Our Soul Nexus

Chapter Sixteen

Ayben didn't know what he would see when he closed his eyes. Knowing the witch had a sadistic nature, he expected more pain and some iteration of his worst fears all bundled up into a nightmare. He already started to mentally prepare for it. Sleep would be too much of a blessing and it would be easier to break free from such a state if slumber was all that had been cast.

Instead, this was a hallucinatory spell, trapping Ayben within the confines of his mind while his body remain paralysed. Essentially, this was a controlled dream state.

As Ayben's eyes settled closed, his mind opened into the scene he had waiting for him. Though it wasn't gory, cold, lonely or brutal like he had been fearing.

It was an open green field on a sunny day. He stood in the middle of a farm, the cute structure of a stone-built cottage in the distance with horses grazing on a bale of hay. He recognised the area as the outskirts of the Solar region, close to his home village, Ivalav. The air was warm, the sun gentle despite a cloud not in sight, and the smell of spring flowers wafted to his nose.

This was downright pleasant, blissful even. Ayben had expected torture, yet this was his hallucination? How could that be?

Beyond the knowledge of what happened moments prior, the scene felt extremely real. If Ayben didn't know better, he could swear he was right back home. Well...if he was back there...maybe he could look for someone to help him?

As he took as few steps, the feeling of uneven dirt and grass gave him an unsettling feeling. This place really did feel incredibly real.

"Heading off?" A voice called out to Ayben.

He turned around quickly, not expecting there to be someone nearby so soon. There was a person in the distance, leaning against the wooden fence of the field, possibly thirty meters away or so.

Call it the haze of his mind or perhaps the indecision of his heart, but though the person was strangely familiar, he couldn't discern a face or voice. Male, female, who knew? But at the time, it didn't seem unnatural. His mind wasn't registering that, only the fact he was exchanging words with someone he had a deep connection with.

Ayben smiled, feeling warm at the sight of this person. "Where would I be going?"

The person laughed, it was musical and smooth, it was like Ayben found his new favourite sound. They jumped over the fence and walked over to Ayben.

"Where indeed. You only come out here when something is bothering you." They pointed out, sauntering closer to Ayben.

Ayben felt his heart race a little. "Really?"

The person stopped. "Well, I wish you would instead come to me, but this field seems to draw you in better than I."

Ayben felt somewhat guilty hearing this. "That's not my intention. I just...ended up here."

The person chuckled. "I know. I'm only teasing you, my love."

Ayben felt his heart skip a beat and his breath hitch. Was this...Ayben's lover? As the idea crossed his mind, it felt accurate. The connection he could feel between himself and this person was genuine and true to his logic.

"What's wrong? You seem uneasy." They asked softly.

It probably showed on Ayben's face how shocked he was at his revelation, but he recovered with a smile. "I'm okay. I just...I feel like I've been here before."

The person was confused by his words. "Because you have. Are you sure you're alright? Come inside, let's eat something. I want to make sure you're not feeling unwell."

Ayben nodded involuntarily and his chest filled with warmth from the care of his partner. Though it still hadn't registered to Ayben that the appearance of said partner was blurred, it didn't matter.

In that moment, he felt like something that had been missing was finally returned to him. The person held out their hand to Ayben, and he took it without hesitation.

They walked slowly back toward the cottage, and Ayben enjoyed the softness of the hand that caressed his.

"Will you be returning to the capital today?" His partner asked.

Ayben shrugged. "Is it bad to say I don't want to leave?"

The person laughed, and it soothed Ayben's heart to hear it once more. "Well...I wouldn't be unhappy about it, but I think the King would have other feelings on the matter."

Ayben smiled softly. "What's the King matter to me when I'm all the way out here?"

The person didn't laugh this time, only squeezed the hand Ayben had given them. "I love you, but don't let the King down. You know how he is."

Ayben frowned. "Do I?"

They stopped walking and turned to Ayben. "Yes, you do. I normally find your coy attitude cute, but this is serious. The last time I held you back from the Capital they sent an entourage to collect you from me. I'd hate to see his Majesty's face should you fail to appear a second time."

Ayben sighed. "It's just...I feel like I only just got here. I don't want to leave you. I want...to know you."

"Ayben, you're not making sense. If you aren't feeling right then tell me, we can tell the King you've taken ill." They suggested.

Ayben smiled. "You know what? Yes. Send word to the capital that I'm sick as a dog. That I need to be kept under the watchful eye of my love. They wouldn't refuse a sick person's request, would they?"

This time, it was Ayben's lover who sighed. "You truly will be the death of me." But even with such a statement, they held onto Ayben. "Okay, I will do as you ask. However, should a doctor be sent, I won't be able to lie for you should you have no fever or illness."

Ayben chuckled. "That's okay, as long as you're here, I'll have all the care I need."

The person holding Ayben's hand suddenly moved closer and laughed as they spun Ayben in a hug. Ayben felt butterflies spark in his stomach as he melted into the embrace. He wrapped his arms around the person and found the beautiful sounds of laughter contagious.

As they came to a stop and parted, Ayben found his arms not leaving the arms of his lover. They placed a hand to Ayben's face and caressed his cheek.

"Such sweet flattery isn't needed, my love. I'll never leave your side. Not even death could steal me from you." They stated with absolute determination.

It made Ayben want to laugh and cry at the same time. "How is it possible I met such a beautiful soul?"

They pressed their face closer to Ayben's, speaking in a low whisper. "How is it you know exactly what I wish to say to you?"

Ayben couldn't help it. He closed the gap between their lips at long last, the warmth pouring over his being and softness weakening him all over. It was like he had evaporated into a cloud; how could this illusion of love feel so powerful? It was more powerful than any magic he could ever conjure.

With reluctance, the two parted. His lover spoke softly, keeping their face close to Ayben's. "I know you need to go, so I won't hold you for too much longer. Remember why you're here, Ayben. I can give you the strength to break free, but only for a moment."

Ayben's eyes widened in shock. "Y-you're right. But...how did you..."

They smiled at Ayben and stroked his hair. "I understand you far more than I know you, my love. Are you ready?"

Ayben honestly wasn't. He had been craving this affection for so long without even realising it, like an infection that spread until he couldn't ignore it anymore. He didn't want to leave now that he found his antidote.

The person seemed to understand. "I know. You'll see me again soon, though. Please, don't think of this as the end. This is only just our beginning."

It was so bitter-sweet. So hard to let go but so impossible to stay. With one final squeeze, Ayben let go of the hands that held his own.

And with the snap of his eyelids opening, Ayben was flung back into reality.