[Earlier in the pocket dimension...]
"Our souls will merge. I will be born as a new person. Maybe, that will break the bonds of soulmates."
"Don't you want to find your soulmate? Start over," XueYa wondered, the pain numbing as it spread through his veins like molten fire. His hands squeezed the sea serpent's thin, delicate fingers, trying his hardest to distract himself from the contractions.
The sky above was so clear, the shade of brilliant blue - but it comforted little.
"Hm, is all the suffering worth it?" Red eyes studied XueYa's teary visage, listening to the pain that shook the sorcerer's voice. "To get hurt again?"
"I-I won't let anyone hurt my baby," XueYa gritted through his teeth. 'Soulmate or not!"
"Hm." A smile quivered on the thin lips, the serpent's touch gentle as it held XueYa's hand. "I'll remember that, father."
***
[Present...]
