Reigner couldn't feel anything coming out from Paula. She was petrified, turned into a stone that was like any normal statue from his world. Lack of life force and her metal aura caused his face to get washed by the sorrow.
Aghast by that, he did his best to crawl to her. With all the wounds and blood gushing out, it was way too hard, but Reigner's hands continued to pull his body forward. As the distance between them got painted by the red trail, Reigner finally could touch the stone statue.
The question was such then.
Why?
Why did Paula turn into the stone? At first, Reigner believed that reason for the divine child turning into stone was his misuse of energy in the soul form. The soul should be way fragile without the body and more vulnerable toward such phenomenons.
However, the vast worlds and knowledge of Nightmare suddenly ping Reigner's mind, showering him with the knowledge. He had experienced a lot of years thanks to the reincarnation, but a facing princess in such a state forced Reigner to forget about everything as the memories of his time with her took the control.
In such memories, Nightmare and Reigner were the enemies, so it was obvious that he would consciously disregard these memories. It is kinda interesting how one can do it. The reincarnation concept is surely mysterious and unfathomable.
It's not so easy to remember about one's past after all!
"Seven Divine Worlds... Yhwoa World..."
Nightmare knew the divine worlds because his creator had aimed to become part of one of those. She discarded her faults to become and to join the divine winged races, however, Nightmare's knowledge stopped at that.
He had no way of learning more about them nor he cared.
The knowledge he had was related to the names, numbers, and common traits. The Yhwoa World had divine snakes race with the royalties known to wield the 'Medusa' surname. Back then, Nightmare asked about this surname, but Reigner was completely oblivious to it.
Surname is a surname.
He didn't choose it.
It is fair to assume that it is just a mere coincidence then.
But what if not?
However, Nightmare's past had assimilated with Reigner, so there wasn't any secret! He also knew that Yhwoa World is full of women without even one male 'snake' in their ranks. This is a divine world whose common trait is exactly that.
So it was yet again another reason for Nightmare to discard the possibility of the connection between Reigner and them.
Still.
What if?
"If it's my fault... then just melt... and come back... That's my wish."
The pain from all the wounds was increasing with each second, assailing Reigner's mind as well. He barely stood up and if not the support of Paula's stone form, then Reigner surely would've fallen already.
He hugged her deeply, then wished for the stone layer to just crumble.
However, nothing was happening at all. Despite Reigner hugging Paula tightly, despite all his cries, the stone didn't even tremble and stood still as if a permanent state was inevitable.
"Paula... I am from the earth... that world hope's land..."
Reigner's eyes narrowed so much it was evident how much will power was needed to keep him conscious. He felt like he would lose a precious chance if he just lost consciousness here. That's why he began whispering to Paula's ear about everything he had gone through.
He didn't mind exposing his origins and how peaceful his life had been. The disgust he had spit out at Nightmare was calmly explained for Paula, then his will to make her stronger in this world was also revealed.
Because he knew that he can not take her with himself, Reigner hoped for Paula to get stronger and begin a new life with happiness despite her blindness and gentle disposition.
"Who have I been lying to? I want to keep you by my side... Be constantly devoured by your dreams..."
Reigner made a pitiful smile, then tears began flowing down his cheeks as he realized that Paula's impact has been deeper than he possibly imagined. Maybe if the things went differently, then he would realize it at the end of his journey here causing him to commit a stupid decision.
In this case, isn't it better that he realized it now?
The tears of medusa then trickled down onto Paula's stone body. As the lady who had evoked the dreams of medusa, Paula's fate has undergone a massive change that relied on Reigner for now. Her body resonated with the tears of her husband, then cracks began spreading throughout her whole form.
At first, Reigner became scared, but his instincts told him that everything is fine a few seconds later. His palpitating heart returned to normal, then his eyes closed as he went for the rest he deserved. No longer in the black room, Reigner truly went asleep within the lady's embrace.
"You can't even imagine how happy I am, Reigner..."
Her life has changed way too much in a good way.
Paula's soft stroking just prolonged the slumber of her husband!
-
Within a dream, Reigner found himself in a jungle.
It was a jungle with a unique scent that left a sweet taste within Reigner's body. As the slight breeze passed through him, Reigner felt as if his soul rejoiced. His eyes were also slightly blinded at first as the jungle was looking as if someone had spilled out milk here.
In a nutshell, it was so white and tasty looking it was odd.
Still, a small snake was looking at him.
Its beautiful jewels had told him that it is a 'lady'. This very lady likewise rejoiced while looking at Reigner, then her body slithered around. She sprang forth in a next move, leading Reigner somewhere.
In this deciduous forest full of milky trees, Reigner did his best to follow as he fought every struggle on the way. Unlike the small snake that was slithering and gluing to the obstacles, Reigner had to pull the vines, climb some stones, etc.
Everything was still looking milky and nice to touch.
Then, his eyes went wide.
There was a black hole.
The sight of this black hole could be described with Reigner's most favorite world, but overall, it was a horrendous sight as it was not only disturbing the beauty of this forest but also sucking off the energies that made Reigner's soul feel nice.
He felt offended by that black hole as well.
As if feeling his emotions, the small snake nodded, then it began growing up in a size. It was going growing up so fast as if coming back to the 'true form'. However, before the snake took the true form, Reigner's vision blackened and he ended up the dream.
It was the first time for him to end the dream in such a way.
In its place, the sight of Paula's face appeared.
"I want to go home."
"Yes. I want to go with you, Reigner."
The memories of the battle with Nightmare then ensued.
'Do you think power from the low world that needs world hope can threaten me, Reigner?'
The battle was as if trigger to cut Reigner and Nightmare's memories that were already assimilated. Nothing could change that assimilation, but in this momentary feeling, Reigner understood that it might take way too much time for him to come back if he followed his old ways.
Rather than understanding, he just got confirmed of that.
And then, Reigner became an old monster yet again with Nightmare memories filling up his mind. The disparity of their lifestyles was disturbing, but he stood silent to that.
"But before that, you have to shed more tears, Reigner. Look at everyone."
"..."
Cry, cry, cry.