A couple of hours had passed since the events at the hospital. Courage and his family were back home. During their time at the hospital, Courage’s siblings had been taken care of by the neighbors, as their mother had asked them to look after the children while she was away.

Courage sat in his room on his bed, staring blankly at the floor. He was drained—emotionally, physically, and mentally—unable to even shed a tear. His mind felt empty, and he didn’t know what to think or feel anymore. He could only sit there in silence.

The door creaked open, and Ruby, his little brother, peeked inside. He had a deeply saddened look on his face. “Hey, Courage… it’s already past dinner time. Why don’t you come down and eat something? You must be hungry.”

Courage didn’t reply. Ruby’s expression faltered, his sadness deepening. He wanted to say something to make his brother feel better but didn’t know what. Just then, their mother appeared behind Ruby, gently pulling him back. She whispered, “Ruby, dear, your brother’s had a long day. Let him rest for now.”

Ruby gave a reluctant nod and went downstairs. Their mother slowly stepped into the room, closing the door behind her. She sat down beside Courage, placing her hand gently on his head and smoothing his hair. “Hey, baby. How are you feeling?”

Still, there was no response. She sat quietly beside him for nearly half an hour, waiting. Finally, Courage spoke in a weak voice. “Mom… can I ask you something?”

His mother’s heart lifted at the sound of his voice. She quickly replied, “Of course, honey. Anything.”

“Why did you and Dad separate?” Courage’s question caught her by surprise. She hesitated, unsure of how to answer. She didn’t often speak about his father, and when she did, it was usually bitter. But after a moment, she decided to respond.

“Courage... when I first met your father, he was very different. Back then, he was full of spirit, always talking about his dreams and ambitions. He’d joke around and mess with people, but when the time came, he was always the most reliable person. One day, he asked me out on a date. At first, I didn’t pay much attention to him. But no matter how many times I rejected him or how much my family disapproved, he kept saying he’d improve himself until he was worthy of me. At first, I thought he was just stubborn, but over time, I started to like him. Eventually, I gave him a chance, and that fondness turned into love—love for his spirit, his hard work, and his determination.”

She paused, her face softening as memories resurfaced. “We got married, and we were so happy back then. But as time went on, something changed. The man I loved started to fade. His fiery spirit dimmed, and he became distant, closed off. I tried to reach him, to understand what was happening, but he wouldn’t let me. He seemed obsessed with something, something I couldn’t grasp. When I found out I was pregnant with you, I thought that it would bring him back to us, that it would snap him out of whatever was consuming him. But when he found out, he snapped. He yelled at me, saying, ‘What have you done?’”

Her voice cracked as she continued, her eyes welling up. “Hearing the man I once loved yell at me like that—it was the final straw. I tried, Courage, I really did, but after that, your father was gone for me. We broke up, and although he tried to reconnect with us later, I couldn’t bring myself to let him back in. I was too hurt. We reached an agreement that he could meet you on certain occasions, but that was it. And after that I married Dorsen, not only because he helped me fill the void your father left but also because I wanted you to have a stable father figure in your life. And after a few years, your siblings were born.”

Courage absorbed his mother’s words, a heavy silence settling in the room. He could now understand how his father’s story and his mother’s version aligned. If what she said was true, then perhaps the other things his father had told him were also true. But as he thought about it, doubt crept in. He had grown up believing he was an unwanted son, and his father’s sudden confession of love had felt foreign to him. The idea of a curse—could it really be the cause of his father’s downfall? Could it be the same fate awaiting him?

Amber noticed the troubled look on her son’s face. “Courage… is something wrong?”

Courage took a deep breath. “Well… there’s something my father told me before he died. I think you should know.” He then recounted the strange, mysterious tale his father had shared with him on his deathbed. He spoke of the curse, of the bloodline, and of the struggles ahead.

By the end of his story, his mother was speechless, just as he had been when he first heard it. She didn’t know what to make of it all. It was too much to process, too much to believe. But deep down, she couldn’t help but wonder: if there was any truth to it, could it explain what happened to her ex-husband?

As her thoughts raced, Courage struggled with his own fears. If the curse was real, then his path as a beast tamer seemed bleak. The more he thought about it, the more uncertain he became. Was this really his dream, his ambition? Or was it the curse, luring him down the same dark road that had doomed his father? Anxiety and fear gripped his heart.

Amber, sensing his distress, reached out instinctively. She didn’t want to see her son spiral further into despair. So, she patted his head gently and began recalling a story. “Courage, do you know why I named your siblings the way I did?”

Courage blinked in surprise. “Yeah, I know. It’s because of their eye colors, right?”

“Exactly,” she said with a soft smile. “But do you know why I named you ‘Courage’?”

Courage’s eyes widened slightly. “No… I don’t.”

“Well,” she began, “when you were born, you were so small—smaller than a loaf of bread. I couldn’t stop thinking about how tiny you were and how big this world was. It was overwhelming for someone so small. I thought about how scary the world could be for you, so I named you Courage. I wanted you to grow up with the strength to face whatever challenges life would throw at you, to find the courage to make your way in this vast world.”

Courage’s heart skipped a beat as he took in his mother’s words. His name—something he’d often been teased about—held so much more meaning than he had ever realized. It was a name full of hope, a wish for him to rise above the difficulties in his life. A sense of warmth and determination began to stir inside him, like a fire rekindling in his chest. He could feel a new resolve growing within him, stronger than any fear or doubt. This desire to chase his ambition—no matter how difficult the path ahead would be—was his, and his alone.

Tears welled up in Courage’s eyes, but before he could cry, his mother pulled him into a tight, comforting hug.

And so, one of the hardest days of Courage’s life came to an end. Unbeknownst to him, something deep inside had changed.

The next day, the awakening ceremony had arrived. At the foot of a mountain, large crowds had gathered—children chosen for this year’s awakening and their families, all excited for this important moment. The air buzzed with anticipation, filled with loud cheers, nervous whispers, and quiet prayers of good luck.

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After a brief wait, a grey-haired, middle-aged man wearing traditional robes stepped onto a large platform. It was the mayor, here to give the opening speech. He grabbed a speaker and, with a voice full of authority, addressed the crowd. “Greetings, citizens of Blue Orchid Garrison. Today, we plant the seeds for our future, putting our sons and daughters to the test to receive the greatest gift of our world.”

He paused for effect before continuing, “And now, without further ado, let the ceremony begin.”

The children were ushered forward by their instructors to begin their ascent up the mountain. After a brief walk, they arrived at a spring—one of great significance. This was Blue Orchid’s spirit spring, a crucial resource for any garrison that wished to awaken beast tamers. Every garrison, no matter how small, would have at least one.

The children stood at the edge of the spring, their instructors behind them. Families watched from distant platforms, as only the chosen children and special personnel were allowed near the sacred water.

One of the instructors addressed the group. “Alright, listen up. You all know that spirit energy is the power generated by all living beings. It can condense and gather, as it does in this spring. Today, we’re going to direct a controlled wave of spirit energy toward you. Your bodies will think they are under attack and will instinctively trap the spirit energy inside you as a defense mechanism. This is how you will awaken your totem, the sign of a successful awakening.”

The children nodded in understanding, including Courage, who stood with his siblings nearby.

The instructor continued, “Once you enter the spring, you’ll feel strange. Don’t resist it—let the energy wash over you. We’ll observe from afar and tell you when to retreat. If necessary, we’ll pull you out. Now, step into the spring when you’re ready.”

A moment of quiet tension followed, with the children hesitant to step in. But finally, one child bravely waded into the water, and others followed suit. Courage, with his siblings close by, was among them.

As Courage stepped into the spring, he immediately felt a strange heat envelop his body. At first, it was warm, like a blanket. But as time passed, it grew unbearable, almost as if he were standing in a sauna. The heat surged, seeping into his body, threatening to overwhelm him.

But then, something strange happened. Cool energy began to emanate from his body, like steam. This cold energy seeped inward, gathering in his torso. It began to condense into a sphere that radiated a refreshing cold, pushing the heat back out. Courage instinctively focused on the sphere, and as he did, the energy grew stronger.

From an outside perspective, it looked as though a light was radiating from the center of his body, and Courage stood motionless, caught in a trance-like state. The sphere of light grew brighter until, with a final burst, it exploded in a blinding flash.

When the light faded, Courage felt a sensory overload—new sensations flooded him. And within him, something stirred—something powerful, desperate to emerge. Without thinking, he followed that pull, and from the glowing sphere in his chest, a figure emerged.

A semi-transparent, white rhinoceros beetle, made of light, appeared before him. This was Courage’s totem, the proof that he had awakened as a beast tamer

The observers on the distant platforms were murmuring as they took note of the children’s progress. Their voices, though distant, reached Courage’s ears clearly, and he could hear the rising excitement in their tone. "Look at them. The children—such high aptitude this year."

Courage, still lost in his trance-like state, turned his head as he saw his younger siblings entering the spring one by one. Opal, Besmouth, and the twins, Ruby and Sapphire, were stepping into the water with the same hesitant steps Courage had taken earlier. But as soon as they did, the atmosphere around them seemed to change.

First, it was Opal, who stepped forward. She hesitated for only a moment before the water around her began to glow. The pool shimmered beneath her feet, as though the very essence of the spring was responding to her. Courage watched in awe as a majestic, ethereal sea horse began to materialize beside her. Its body was composed of shining, translucent light, and its flowing mane seemed to ripple as if it were part of the water itself. The onlookers gasped in admiration.

“That’s… that’s a high-tier totem!” one observer exclaimed. “The sea horse is rare and difficult to awaken. It’s a symbol of great strength and grace.”

Courage’s heart swelled with pride for his younger sister. He could see the determination in her eyes as she stood before the shimmering creature, the sea horse turning its head to acknowledge her with a gentle whinny, its eyes sparkling with intelligence.

Next was Besmouth, stepping forward with an air of confidence. As soon as he entered the spring, the water around him flared brightly, and a brilliant, silver falcon took shape beside him. The bird's wings stretched out wide, shimmering like polished metal, its eyes gleaming with an almost regal intensity. The falcon’s cry pierced the air, and the crowd's reaction was immediate.

“Unbelievable! A silver falcon! This child’s aptitude is unparalleled!” another observer remarked, his voice full of awe.

Courage couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy. Besmouth had always been quick to show his abilities, and this totem was a true testament to that. The falcon hovered gracefully beside Besmouth, its wings cutting through the air in smooth, controlled motions, as if it had always been his companion.

Then came Ruby and Sapphire. The twins, always so close to each other, stepped into the spring at the same time. As they did, the water around them began to churn with energy. Ruby’s eyes sparkled with excitement as an energetic, vibrant ferret appeared in front of him. The ferret was small and quick, darting around Ruby’s feet in a blur of light. Its fur shimmered with golden hues, and its eyes gleamed with a mischievous intelligence, a perfect match for Ruby’s playful and eager nature.

“That’s a ferret totem… an excellent sign of agility and speed!” an observer shouted.

The crowd murmured in approval, but it was time for Sapphire to steal the show. As she stood still, an enchanting owl materialized beside her. The owl’s feathers glowed with a soft, ethereal light, and its large eyes held a sense of ancient wisdom and grace. It perched beside Sapphire, its wings unfurled in a quiet, majestic display. The owl’s wings shimmered like moonlight, and its eyes locked onto Sapphire’s, a silent connection forming between them.

“What a beautiful owl,” an elder remarked. “Her aptitude is extraordinary. The owl represents wisdom, perception, and subtlety—traits that will serve her well.”

The glowing totems surrounding the twins, as well as Opal and Besmouth, were so bright that they lit up the entire pool, casting long, sparkling reflections across the water. Courage stood in awe, his heart swelling with pride and a twinge of confusion. How was it possible for all of them to awaken such powerful totems? He had barely even processed the awakening of his own totem when their lights seemed to outshine his in every way.

The energy around him was so overwhelming now that he could no longer ignore it. The instructor's voice cut through his thoughts, calling out to him from the platform. “Courage, it’s time to leave the spring! The awakening process is complete.”

But Courage didn’t move. He watched his siblings, transfixed by the beauty and power of their totems. Opal, Besmouth, Ruby, and Sapphire stood with their totems , each of them glowing with an aura that seemed to make them shine brighter than the rest. This was a moment he would never forget.

Courage was still standing in the spring, The light around him had already faded, and in its place, a new, silent understanding settled deep within him. He could feel the weight of the spirit energy, and his totem—his semi-transparent white rhinoceros beetle—floated beside him, shimmering in the light.

It wasn’t much. It wasn’t grand or majestic like the others. He had seen Opal’s sea horse, Besmouth’s silver falcon, and Ruby and Sapphire’s energetic ferret and enchanting owl. Their totems radiated power and beauty, making Courage feel smaller and more insignificant in comparison. His beetle was simple, its form faint and delicate, barely noticeable next to the shimmering brilliance of his siblings’ awakenings.

As the last of the energy left him, Courage slowly stepped out of the pool, his legs heavy from the intensity of the experience. He tried to keep his head high, but doubt and disappointment clouded his heart. He glanced at his siblings, who stood proudly with their radiant totems. The crowd was cheering, their applause echoing through the air, but Courage barely noticed. His gaze was locked on his own totem, still floating quietly beside him.

Courage felt small, unnoticed in the background. His beetle—so plain and simple—seemed to disappear under the glow of his siblings’ totems. He couldn’t help but feel a surge of disappointment. Why did his totem feel so… inadequate?

His gaze drifted to his siblings, who were still surrounded by their radiant totems.

Opal’s sea horse shimmered brightly, its form majestic as it danced through the air. “That’s my girl! Look at you, Opal!” Amber’s voice rang out in the background, filled with pride.

Besmouth’s silver falcon soared high above him, its wings glowing as the crowd watched in awe. “Besmouth, that’s incredible!” Amber cheered again, her tone full of admiration.

Ruby’s ferret darted around him with boundless energy, a blur of motion as it bounded about. “Good job, Ruby! You’re amazing!” Amber called out joyfully, her voice overflowing with love.

Sapphire’s owl perched gracefully at her side, glowing with an otherworldly aura. “My sweet Sapphire, you did it!” Amber cried out, her voice thick with emotion.

Courage couldn’t help but look at his siblings, feeling a quiet heaviness settle over him. His beetle, still floating beside him, seemed almost insignificant in comparison to the radiant displays around him. He felt a pang in his chest, but before he could dwell on it, an instructor, a tall man with graying hair, approached him.

“Courage,” the instructor began gently, noticing the quiet look on the boy’s face. “I see that you're taking everything in. It’s natural to compare yourself to others, but remember, your totem is your own. It is as unique as you are.”

Courage looked up at the instructor, uncertain. The man placed a hand on his shoulder, his voice warm and encouraging. “The key is to accept your totem for what it is. It may seem simple, but it is yours—something no one else will ever have. The bond you form with it is what truly matters. Your totem is a part of you, and only you will ever know its true potential.”

He paused, giving Courage a moment to absorb the words. “Don’t compare it to anyone else’s, because it is yours alone. Embrace it. Focus on nurturing that connection. Your path is yours to walk, Courage. No one else’s journey can be yours.”

The words seemed to settle over Courage like a gentle wave. His totem wasn’t meant to look like anyone else’s, and it wasn’t about how big or flashy it was. It was his. And that alone made it special.

In the distance, Courage heard his mother’s voice ring out once more, filled with pride. “Courage! You’ve done great, honey!” Amber’s words washed over him, offering a sense of warmth and reassurance.

Courage turned toward his mother’s voice, feeling a rush of affection and pride welling up inside him. The crowd’s cheers continued, but this time, they didn’t feel so distant. He realized that the glow of his beetle—small as it was—was something uniquely his, And With the instructor’s words echoing in his mind, Courage looked down at his totem again. It may not be grand, but it was his. And that was enough.