As Nia'le observed the challenges that filled Tassa's everyday life, a decision stirred within him. Moved by empathy, he chose to intertwine his fate with hers, temporarily leaving his body behind and allowing his soul to accompany Tassa. In the realm they entered, mere minutes translated into weeks in the world they had left behind. Nia'le, in this ethereal state, experienced a passage of five weeks, his body preserved from decay by the vigilant Ayamani, as per Tassa's request.
The Infinite Night, once a source of fear for Tassa, transformed into a realm where Nia'le's presence brought solace and hope. His companionship became a beacon of motivation for Tassa, inspiring her to face the challenges that once seemed insurmountable. Nia'le, despite his occasional eccentricities and moments of moronic behavior, became a steadfast friend, someone she could rely on in the otherworldly journey they shared.
In the quiet moments of their shared existence, Tassa pondered on Nia'le's peculiarities, chalking them up to eccentricity rather than malice. The bond forged between them during their slumber in the alternate realm deepened, and as they awoke after five months, they found themselves transitioning back to the tangible reality of life.
As the first rays of dawn painted the room with a soft glow, Nia'le awoke to find Tassa peacefully slumbering beside him. Mesmerized by her serene beauty, he couldn't help but speak aloud, "She still looks beautiful even when she's sleeping." Yet, as his gaze lingered on her face, a wave of confusion swept over him. Doubt crept into his mind, questioning whether he was truly witnessing Tassa's familiar features or if some ethereal transformation had occurred.
"Is it really her, or am I seeing a different person?" he mused to himself. The sheer enchantment of Tassa's sleeping form left him awestruck. In his contemplation, he found himself grappling with the uncanny realization that she resembled a goddess resting in peaceful repose on his bed.
Unable to reconcile the beauty before him with his preconceived notions, Nia'le marveled at the sight. "Just looking at her face really is so uncanny. She looks like a goddess that's sleeping on my bed. I just can't believe that such beauty exists," he whispered to himself, caught in a moment of reverie.
Just as Nia'le lost himself in these contemplations, Tassa stirred from her slumber. With a delicate yawn and a graceful stretch of her arms, she inadvertently nudged Nia'le, who had momentarily looked away. Even though the contact was gentle, Tassa quickly apologized, her considerate nature shining through.
"It's o... K," Nia'le stammered, momentarily at a loss for words. His eyes, however, betrayed his inner thoughts as they once again found himself captivated by the goddess-like presence of Tassa. As Nia'le continued to gaze at Tassa's ethereal beauty, a cascade of thoughts flooded his mind. "Did she really exist? I mean, her beauty is so unbelievable. Why would heaven create such an uncanny beauty? Does he want all men to fight over a beautiful mysterious girl?" These ponderings echoed silently in Nia'le's thoughts as he wrestled with the otherworldly allure that Tassa exuded.
Interrupting his silent contemplation, Tassa's concerned voice cut through the air, "Nia'le, are you okay? Why aren't you talking?" Startled, Nia'le stood up abruptly, attempting to brush off the swirling thoughts in his mind. "Nothing, nevermind that," he muttered, avoiding eye contact with Tassa.
Unsatisfied with his vague response, Tassa pressed further, "Nevermind what?" Nia'le hesitated for a moment, then decided to dismiss the conversation altogether. "Just forget it," he uttered before abruptly leaving the room. Left alone, Tassa sat there, slightly perturbed, and muttered, "Who asked you anyway?"
In the wake of this brief exchange, Nia'le and Tassa embarked on a task that had been neglected during their prolonged slumber. The once cozy dwelling they shared was now a chaotic mess—rotten food, dusty furniture, and an overall untidy atmosphere awaited their attention. Together, they embarked on the laborious journey of cleaning up the remnants of their five-month-long hiatus from the waking world.
As they meticulously restored order to their surroundings, Nia'le decided to take on the responsibility of replenishing their food supplies. With a promise to return with a fresh catch, he left Tassa to tackle the cleaning tasks. The clatter of cleaning echoed in the air as Tassa diligently worked to revive their living space, her thoughts occasionally drifting back to the mysterious demeanor of her otherworldly companion.
As Nia'le continued his journey, he stumbled upon a familiar field of dandelions. Irritated by the presence of what he considered a pesky weed, he muttered to himself, "Oh, this stupid weed." However, a sudden recollection flashed in his mind—the memory of Tassa and the dandelion he once gave her. The image of her closing her eyes, making a wish, and blowing the delicate seeds into the sky brought a subtle smile to his face.
Caught in a moment of contemplation, he impulsively picked up a dandelion, musing to himself, "It's not that I'm giving this for her, but just... oh, nevermind. What an insignificant girl." With a mixture of conflicting emotions, Nia'le continued his hunting expedition, the image of the dandelion seeds lingering in his thoughts.
Later in the evening, as the sun began to dip below the horizon, Nia'le returned home with the fruits of his successful hunt. With a customary greeting, he announced, "I'm back," expecting a warm response from Tassa. However, an unsettling silence filled the air as he realized she was nowhere to be found.
Growing increasingly worried, he searched the mansion, checking each room. Panic set in as he couldn't locate Tassa. Fearing the worst, his mind raced with thoughts of someone breaking into their home and taking her. The anxiety reached its peak when a sudden scream pierced the silence, leaving Nia'le alarmed and frantic.
Rushing towards the source of the scream, he burst into their shared room. His heart sank as he found the bed empty, devoid of Tassa's presence. But then, amidst the splashes of water and Tassa's screams, Nia'le's confusion grew. Unsure of what to do, he knocked on the door and called out, "Tassa, are you okay? What's happening?" However, Tassa's screams only intensified, leaving Nia'le even more concerned.
Driven by worry, Nia'le couldn't bear the uncertainty any longer. He mustered up the courage to open the door, only to find Tassa sitting on the floor, surrounded by a chaotic mess of fallen objects. To his surprise, she was completely naked.
Caught off guard, Nia'le's eyes widened, and he stood frozen for a couple of seconds. Sensing his astonishment, Tassa's embarrassment quickly turned into frustration. In a fit of exasperation, she began hurling the fallen items at Nia'le, shouting, "Get out! You perverted, disgusting creature! GET OUT!"
As Nia'le deftly dodged the assortment of objects hurled by Tassa, he wasn't prepared for what came next. In a surge of adrenaline, Tassa managed to grab a hefty wooden chair that she typically used for bathing. With determined strength, she swung it in Nia'le's direction and hit him on his head.
In the aftermath of the chaotic encounter, Tassa urgently pleaded, "Close the door, Ayamani." Ayamani promptly obeyed, sealing off the scene of their unexpected skirmish. Leaning against the wall, Tassa felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. She couldn't bear the thought of Nia'le, who had witnessed her in such state.
In the entrance of the bathroom, Nia'le lay unconscious on the floor, blood trickling from the wound on his head caused by the wooden chair Tassa had thrown. Oblivious to the situation, he remained sprawled on the floor, a silent casualty of their peculiar altercation.
Torn between embarrassment and concern, Tassa hesitated to leave the bathroom. The image of Nia'le lying unconscious lingered in her mind. She finally mustered the courage to step out, but in her distracted state, she accidentally stepped on Nia'le's hand. Wincing at the unintended act, she quickly withdrew, realizing the precariousness of the situation.
Seeking an explanation, Tassa turned to Ayamani and asked, "What was that?" Ayamani, with a nonchalant demeanor, responded, "It's Nia'le's body. He's been lying on the floor." Tassa, surprised by the lack of reaction, pressed further, "Ayamani, what happened to him? Is he dead?" Ayamani, maintaining his calm, reassured her, "Don't worry; he's alive. He's just lying on the floor." Still in disbelief, Tassa kicked Nia'le again, seeking confirmation. Ayamani, unfazed, clarified, "Drenched with his blood." Alarmed, Tassa exclaimed, "Drenched with blood? Ayamani, help me!"
As the dust settled in the room, Ayamani and Tassa rallied to Nia'le's aid. With urgency in their movements, they carefully lifted him and laid him on his bed. Tassa, her earlier embarrassment overshadowed by concern, questioned Ayamani about the cause of Nia'le's condition.
"Ayamani, what happened to him? Did he trip on the floor, or maybe he slipped accidentally, just like what happened to me in the bathroom before?" Tassa inquired, desperately searching for a rational explanation.
Ayamani, however, dispelled any notions of a simple accident. "He did not trip nor slip, Tassa," he calmly responded, leaving Tassa puzzled and anxious for an explanation.
"Neither of it? Then what happened to him?" Tassa pressed, her worry escalating.
Ayamani hesitated for a moment before revealing the harsh truth. "You threw the heavy wooden chair at him, and it hit directly on his head. That's what happened."
The revelation hit Tassa like a sudden storm. The memories of her frenzied chair-throwing barrage flooded back, and she bit her nails nervously. The gravity of her actions sank in, and guilt washed over her as she realized the potential consequences of her uncontrolled outburst.
"I... I didn't know. I couldn't see what I was throwing," Tassa stammered, remorse evident in her voice. Ayamani, though stern, acknowledged the unintentional nature of the incident.
In a moment of realization, Tassa recalled someone who had taught her the art of healing. Without a moment's hesitation, she decided to try something unconventional. Closing her eyes, she focused on Nia'le's injured head, channeling the magical abilities she had learned.