"What do you want?" Asher muttered with indifference so as not to acknowledge her presence.
"You...!" the Phoenix shook.
You know what I'm here for!
Ignoring her, Asher then opened his mouth to receive a bite.
"I said, wait, do you not listen!" the Phoenix stomped her foot.
Normally, a planet would shake along with the fit of her anger. But right now, it was she who almost lost balance.
This made her quite depressed.
"And why would I?" Asher opened his mouth again.
"You...!" words were stuck in the Phoenix's mouth. She did come out of impulse. The proud Divine Being didn't want to ask, much less, beg.
Give it to me!
I want it!
She couldn't say those words, or she would break the last bit of pride she'd been tightly holding onto. Thus, she waited for him to offer it to her now that she was there in front of him.
Those were the naive thoughts of the Phoenix.
But thinking logically, why the hell would this man, who almost killed her, give her food?
Now, she was stuck in an awkward spot.
Would she turn her back right now and be a laughingstock to the man and her own?
Asher, meanwhile, can't hear her thoughts nor does he care even if he did.
So he took one big bite.
"Waahhh!"
The last string of pride that kept her from being a beggar snapped
"Please, give it to me!"
The Phoenix dropped to her knees and cried out, begging for food.
Tears poured out of her eyes.
Even Asher was stumped. Now he's doubting if this woman is a Divine Being. How could she kneel in front of others? Even some Soul Practitioners wouldn't do this even if they died out of hunger!
Tsu!*
Asher spat out the bit of potato he chewed earlier and handed the potato to the Phoenix.
The Phoenix glanced and her eyes glittered. She crawled over and before she took it from his hand, he pulled it away from her.
"Ah!" the Phoenix got frightened that the sweet hot potato got lost from her grasp, she jumped forward to get it but was met with a foot to the face.
"Gah!" she rolled on the ground, "My beautiful face! Y-y-you stepped on it!"
It was painful at first but what worried her the most was not the pain.
"My nose, did my nose break?" she felt her dirtied face with panic but soon realized it was all fine.
Right. She still has her indestructible physical body so why was she panicking?
Ever since she felt physical pain, the Phoenix felt like she was getting damaged even when she was otherwise fine.
Sighing in relief, the Phoenix's face turned red from anger and embarrassment.
"You, mortal...!!!"
Asher raised an eyebrow and raised the potato.
"...mmm," immediately, the Phoenix turned docile like a stray kitten.
"Why would I give it to you for free?"
The Phoenix flinched.
She already become like a beggar. The pride that was keeping her head high back then was unable to stop her right now.
Thus, she gave up.
"I know what you want! You want me to revive the world, right? I will, once I get my energy back."
She opened her palm and glared at him.
"Now...!"
Asher gulped. Was this really the chance? Will a single potato provide the opportunity of a second chance to those who deserve it?
"... how do I know you will do what you just said?"
The Phoenix's eyes darted to the side while her face crumpled. After a while, she murmured, "I can take an oath..."
"Oath?"
"Yes, never heard of it? Of course, you're a dumb mortal! How would you know the workings of Divine Beings?"
"Are you sure you want to talk with that tone with me?" Asher shook the potato in his hand.
"...ngh..!"
The Phoenix bit her lips. She could only helplessly explain.
"Once one has reached Divinity, they have contact with the High Heaven. One benefit is that Divine Beings can take an oath, a promise to the High Heaven, that if we ever break it, our Spirit be broken and never be reincarnated again...!"
Although her voice was lower than before, Asher could still hear a light growl at the end.
But whatever, that's better than her previous attitude already. A hundred times better. Asher felt slightly satisfied.
Interesting huh... Divinity, High Heaven... those are some unfamiliar words.
Asher still doesn't trust her fully. But it was just one potato so he gave her a chance.
"Okay, take an oath then."
The Phoenix hesitated. She looked around, thinking of another way. However, seeing the potato in his hand again stopped her thoughts.
Meanwhile, Asher may not seem like it, but he was anxious and agitated for her to take the so-called oath. His feet felt the chills and his breathing felt short.
After some hesitation, the Divine Being that is the Phoenix gave up.
She looked up to the sky and closed her eyes.
"By the boundless light of the High Heaven..."
She began taking the oath.
"Beneath the ever-turning sky, I lay my spirit bare before the eternal gaze. Let my breath be measured, my words be weighed, and my will be as fire unyielding."
As if scripted and practiced, the Phoenix called upon the High Heaven to be the Judge and Witness of her Oath. Holy light then appeared on her forehead as she glanced down at Asher.
"What's your name?"
"... Asher. Asher from the O'Lothe Family."
"What's the name of this world, the one we're standing at the present?"
For the second time since he first met her, the Phoenix exudes an aura of divinity fitting that of a Divine Being. Feeling pressured, Asher answered with haste.
"This world is named Solvarya."
The Phoenix nodded and made a simple yet respectful hand sign towards the light.
"Witnessed by the sacred fire, by the name of Madesol Velka, daughter of Thessara and Azphira and member of the Light Order under the Phoenix Clan so it is spoken, so it shall be.
I swore to Asher O'Lothe that I will revive all the life I have taken on my fall to Solvarya in return for the sustenance he provided me..."
The Phoenix's, Madesol's, eyes then turned sharper and added to the oath.
"... and will provide me until and once I have returned my original power before falling to Solvarya."
The light on her forehead was then bound to her soul and Asher's.
With the High Heaven as the Witness and Judge, Madesol as the Oathbearer, and Asher as the Oathbound, the oath was complete.
"There, satisfied...?" Madesol's eye dimmed.
She didn't seem super excited about the situation.
How loud would the laughter of other Divine Beings let out if they knew she contacted the one and only High Heaven for mortal food?
"Uh... y, yeah."
"Hmm."
Asher was stumped and forgot to give her the potato. Returning to his senses, he then threw it to her.
Seeing the food come to her, the light came back to Madesol's eyes. She looked at it as if she had earned it before taking her sweet time feasting on it.
Seeing the Phoenix eat the potato, Asher blinked.
Did a potato really work?
Meanwhile, while eating the potato, Madesol no longer felt sad. Thinking about it, how would Divine Beings know about this? If not for her unique situation, she wouldn't be here in this desolate world. All Divine Beings are important enough not to care about this little speck of a world named Solvarya.
A feeling of victory swelled within her. Once she has her original powers back, it will just take her a bit of attention to revive this world.
Imagine, later, she will just have to wave her hand and revive these useless mortals. In return, she will be provided with food from now on.
What an absolute win!
"Do you have a problem with my oath, mortal?"
After finishing the potato, Madesol noticed Asher's blank stare.
Thinking he had a problem with the additional condition she added in her oath, Madesol didn't care.
There's nothing he could do. If he wants her to revive the world, he'll have to provide her food until she gains her original powers back. If he fails to do so, she will not have an obligation to follow the oath and, thus, will not be punished.
However, Asher was thinking entirely differently.
What is she on about? How would I have a problem with that?
He shook his head in reply.
"Hahaha, then you shall provide me with food. Potatoes, carrots, you name it!" Madesol demanded before remembering that one meal she had, "Not ginger though!"
Asher nodded.
I know you're hungry but it's just wild food, it's not some special meal. More importantly...
"You said that you have to regain your original powe-"
"Wait! Wait!" Madesol interrupted and shook her finger, "Do you think I'm satisfied with one?"
Now that she got the upper hand in this "negotiation", the demanding tone returned.
From a beggar back to the attitude of a spoiled princess...
Asher rolled his eyes. He felt irritated, thinking about how he'll be with this bitch for a long time.
"What are you waiting for?" Madesol lifted her chin and happily abused the situation, "Get me more food!"
It's night though? How can he seek and dig in the night for food?
But he didn't complain. This is about the fate of his family and possibly the whole world. They may get another chance of life and he doesn't plan to slack off.
Seeing him so diligently foraging around for her food, Madesol giggled.
Finally, a mortal working for me, as it should be!
After some time, Asher brought tens of edible underground food, pierced them with tough roots, and roasted them in the bonfire.
"Give it a minute or so."
He walked away and came back with another batch.
"Oohhhhh...!"