"I just can't believe we're going to run into that man again, dear." Winona uttered. It was very obvious that she was just hiding her frustration from the way she pushed herself to a smile despite her agony.
"Oh, don't you even want to see him? I even thought you'd be happy, after all, he used to be your first love." Hrod's mockery of his wife's first love interest was tinged with a bit of jealousy, which he clearly did not hide. He was so focused on what he was doing that he failed to hear her roaring behind him once more. Unfortunately, by the time he realized what had happened, Winona had already kicked his butt again, sending him tumbling to the ground.
They decided to set up camp in the middle of the woods as nighttime's darkness engulfed everything around them. Winona ensured their safety by erecting an ethereal barrier around them, which she positioned so that it would prevent any other beings from sneaking up on them while they slept.
How Winona created a barrier that rendered them invisible inside using her mentala energy astounded Freida.
"Surprised? Well, this is my gift. Every creature here is endowed with a talent that they develop from within their own mentala.".
"Mentala? I've heard this before, but I don't know what it really means." Freida asked.
"You've heard this before? Where?"
"Back in our world. A blind man who imitated my friend said he wanted to drain my mentala. He said that I do have a mentala, so does this mean—"
"All living creatures have mentala. Mentala is our life source, Freida. Without it, we die. Humans are rich in mentala because you have your soul. It serves as a concrete foundation of your mentala that is protected by your body as its vessel. Your soul is the one who ensures that your vessel does not completely deplete all of your mentala, and at the same time, it assists in the recycling of your spent energy back as renewed mentala. That's the function of a human soul.
However, because human bodies deteriorate over time, your vessel is also deteriorating, and the mentala reserve that you contain will soon be forced to leave its current vessel in order to find another one. This helps explain why humans don't live as long as any of us do in Paradexia. Because, unlike humans, our physical form does not degrade over the course of our existence. We are born with a physical form that is capable of handling the mentala reserve and converting it into special abilities for as long as we could. But unfortunately, our abilities demanded an excessive amount of mentala, which Paradexia was no longer able to support. As of now, we were just living off of our remaining mentala to survive. Once it drains, then it's the end."
"How do you maintain this mentala?"
"Good question. Mentala are life sources that can be replenished by adding more mentala. Meaning, you could only maintain it by getting someone else's mentala."
Frigid chills ran down Freida's arm at Winona's words. It dawned on Freida all of a sudden that this was perhaps the reason why her doppelganger had wanted her mentala in the first place. It was due to the fact that she was a walking treasure trove of mentala.
"Winona, would this also mean you'll drain my mentala as well?" Freida worked up the nerve to inquire of Winona what it was that had been preoccupying her thoughts ever since she was made aware of the mentala.
Instead of responding, Winona found herself unable to resist laughing at her. "Of course…we won't. There are two ways to suck up one's mentala. One is by force draining and the other by coupling."
"Coupling?"
"Yes, it is where two beings link their mentala's together. By combining it as a whole, the two will benefit by receiving an equal share of the mentala after the coupling takes place. That's why there's no need for you to worry, Hrod and I are just fine with the coupling method. It is as it is until we're finally drained."
"If that's the case, then why couldn't all of you here just use the coupling method then?"
"Not all are content with what they have, Freida. There is a sufficiency in Paradexia for everyone's need but not for their greed. As everyone around us seeks more power, Mentala has become this world's crisis. I believe your world is no different to ours when it comes to that. Besides, coupling isn't as easy as you think. It requires physical union. You can consider it mating in your world."
At this realization, Freida's face flushed a dull red. She later expressed her regret at having even asked the question. When Freida was about to ask her another question to switch the subject, Hrod entered to say that their dinner had already been prepared and spared her further embarrassment regarding the coupling.
FURTHERMORE, ON THAT DAY, Freida dozed off inside the wagon while Hrod and Winona were having a conversation by the bonfire in the later evening.
"You've drawn out too much information to the human, dear. Don't you think it's risky to give her such ideas about our world?"
"Were you scared?"
"No. I'm worried."
"My dear, worrying won't stop the bad stuff from happening. It just stops you enjoying the good things ahead of you."
"You sure talk like someone who knows a lot."
"Don't I, dear?"
"Oh well, I hate to have my butt kicked for the third time. But on a serious note, Winona. I hope you know what you're doing. We don't have any idea who brought her here. It's a risk to bring her with us. we're just lowkey travelers who aren't used to—"
Winona abruptly interrupted Hrod by saying, "You talk a lot, my dear," which caused him to lose his train of thought. She then added, "Do not worry about her. Besides, don't you pity her at least? There is uncertainty about whether she can return to her world or not. You said it yourself that we are not aware who brought her here, then what more is it for her knowing she may no longer return back? Hrod, if she were able to get stuck here for the rest of her life, at least knowing something about Paradexia is better than wandering like a dumb forever."
"Alright, I trust your decision on this, Winona. I'm going to keep watch all night. You better get some rest too since we're heading out quickly at the break of dawn." Hrod remarked as he assisted his wife into the covered wagon so that she could get some rest.