Chapter 13 - Dreaming Reality

Ana doesn't regret a thing. She has fulfilled her duty to the best of her ability, with respect to everyone else in expectation of her. There's nothing that waits her after such a decision beside the calm chaos, the return to the Great Mother.

However, Ana finds not the peace of the Goddess Mother of the World, but a lull of a different kind. Surrounding her is a forest verdant green and shining under the morning sun.

The mist that covered it was gently lifted by the soothing spring wind. The animals announce their presence to each other, some just returning to their nest while others are about to leave it.

She couldn't deny that such a sight did induce sedateness upon herself, but not enough to subdue the confusion she feels. Because surely, she must be dead now; and the dead doesn't dream, and gains no rewards but the embrace of the void.

So, for her to be here; there's either a mistake on her teaching, or she's still alive and dreaming. She likes for it to be the latter, because if her teaching was wrong, that she has wasted a lot of time and opportunities for nothing except lies.

As if sensing such a thought from her, a creature bumps to her bare feet, causing her no alarm until she sees what just touched her.

A bicolored serpent—black on top and green on the bottom—with a paddle tail. When she notices the tail, she took a step back and subdue the reptile from another position. An easy task considering her new friend isn't adapted to an existence on land.

In fact, she's very far from the sea that is her habitat, which explains why the animal collides into her in the first place.

"Why are you here, little snake?" she asked, mostly to herself. "How far away are you from home?" Trying her best to soothe the wildlife that's now circling her arm tight with her body.

The serpent obviously is unable to answer Ana, but she does settle after a few brushes of her hands, allowing Ana to handle it even more carefully as she places her to the ground, hoping she behaves as expected and doesn't attack her on sight.

She doesn't, bringing genuine joy to Ana's heart as she reaches out and pats the reptile on the head. She never went to the ocean before, but she's always curious about their denizens, especially a beautiful predator like this one, who's so calm under her touch.

As she pets her new friend, she considers why she's here, because it was certainly not a reward. And if it wasn't a reward, then it was a punishment, for a wrongdoing she so recently committed.

The Great Mother doesn't approve of her sacrificing her life to help Quinn, which is why She places her soul here instead of returning to her. Ana has been denied entry for her decision.

That angers her, almost causes her to lash out at the snake until she takes hold of herself in the last moment. It wasn't the reptile's fault, nor is it Quinn's. All blame, as usual, lays on her feet.

Quinn doesn't actually want the healing, obviously begging Ana not to do it. But, her pigheadedness did her in, egging her on to continue even when the person she desires to save have no love for her action.

She should have known, but it's too late now.

So, with a sigh, she stands up and offer a hand for the snake to climb. "Would you like to accompany me?" she asked.

Answering her, the reptile hikes up her arm, beginning their journey on the land of her punishment together.

Not many changes for Ana on the first day but the lack of a bath. Though, when she ate at the end of the day, the serpent refuses to join her, although Ana has made sure fish eggs and small fishes are present on the table.

Knowing full well it was a bad an idea to push an animal to feed, Ana gave up after the fifth try.

On the second day, she finally completes her routine with a bath from a secluded pond in the middle of the forest, occupied by a variety of fresh water fishes. With the snake looking worse than when she first found her due to malnutrition, Ana had hoped the reason she doesn't eat yesterday was because the reptile despises magical nourishment, and would much prefer a natural one.

Accompanied by such a hope, she convinces a fish to be voluntarily consumed by the serpent, who yet again deny the food. Ana was distressed now, as when the third day came, the snake does nothing but sleep around her neck, clearly drained and hungry.

Wishing that she's wrong about the reptile's species and it was a land animal instead, she tries afresh: this time persuading a rabbit to be willingly devoured by the serpent. It was a harder work than the fishes, and once again she succeeded, and once more the snake refuses food.

As the night fall, there's naught she can do but watch as the green-bellied reptile slowly wither in her arms. If only she remembers her duty to all living beings, if she doesn't squander her soul on a murderer, an architect of human suffering unrepentant, then she could've saved the snake.

She should learn that for the next time, but there's no next time.

Not for her, or the serpent.

With that in mind, she holds the reptile close, giving her as much warmth and comfort that she can afford.

And as tears began to travel down her cheek, a familiar voice whispers behind her: "It's okay, she'll be okay."

Causing her to turn back and find nothing but the giant tree she has used as her temporary home for the last three days.

"Ms. Quinn?" she called out, unwilling to believe that sound was just a figment of her imagination.

As if responding to it, the snake circles her hand, squeezing it tight, waking her up.

"I'm here, Matriarch," she hears the same voice answers, drawing her attention directly to a small and open smile on the person she so readily died for.

"You're alive." Is all she could say, unprepared to assume her own success.

"And so are you, Matriarch," the woman reply, her grin widens and turns into a breathy laugh.

Hearing herself called Matriarch still even after she told Quinn her real name displeases her. So, much like everyone else who has called her as such: "Please, Ana is fine, Ms. Quinn." She attempts to correct her, gently.

Yet, she responds rather peculiarly when she winces at the mention of Ana's name like it hurts her. "Of course, Ana." Although she's most ready to use it compared to many other Ana has spoken to.

Sure that Quinn would just distract her if she were to draw attention to her reaction to the request, Ana chose a topic that's safe and will be answered straightforwardly by the other party instead.

"Are you willing to tell me of your true aim now?" she broached the subject directly, not one to beat around the bush.

There's no strange reaction from Quinn but a flash of a sad smile replaced by an amused smirk, so clearly exaggerated. "Of course!" she nods. "It's you, Ana." Easily revealing her secret. "You're my charge."