Nia'le was still perplexed by the situation and couldn't help but question Ayamani further. He asked why a demon like Ixartxist would be interested in an average woman like Tassa. Ayamani, with a confident smile, responded by telling Nia'le to take a closer look at Tassa's beautiful face. He described her as mesmerizing and compared her to a goddess. Nia'le couldn't deny the truth in Ayamani's words. Tassa possessed a unique and captivating beauty that could drive anyone, even those in their right mind, to madness.
This revelation led Nia'le to question why Ayamani didn't just eliminate Xart, the person Tassa was deeply in love with. After all, if Ayamani knew everything about Tassa, including her romantic preferences, why would he choose to kill Nia'le instead of removing his rival for her affections? The shock on Ayamani's face was evident as Nia'le voiced his confusion. Ayamani turned away, clearly taken aback by the question, and simply replied, "Because he's a wizard, that's why. I can't divulge any more information than that. Now, I must go."
It seems that Ayamani's cryptic response only added to Nia'le's confusion. The mystery surrounding Tassa and Ayamani's intentions deepens, leaving Nia'le with more questions than answers.
Ayamani bid them farewell, disappearing into another dimension known as "Morntlight." This dimension resembled the real world but was a paradise in comparison. He left Nia'le and Tassa, ensuring their bodies were taken care of while they explored their new surroundings.
Tassa walked towards the sea, her eyes filled with enchantment as she gazed upon its vastness. Nia'le couldn't help but notice the mixture of brightness and sadness in her eyes. Concerned, he approached her and asked what was bothering her. Tassa smiled gently and replied, "I can't believe I can see all of this again, even if it's just a dream. It feels so real and much better than the darkness I've been trapped in for the past five years. I was stuck in the Infinite Night, surrounded by demons and lingering spirits. But now, even if it's only for a moment, this feels so much better than my real life."
Then, Tassa turned her gaze towards Nia'le and asked him if she was ugly. Nia'le was left speechless, unsure of how to respond. He awkwardly looked at her, unable to find the right words to describe her beauty. Tassa, interpreting his silence as confirmation of her ugliness, looked down and began to walk away. However, Nia'le couldn't let her go. He grabbed her hand and pulled her back, surprising her with his actions. Tassa's initial reaction was anger, but Nia'le gently squeezed her cheek and reassured her, "You have a cute button nose, beautiful green eyes that are so rare, long and thick dark eyelashes that make your eyes stand out, rosy cheeks, and naturally red lips. Not to mention your shiny golden hair, a color that is also incredibly rare. Every part of you is unique, and overall, you look like a goddess. I'm being honest."
Touched by Nia'le's words, Tassa held his hands and lowered them. Nia'le looked perplexed, but Tassa simply smiled at him and said, "I can see you now, Nia'le." She quietly sat down, her gaze fixed on the sea.
Nia'le, puzzled by her remark, asked, "And so what if you can see me?"
Tassa shook her head, her smile fading into a melancholic expression. "Don't make such an obvious facial expression."
Nia'le questioned himself, "Did I?"
Tassa reassured him, shaking her head once more. She sweetly smiled at him before her gloom returned. Nia'le couldn't bear to see her like this and asked, "What's wrong, Tassa? I told you, you're beautiful, and I truly mean it."
Tassa sighed and replied, "If I really am beautiful, then there's no way Xart would ever like me, Nia'le. You see, Xart doesn't have feelings for me, even though you say I'm beautiful. Looks don't matter, Nia'le. Even if you're the most beautiful woman on earth, it's useless if your beauty can't attract the person you truly desire. If beauty and behavior can't captivate the person you love, then what's the point? It's pointless to be beautiful without the person you love, especially when they're already in love with someone else."
Nia'le held Tassa's hand, his voice filled with empathy. "You know the story of the great martial artist. He had a student who was one of the best but sometimes lost fights. The martial artist never told his student he was weak; instead, he said his opponents were too strong."
Confused, Tassa asked, "Are you saying I should find someone else and forget about Xart?"
Nia'le blushed, looking away as he scratched his head. He replied, "It depends on how you interpret the story. But anyways, who is this Xart, anyway?"
"Why do you want to know?" Tassa questioned, her tone slightly defensive.
Nia'le quickly responded, "I'm not jealous, okay? I'm just genuinely interested, that's all."
Tassa sighed, relenting. "If you say so. Well, Xart found me, but my real friend is Suman. He was the one who introduced me to Xart. Suman was like our mutual friend, and if it wasn't for him, I would have never met the love of my life. I owe him everything."
Curiosity piqued, Nia'le inquired, "Who is this Suman?"
Tassa's eyes lit up as she spoke about her eccentric friend. "Suman is my most unique and eccentric friend. Sometimes, Xart and Suman didn't see eye to eye, but deep down, I know Xart loved him. He just didn't want to admit it."
Nia'le's shock was evident as Tassa revealed the dynamics of Xart and Suman's friendship. Perplexed, she looked at him and asked why he was so taken aback. Nia'le squinted his eyes, pouted his lips, and hesitantly responded, "Maybe the reason Xart doesn't like you is because he's not attracted to your beauty, but to Suman's charm. What if he's—"
Before Nia'le could finish his sentence, Tassa playfully hit his head, causing him to stumble and hit the ground. She stood up, ready to walk away, but paused momentarily. With a sidelong glance, she looked at Nia'le and said, "Nia'le, my Xart is the straightest person you'll ever meet. He doesn't have any feelings for Suman, and he has a strong dislike for anyone who identifies as gay. He finds them creepy and weird. He even mentioned that he doesn't know where they come from or who made them."
Nia'le expressed concern, "If he continues with his homophobia, he'll become a social pariah."
Tassa shook her head, her voice filled with frustration. "He doesn't care, okay? He doesn't give a damn about anything. Now, just shut up!"
Unable to stay silent, Nia'le stood up and walked towards Tassa. With sincerity in his voice, he admitted that he cared for her. Tassa turned to look at him, and in that moment, it felt like a scene from a romantic movie. The setting sun cast a warm golden glow, reflecting off the sand and water, creating a magical and romantic ambiance.
As Tassa began to speak, Nia'le found himself captivated by her every word. His gaze fixated on her beautiful lips, which moved gracefully as she spoke. The serene surroundings seemed to fade into the background, and all that mattered in that moment was being with her. He longed to tease her, to shower her with affection, if only she didn't hold feelings for Xart.
"Nia'le, do you... like me?" Tassa's voice trailed off, filled with vulnerability. "Is that why you want me to change my opponent? Because you care for me, and you love me? Nia'le, do you?"
Embarrassment washed over Nia'le, causing him to scratch his hair and pout. Tassa's sweet smile met his gaze, her eyes reflecting warmth and curiosity. Nia'le looked away, but his eyes couldn't resist stealing glances at her. Tassa couldn't help but laugh at his playful discomfort, biting her lip in amusement. Nia'le's unease grew, and he blurted out, "Will you stop that!"
Confusion flickered across Tassa's face as she asked, "Stop what, Nia'le?"
Nia'le pointed towards her innocent face and replied, "That, just that!" His words hung in the air, leaving Tassa puzzled. She inched closer, her eyes fixed on him, and inquired, "What's that?"
Feeling flustered, Nia'le averted her gaze and muttered, "Stop looking, will you!" Tassa's smile widened, and she continued to gaze at him, unfazed. "Why not? Give me a reason first," she playfully challenged.
Closing his eyes momentarily, Nia'le sighed, "I just don't like it, okay!" He took a seat, hoping to regain some composure. Tassa, unable to resist teasing him, pretended to leave. However, she stood right in front of him, her eyes fixed on his reaction. As Nia'le opened his eyes, he found himself face-to-face with Tassa. Caught off guard, he leaned back too far and tumbled to the ground.
Tassa extended her arm, concern etched on her face, and asked if he was alright. Nia'le, refusing her help, quickly stood up and muttered, "You're so insignificant." Deep down, though, he couldn't deny the thrill he felt when Tassa looked at him and flashed her radiant smile. It was as if her eyes were peering into the depths of his soul, sending shivers down his spine and filling him with a sense of excitement he had never experienced before.
Nia'le, feeling overwhelmed by his thoughts, decided to distance himself from Tassa and found solace under a nearby tree. "She's more intimidating than some officers. She could probably kill me with just a stare. How foolish," he mused to himself.
Unexpectedly, Céline emerged from behind the tree, catching Nia'le off guard. "Well, she's... no, that's not the word. Yes, she's absolutely stunning, isn't she?" Céline remarked with a mischievous grin. Nia'le was taken aback by her sudden appearance but couldn't help but chuckle at her playful nature. However, his laughter caused Céline to lose her balance and almost fall into the tree. Nia'le swiftly caught her, preventing any harm. Céline expressed her gratitude before quickly moving away from him, her actions becoming somewhat distant. Nia'le couldn't help but find her behavior peculiar, prompting him to question her intentions. Before he could ask, a rock suddenly fell from above, hitting him on the head and interrupting his thoughts.
"What on earth are you doing with those silly rocks?" Nia'le exclaimed as Céline approached him.
"I wanted to reach those flowers, but they're too high for me," Céline replied innocently. Nia'le glanced at her from the corner of his eye and asked, "Just the flowers?"
Céline bit her lip and looked down, admitting, "And some fruit."
"But, Céline, you don't even know if they're edible or not."
"Well, it's a paradise, Dad, so it's possible that they're edible. No one would place food on the table if it wasn't meant to be eaten."
Nia'le sighed, "Actually, that has happened before. And the worst part is, there isn't even a serpent here to tempt you. Yet, you're acting just like Eve."
Nia'le glanced at the tree and plucked a flower, placing it gently behind Céline's ear. "Now you look beautiful. But please, don't eat anything, okay?" Céline agreed, her sweet smile warming his heart as she thanked him.
"Can you pick one too? This one is for Mom, aka Tassa," Céline requested.
Nia'le picked another flower and handed it to her. But Céline didn't stop there. She took hold of Nia'le's hand, and together they ran towards Tassa, presenting her with the flower. "Let's take a walk, the three of us," Céline suggested joyfully. Tassa accepted the flower with delight, placing it behind her ear. Nia'le remained silent, refraining from offering compliments as they continued their walk, hand in hand with Céline. Along the way, they encountered a group of dolphins happily swimming in the waves. Céline released their hands, her eyes filled with excitement as she watched the playful creatures.
"Don't you want to go closer?" Nia'le asked Tassa.
"It's fine to watch them from here," Tassa replied, content with their current vantage point.
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, causing the flower behind Tassa's ear to fall to the ground. Nia'le swiftly picked it up and delicately placed it back in its rightful position. Tassa expressed her gratitude, but Nia'le remained silent, his gaze fixed on her with an expressionless face. He found himself in a peculiar mood, overcome with the desire to kiss her. Just as he contemplated his next move, Céline ran towards them, exclaiming, "Mom, Dad, let's go and get a closer look!"
Nia'le gently held Céline, covering her eyes playfully, before he leaned in and kissed Tassa unexpectedly. "Forgive me," he whispered. Tassa was taken aback, utterly surprised by the sudden gesture. She stood there, speechless, her eyes open and her lips unmoving, unsure of how to respond.
Meanwhile, in his office, Ixartxist felt a surge of energy as the spell he had placed on Tassa's lips, known as the Mark of Death, was activated. This powerful spell ensured that anyone she kissed would eventually meet their demise. While the effects would not be immediate, they were certain, leaving a mark of misfortune on the unfortunate victim until their ultimate demise. However, for Ixartxist, the goal was not to kill Nia'le. It was to cause him immense suffering and regret.
Ixartxist's fury grew as he realized that Nia'le had stolen a kiss from Tassa, triggering the activation of the spell. The anger within him was so intense that he destroyed everything in his office, including his own created shadow demon. He muttered to himself, "I knew you weren't dead. Ayamani is hiding you, not here, but in another dimension. And it's not just you, but three others, including my dear Tassa. But now, there is no escape from me, no matter where you try to hide. Taking my Tassa away from me was a grave mistake, Nia'le Tobletone. A mistake you will pay for dearly."
Ixartxist's thoughts drifted to Tassa's lips, and he touched his own, consumed by a mix of jealousy and longing. "He stole a kiss from you. But I... I never had the chance," he murmured, his voice filled with bitterness. "Quart, why didn't you kiss him back? Who is this person that you love? Just who is this guy that Suman is talking about?"
His frustration mounting, Ixartxist's claws emerged, and he scratched the walls in a fit of anger. However, he quickly composed himself, realizing that losing control would not serve his purpose. He took a deep breath, his mind filled with vengeful determination.
Meanwhile, Nia'le placed both hands on Tassa's shoulders, gathering the courage to express his feelings. "Forgive me for what I did, but I couldn't bear to hide it any longer. Tassa, I love you, and I don't want to keep it a secret."
Tassa stood frozen, her eyes locked on Nia'le, unable to find the words to respond. Nia'le's voice trembled as he continued, "I'm sorry. Now that I've told you how I feel, maybe these feelings will just fade away." Devastated, he began to walk away, feeling the weight of rejection weighing heavily on his heart. But Tassa didn't let him go. She touched her lips, her mind racing with confusion. "There's someone... Even though I know that was my first kiss, it felt different from that."
Céline tugged at Tassa's dress, urging her to stop Nia'le from leaving. She shouted his name, desperately trying to catch his attention. Tassa motioned for Céline to run towards Nia'le and prevent him from leaving. With determination, Tassa reached out, grabbing his hand and embracing him from behind. She apologized sincerely, leaving Nia'le in awe. He had expected rejection, embarrassment, and yet, Tassa made him look at her.
"Thank you for everything, Nia'le," Tassa began, her voice filled with gratitude. "You've always been there for me, and now I understand why. Thank you for being honest. But I'm already in love with someone else. I'm truly sorry." Nia'le's gaze dropped to the ground, and he softly replied, "I know, I already knew that. I'm sorry—"
"But who cares? Why would I choose someone who doesn't even like me? I'm happy that I have you and Céline. I choose you over that person who doesn't value me. Nia'le, I want to spend my whole life with you, for eternity if you'd like. I am willing to be with you forever. I want to forget about Xart now. He doesn't love me, but you do, Nia'le. So let's start a new life together. Let's stay together and build a happy family with Céline, just like you said, 'change my opponent.' So I will, Nia'le," Tassa declared with conviction.
Nia'le was taken aback by Tassa's unexpected response. A warm smile spread across her face as she embraced him tightly. She whispered, "Would you like that, Nia'le?" Nia'le's eyes filled with warmth as he smiled back at her, replying, "I would love that more than any other option in this world." He held her hand and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, almost brushing her lips. Tassa was surprised by his boldness, yet she remained still, not reciprocating the gesture, but allowing the moment to linger between them.