Chapter Text
The bright afternoon sun rays filtered through the curtains, lighting up a world that would be covered in darkness otherwise. Nilou slowly stirred awake, a throbbing ache pulsing through her temples. The pain was indescribable to her. It was an unwelcome visitor that accompanied her return from the world of slumber. Despite that deep slumber however, her body seemed to be heavier. Not only that, she couldn't seem to shake off the remnants of a vivid dream she had experienced. Perhaps that was what caused her fatigue...
"Wait... Dream?!"
A realization would come to her mind, as every moment of her "dream" slowly filled her mind. It was obvious what she needed to do. She needed to find Aether.
She quickly got out of bed and rushed to the front door of her temporary quarters. That is, until that same ache that she's been feeling would make itself known once again, now accompanied by a sudden surge of memories and visions that she had never seen before, and a sudden intensification of the feeling.
"Ugh...!"
She couldn't move. Her entire body felt heavy and uncooperative, as if someone had tied her to a giant rock, or was weighed down by an invisible force. She tried to make her way towards the door, but the pain just kept getting worst. Her vision was also growing increasingly darker, as she slowly stumbled on her knees, and her body crumpled to the cold wooden floor, strength ebbing away along with her vision. It was as if the world had turned into a haze of shadows and blurred outlines. The throbbing intensified, as she slowly lost whatever bit of consciousness she had left, as the world around her turned into a void of black.
"Nilou....!"
_______
Aether and Paimon had been resting for a while, since the debacle with the Samsara had took a toll on their bodies, both mentally and physically. They were enjoying a small lunch in the tavern, engaging in some small talk here and there. That was, before Paimon brought something up.
"You know, Paimon wonder how Nilou is doing. Being the host of that dream must've taken a toll on her, so is she doing alright?"
Aether paused mid-bite, concern crossing his face as he considered Paimon's question. He hadn't seen Nilou since they broke free from the Samsara, and he wonders if being the host would bring about any side effects.
"I'm not sure, Paimon," Aether replied, his voice tinged with worry. "We should go check on her if she's doing okay."
Paimon nodded in agreement, as she went back to burying herself in her meal. Aether would do the same, only his mind would now be filled with a certain dancer. One part for worry, and one part reminiscing on the beauty he witnessed
After finishing, they slowly made their way to Nilou's quarters, steps quickening with each passing moment. Until they finally reached the door.
Aether slowly approached the door, and gave a few knocks. "Nilou? Are you in there?" No response. He gave another few knocks, still nothing. Having enough, he held his hand on the doorknob, and swung the door open.
The room had a familiar interior to his, with a stool and chair, and a bed that could fit at least one or two people. The only difference, was the motionless body on the floor.
"Nilou!" Aether's heart skipped a beat, as he quickly rushed to her side, gently cradling her in his arms.
"Hey, are you okay?" Aether said as she gently shook Nilou, trying to rouse her from her unconscious state. Her face was pale, and her breathing shallow. Yet, there was no vocal response.
"Nilou, wake up!" Aether's voice carried a mix of worry and urgency, as he looked down on the figure in his arms. Paimon hovered anxiously around them, as he continued to call out her name. Time seemed to stretch, each passing second amplifying their unease.
"Still nothing. Let's carry her to the bed. Help me out here, Paimon." The two gently lifted Nikou from the floor and carefully placed her onto the bed. Aether would sit on the stool on her bedside, but his eyes would remain fixed on her. He brushed a strand of hair from her head, his touch gentle and filled with worry. The two would keep waiting by her side...
Until finally, a response.
Her eyelids fluttered, and her breathing became slightly less shallow. Aether's heart skipped a beat, hope surging though his veins.
"Nilou, can you hear me?"
Slowly, Nilou's eyes opened, her gaze hazy and unfocused. She tried to make sense of her surroundings, until the room finally came into view, and her eyes met the worried gaze of the same person she was looking for.
"Aether..." she murmured weakly, her voice barely above a whisper.
A wave of relief washed over him, as he clasped her hand gently. "I'm here. You're going to be okay." All she could muster up as a response was a weak nod.
"What happened?"
Nilou's voice was weak, fragile, yet she was able to muster up a short response.
"The dream..."
"I see. So the samsara did take a toll on your body..."
Aether's worry etched deeper lines on his face, as he slowly brought a hand to her face.
"You'll be okay. I'll go get some help, okay?" Aether was about to get up and leave, until he noticed Nilou's feeble grip on his hand, her eyes pleading for him to stay.
"No... Stay here." She whispered, her voice barely audible.
Aether's heart sank at her words, torn between the need to find help and the desire to grant her wish. Knowing that he couldn't ignore her current state, he set back into the chair beside her.
"Alright. I'm not going anywhere." Aether said to the weak figure, as she slowly closed her eyes again, returning to a deep slumber.
"Well, now what? We need to find Nahida, but I can't exactly leave her here." Aether mused, his voice still tinged with a feeling of worry.
"Okay, then Paimon will go and find Nahida. You stay here and watch over her." Paimon said as she swiftly made her way out of the room, leaving Aether to keep watch over the slumbering Nilou.
As he sat by Nilou's side, he couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. A part of his thoughts was flooded with concern and worry, yet there was also a sense of gratitude for having found her in time. He couldn't believe that she only entered his mind only when Paimon brought her up. Perhaps the fatigue from the samsara was really getting to him.
After a rather long and uneasy silence, the door bursts open. On the other side was his fairy companion, and the adventurers guild receptionist, Katheryne. Only it wasn't her, but it was Nahida "borrowing" her body.
As she was examining the sleeping figure, Aether had relayed everything to Nahida, from how he found Nilou, and everything he knew about her current condition.
"Hmm, you're previous assumption was correct. Her body is heavily fatigued due to the strain of becoming the host of the Samsara. It's taken a toll on her mentally and physically, and it's as if the weight of carrying so many dreams has left her body drained of energy.
Aether nodded, his eyes fixed on the sleeping beauty's peaceful face. "Is there anything we can do to help her?"
"I can definitely try and enter her mind and remove the sudden surge of visions and dreams that's been entered in her mind, but it won't be easy. In the meantime, you just need to keep her company. Any damage to her mental state from the real world could make things harder for me."
Aether nodded solemnly, aware of the new responsibility that was placed on his shoulders. He took a glance at Nilou, a serene look covering her face being a stark contrast to the turmoil she's experiencing. He never let go of her hand, in hopes of bringing her some comfort somewhere.
"What about Paimon? Can Paimon help?" Paimon asked.
"It's best that the traveler handles this herself." Nahida responded to the floating figure.
"What? Why? Paimon wants to help too!"
"Katheryne" gave Paimon a gentle smile. "Paimon, I can tell you're really worried for her, but i think the traveler is best suited for this. During the Sabzeruz Festival, when I was investigating what was outside Sumeru City, I saw an abundance of spaces which were all other people's dreams. Most importantly, I saw dreams containing you, Aether."
Aether's eyes widened at the mention of his own existence within those dreams.
"You mean... Nilou dreamt of me?" Aether's voice trembled with surprise.
"It seems that way. The Sabzeruz Festival that Nilou created seemed to create a bunch of other spaces, all containing you and herself. So I think Aether is the best person to accompany Nilou, due to how much she feels for him."
Aether's mind was in a whirlwind of emotions. He couldn't believe that he held such significance in Nilou's dreams. It was a revelation that stirred something in him, a newfound sense of connection, and a feeling he had never felt before.
With determination in his eyes, Aether squeezed Nilou's hand gently, his voice filled with resolve. "Alright. I'll stay by her side."
"Well, if that's what's best for Nilou, then Paimon will let Aether handle it." Paimon said, reluctantly.
"Great!" "Katheryne" nodded as she slowly stood up and walked towards the front door.
"I should go and return this body, but I'll get to work right after. I'm counting on you, Aether." And just like that, she was gone.
"Well, Paimon will go to the teapot then. Good luck Aether!" Paimon said as she teleported away, leaving him alone with Nilou and his thoughts. He felt a mixture of emotions. From concern, to responsibility. As he gazed at her peaceful face, the same feeling he was unfamiliar with seemed to grow with each passing moment. He didn't care about that though. What mattered, was keeping her safe.
"I'll be here for you, Nilou. Every step of the way."