CHAPTER 9: SOULMATES

**Greg**

When we entered the vicinity of the city of Fangborough, it felt like I was in a different place.

“…”

I guess I’d been used to the ‘day’ side of Cherflammen, because I was creeped out when we arrived at the city, which lie in the ‘twilight’ zone. See, unlike in Darkmoor—which was ‘alive’ and full of economic activity even though it was well inside the ‘night’ region of the land, the city of the werewolves was a silent one. There were no walls that enclosed the settlements, and all the wooden houses never had upper floors, nor there was light shining in any of those.

If I’m new to that city, I’d mistake it for a ghost town.

As we walked along the streets, which were actually dust paths carved by the everyday use of people and caravans since time immemorial, I saw rustic sculptures of either stone or wood origin that dotted the sides of the city avenues and its corners. There were also pristine gardens in some of the homes, complete with bamboo pipes that drew and guided water into and from the natural ponds. I’d say, Fangborough was like an Edo-period Japan in the middle of an early modern/industrial European setting.

In any case, the servants from the most influential of the Tambara families met with us at the city’s ‘gates’, marked by a wooden arc of crude construction. They told us to come with them, for the clan’s elders had prepared a feast to welcome us, and also, in appreciation for safeguarding their children’s lives, as well as delivering their first victory of the war. As for our prisoners, they were led to another place, perhaps a dungeon of sorts; I’d deal with them later.

Exhausted, and hungry, my orc, goblin and Usarved companions obliged. Soon, the servants led us to a big house at an elevated center of the city, where the clan elders awaited. While the soldiers were given accommodations around the reception hall—complete with food and drinks, they took me to the main building itself. And the moment I stepped inside…

“Ah, and so, the victorious human head scholar graces us with his presence!” an elder announced. “Come and have an audience with us, the elders of the Tambara. Eat, drink and be merry of your accomplishments!”

I could only stare at the clan elders, who numbered for about ten or more individuals. They gathered around a fire pit, together with the Lord Gracchio, who was gesturing for me to hurry and sit beside him.

I guess the demon head scholar is still afraid of the Tambaras…

Then, the servants served the festive food and drinks. The merrymaking began, and everyone forgot that we were in the middle of a conflict. Nevertheless, the longer I looked at the Tambara elders, the more I get to be reminded of a person awfully familiar to me…

“Ruro…” I muttered.

At once, one of the clan elder’s ears perked up, and spoke, “I see that you remembered our most famous—and hated—tribe member.”

“Eh?” I was taken aback by what she just said, “What do you mean?”

“Ruro of the Wolf, the current Beastman Saint and a former princess of our tribe,” the elder reiterated.

“Your tribe? I thought the Wolf tribe of Chersea died off long ago!”

She nodded, complete with an amused smile on her lips, “Indeed, let’s say that it is true, for we are not exactly the pure Wolf tribes-folk anymore. Those with pure blood were murdered by that saint, and they went extinct a few ages after the eleventh human-demon war. However, before they disappeared on the face of Cherwind, a young she-wolf escaped to this land. Later on, she connected with a kind, and gentle Usarved noble, and their union brought forth to our people, the Tambara.”

Wow…I just couldn’t believe on what I just stumbled upon. I mean, back on Earth, it was common sense that vampires and werewolves were like oil and water—they didn’t mix. But here, honestly, all of my expectations were being subverted. Who would’ve thought that the werewolves were actually halflings—descendants of a wolf tribeswoman and a vampire father?

God, this is getting interesting!

Well, putting aside that information for now, I went back to our current situation. The first thing that I did was…

“As a head scholar of the Conclave, I humbly ask for your forgiveness for my audacity to defy your requests to return your children.”

“All is well, human lord,” another clan elder spoke this time. “My daughter and the Biorno lord explained to us the reasons for what you did. And, it’s not like we disagree to your justification. Even us Tambaras never liked to send our children to war, but as we have no other choice—and for the sake of our clan’s future and security as well, we have to do it.”

“Milord—” I was about to ask the elder when he interrupted me.

“Please, honorable human lord, I request that you call me by my name, Naru.”

I was dumbfounded by his suggestion, that my eyes fell on the Lord Gracchio, trying to ask silently if such action was fine. The demon head scholar, however, was as clueless as I am.

“Don’t worry about the formalities, human lord,” the lady clan elder from earlier told me, “what my husband is telling you to do is a great honor from us! We don’t usually accord the right to call us by name to anyone. However, our sweet Nari keeps on insisting that you deserve it. My name is Nara, by the way.”

“I’m Greg Santos, but you can also call me—”

“Kuro, the Commoner General, and the Rock of Chersea, right? The human who fought against the Saint of the Flame, Lady Seirna Stephanie, and her risen undead,” Lady Nara laughed softly. “And you’re also that Kuro, the Great Unifier of Beastmen and Humans, and the Eternal King of Cherwind. The man loved and favored by the Beastman Saint.”

“You really searched about me!” I blurted out. Damn, I wanted to disappear in embarrassment. See, I’m not used to someone announcing to others of my accomplishments. Having those behind me was actually counter-productive, for those who learned of my true identity would give high expectations on whatever I do, leaving a small room for mistakes. Besides, it’s not like I wanted to flaunt those things I did out of common sense and responsibility. I mean, I only did that because any sane person in my situation would do the same…if others got before me, then I bet I won’t be in the same spotlight!

“Ah, that Ruro would always tell stories about you,” the Lord Naru revealed. “We just didn’t realize it was you at first, for you go by a different name.”

“Well…things happened, and so we’re here,” I chuckled, trying to ward off the awkward feeling in my heart. “But, I thought you Tambaras hated Ruro?”

“We were, before, that is,” he laughed as well. “However, times change, human lord. And it’s not like Ruro is not doing her best to make amends for her old sins. As she is also of our blood, we ought to forgive her, isn’t it?”

I’d say…this stuff is getting too complicated.

----------

The Tambaras fed us and celebrated our victory. Their people were grateful for our presence, for they thought we were there to secure their city. The elders, in appreciation for our success, granted to me ‘favors’—a Tambara-exclusive tradition in which they explained they’d do anything I wished for, even if it costs them their lives.

“Don’t you think it’s too much?” I balked at the idea of someone dying for me just to fulfill my whims.

“Human lord, let me remind you that we are part-Beastman, famous for their loyalty, and part-demon, well-known for their honor,” the Lord Naru pointed out. “As such, we deem it worthy for us to grant you our favor.”

“Oh…”

“This is not only for the victory you gave us, nor just for the safety of our children,” the Lady Nara added. “This is also for your unwavering determination to help the people of Cherflammen, even though you’re a human, and also our old land of origin, Cherwind. You accomplished a lot for others, human lord, so you deserve our loyalty. And this is a matter we—the elders—never decided ourselves; the people of the Tambara clan is willing to follow you!”

“T-Thanks…I guess…” Yeah, the Beastman Saint’s stories about me greatly helped my reputation to this clan.

“Please don’t be shy about your requests,” the other elders reiterated.

“Tell them to join our forces,” the Lord Gracchio whispered to me. “I’m sure, with the four clans uniting against the Biornos, they won’t last long.”

Well, the demon head scholar’s suggestion was a sound one. And with the strategic placing of the cities of the allied demon clans: Helfan to the northeast, Fangborough to the southeast, Goblinhom to the southwest and Orcdwelt to its west, the city of the Saint’s Tower was well-placed to be surrounded and isolated. Thus, I agree with the Lord Gracchio’s words. But then, I’d like to convince the Tambaras to join us not only because of fulfilling my favors, but also of the merits of such decision.

After all, my aim to unify Cherflammen under the Usarveds remains the same.

“Lord Naru…”I began.

“Please, just Naru is enough, human lord.”

“Uh, err…N-Naru, sir!”

“You’re too polite for a human,” the clan elder chuckled. “It’s refreshing to hear you speak!”

The Lord Naru spoke like he experienced the typical human arrogance, eh?

“Alright, I guess it’s fine,” he finally agreed to my way of referring to them. “At the very least, you still accord us respect.”

“Sir Naru, I have three favors to ask your clan, if you’re insisting on it,” I paused for a bit, just to see if they got any reactions. Seeing that there was none, I continued, “First, I request quarter for any enemy we captured, or surrendered.”

“That’s doable,” the Lady Nara quipped. “We Tambaras never liked to harm a defeated foe, human lord.”

“Thank you! Second is, well, this is more a request than a demand. Feel free to refuse fulfilling it if you deemed this as offensive,” I took a deep breath and uttered a silent and quick prayer before outlining my next ‘favor’. “I’d like your clan to cooperate with the Usarveds, even after the war. In return, I swear by my name to protect your people from any harm.”

“A strange request, but we already submitted ourselves to the authority of the demon lord, Prince Hurion Devras IV.”

“I’m referring to your army,” I pointed out. “Once the Usarveds won this conflict, I’d request that all clans disband their militaries, and surrender their weapons to a unified government. The Usarveds, however, is bound to uphold your rights and security as their fellow citizens.”

“That’s…” the clan elders exchanged worried looks.

“I won’t force you to do that favor for me,” I reassured them. “But please, think it over. Endless and recurring conflicts between your clans is keeping your people from achieving the future each one of us desires. And one of the solutions we can implement is to disband your own armies, and create a united one—a military that can deal with the external threats and answers to the will of the people, through their representative, the demon lord.”

“Besides, milords and miladies,” the Lord Gracchio finally backed me up. “If you’re doubting the Lord Santos’ words, then I’d vouch for his name! I’m Benedetto Gracchio, a member of the Gracchi clan, vassal to the Biorno lord. However, I turned away from my kin because I believe in this human. He is not simple a lackey of the Usarveds! And you know his story—his exploits against our old enemy, the Saint of the Flame, Seirna, and his efforts that led to the unification of the beastmen tribes of Cherwind.”

Honestly, I felt bad on forcing my ideals on the Tambaras, now that they treated us with respect and goodwill. However, I guess it’s criminal of me to let this opportunity pass. Besides, I’m sure the Prince Hurion Devras would listen to me, as long as he saw reason behind my proposals.

“Well…” the Lord Naru heaved a sigh. “It’s not like we can go back to our words once it left our mouths, and the favors will stand. Alright then, we will trust your words, human lord and Biorno lord. Now, may we ask for the third favor?”

I guess that’s two ‘heavy’ requests done. Now for the third part…

“For the third favor, I’d like to ask your clan to stop enlisting your children and sending them off to war. In return, I’ll make sure to lead your armies—and our allies—to victory in this conflict.”

The anxious expressions on the faces of the Tambara clan elders quickly changed to one that was full of hope and sparkles. Not even the Lord Gracchio—heck, not even I—expected myself to say those words. I guess, I was just bluffing in the heat of the moment, but I inadvertently set the wheels of my full involvement in this conflict in motion. I’m not sure of how could I achieve a 100% victory in this war, but I needed to take my chances. I did promise to keep my students safe, after all.

And my recent success made the offer on the table even more attractive…

----------

We spent several days among the Tambaras, enough for us to regain our strength for the next part of our journey—the rendezvous at the city of Goblinhom. As it was the main base of the Goblin Legion, it was decided in the war council before that the armies fighting the Biornos would join forces in that city. Not only did it possess the industries needed by the allied clans to continue their war efforts, its relative distance from the Saint’s Tower would make an attack from the enemy less likely.

However, the issue was, Goblinhom lay to the extreme southwest of Fangborough. The usual ‘peacetime’ route would have us march back in the direction of the Saint’s Tower, pick up provisions there to continue to the city of Orcdwelt, and finally, after resupplying, walk the last leg to Goblinhom. For our situation, it was an absurd option. Taking that path would have us head right into our enemies’ jaws, and with our few soldiers and equipment, it was sure annihilation.

An alternate route was available. But then, looking at our maps, this one was definitely longer and dangerous, for it would have us cross into the supposedly ‘unnavigable’ desert of the Sea of Sand. Well, it’s not like it’s an impossible feat; a properly-supplied army could march over it from end to end. Nevertheless, with our logistics in a mess, crossing the Sea of Sand meant certain death.

And I don’t want to risk it. I still got to return to Chersea and the Lady Madelaine’s side, after all.

“…”

As I lie awake on my sleeping mat, I pondered on my options. Of course, the road via the Saint’s Tower was impossible, as well the as the Sea of Sand route. Also, I guess we’re about to overstay with the Tambaras. Even if they say that it’s fine, feeding a large group of people would still put a strain on their supplies, and I don’t want to earn their anger when I was trying to unite all the demon clans under one banner.

Well, it’s not like I’m out of viable choices. To the further east, and into the ‘night’ region of Cherflammen (ironically named Westshore), was the city of the Usarveds, Darkmoor. I already sent some messengers there to update Princess Noir of what’s happening at the Conclave, and also ask for provisions and reinforcements, if her forces could afford it. Then, down further south, near the Chersea-Cherflammen crossing, was the region of the Blighted Lands. And the lord of that place, Vitalis, was an ally. I could also ask for his people’s help.

“…”

But then again, would the lord of the undead oblige? He swore fealty to the Prince Hurion Devras, and even if he did that, he was notorious for breaking his oath when the demon lord’s enemies entered his lands. I also remembered that he wanted his people to ‘live peacefully’. With an army following behind me, could he be relied upon?

“Haa…this is really stressing me out…”

“That’s a sad sigh, Sir.”

“Whoa!” I nearly jumped away when I saw my student, Nari, sitting on the top side of my sleeping mat. I didn’t notice her come to my room, which was supposedly my own.

“Scared?” was her curt question, along with her usual poker face. But for some reason, I could tell that Nari was afraid that she might’ve disturbed me.

I shook my head, “No, I’m just surprised with your sudden appearance.”

“I knocked.”

“Didn’t hear it,” I admitted to her as I looked at the sliding wooden door of my room. Indeed, it was ajar.

“Sorry.”

“It’s fine,” I sat up and gave her a head pat. “Don’t worry much. It’s not like this is my place!”

“You’re tired?”

I fell silent by her question. Honestly, I don’t know how to answer, for I got this feeling that she was blaming herself for my exhaustion. Well, that’s a bit true, though it’s also something I decided on my own.

For short, there’s no one else to blame but me.

“I enjoy what I do,” I told her. “Especially when the people around me benefits from it. Heh, call me a martyr or a fool, I don’t care. I just want to put meaning to my life before I die, that’s all.”

The young lycanthrope never answered. She just took hold of my Tambara clothes—lent to me by her father, the Lord Naru, pulled the sleeves towards her, and…

“Uh…Nari, what are you doing?” I was unnerved by her, gently licking my hand. However, when I realized it, she was part-canine, so could it possibly her way of showing their gratitude for me?

Err…as a human, I’m really clueless on what I should do, really.

----------

I just let Nari do her thing for a while. Eventually, she stopped and told me, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Nari!” I smiled. Though she never explicitly said what her gratitude was for, I’m sure it was for my third ‘favor’, which asked the Tambara elders to stop sending their children to war.

Then, a moment of complete silence. I had nothing else to say, nor a topic to talk about. And for some reason, Nari never left my room. I felt like she had something else to tell me, but she couldn’t get it off her lips.

So, I asked her again, “You want to say something?”

“S-Sir…?”

“Yep? I’m listening.”

“Uhm, eh…”

“Dear saint! I even taught you how to approach the human lord! You got the first part right, why did you stop on the second?”

“!!!” Another person entered my room: it was Nari’s mother, the Lady Nara. Apparently, she was watching us from outside my room. Now I was even more confused on what’s going on. What is she talking about?

“My apologies, human lord, but our sweet Nari is still an amateur to these kinds of things,” the lycanthrope mother bowed.

“Wha-What?”

“Okay, let’s be clear before everything else,” the Lady Nara was all-smiles, amused at the embarrassed reactions from both her daughter and mine. “Our sweet Nari finally found the person she wants to connect with! It’s her teacher!”

Dear lord, that sounds so fucking wrong!

I stared at the young lycanthrope. Her face, no matter how pale it was, blushed. Nari also hid behind her mother in an attempt to cover her expression.

“Err…milady—”

“Ahem!”

“Uhm, M-Madam Nara, can you please listen to your words?” I just couldn’t believe what I was hearing, “A student-teacher relationship is so wrong!”

“Says who, human lord?”

“Says my—” but then, the terrible realization that such rule applied only to my world, where it was only us humans who live there, set in. The disparity between the ages of a demon and a human was just great, thus they’re not bound by these limitations. Besides, I doubt if they knew of modern ‘common sense’; if I looked back in the history of Earth, there were a lot of similar instances of teacher-student relationships, as well as young and old.

And Cherflammen is only about to enter the age of industry.

“…”

But still, this is wrong! Nari may be older to me in terms of years, but relative to a demon’s age, she is definitely a child!

And the Lady Madelaine…she’s waiting for me in Chersea. I don’t want to come back to her bringing in another set of ladies.

I faced the Lady Nara and told her straight, “I’m sorry, madam, I just can’t accept your child’s feelings. I appreciate the thought, but it just feels so wrong. Nari has a bright future ahead of her, and that’s not beside an old human male like me.”

“Hearing you say that proves that Nari is right in choosing you!” was her reply. “No worries about it, human lord. My daughter already chose her future to be with you, and I guess, I can’t do anything about it. She already licked your hand after all!”

“What?! That’s it?!”

“Don’t underestimate a Tambara’s resolve, human lord! We may be honorable, but we are fiercely determined as well, especially to the master we choose!” the Lady Nara laughed and reminded me, “Have you forgotten that our origins are those of the Beastfolk of Cherwind?”

Riiight. “Alright then, I apologize for rejecting Nari’s feelings. However, if I can ask for time to sort my own heart, Madam?”

“What, you don’t like my cute daughter?”

“Err…uhm, it’s not that I don’t like her, but, err…c-connecting with her now is going too fast!”

“Oh? You want to connect with her now?” the Lady Nara asked. “I agree with what you said! You two are going too fast!”

“H-Huh? But I just said…” Even I was getting confused as to what we were talking about. Nari, for her part, almost sunk away under her mother’s clothes in embarrassment.

“Well, now that we have to fulfill our favor to you not to enlist our children, I guess Nari can connect with you then. At least my daughter’s future is now secured.”

“Wait, that’s not what I mean!”

“Oh? Then what is it you’re saying, human lord?”

Goodness…I don’t know anymore. This was tiring me out.

“Mother…” it was Nari. “My teacher is sleepy.”

“Ah! My apologies, human lord! I guess you really need to rest!”

“Thank you for your understanding, milady,” I couldn’t help but yawn in front of them. “Have a good long sleep then.”

However, I heard the Lady Nara told her daughter, “Now’s your chance, Nari! Show the human lord our clan’s specialty!”

“H-Huh? What specialty—guh!” I felt something hit me in the back of my hand before everything went dark for me.

----------

When I woke up the next day, I never felt so good in a while. My body was completely refreshed, and it seemed to me that I could take on an entire army of incubi and succubi.

Of course, that’s only an exaggeration.

“Our massage techniques has never grown old,” the Lord Naru proudly declared to me while taking breakfast. “It’s been passed down to us for several generations, but you can tell it’s still as effective as it was eons ago!”

“T-Thank you, Sir,” I bowed in gratitude, though it was awkward for me. Apparently, I misunderstood Nari’s intentions for showing up in my room yesterday. What she really wanted to do was to give me their clan’s ‘famous’ massage, since she thought I was tired from all that happened before.

But still…why did she ‘marked’ me as her own?

I glanced at Nari, who was silently eating her food on a table away from us ‘adults’.

“No need to be so polite in addressing us, human lord,” the Lady Nara chirped in. “You’ll belong to our clan soon, so drop the formalities.”

“Err…I misunderstood your daughter’s actions yesterday. For that, I apologize.”

“Huh? Why are you apologizing?”

“About the ‘connection’…”

Nari’s parents exchanged amused looks. Then, the Lord Naru told me, “It’s fine, human lord. In some ways, you still ended up connecting with our daughter, see?”

I couldn’t help but choke on my food when I heard that. Good thing the lycanthrope lord helped me free my throat. Still, I couldn’t help but ask, did something happen while I’m sleeping?

“Hmm…I can tell the confusion on your face,” he commented. “Alright, let me explain. Nowadays, whenever one says ‘connection’, it meant sexual activity between partners, right?”

“You mean in the demon language, Sir Naru?”

“Right, in the demon language, that’s what I mean,” the lycanthrope lord continued. “But see, there was a time when the word ‘connection’ for us demons signifies a deeper relationship than mere sexual acts.”

“Oh…”

“And it was a time when demons still respect and cooperate with one another,” the Lady Nara added.

“Trust me, I’m a former scholar of language and literature in the Conclave,” the Lord Naru winked at me. “And my wife is a former teacher of mine.”

Now that makes sense, on why it’s fine for these people to have their daughter ‘connect’ with her teacher. Anyway, I asked, “So the original meaning of ‘connection’ for the demons is…?”

“It’s something akin to love, but not the kind of love that only leads to sexual activity. It’s the love that transcends physical relationship, even greater than emotional relations. Connection for the old demons meant you’re willing to trust your entire lives to each other, even without the romance.”

As I listened to the words of the Tambara lord, I couldn’t help but be dismayed. See, as a former language teacher, I believe that language was dynamic. I remember my college professor who taught us that it was ‘alive’. Why? Because language grows and evolves, he said. Just because a word meant something bad now, it would stay like that forever. Likewise, a supposedly ‘good’ or ‘neutral’ word could one day end up being despised.

Those ‘Cancel Culture’ people of my old world comes to mind. They try to ‘cancel’ every word they deem offensive, without even knowing its context. There was even an incident before in my country where they threatened to ‘cancel’ one of our provinces because of its ‘offensive’ name…which was already set since our colonial past. (1)

Anyway, the demon culture eventually bastardized the true meaning of ‘connection’ in their context. Honestly, when I came here, I never knew that word to have a beautiful original meaning, lost through generations. Hence, I mistook my student’s actions yesterday.

And come to think of it, the Lady Nara fueled the misunderstanding by her weird and confusing insinuations, even though she is aware of her daughter’s intentions.

“Human lord?” it was the Lord Naru’s voice, “You’ve been silent.”

“Eh, I’m just thinking of something.”

“About what?”

“Well, while we humans don’t use the word ‘connection’ to define a relationship that transcends sexual and physical love, we have our own term for it.”

“Interesting. May I know what is it, human lord?”

“In my world, we call them our ‘soulmates’.”

Author's Note:  (1) Yes, it really happened.  You see, in the Philippines, there's a pair of provinces named 'Negros Oriental/Occidental'.  When a local band decided to greet its residents on Twitter when they were about to visit those places, the 'cancel' warriors whipped up a controversy and demanded that our provinces' names be replaced.