I might end up hurting the people I care about, which includes you and the girls.”

 

I was relieved to know we meant so much to him. I looked him in the eye and assured him, “Don’t worry, I’ll be there to stop you if that ever happens.”

 

“Y-you’ll stop me?” He asked. A glimpse of hope resurfaced.

 

“Yup. I’m stronger than you after all,” I responded with a hint of playful sarcasm.

 

Komraad instantly snapped back to his old self. The small, fragile boy vanished, replaced by the familiar Komraad. “Huhhhhhhh?!? You think you’re stronger than me? Stop joking around!” He retorted.

 

I laughed hard. I never expected those simple words to bring him back. “Tee-hee, now that’s the Komraad that I know,” I responded.

 

“Gah!!! You still get on my nerves, but somehow, I feel so relieved with you around,” He admitted.

 

“It’s because you trust me, and that’s the bond that ties us together,” I responded. I reached out my hand. “Let’s go back, we have a family and village to save,” I said.

 

After a moment, he finally grabbed my hand. “Damn it, let’s do this!” He responded confidently.

 

His rage and the dark aura fueling it were gone. As his mind cleared, it forcefully rejected my presence. My consciousness was sent out, and I woke up in my body moments later.

 

Lou saw me waking up and approached. “What happened to you? You passed out all of a sudden,” he asked.

 

“I went inside his mind and managed to talk to him,” I answered.

 

“F-fascinating. Did it work?” He asked.

 

Komraad suddenly stood up, finally in control of his body. “Hey, birdy, can you get these chains off of me?” He demanded.

 

“Guess that answers my question,” Lou muttered sarcastically. He dispelled his magic, unbinding Komraad.

 

“Ahh… much better,” Komraad said, stretching.

 

Lou looked at me. “I did my part of the deal. Now it’s your turn to do the same.”

 

“Don’t worry, we’ll give your king a nice long lecture after we kick his butt,” I responded.

 

Lou smiled with a satisfied look and left the room. I approached Komraad. “How do you feel?” I asked.

 

“Better than before. I feel rejuvenated,” he answered.

 

“That’s good. We better get going before it’s too late. The war might already be over as we speak,” I assumed. 

 

“Before that, I have something important to check out first. Go ahead, I’ll catch up as fast as I can.”

 

I fully trusted him. 

 

“Okay, don’t take too long.”

 

I transformed back to my cat form and flew as fast as possible to help with the ongoing war inside Kurrbryde, needing to buy time before Komraad’s inevitable fight with King Zayke.

After I left, Komraad’s demeanor changed. He noticed a strange presence and spoke out of the blue. “I know you’re there, show yourself,” he demanded.

 

A small, floating, glowing creature came out of Komraad’s heart and started dancing in the air. It was the spirit form of the Titan of Beast, the entity that blessed Komraad. It was about ten centimeters tall, with a huge head, small limbs, brown and white fur, cute round eyes, dog ears, and a tail, resembling a playful puppy plushie.

 

“How I’ve waited for this day to come! At long last, you can finally see me!” The creature said excitedly.

 

“Gah! W-what are you? What do you want?” Komraad asked cluelessly.

 

“I am here to aid my warrior throughout his adventure. That’s my sole purpose as a great spirit,” the creature responded.

 

“Warrior? Great spirit? Grr… I can’t keep up! Who the heck are you?” Komraad asked, utterly confused.

 

The creature spun around Komraad joyously. “I’m glad you asked, chosen one. I am a powerful being created by the Witch of Creation. I was given the title of Power and Stability. My name is Dot, and I am the Titan of Beast and the one who bestowed you power beyond compare. Now that you have accepted the gift I have given you, it’s time for me to teach you how to unlock your full potential.”

 

Komraad’s brain overloaded with the information, and all he could do was shout in shock.

 

“H-huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh?!?”