Chapter 462: [ A memory of distant past ]

“I will promise that I won’t completely ingest you.” Allen’s voice was steady and firm.

A hint of light flashed in the Firebird’s eyes, but it immediately responded sarcastically, “Bah! Stop with the act. You can’t even imagine how much benefit you’ll obtain if you ingest my Soul. Thus, your words have no credibility at all.”

“I know that you had heard about my conversation with Hel. Something out there is out to get my head. And I sure well not just to let it happen without putting any fight… I will use everything I can to become stronger… stronger than anyone else…”

Allen said in a faint voice: “You are indeed powerful. But what about me…? You should know this better than anyone else! My power and ability aren’t like those of any humans and Godkins you know of… I am confident in my talent and potential, I will certainly be able to surpass you and that bastard Hanjin in no time at all! When that time comes, I would definitely ingest you to increase my power even more…!”

The Firebird’s wings trembled out. A cold thought was conveyed over: “Are you threatening me?”

“Threatening you? What for?” Allen’s eye narrowed. “This is my body, I can do anything I want. I don’t need to threaten you, because what I want is to kill you, to relieve my hate on you! But I won’t do that, I can be civilized and I know what I can or can’t do that…”

“Give me your allegiance, in that sense, I can differentiate who is my friend or enemy… if you remain, my enemy, I will surely kill you when the time comes!” Allen stepped forward and grabs the ice cage and stared at the Firebird closely.

The Firebird’s long eyes narrowed and it folded its wings against its body. It was evident that it was not deeply moved by Allen’s words. Although the situation outside was quite dangerous, it still had other measures it could take.

Allen’s voice was filled with decisiveness. If the Firebird won’t compromise, he will certainly not let it go easily in the future. In any case, he still bore a grudge on it. In fact, he really didn’t like doing this but Allen needed additional power as soon as possible!

Because of what Hel had said, he needed to become stronger as fast as possible. This is a race of time…!

Feeling the stubborn decisiveness within Allen’s voice, the Firebird gradually turned silent. It lay down on the icy ground. Shortly after, it slowly answered: “If I help you, you truly will not attempt to ingest me?”

“You’ve been in my body for a while, so you should understand my personality well.” Allen said softly, “I can distinguish hatred and kindness clearly. If you help me, I will naturally be grateful to you. Otherwise, I will not forgive you for the thing that you have caused to my beloved Queen, when I have the ability to do so I will certainly destroy you and absorbed your soul in revenge!”

“Then, what? If it’s just that… it won’t make me come to a decision. Even if you want to ingest me, I have my way to let us die together… I am never scared of dying, so tell me why would I help you?” The Firebird snorted.

“You are really hard to please, you bird brain. What do you want?”

“If you want me to help you, it’s possible.” The Firebird stared sharply at Allen: “However, you must accept a condition of mine!”

“Alright,” Allen did not hesitate and nodded heavily.

Seeing Allen nodding his head easily, the Firebird was stunned. A hint of suspicion emerged from its eyes.

“Don’t look at me like that. I am a decisive person. If you help me, I’ll see you as an ally—of course, as long as the condition you speak didn’t violate any of my principles and moral, I will agree to it.” Allen said as if he knew the Firebird’s thoughts. He added with a calm voice: “I differentiate my ally and my foe well…”

“Very well, find me a fire seed and when that time comes, release me…” The Firebird raised its head and stared at Allen. “…till then, I will lend you my power…”

“Fire seed?” Allen frowned. “Well, whatever… how can I trust you…?”

“Didn’t you say that you are a decisive person?” The Firebird mocked.

“Being a decisive person doesn’t mean I just trust you as easily as that like a naïve little kid… give me a guarantee you won’t take over my body and go back on your words!”

“I give you my word…”

“Giving your word isn’t enough! Do you think I’m a fool!?” Allen snorted in disdain.

The Firebird stared fiercely at Allen and became silent again. A hint of struggle flashed through its eyes. Then, as if it had made a major decision, it slowly closed its eyes. “Fine, I can’t give you much assurance that can ease your worries. What about the Bond of Blood Oath…?”

“Bond of Blood Oath…?” Allen seemed slightly stunned as he repeated these words slowly back to himself. Then, his eyes sparkled as he looked at the Firebird and asked: “What’s that?”

“Hmm, Bond of Blood Oath is a contract that only a member of a Sacred Beast’s lineage like mine can do. Simply put, it uses a special technique to link our life together.”

“With this, it can help us both gain great benefits between each other. Your power is my power… my power is also your power. You can’t hurt me and vice versa. If you are hurt, then I will also suffer the same…”

Allen frowned. What’s with the contract…?

“We will become one, that is the Bond of Blood Oath. To sever it, it needed a consensual agreement. Meaning we can only severe the bond between us when we both agreed to severe it—and that is the day, you will find me a Fire Seed. And that will also be the day when our agreement comes to an end…? Both in our greatest interest…right?” If a bird can show a smile, Allen must have seen the Firebird smiling.

“… …”

“Of course, it does have its disadvantages. If you were to die, I would die as well. Similarly, if I die, you will die as well.” The Firebird snickered. “So what do you want to do now?” The Firebird waved its wings as if showing the chains binding it causing a ‘Cling! Clang’ sound to ring out.

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The ice binding chains were actually not as simple as it seems. And the Firebird knows that.

The Ice Lotus cage imprisoning it was actually very vicious. The thorns on it have a poison that slowly consumed its power and strength—in this case, the Firebird will slowly lose its power and then, giving Allen a huge chance of successfully ingesting it when the time comes.

However, since the Firebird wasn’t a normal beast but instead a mythical and legendary sacred beast, the Firebird’s will and soul was extremely strong. It will still take a very long time to slowly weaken it to the point that Allen can successfully ingest it.

And that time is what makes Firebird dread…!

“Are you backing out…?” The Firebird saw Allen silent and taunted.

“Fine, let’s do it.” Allen sighed and nodded. He immediately turned serious and said: “I will trust you this one time. However, Firebird, I abhor betrayal… if you tried to do otherwise, I will make sure you will suffer pain greater that you can even imagine… I hope I can believe you. Even if we don’t become close, at least, we can stay being friends…”

“Hmph, humans are so foolish and over suspicious. When a sacred being like me release a word, it will be engraved in a stone—unlike you, a race full of fickle and dishonesty…”

Allen’s stern expression softened. A smile appeared on his face but unlike before, it was not cold and filled with hatred anymore but instead, it was a warm smile. “Even if the world comes to an end, I would not betray my friend and family—that is the oath I had carried in thousand lifetimes. Unlike you, I will keep my word—” Allen retorted with a mischievous smile.

“Hmph! You better be… or else, I wouldn’t even care if we both die together…!!” Firebird scowled but the anger and hate flashes in its eyes gradually softened.

Allen shrugged. “Then, what should I do?”

“Leave the creation of the oath to me. If you have the slightest resistance or reluctance, it will cause the contract to fail. Also, you will only have one chance of performing this contract. Once it fails, we will never be able to form a contract again.” The Firebird reminded Allen.

“This method sure is harsh.” Allen was slightly surprised and immediately nodded his head.

Seeing this, the Firebird's aura swelled and then, closed its eyes and inhaled powerfully. After a few moments, flame erupted from its body.

“Let the fire burn away your sadness.

Quenching the longing that can’t be denied.

Let the flames dry your tears.

That only life can satisfy.

Let the beast stirs deep within its denim seat, calling and calling.

Seeking an escape without any senses.

Share life and life, wings and wings—you and me, let the flames burn forever!!’

This voice… Allen listened dumbly. But he realized the voices seemed faint and non-existent.

His vision narrowed and his perception thinned. His heart accelerated—he seemed to feel that, but the feeling also began becoming murky.

Then suddenly, Allen’s entire body even started to burn.

Enveloped by a blazing fire, Allen’s whole body turned into a mass of flame, suffering the onslaught of super-high heat that almost drove him insane.

Hot. Hot hot hot hot.

Turned into a burning effigy, Allen screams his lungs out!

"What are you doing!? Just what the heck is this!??"

Allen’s pain and screams instantly angered the Ice Queen and were about to attack the Firebird when the Firebird’s voice resounded.

“Stay that woman! This is just normal because the fire element inside your body is a little bit strong and this caused that pain. This will burn a mark within our soul so don’t let that woman disturb the ritual—of course, if you don’t trust me, then let her do so. Our deal will be off by then and it would mean only one thing… the contract will fail!!” The Firebird let out a mocking laugh as it stared down at Allen who was writhing in pain.

“Damn it you bird brain!!” Allen cursed as he immediately raised his hand in difficulty, stopping the Ice Queen from its attack.

Seeing this, the Firebird snorted. Actually, it’s not just Allen who was experiencing this excruciating pain, the Firebird was also suffering—the pain that seems to be burning your soul. However, due to its pride of being a mythical beast, the Firebird endured, not wanting to let out even a groan.

However, although it was showing calmness, it was only for a brief moment. Its indifference and mocking disappeared in a flash and was then replaced by panic and anxiety due to what had happened in the next moment.

*** ***

As the two of them suffers this unbearable pain—a flame pattern suddenly appeared between the two of them.

The pattern formed by the flames gave off an extremely mysterious feeling. It seemed to communicate with something mysterious within their bodies.

“Sent your soul essence inside the flame pattern, quickly.” The Firebird hurriedly said as his flame soul essence appeared in front of it and started floating towards the seal.

“Hm?” Hearing this, Allen showed a confused expression. “What soul essence? How do I do that?”

“What?!” Allen’s words almost caused the Firebird to spat out a mouthful of blood. It started at Allen with widened eyes and mouth in form of ‘O’… “You, you, you, don’t tell me, you don’t know how to do it…!!?”

“Well,” If Allen wasn’t suffering in pain; he would surely show a cute smile trying to elevate the Firebird’s annoyance while scratching the back of his hair. He really doesn’t know it… you kow~

Seeing Allen’s expression, the Firebird almost fainted. This useless bastard!! “You’re going to be the death of me!!!”

“… …” Allen suddenly felt ashamed.

“Conjure! Conjure you soul essence quickly!!” The Firebird almost let out tears. This bastard, even in death, the Firebird never panicked like this and yet now—just how much did it owe Allen in their past lives…?!!!

“How do I do that?”

The Firebird wanted to strangle Allen to death. Unfortunately, the time was precious. They didn’t have time to argue.

“Think! Think about what special to you…something that values more than your life…!!”

“Are people enough?”

“Close your eyes and the thing that first appeared in your mind when you want to think of something important—that would be it!!” The Firebird nearly went mad. When it noticed that the flame seal pattern was becoming transparent, the Firebird has an urge to let out a shriek of irritation!!

It was already its chance of freedom and this guy will just spoil it…?!!

Allen hurriedly closed its eyes. But his mind was a jumbled mess due to the pain overwhelming him. The pain was too much—when, he was losing it, suddenly…

What are you doing? A familiar voice said. You said you will break me out in this prison, right?

Then, you can’t fall down now… I’m waiting~

Suddenly there was a tug on his back.

"Hold on, my dear." It was Hela’s voice, much clearer now. "I’ve found someplace… a land away from prying eyes, where we are heart to heart and hand in hand as we dwell beneath the skies above… don’t keep me waiting…my love,”

The scene suddenly changed and Allen could see Hela quite clearly now—standing in front of him with her back facing the setting sun. That was it. She was reaching out her hand to him, smiling beautifully as her face brightened up from the orange light of dusk.

She was wearing a beautiful white dress. Her beautiful silver hair swayed in the wind and her heterochromatic eyes were as deep and mysterious.

"Isn’t this place, beautiful…?" She smiled. "This is my favorite place."

Ah! Now, Allen recalled what this scene was… A Memory!

That’s right! A Memory only belonged to the both of them.