Oath [BL; Book 2]

1

Golden eyes opened, a gasp into life as he awoke. Glossy, tear filled, a longing, neigh, a yearning for the sweet dream. "Traveler?" Paimon flew over quickly. Aether looked at her and stared confused. The dream felt so far, grasping but untouchable.

"What.."

"You're finally awake. Took you long enough." A sarcastic voice said making Aether look. It was none other than Wanderer. Standing beside the bed he had his arms crossed. "You've been out for some time."

"No-I-? What? I was..." he touched his stomach and felt nothing, he immediately realized and suddenly a sorrow washed over him. "Uhh.." Aether sniffled covering his face.

This alarmed Wanderer who had yet to see such a vulnerable side of the almighty hero many spoke tales of. However, instead of giving words of comfort he asked, "Why are you crying?" This question came out lightly, and strangely enough he felt a need to know the answer.

Aether wiped his tears as Paimon tried to help when he sat up, answering for him was a familiar voice. "I'm afraid it's as you realize." Nahida entered the room with Cyno behind her. Looking at her the three waited for her to continue speaking and with their attention she did. "You've just woken up from a nice long dream."

Hearing it didn't make him feel any better, Cyno provided tissue accepting the fact that Aether too was only human. His emotions could not be hidden even in such dire times. "So it.. was all just a dream?" Frowning deeply he felt hurt and had to ask, "Did you.. put me to sleep?"

"Although I do have the senory ability to do so, no, I wasn't the reason you fell into a deep slumber." She shook her head, "On the contrary, I am the reason you're awake now." She saw the look on his face, pained and unmotivated, "... Was the dream you were having.. pleasant enough to not wake from?"

Aether sighed knowing what she meant, and he gave an honest nod. "It felt so real." But then he smiled and said, "It was.. a sweet dream."

"Most dreams are paradise." She nodded approving of his honesty. "Could we have a moment please." She said to the others. Cyno gave a nod leaving first. Wanderer sighed quietly and left second.

Nahida looked at Paimon who was then shocked, "Paimon too?!"

"Please, it's best Traveler and I speak personally." She insisted.

Paimon looked back and forth from them, then gave in seeing Aether chuckled. "Oh, o-ok. Paimon will wait outside Traveler."

"Thanks Paimon." He smiled hoping she would buy the lie that he was alright. When she left the room, they remained silent for a moment. He knew Nahida was being polite and letting him ponder his thought. Appreciating the gesture he smiled to her getting himself together. Finally asking, "What happened to me?"

Nahida returned the smile for a moment then got down to business and responded. "You came into contact with an ancient relic known as a Stellys." She brought out the relic, the very same item from his dream, but this one was dull and held no light within. "I'm sure you know it from your dream, yes?"

"Yeah.." he took it as she held it to him, "It... was the reason why..." he frowned.

"Yes, the dream you had was a fantasy stemming from your deepest desires. For some reason, this Stellys held a power similar to my own, with a newly found ability."

"And what is that? False advertisement?" He sighed giving it back. "It lied."

"Yes," she agreed with both his comments, "the Stellys was able to dive into your subconscious and bring forth your wishes into a dream you fancied." Nahida explained. "Along with that it was a near perfect trap, had you stayed in this hibernating slumber, it was likely you would get stuck in your own.. dream."