Kal was furiously hitting the training dummy with his sword, nervous about the situation in the capital and eager to release his powers soon to help his friends. With every blow, he felt his strength and technique improving, thanks to the firm tutelage of Orem. However, his spirit was still troubled. Stopping to rest a bit, Kal questioned Orem:

"Orem, it's been a week since I've felt that evil energy coming from the capital. What has Katara discovered about that strange artifact that monster used on me? Will I never be able to recover my gifts?"

Orem replied calmly:

"Have faith, Kal. Your determination to help others is already your greatest power. Katara is making progress, and I know she will soon unravel the secrets of that artefact. Your strength is increasing too. For now, focus on the training, continue improving your body and mind, so when the time comes, you'll be prepared."

Kal nodded, taking a deep breath. He knew that Orem was right, and that discouragement wouldn't help. He resumed the exercises with new motivation, determined not to give up. Meanwhile, in another part of the forest, Katara was delving into her old study books, hopeful of finding a vital clue.

Kal, Orem, and the warriors of the Fox Village were patrolling the outskirts of the village when Kal found a person lying in the forest. Kal immediately ran towards the young woman lying on the ground, ignoring Orem's cautious warnings. As he approached, he saw that she was a girl of the Kijin race, with long, dirty, and dull red hair. Her noble clothing was in tatters, and her face revealed many injuries.

"She needs our help!" - Exclaimed Kal, carefully picking up the girl.

Orem sighed, but could not repress the boy's innate goodness. Despite the risks, he believed piously in the purity of his purposes.

"Very well, take her with us. But stay alert" - warned the experienced master.

Back in the village, Kal laid the girl on a soft bed. The healers were prompt in their aid. While waiting for news, Kal told Orem how he had found her faint, and his premonition that this journey would surely bring them some greater lesson.

"I believe she needs our shelter for now. But soon we'll know what awaits us" - pondered Orem, trusting in Kal's determination to do good.

The girl woke up with the faces of Kal and Orem over her. When they asked who she was, she told them that her name was Kohaku and her origin was from Chimeria the city of demi-humans to the West of Alnuum. She explained that an unprecedented horde of the undead had attacked them, killing many. The leader ordered evacuation. She helped the people but ended up lost.

"Where was your people going?" - asked Kal.

"The leader wanted asylum among the elves of Elaria" - she replied, still weak.

At that moment, Katara entered:

"But Elaria is on the other side! How did you end up here?"

"I just ran, didn't look back" - said Kohaku.

Orem opined that the elves would hardly welcome others. It was when Kohaku revealed:

"Elaria would be just a passage. The goal is to find the Protector of the demi-humans."

"Protector?" - inquired Kal.

"There are legends of a divine beast in the mountains between Elaria and Leoria, that protects the demi-human tribes that live there. The mountains have never been conquered."

A heavy silence weighed in the air. Orem and Katara looked at each other, perhaps Kohaku knew something that could help them against the forces of evil. Could she be a clue to solving the mysteries that surrounded these turbulent times? Kohaku was weak, so Katara asked everyone to leave so she could rest. When they were alone, she asked:

"Why was your city attacked by the undead?"

Kohaku made a sad expression, as if remembering something terrible.

"The Emperor of Nannu was killed. His son took the throne, but he is not good like his father. The new Emperor uses dark magics to summon the undead and demons."

Katara's eyes widened, shocked. Kohaku continued:

"He sent the undead to march on the villages near the capital, devastating everything. He would raise the corpses. It was horrible!"

Understanding that this could make Kal want to return to the capital immediately, Katara asked Kohaku not to tell the silver-haired boy. But she insisted:

"Soon the dead will reach your village too. Be prepared for the worst!"

Katara made a somber expression and left, worried. Would this story bring new consequences for the modest Fox Village? Only time would tell.

Katara asked Kal to sit down while she tried to use a purification spell. Seeing him shirtless, she was surprised by his strong body despite his youth. Sitting face to face, she placed her hand on his chest, and even though she was a bit embarrassed, she was trying to concentrate her mana. However, nothing happened. Kal grew restless, eager to regain his gifts. Suddenly, Orem entered in a hurry, calling out:

"Scouts have found undead nearby."

Remembering Kohaku's words, Katara grew worried. Had the threat arrived? She watched Kal rush off, still shirtless, to defend the village with bravery even though he was stripped of his powers. His courage was his greatest weapon. Katara ran after him, fearful. Upon reaching the gates, they were met with the scene: only a few disoriented corpses ambled about. The guards already had them detained. Kal sighed with relief, but the danger would persist as long as evil was not stopped at its source. Darkness hung over the entire empire, and new challenges loomed for the young hero.

Suddenly, Katara came running from where Kohaku was resting, shouting that the girl had disappeared.

"If we don't catch up to her, she'll be killed by the undead!" Orem warned.

Kal took the lead:

"Let's go after her, let's bring her back!"

He, Orem, and some warriors began the search. After some time, they heard a scream in the distance. Kal ran towards it and found Kohaku surrounded by several undead. Soon Orem also arrived, and they began to fight, but Kal fought like an ordinary human, without his powers. Nevertheless, the undead were weak and slow, and were quickly defeated. Kohaku was in a state of panic and wouldn't stop screaming. When Kal touched her and said, "It's okay, you're safe now!", she felt a calming warmth. Exhausted, she fainted. They took her back to the village, where she could recover safely thanks to the hero's bravery.

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

After waking up, Kohaku still felt scared from the attack. Seeing Kal, she ran to embrace him, saying she wanted to feel that warmth that had calmed her again. Kal, embarrassed, tried to explain that he needed to train with Orem. But Kohaku refused to let him go.

"Please, stay with me. Only you make me feel safe," she said, looking up at him with puppy-dog eyes.

Katara watched everything, feeling a twinge of jealousy sprout in her chest. She hadn't imagined feeling this way about sharing Kal's attention with another girl. Determined to find a solution, she dived more deeply into her studies, looking for something about the strange finger that had sealed Kal's powers. Meanwhile, Kohaku continued to cling to Kal. Orem told them to focus on the fighting, but the young hero pitied the girl's feelings. Finally, Katara exploded:

"Kal needs to train! Let go of him right now, Kohaku!"

"But I feel protected with him!" the redhead retorted, nervously.

"Kal is not a teddy bear, he's a warrior!"

Orem had to intervene to calm the tempers of the girls. Kohaku, reluctantly, let go of Kal, who went to train, relieved. Shortly after, Katara was reflecting on Kohaku's words when she realized something important. She sought out the girl and asked:

"You said you felt safe when Kal touched you in the forest. Why?"

Kohaku blushed slightly before answering:

"When he placed his hand on my shoulder, a comforting warmth spread through my body. All fears and problems seemed to have disappeared. I felt a peace that transcended any pain at that moment."

Katara thought hard about her words. She remembered how Kal's touches always conveyed comfort. Then it dawned on her:

"Kal's healing and soothing powers are still there, trapped inside him! Perhaps unlocking them isn't as difficult as we thought."

She ran to the training ground where Kal and Orem were sparring hard. She shared her discovery:

"If Kohaku felt Kal's energy without him realizing it, that means the key to unlocking it is simpler than we imagined!"

Orem smiled, proud of Kal. Kal himself felt hopeful, but he didn't distract himself from the goal of becoming stronger. The upcoming battles would be decisive in freeing the kingdom from darkness. It was night when Kal went out to admire the moon and the stars, reflecting on his challenges as a hero. Before long, Kohaku joined him, sitting silently by his side. After a few moments, she began to tell her story with sadness:

"My father was Hideo, the leader of Chimeria. I saw with my own eyes when he died trying to save our people. My brother led the escape, until I realized that my mother had gone back looking for dad. I ran after her and... I saw when she, too, was killed."

Kohaku whimpered, being comforted by Kal.

"It was horrible. The undead attacked me, but I managed to escape. Then you found me in the forest and saved me twice. I can never thank you enough!"

Awkwardly, Kal just smiled tenderly. At that moment, Kohaku turned and placed a kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you for everything you've done for me, Kal."

Inside the temple, Katara witnessed the scene with a mixture of jealousy and disbelief. Would Kohaku's feelings for Kal only bring more problems ahead?

At dawn, three men arrived at the gates of Fox Village on horseback. Orem and Kal prepared for battle, but one of them dismounted his horse and removed his hood - it was a tall kijin with red hair and horns.

"Brother!" - Kohaku shouted when she saw him, running for an emotional hug.

"Why did you come back?!" - asked the kijin, crying with joy.

"I came back for mom, but I was attacked. Kal and these people saved me twice!" - said Kohaku through tears.

The brother turned to Orem and Kal, bowing:

"I am Honomaru, leader of the nomadic people of Chimeria. Eternal gratitude for protecting my sister!"

Kal returned the gesture with a tender smile, relieved that Kohaku had found her family again.

"Stay with us as long as you need," - offered Katara, compassionately.

In the temple, during the meal, Honomaru told them that the elves did not allow passage through the territory of Elaria. His people were lodged on the border, waiting for the elven king's compassion.

"He has blocked the lands for a long time, due to the wars of the westerners," - he said.

Kohaku became desperate:

"If they don't let us pass, we will be a target for the undead!"

Kal asked:

"Those dead, were they controlled by a necromancer?"

Honomaru began to answer, but Katara quickly interrupted him, so Kal would not hear the truth. She offered shelter to the people, but Honomaru preferred to wait for elven mercy. Orem watched in silence. Would the threats of the new Emperor soon cross the borders of Fox Village? And what is the secret behind what happened with Kal's powers? Meanwhile, darkness spread. Katara feared that revealing too much could lead Kal to rush into seeking revenge, before being truly ready.

While they were eating, the scouts spotted a larger group of undead approaching. Kal and Orem left for battle, but Honomaru offered help as a sign of gratitude. They mounted their horses and galloped to the location. There they found a large detachment of zombies. Kal and Orem fought bravely, while Honomaru unsheathed his katana with skill, eliminating the rest of the enemies on his own. Impressed, Orem asked:

"You are so strong. Why didn't you protect your city?"

Honomaru responded with sorrow:

"The monsters that attacked Chimeria were not mere zombies like these. They were numerous and furious ghouls. Not even I could face them alone."

The corpses began to pile up. But shadows still loomed over the kingdom, threatening to bring even more terrible creatures. Would the hero Kal be ready for such a challenge? His destiny was approaching with large strides. A decisive battle was looming, one that could seal the future of those lands. Would the companions follow together on this journey towards the final liberation?

When they returned to Fox Village, Kohaku ran to hug Kal again, saying:

"It must be exciting to fight by your side! I want to go with you next time."

Honomaru frowned, disapproval.

"Kohaku, it's too dangerous. You must stay here safely," - he replied seriously.

"But brother, I want to help!" - The young kijin complained.

Meanwhile, Katara approached Kal, clearing her throat to get his attention.

"I need your help to organize some medicinal herbs," - she said, pulling him away.

Kohaku seemed to sadden, still in Kal's arms.

"We need to teach limits to my sister," - the warrior muttered.

At that moment, the scouts arrived shouting that they had spotted enemies approaching again. Honomaru left Kohaku to depart, but she followed, indignant:

"I will help this time, whether you want it or not!"

Katara and Kal could only sigh, following yet another commotion. At least, it would help them to unwind from the severe threats that loomed over everyone. The scouts spotted three monstrous ghouls approaching the village. Kal, Orem, Honomaru, and Kohaku immediately set off to meet them. One of the ghouls lunged at Kal, attacking him fiercely. Without his powers, Kal fought with all his courage, dodging and counterattacking. The monster was very strong, but the hero did not give up.

Orem faced another ghoul with his dexterity and refined technique. They exchanged violent blows under the watchful eyes of the scouts. Honomaru wielded his katana with mastery, cutting off limbs of the third enemy. Blood spurted, but the monster continued to stand. Kohaku cast fireballs, burning the flesh of the ghoul, but without being able to defeat it. At that moment, warriors from Fox Village emerged to help. Seizing an opening, Kal struck a precise blow, bringing down his opponent. After a long battle, they achieved victory, but exhausted. The ghouls were fearsome enemies. They realized that they would need all their strength and cunning to protect the innocents from the threat that spread throughout the kingdom.

The time of farewell had arrived. Honomaru, Kohaku, and the two warriors prepared to depart for the elven border. Kohaku hugged Kal with tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry I have to go. Promise to take good care of yourself," - she said.

Then, she placed a tender kiss on his cheek, to the discomfort of Honomaru and Katara. Honomaru approached Kal and Orem.

"Eternal gratitude for what you have done for my sister and my people. I wish you luck in your fight against the darkness."

Kal smiled, but deep down he felt apprehension. Without his powers, how would he face such powerful enemies? Kohaku mounted her horse, still looking back.

"See you soon, friends! I hope that our destinies cross again in better days."

She waved one last time before marching off with her entourage. The residents of Fox Village thanked the exiles for their visit and wished them protection for the continuation of their journeys. The future remained uncertain, under the threat of the darkness that plagued the kingdom.