When they returned to the cave entrance, the inside was already completely silent. Rover took the lunch box from Aether's hand and stepped forward, walking deeper into the cave.
The bonfire had long since died out. A scholar dressed in green still lay on a thick carpet, occasionally murmuring in her sleep.
Rover recognized her face—it was Haypasia. He placed the lunch box beside her but noticed something odd. Though Haypasia's stomach growled with hunger, her complexion didn't look particularly weak.
This meant someone had helped her during this time.
Rover didn't make much noise. Seeing the slight smile on her lips, she must have been having a pleasant dream, so he naturally didn't disturb her.
As he slowly retreated from the cave, he saw Aether standing motionless in place again, his eyes vacant.
Paimon flew over from a nearby bush, holding a leaf cupping some fresh water.
"Ro—"
Rover quickly shook his head and pointed at Aether, who was still frozen in place. Paimon's eyes widened, and she flew straight to Rover, disregarding the leaf in her hands.
"What's wrong with Aether this time…? He's not in trouble, is he…?"
Paimon's voice was full of concern, but Rover lowered his head, deep in thought. Considering Tighnari's earlier words and Aether's previous state, perhaps Aether had connected with Irminsul again.
"Give me the water first."
Rover quickly took the leaf, which had already spilled some of its water. Aether must have realized the lunch box didn't include any water, so he'd asked Paimon to fetch some.
He re-entered the cave, carefully lifted Haypasia, and helped her drink the water before gently laying her back down.
Her pale face quickly regained color, and her dry lips were moistened. Now, at least, they wouldn't have to worry about her physical condition.
With that thought, Rover looked back outside the cave.
Paimon remained by Aether's side, not leaving for even a moment, until Aether finally snapped out of his daze. His expression was far from calm.
"What did you see this time?"
Rover asked. Aether stayed silent for a while. Seeing that he was reluctant to speak, Rover could only pat his shoulder.
"If it's something difficult to put into words, then keep it buried in your heart."
Aether shook his head, organizing his thoughts before finally speaking slowly.
"Rover… I had a dream. I saw an Abyss Herald."
An Abyss Herald? Rover found it strange but didn't interrupt, letting Aether continue.
"It said… my sister had already abandoned me. To her, I was nothing but a hindrance. The familial bond I was chasing no longer existed… and the journey I was on was utterly meaningless…"
Aether fell silent again. Paimon pursed her lips and cautiously picked up the conversation.
"And then…?"
Aether's expression suddenly turned odd.
"Then Rover showed up. Without saying a word… he just cut it down."
Rover's lips twitched. Was he really that ruthless in Aether's mind?
"Ahem… You two are…?"
Haypasia finally woke up. She slowly propped herself up, studying the two of them. Rover gave her a brief summary of what had happened.
After listening, Haypasia scratched her head sheepishly.
"Sorry for causing you so much trouble."
Rover told her about his earlier discovery—that someone must have helped her.
Haypasia didn't seem puzzled. After thinking for a moment, she looked at the two of them, her hands busy reigniting the bonfire.
"Seems like my neighbor came by."
Paimon blinked.
"Neighbor? There's someone else living here?"
Aether furrowed his brows slightly.
"Are they… round little creatures?"
Haypasia nodded, smiling.
"So you can see them too?"
Aether's expression relaxed. He recounted what had happened before he fell into the dream.
Apparently, after Rover went deeper into the cave and Paimon left to fetch water, Aether had seen some strange, cabbage-like creatures. Then, without warning, he was pulled into the dream.
"That's… way too weird, isn't it?"
Before Paimon could say anything else, Haypasia spoke with certainty.
"I believe the Traveler. Because I've had the same experience."
Rover steered the conversation back on track.
"By the way… do you know about Irminsul?"
Haypasia was about to answer when her stomach growled again.
This time, Aether put his hands on his hips.
"Cooking is my specialty. Watch this."
Confidently, he gathered a few stones, quickly built a makeshift stove, and began cooking over the bonfire.
Soon, the aroma of food wafted from the pot in Aether's hands.
Even Rover had to admit—Aether's cooking was impressive. If he ever retired, he'd make an incredible chef.
After everyone had eaten their fill, Haypasia finally got to the main topic.
"To be honest, I don't know much about Irminsul either. The sages say that because Irminsul contains the knowledge of the gods, if we attempt to access it without sufficient ability, our minds won't be able to withstand it.
Sometimes, I'm afraid… afraid that I might never wake up from my meditation. But ever since I learned I had such a neighbor, I've felt at ease.
After all… it's an emissary of the God of Wisdom. Strangely enough, it has the power to make people dream."
Paimon shrugged, spreading her hands.
"What's so strange about that?"
Haypasia chuckled and revealed a startling truth.
"Because… the people of Sumeru don't dream.
In Sumeru, only children have dreams. Adults… seem to never dream at all.
The sages say that wisdom means rationality, and the things in dreams are often irrational and illogical. Therefore, in the sages' view,
the fact that Sumeru's people don't dream is a blessing from the God of Wisdom, the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata—a way to keep us free from foolish delusions. Since I was a child, my parents told me that the day I stopped dreaming would be the day I became an adult.
It's truly fascinating… After meeting them, I started dreaming again. It was like returning to my childhood—so ignorant, yet so fearless… I really don't know why the emissaries of wisdom possess the power to make people dream. It's… quite contradictory."