Chapter 4.2

"They seem to like you," Silvia told Jason when they entered her office. "All of them were paying attention to your words."

"What about you Silvie? Do you still like me? You don't hate me for what happened?" asked Jason quietly. Hearing his questions made Silvia turn to look at him, however, his back was to her as he looked through her bookcase. Yet she could see a heaviness emanating from him. It was evident that he was still feeling guilty about what had happened between them in the past.

"You know the answer to that very well, Jason," she answered with a sigh. "I don't think there's anyone who could resist your charms. But I also remember what happened back then. And I know, deep down, that you've already closed your heart. You'll never love someone again."

Silvia finished sadly as she walked to Jason, hugging him from behind. "Just know there'll always be people who care about you. As friends. As family." [2]

Jason didn't turn around and they continued staying in that position until Silvia's holo-bracelet began ringing. Silvia pulled away reluctantly and opened a hologram and, reading it, her brows furrowed as she sighed. "I have to go to a meeting, it seems like not everyone is happy to have you teaching here. You can stay here since, unfortunately, your office hasn't been selected yet. Just, don't go through my desk."

"Mmn. You do what you have to," Jason said before calling out to Silvia softly again, making her pause. "And Silvie, thank you."

Silvia smiled as she walked out the door of her office, closing it behind her. Jason, on the hand, walked to a sofa and laid down on it, raising his legs onto the coffee table while putting his hands behind his head.

"Meh, might as well catch some zee," he murmured while closing his eyes.

A beautiful woman stood over him. She was dressed in cured leather pieces, strapped together haphazardly with a white tiger's fur blanketing it. Her cream colored skin and black hair matched the fur while her strange golden eyes bore straight into his. Curiously enough, her head was not shaped like a human's; it was slightly angular at the sides while her ears, large, furry, cat-like ears, twitched slightly as a breeze flew by.

Jason was stunned by her otherworldly beauty as he looked at her cold face, before realizing an unbearable pain coursed through his chest. Looking down, he realized in shock that her hand was stabbed into his chest.

"I know you love me. But I will always choose my people over you," she said coldly as the hand in his chest tightened over his heart.

Jason smiled as he lifted his heavy hand and caressed her cheek, no shock or regret flowing through him, only love.

"You do what you have to do, it doesn't matter. I will always love you." As he spoke, Jason fell backward, the world around him darkening.

"I regret it," the woman's words were the last thing Jason heard as he slowly mulled over it

Which part did she regret? Meeting me? Giving me sanctuary against those bastards? Or killing me? He asked himself.

Jason opened his eyes and realized he had been dreaming.

Again? He thought. Why was I stupid enough to love someone like that?

This wasn't the only dream that came to haunt Jason. He had seen himself leading a large crew on an ancient wooden boat seeking some kind of gold item that could bless anyone. He witnessed himself fighting giants and beings made of lava, all by his lonesome. He also saw himself leading an army of demonic monsters, slaughtering an army enclosed in a holy golden hue.

The Curse of Samsara is it? Jason sighed. How long will this continue? How long has it continued for?

The memories of his past incarnations would bleed into his dreams, reminding him of emotions and thoughts that weren't his own.

To repeatedly live a loveless life ... reincarnation, Jason thought.

The bells signifying the end of classes rung abruptly and Jason shook his head before checking his watch. As he stood up, a small blackhole spun open beside him, warping the very fabric of space-time around him like a mirage. He put his hand through the portal and pulled a lunchbox out.

Lunchtime huh? Better go give her the meal she forgot. He thought with a wry smile, brushing aside his previous musings.