Chapter 61 — Breath of the Earth
S.C. 1510 — Early September
Foosha Village – Abandoned Shed Behind the Bar
Ren took a slow breath as he stared into the pit.
Yesterday's collapse still lingered in his mind — the taste of dust, the sudden darkness, the panic. He stood at the edge now, hesitating.
Zemo nudged his ankle with his nose.
"…I know," Ren whispered. "We have to keep going."
He climbed down the wooden crate ladder carefully. Zemo stayed above, alert as always.
The underground room, barely the size of two closets, felt silent and heavy. The air had a faint earthy smell, mixed with clay and pine roots. The walls were holding. The roots Ren installed yesterday looked strong.
But the air—
It was… thin.
Ren inhaled through his nose.
His chest didn't expand fully.
"Ventilation…" he murmured. "We need airflow."
He crouched, examining the corners carefully. Underground spaces could become deadly if stale air pooled. Even a slight buildup of carbon dioxide could make him dizzy.
He wasn't afraid of hard work, but he didn't want to die because he forgot to breathe.
Zemo let out a low, questioning growl from above.
"I'm fine," Ren called up. "Just thinking."
---
The Air Problem
Ren sat on the packed dirt floor, tapping a finger on his knee.
Clay sealed the walls well. Roots reinforced them well.
But all of it trapped the air too perfectly.
"One entry point," Ren muttered. "One exit… none."
A single hole wasn't enough. Even with a ladder space, air moved very slowly.
He needed a proper ventilation system.
But he couldn't start hammering pipes — it would be too loud and too obvious.
He closed his eyes, letting his mind sink into problem-solving mode.
Air wants to move from high pressure to low pressure… Warm air rises… Cold air sinks…
If I create two shafts at different heights… Even small ones… I can create natural circulation.
His eyes snapped open.
"Yes. A passive ventilation system. No tools. No noise."
Zemo barked in agreement—
—then almost fell into the pit trying to peek down.
Ren sighed.
"I know you're excited, but maybe don't die the same week I almost did."
Zemo sneezed at him.
---
Forest Walk — Searching for the Right Spot
Ren and Zemo entered the forest behind the village, walking deeper than usual. Tall trees arched overhead, filtering sunlight into shifting patterns on the soil.
Ren stopped at one point and pressed a hand to a tree trunk.
"This one…"
The roots were thick, rising slightly above ground before diving deep. Perfect for hiding a vertical shaft.
He knelt and began digging carefully around the root base. Zemo dug alongside him, but Ren tapped his head.
"No, small. Only small hole. We can't let the tree fall."
Zemo narrowed his eyes, offended, but obeyed.
Soon, Ren found a narrow space between roots that led downward.
If he connected this to the underground pit…
It would become the exhaust vent.
Hot air rises → hot air escapes → fresh air pulled in from ladder opening.
Perfect.
Ren exhaled softly.
"Okay. Let's start."
---
The Hidden Shaft
It took nearly an hour of cautious digging, removing small amounts of soil so the outer forest ground wouldn't suddenly sink.
Once the hole was deep enough, Ren crawled into the shed and began digging toward the tree root tunnel from the underground room.
The sound of digging was soft, muffled. Any villager nearby would think it was just wind or a stray animal.
Zemo guarded the entrance the entire time, lying flat with ears twitching in all directions.
Ren's hands ached. His shoulders burned. His nails were packed with dirt.
But at last—
crkkk… phff…
A small burst of cooler forest air entered the underground room.
A breeze.
Ren grinned.
"It works."
He placed a woven grass mesh at the tunnel opening to prevent insects and small animals from entering. Then he packed the outer soil tightly to hide any sign of disturbance.
---
First Breath of Clean Air
Ren climbed out of the pit and sat on the shed floor, back against the wall. A cool wind brushed his cheeks.
Zemo padded over and curled against his leg.
"…This was a good idea," Ren whispered.
He closed his eyes.
The forest breeze carried faint scents—damp leaves, pine resin, distant seawater. The underground lab felt safer. Calmer. More alive.
He could breathe easier now.
And with ventilation solved, the lab could finally expand deeper.
---
But then—
A sudden rustling came from deeper in the forest.
Zemo's ears shot up.
Ren stiffened.
Not a villager.
Not a small animal.
Something heavier.
Something moving with quiet intent.
Zemo growled softly, almost silent.
Ren whispered:
"…Tomorrow we reinforce the entrance."
He didn't say what they both knew:
The forest was watching.
Something out there was watching them.
And Ren's underground sanctuary—
his first step toward the future—
needed to survive whatever waited in those shadows.
---
End of Chapter 61