Asher's gaze grew distant, the corners of his mouth tilting downwards in contemplation, "I can't fully explain it," Asher began, "But deep within, I feel like she and I... we've known each other. I know it sounds utterly absurd."
Isola blinked, taking a moment to register his words. Her initial surprise faded into an understanding smile, "It does sound quite far-fetched," she admitted, her smile warming, "But if there's anything I've learned from our time together, it's that feelings and instincts aren't to be ignored. If you feel a connection, there's probably more truth to it than we currently understand."
She glanced around, noting the palpable tension that had settled in the area. Looking back at Asher with a mix of concern and determination, she cautioned, "You need to be careful about that phoenix feather, Asher. Not just because of the backlash that using its power again could bring, but also because it might reveal too much about your past identity. People are already wary. It would be unwise to give them further reasons to suspect you. Right now, we are fortunate nobody saw it was you."
Asher's eyes softened, his next words carrying an unmistakable weight, "I won't use it again," he vowed, "The last drop of her blood that remains...It's all I have left of her. No matter the circumstance, I won't waste it."
Isola's eyebrows quirked in surprise. In her heart, she pondered how the Asher from mere months ago might have been more undaunted, not thinking twice about utilizing every resource at his disposal. Yet here he was, changed, valuing the memory of a mystical creature over the potential power it promised.
This made her realize that she underestimated the profound connection that phoenix must have made with him. This also made her feel more curious about the entire thing.
Nodding slowly, her lips curved into a gentle, reassuring smile, "That feels like the right think to do," she whispered and felt that he was becoming a better version of himself.
*RUMB! RUMB!*
Suddenly, the two of them jerked when the earth beneath them began to rumble.
"There he is. The Sleeping Prince!" a voice chimed, its tone a mix of cheekiness and authority.
All heads turned to find the Zone Master, the diminutive little 5-year-old looking girl with brown hair cascading in soft waves down her back and silver eyes gleaming with mischief. Her frock, a shade of pastel blue, swished around her as she took purposeful steps forward.
Behind her, the mammoth form of Callisa loomed, followed by an annoyed Ceti and Merina. The contrast between the small, petite Zone Master and the towering Kraken was stark, but there was no mistaking these two had shared a lot of time together to appear familiar with each other.
Callisa's bulbous eyes seemed to twinkle with a mix of fatigue and delight as they landed on Asher. Her giant pincers snapped in jubilant anticipation after seeing him awake and healthy after 2 months.
Asher and Isola had already guessed only an excited Kraken could make the ground rumble like this. The two had their eyes soften upon seeing their beast companion though their expressions became slightly stiff upon seeing the little Zone Master.
Callisa was about to rush over, but the little Zone Master raised a small hand, signaling Callisa to wait, "Not now, Kookoo. You can greet your...friend once I'm done with him," she stated with a mock-serious tone, clearly enjoying bullying the young Kraken.
"Koo…" Callisa responded with a soft mewl, almost like a kitten, her huge form radiating a sense of dejection. She then ambled slowly, making her way to Isola's side, causing a minor tremor with each step.
Since the little Zone Master was the reason Asher was able to stay here safely and heal, Callisa felt like she owed the Zone Master.
Asher's steps were firm and deliberate, each one echoing a sense of authority, while her presence was a mix of childlike innocence and underlying mischief.
He halted in front of her, shadows from the tented stalls casting long, angular patterns on his face. He folded his arms, eyes narrowed with suspicion, "Why did you address me as the Sleeping Prince?" He asked in a skeptical tone, feeling that there was much more to this little imp than she was letting on.
The little Zone Master, eyes twinkling with mischief, giggled as she twirled a lock of her brown hair between tiny fingers, "Well, you did nap for two whole months," she teased, grinning cheekily, "And you have the looks and demeanor of a prince. So, Sleeping Prince, it is! Not many get a compliment from me, you know. Consider yourself honored, especially since I went out of my way to help you out."
Asher tried to hide his vexation as he said with a forced smile, "I'm ever so grateful," he responded, dripping sarcasm, "for your kindness in letting me overstay till I woke," Internally, he couldn't help but recall how Ceti and Merina were put to work for her whims. The vivid images of them being reduced to spa masseuses while Callisa was paraded around as a personal steed were almost comical, yet oddly infuriating, especially for them.
However, he also felt sincerely grateful since no matter how impish this little Zone Master was, in the end, he was able to heal safely and wake up without any worries.
But he knew someone like her wouldn't help him unless she wanted something from him.
So his piercing gaze bore into the Zone Master's silver eyes, challenging her with an intensity that seemed out of place given their visual disparity, "So…I believe you came out all the way here to talk to me alone for some reason. Or am I mistaken?"
The petite figure before him, usually so bubbly and playful, momentarily shifted her demeanor.
With a hint of mischief in her eyes, she leaned in, lips curving into a teasing smile, "Aren't you quite sharp…" She paused, her eyes briefly darting away before adding with a narrowed gaze, "That feather you're harboring – it's something you shouldn't have received, not as far as the quest was concerned. And you went on to use it to cheat your way out. So…I want you to hand it over."
The very mention of the phoenix feather stirred emotions within Asher, ones he didn't fully understand. He took a sharp breath, his tone resolute, "I've already decided not to use it again. But I won't part with it. It stays with me."
Her playful demeanor suddenly vanished, replaced by a glacial chill, "Oh? Even if I warn everyone about the Sleeping Prince possessing a forbidden item?" she asked, her voice dropping several octaves, exuding unusual authority and dominance compared to before.
A wave of tension swept across him, though his stance remained unyielding, "Threaten all you want. The feather won't leave my side," The determination in his voice was unwavering.
He was relieved that he already made sure to tuck away the feather in his Damned Dimension so that nobody could forcibly take it from him.
And just like he had guessed, the little Zone Master wasn't as harmless and a child as she appeared to be.
The little Zone Master's face was an enigmatic mask. Asher could feel the weight of her scrutiny, the silent calculation in her eyes, though he couldn't guess what she was really thinking.
Ceti, Merina, and Isola watched from afar, wondering what the two were talking about secretly.
The tension, which had been so thick that it seemed like one could slice it with a knife, suddenly dissipated.
"Teehehe!"
The little Zone Master's carefree giggle echoed around, drawing amused glances from nearby demons. Some sighed, shaking their heads at her unpredictable nature. They knew this little Zone Master had a nut loose in her head.
Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she twirled, almost dancing in place, "Oh, you should have seen yourself! All serious and brooding. I almost got scared," She took a moment to suppress another fit of giggles, "Relax, Sleeping Prince. As the Zone Master, I'm only concerned with maintaining balance and rules within my domain. Whatever business you have outside, it doesn't concern me."
Asher's eyebrows furrowed, as he chuckled, the weight on his shoulders easing. Since he knew the Zone Master had unimaginable power within this area, he couldn't help but feel worried earlier.
Still, this made him ask, "Then why did you help me out?"
She beamed, her silver eyes shimmering with amusement as she leaned in, whispering conspiratorially, "Not every group would have an absolutely adorable Kraken. How could I resist not cuddling with one?" She mimicked Callisa's pincers, snipping the air playfully.
Asher subtly smiled with a soft shake of his head, feeling that there was probably some other reason. However, he knew there was no point in delving into it and decided to leave it at that.
He then said with a narrowed gaze, "I am sure Callisa must have enjoyed playing with you. By the way…What's your actual name?"
She curved her lips and leaned closer, her voice dropping to an almost-whisper, "You know, you're the first one to ever ask my name."
She then straightened, playing with a lock of her hair, "But I don't just reveal my name to anyone. Still...if you are able to make it through whatever's coming your way, then…maybe, just maybe, I'll tell you, tehehe," She said with a giggle.
Rubbing his temple, Asher realized she was just messing with him again, "Fine, keep your mysterious name to yourself."
The little Zone Master pouted as she said, "You are no fun. But you and your friends have to leave today. I have reached the limit of my kindness," She said with her pout still hanging in the air.
Asher chuckled, "I am sure you did. But you don't have to worry. We were planning to leave today either way."
As Asher walked away, the little Zone Master's eyes became distant, though they suddenly narrowed as she turned to the side and saw the figure of an eerie looking old man briefly flickering in the space for a moment, though nobody else seemed to notice it.
And the next moment, she disappeared from the spot.
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