[79.6] Escape Into Dreams

[This part of the chapter is back to Reika's perspective]

"Zephyr…" I crouched down and frowned as I stared into the cabinets, "Come out. Please?"

"No! I don't want to!"

"You shouldn't be scared of using your ability. You just lost control once. If you learn how to control it-"

"NO! I DON'T WANT TO CONTROL IT!" He sobbed as he clung to the inside, "It hurts!!! I hate it!"

"Zephyr…" I felt guilty, "I won't force you to do it anymore… I promise. So please come out of the cabinet?"

"NO!"

"Will you come out for a piece of candy?"

"...Two pieces."

"Okay. Two pieces."

He stuck his head out, "Three pieces! And-And no more practice!!!"

I nodded, "Okay. No more practice."

He crawled out of the cabinets, unsure of whether to trust me or not. Seeing his frightened gaze, my stomach churned in guilt.

I didn't know that would happen.

He and Astra always used it as babies accidentally and there was no issue.

How come it suddenly changed?

I held out my arms, "I'm sorry, Zephyr. Do you forgive me?"

He ran into my arms and started sobbing, "I-It was so-so s-scaaaary!"

I hugged him tightly, rubbing his back to soothe him, "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"

After Zephyr cheered up from the candy and attention, his mood went back to normal. He was already running around the courtyard as if nothing happened. I walked over to Asmonious and asked, "Why do you think it hurt him and made him lose control?"

He pursed his lips, "I think… It's too much power for such a small child. Maybe when he's older it won't be an issue."

I lowered my gaze.

No…

Even when I knew him he always begged me not to make him use magic.

Could it be because it still pained him?

I let out a heavy sigh, "I'm a terrible mother… I shouldn't have pushed him to use it."

He was always boasting about being a powerful ancient demon.

He said that his sister would command the unconscious dream realm and he wasn't allowed to, but I thought that was due to sibling rivalry. 

I had no idea it was because that type of magic actually hurt him.

Astra tugged on the hem of my skirt, "Mama… Astra will try for you."

"Are you sure, Astra baby?" I looked at her with worry, "Doesn't it hurt you too?"

She shook her head and grinned, "No! It doesn't hurt. I just get sweepy, but I'm always sweepy."

I smiled at her and bent down to pick her up. I kissed her on the forehead, "Mama is so lucky to have you."

I went over to the napping tree and laid down. She cuddled up to me, "What does Mama want?"

"You know that man I always paint?"

"Yes! Daddy!"

I chuckled, "Yes. Him. I want to meet him again… Perhaps on the gazebo by the lake. Do you remember?"

"Astra remembers!" Astra ran her hands through my hair, "Astra will give Mama a good dream."

I closed my eyes with a smile, "I know you will, darling."

As I drifted off into sleep, I opened my eyes and found Astra holding my hand amidst the darkness. She pointed, "Gazeboo! Wake!"

I corrected, "It's pronounced Gazebo and Lake."

"Yes~" She sang back to me. Then she pointed, "There's Daddy."

I turned around, my heart lifting in excitement. However, my heart quickly crashed into my chest. The man in front of me looked like Cyrus, but it wasn't Cyrus.

Ah.

I see.

Astra controls the unconscious realm as in only dreams. 

It was only when Astra and Zephyr were working together could I meet the real Cyrus.

So…

It's impossible to see him again…

As disappointment was shown on my face, Astra grew anxious. "Did Astra do wrong? Is Astra bad?"

I quickly changed my expression and smiled at her, "No, no. You didn't do anything wrong. It's just that… Your daddy has more angular eyes."

"Oh!... Like that?"

"Hmmm… Kind of. But make him more angry looking, like he has a permanent scowl… Yes! That's it. Don't forget the permanent wrinkle he has from glaring."

As Astra made my corrections, she looked at me with twinkling eyes waiting to be praised. "Well? Is Astra a good girl!"

I rubbed her head, "Yes, Astra is a good girl."

"Yippee!"

I picked her up and carried her over to the table under the gazebo. I sat down and placed her on my lap, "Shall we have tea time with your father?"

She nodded with a bright smile, "Yup!"

As I indulged in the dream, I felt my heart becoming heavier and heavier.

Ugh…

I feel like crying…

But I can't cry.

If I do, Astra will feel bad.

"Mama!"

I jolted up, realizing I had been gazing off into space, "Y-Yes?! What is it?"

"Big brother said dinner is ready."

I gave a nod, "Alright. Let's wake up then."

Astra nodded and hopped off my lap, but froze.

"What's wrong?"

She turned back with a guilty expression, "Um… How?"

Ah.

She always fell asleep which ended the connection.

I touched my chin, "Um. OH! I know. Try creating a doorway."

Her eyes lit up, "Okay!"

She focused, her body shaking as a doorway slowly came into focus. I clapped as soon as it materialized, "You did it!!!"

She jumped up and down cheering, "I did it! Astra is better than Zepphy!"

I chuckled, "There's no need to compare yourself to him… Now let's go."

I held out my hand which she took and responded with a cute expression, "It's true though. Astra is better."

"Astra…"

"Hehe!"

After we walked through the doorway, we both woke up and sat up. I helped prepare the table as the children scurried to the table. I looked around, "Where's Zephyr?"

Asmonious gave a sheepish smile, "The candy got him too hyper. He stripped off his clothes and was running around the last time I saw him."

I let out a sigh, "Atta."

She saluted me and disappeared into thin air, eventually returning and carrying a naked Zephyr in her arms. He squirmed as he squealed, "NOOOOOO let me GOOOO!"

I let out a tired sigh, "This is why I don't give you candy."