For the first time in weeks, the Phoenix, a Divine Being, felt full as she satisfyingly laid down on the ground with a smirk on her face.
Although the thirst and cold were still there, how could she not bask with satisfaction when her stomach was this round?
Wait...
Round?
"Eh-" she turned to the side as she embarrassingly covered her belly.
Meanwhile, Asher just thought that she decided to go to sleep after eating like a glutton.
After all, it was just the Phoenix's self-consciousness. In reality, her body was never comparable to mortals. She's like a Goddess of Beauty if there ever was one.
Asher stared at the Phoenix's back. Every corner of her body seemed like sculpted by the greatest sculptor made from the most beautiful white jade the world has to offer.
With her mouth not running off and ruining her image, Asher couldn't help but appreciate her beauty.
She doesn't deserve this... were his thoughts.
He was dazzled and, contrarily, annoyed.
However, no matter how much he felt against this insufferable Phoenix, Asher was ultimately satisfied with what happened tonight.
.
.
...
It was noon and, once again, the sunlight made feeble attempts to pierce through the thick cloud made of soot.
Madesol turned around and saw the fire burning beside her.
Strange... the fire did not burn out through the night?
She sat up and rubbed her half-opened eyes. Pain, thirst, and the cold slowly invaded her body.
Keh... at least, I'm not that hungry anymore.
But soon, that sweet roasted smell entered her nose. Her eyes darted to the food beside the campfire.
Breakfast!
She didn't wait for that man's permission before engorging herself with food.
Soon, a man appeared from the distance. Noticing him, Madesol collected herself and became elegant as she slowly ate. She would cover her mouth with her hand whenever she would take a bite.
It was an attempt to retain the image of elegance, albeit it was already too late.
Asher saw this and was filled with disdain. You already ate like a dog last night. What are you acting here for?
He returned with his shirt off, revealing his body.
He has a wide shoulder with prominent muscles. His chest protrudes followed by more than eight abs until to his sides. His back was slightly large. With his torso bared, it can be seen that he got a good build. With his nice jawline and fine facial structure, he would be popular with women no matter the age.
But, in the world of Soul Practitioners whose body gets stronger as they reach a higher level of Soul strength, his face is the only one that's an advantage.
Madesol, meanwhile, couldn't care less about this.
When she was about to utter insults to him like a twisted way of greeting someone, a damp cloth was thrown to her face.
She tried to shout but only a strange burb* sound came out like she was growing on land.
The panicking Phoenix pulled the cloth away and angrily shouted.
"What was that for!?"
She was about to throw the damp cloth in disgust when Asher's words stopped her.
"Throw that if you want to waste water."
Madesol looked at it and then to his body.
"Ew!" her face crunched, "I will die of thirst before I drink your sweat!"
"What are you on about? It's just water!"
If not for the oath, he wouldn't even think of sharing water with this red chicken.
"How do I know if you're not lying!?" she growled, "Where'd you get this?!"
Asher didn't reply but, instead, tried to snatch the cloth.
Madesol pulled it away.
"I thought you don't want it?"
Madesol wants to rebuke but she was just goddarn thirsty. She already kneeled for food and, she would do it again for fresh water. That's why she couldn't surrender the damp cloth in the hope that it really has water, not sweat!
He shouldn't be lying, right? After all, there's the oath. She thought.
He has to provide her with food and water. In return, she'll give him what he wants.
Right, I forgot I have the upper hand!
Even though Madesol was silent, Asher already felt annoyed, feeling like she was being smug right now.
"If you don't want it, then-"
"Wait...!"
The Phoenix backed away from him.
This insolent mortal! He really knows how to get me worked up!
Asher stopped and sat back down. No longer caring about her. He already did her part. If she doesn't want it, then don't drink it.
Madesol glanced at the damp cloth and then at Asher.
You better make sure this is not sweat!
Carefully, she raised the cloth above her mouth. Twisting it, water poured down to her throat.
Gulp*
It's... it's not salty.
It is fresh water!
Weeks without it and she could die of thirst right now!
The Phoenix became greedy and twisted the cloth harder than before, but was careful enough not to let a single drop fall onto the ground and be wasted.
Glug glug glug*
"Hmm?"
Asher took a curious glance before his eyes widened.
It didn't like the Phoenix was satisfied with manually squeezing out the water. Thus, she placed the cloth into her mouth and directly sucked on it.
Slurp slurp*
"Hey! Don't put that in your mouth!"
Asher hurried.
"You bastard! I still have to wear that!"
.
...
The cloth was left on top of the giant boulder, basking under a small ray of sunlight, to be dried up.
Two figures sat around the campfire. Even though it's supposed to be daytime, it's not that much brighter than a night sky with a full moon so they always kept the fire.
The heat is also a lifesaver in this cold.
Asher glared at the stunningly beautiful woman in front of him. She was facing to the side while gently fidgeting with her vermillion hair, ignoring his glare. Her long eyelashes could be seen in full view from this side. Her long and white slender legs were crossed.
However, Asher was unaffected by her otherworldly beauty as he could only remember this woman forcing the cloth, all of it, into her mouth just so she suck all the water that remained in it.
When he got it, it was already covered in her saliva. That was his only clothing in this barren and cold land!
Forgetting about his clothes, Asher went on to a more important topic.
"Only once you have restored all your original power before you can fulfill your oath, is that correct?"
The Phoenix didn't reply and just continued twisting her hair with her finger.
Asher took her silence as a yes.
"Then, what's the plan? How did you lose your power and how can you restore it?"
Her eyes slowly rolled to him. She then bit her lips as her face looked troubled before turning tranquil.
Forget about the embarrassment... inner peace...
Madesol spoke but didn't answer his question.
"Don't you have a bit of respect for a Divine Being?"
Oh my god, what's her problem now? Asher's face fell.
Madesol frowned before continuing with a milder tone.
"I have a name."
She's well aware that she couldn't continue demanding the respect she had always received before. However, there's still this pride deep within her that she can't ignore.
This Phoenix accepted that this mortal, Asher, would not treat her like the Divine Being she is for the time being. But that doesn't mean she can stand being called "you" all the time like she doesn't have a name.
Realizing that she's somewhat reasonable now, Asher replied, "I'll keep that in mind... Madesol."
"..." Madesol's face crumpled. How dare a mortal call her by her name?
But that's what she asked, isn't it?
Well, now this is awkward.
Madesol swallowed her grievance.
"Call me Lady Madesol at least."
"Hah"
When Asher didn't take her seriously, Madesol turned livid.
"Look! I'm not asking for much. I'm not asking you to call me the Divine One or Goddess Madesol."
Asher's eyes rolled and changed topic.
"More importantly, Maddie,"
Gahhh! This man!!
Madesol wanted to pull her hair out of her scalp.
"Back to my original question. How did you lose your power and how can you restore it?"
"Ashie..." Madesol counterattacked but found that the name "Ashie" was cute and she didn't want to call this man a cute name. Thus, she was utterly defeated this time. She could only bite her lip and continued, "Mortal... you do not need to know."
Asher's face twitched.
Why shouldn't he know?
"Lady Madesol, please tell me."
"..."
"..."
"... alright."
Asher was baffled.
Damn, she's easy!
Madesol sighed. There really isn't any reason for her not to tell him. It just wouldn't change anything. What can he do with that knowledge?
But since she will be called "Lady" at least, that's worth telling the story!
"Try to keep up with it and don't ask too many questions."
Asher nodded. He understood what she meant. For example, the concepts like High Heaven and Divinity were foreign concepts to a mortal like him. If he kept asking too many questions, she wouldn't be able to tell her story.
After a slight pause, Maddie briefly told her story.