Regressed Reincarnation: How to Escape a Fantasy World!!

LAYLA'S POV:-

For the next few days, Aether behaved as if nothing had happened. The doctors who checked up on him had deemed it as that he was suffering from a memory loss disorder, but a few days later when a kid asked what happened to his best friend Aether simply smiled and answered, 

"I killed him."

It was during a high end party, and everyone who is considered influential was also present at the party. When everyone heard what Aether spoke, a dead silence covered the area. The one who were shocked the most were Aether's parents who did not know what to think and what to do.

Observing the situation, Aether simply walked out of the party and went back to his home on his own. For the next few days, many people came to visit him and tried to talk to him, but nothing really worked on Aether. The max answer they received was 'yes' or 'I am fine'. When nothing worked, the tension started rising between Aether's family and his relatives, but before it could reach a higher point, Aether spoke,"I want to go on an outing. Layla, it has been a while since we went for a picnic and the class picnic is in a few days. So want to go with me?"

We did not know what was going on in Aether's head...the more we looked at him, the more abnormal he seemed. 

"Yes," but still I answered immediately. If there is anything I can do to save him….I will do it. I couldn't save one of my best friends. At least I can save you. 

Coming back to the present, I sigh as I try my best to start a conversation, but back out as I lack proper words to start one. Sometimes he asked for water and sometimes he sighed as he observed the scenery. Every time he did something, my heart beat rose. 

Then the bus stopped as we reached a mountain foot resort where we were supposed to stay for the next 2 days.

I stepped out of the bus, and Aether followed me out. We both then moved into the resort, into our respective dorms. We changed our clothes and met outside for lunch. I observed Aether as he ate his food normally. Honestly, I kinda feel like a stalker right now. Then after lunch he looked at me and said,"there is somewhere i want to go. Want to come with me?"

I looked at him for a few moments, slightly worried, but then nodded. He gave a small smile, then stood up and started walking outside the resort. I followed him to the resort, then into the mountains. Aether kept walking into the forest, as if he knew exactly where he was going. After walking for another hour, we finally reached an open spot that revealed an extremely calming scenery. It was on one of the lower cliffs of the mountain, where a small house was present. The house looked like it was made by a few children. It was sturdy but not a well built one. 

Aether then asked me to enter the house as he opened the door. Entering the door, I found a house filled with pictures of Aether and his best friend all over the place. There were games and various other things that boys usually have with them. 

"It was our hideout. We were planning to bring you with us when you turned 10," Aether smiled as he walked to one of the window-like openings and sat on a chair right beside it. I sat on the mat on the floor as I realised Aether was entering his story teller mode.

"When we were on the ship, we were discussing the same thing you see. On how we are going to bring you here and surprise you, we thought to kidnap you to see your reaction. It was all fun but then something happened I...think i am going insane but...something happened that only i remembered. I acted as if nothing had happened and I might pretend that nothing happened that day, but I honestly can't. I saw...beings that looked heavenly laughing and enjoying as I killed everyone. I saw those hijackers' necks tied by a knot as he killed everyone around us with a scared and crying face. I saw them getting interested in my calm and collected face. I then saw them speaking something to everyone other than me and a horrified expression covered everyone's face. Then...he came to me and said,"Aether, kill me." In the most pleading tone I have ever heard. It was as if he was asking me to liberate him. I did not know what it meant, but I knew if I didn't do it, something wrong would happen. So...I chose to do what I thought was the most appropriate at that time...I killed them...the more brutally I killed them, the more happy those beings were and the more relaxed were the faces of the ones I killed. I even saw them saying 'thank you' to me as I slashed open their stomachs.

I...don't know...I don't understand..what happened back then...am I going psyc-" Before he could speak anything, I hugged him as tightly as I could. I looked at him with a slightly crying face. Aether...looked like he wanted to cry but he could not...he looked like he wanted to tell, but he could not...just what is he going through...and what were those beings?

Then…

He smiled at me and spoke,"Thank you Layla, I really needed that." His smile, which was still gentle as before, felt quite refreshing this time. Then he asked me if i wanted to have a tour of this place and I smiled with a yes at him. He then showed around the place slowly and slowly. Sometimes a tear also escaped both our eyes. Sometimes I cried and broke down, at which he comforted me. After a few hours of time, he said he would come back in a moment and went into the basement-like area. 

I...I should have proposed to him then cause….

[lkmb ubwa rwkau]

I lost consciousness then and the next thing I remember was being woken up by a strange being named Galadriel in an unknown place.