Chapter 20: Atea's Rebirth and a Solemn Entrustment
Paimon pressed her little finger against her lips, making a frantic shushing motion. Lumine and Mualani exchanged a glance and nodded in solemn agreement. The secret of this miraculous healing would stay strictly between them.
Mualani turned, her mouth opening to ask Atea how she felt, but the words died in her throat. The older woman, who had been on death's door just moments ago, was now vigorously rubbing her stomach.
"Mualani, did you bring anything to eat?" Atea asked, her voice surprisingly clear. "I suddenly feel absolutely famished. I think I desperately need some energy replenishment."
Hearing that casual, entirely normal complaint of hunger, the final taut string in Mualani's chest snapped. Her shoulders shook, and she covered her mouth as tears of pure, unadulterated joy spilled over her cheeks.
"Seriously?" Mualani choked out a watery laugh, wiping her eyes. "I just finished fighting off the Abyss, Auntie! How am I supposed to conjure up a meal for you right now?" She assumed Atea was just cracking a joke to cut through the heavy, lingering tension of the abandoned hot spring.
But Lumine was already moving. With a casual flick of her wrist, she accessed her spatial backpack. A comical mountain of food began to pile up on a nearby flat rock—sweet rolls, roasted meats, and fresh fruits. The Traveler always kept a small banquet in her inventory; she absolutely refused to survive on dry rations while on the road.
"It makes sense," Lumine analyzed, crossing her arms as she watched Atea eagerly eye the food. "Atea single-handedly sealed the Abyssal Gate earlier. That alone drained a massive amount of her elemental energy. And Paimon's healing process likely required Atea's own physical stamina to help reconstruct the damage, which explains the sudden, intense starvation."
Lumine paused, tapping her chin. "Still, we should have a professional doctor look you over just to be safe. Paimon doesn't exactly have a medical degree. She just used her abilities to force the corruption out."
Paimon crossed her arms, floating higher with a huff of indignation. "Hey! What is that supposed to mean? Baizhu and Zhongli both praised my abilities! Even clearing out Xiao's karmic debt was no problem for me. Dealing with a little bit of leftover Abyssal sludge is easy-peasy, isn't it?"
Then, perhaps realizing she was bragging a bit too loudly, the little guide coughed into her fist and quickly changed her tune. "But, uh, yeah. Having a doctor double-check wouldn't hurt. Just so everyone can relax!"
Right on cue, hurried footsteps echoed down the rocky path. Hikueru and Malokao burst into the clearing, flanked by the frantic tribal doctors they had dragged all the way from the settlement.
The rescue party skidded to a halt. The scene before them completely shattered their expectations.
Instead of a dying woman surrounded by suffocating Abyssal energy, they found Atea happily stuffing her face with food while Mualani and the others laughed beside her.
Hikueru and Malokao stood frozen, their jaws practically hitting the dirt. Just moments ago, Atea had been drowning in a miasma of dark, corrosive aura. Now, the air around her was completely clear.
The lead doctor of the People of the Springs blinked rapidly. Hadn't the runners screamed that Atea was critically injured? That she desperately needed emergency treatment?
This looked like a picnic, not a medical emergency!
Frowning, the doctor marched forward. Hikueru and Malokao wouldn't joke about something this severe. Driven by professional duty, he immediately ordered Atea to sit still for a thorough physical examination.
As the diagnostic check concluded, the doctor's eyes widened to the size of saucers.
During her last secret checkup, Atea's internal organs had been a horrifying mess, ravaged by Abyssal erosion like a flickering candle violently whipped by the wind. She had even sworn the doctor to absolute secrecy, refusing to let her tribe know she was dying.
But now? The examination revealed a body brimming with vitality. There was absolutely zero trace of Abyssal corruption. From head to toe, she was perfectly, impossibly healthy. The only minor issue was a slight physical weakness, the exact kind of fatigue one would experience after fasting for days.
Watching the doctor's brow furrow deeper and deeper, Mualani's heart instantly leaped into her throat. 'No... is Atea still in danger?' she panicked internally, biting her lip to keep from interrupting the examination.
Lumine and Paimon exchanged a quick, nervous glance, understanding each other perfectly.
'Paimon, is your ability acting up?'Lumine communicated through a sharp look.'Is this Abyssal erosion somehow more stubborn than Adeptal karma?'Paimon swallowed hard, her little heart hammering against her ribs.'No way... that's impossible! Xiao's karma was completely wiped out...'
Catching the terrified, worried, and utterly bewildered expressions surrounding her, Atea finally swallowed her food and let out a warm, reassuring laugh.
"Alright, alright, calm down. I am genuinely fine now. I can clearly feel my own body. It feels like I've been completely reborn."
Hearing those words straight from Atea's mouth, the heavy boulder crushing Mualani's chest finally vanished. She let out a long, shuddering sigh of relief, turning her gaze toward Paimon with eyes swimming in deep gratitude.
Beside her, Lumine discreetly flashed Paimon a massive thumbs-up.
The tribal doctor finally broke his silence, his voice trembling with disbelief. "This is so strange. During your last exam, I felt your body was on the absolute verge of collapse. How did you suddenly get better?"
Those words struck the group like a thunderbolt.
Mualani whipped her head around, her voice cracking with a slight tremor. "Auntie Atea! You... why didn't you tell us about your body before..."
Memories flashed through Mualani's mind. Atea suddenly insisting on visiting the dangerous hot springs recently, acting overly carefree. Mualani had sensed something was off, but she had desperately wanted to believe Atea's health was simply improving. She never imagined the older woman had actually realized her time was short and simply wanted to enjoy her final days on her own terms.
Meanwhile, the doctor's gaze remained locked on Atea. The confusion in his eyes was rapidly being replaced by a burning, barely perceptible eagerness.
He understood exactly what this miracle meant. If he could master this method of curing severe Abyssal erosion, how many warriors of the People of the Springs, and even throughout all of Natlan, who were currently struggling on the brink of death could be reborn? The crushing pressure of the Abyssal war would be drastically reduced!
Atea met the doctor's feverish gaze. She then looked at the teary-eyed Mualani, the quietly observing Lumine, the floating Paimon, and the hopeful faces of Hikueru and Malokao.
She understood the doctor's desperation perfectly. But she also understood the grim reality of Natlan. The nation's struggle against the Abyss fundamentally depended on the people of Natlan themselves. She absolutely refused to let her saviors, these kind-hearted friends who brought hope, be forcibly chained to a bloody battlefield as living medical tools.
"Perhaps..." Atea began, her voice smooth and unbothered. "I just had some fortunate encounters recently. Besides, the injury just now wasn't nearly as terrible as they saw."
She waved a dismissive hand at the two runners. "Mualani was just worried sick, and Hikueru and Malokao ran off to find you without even understanding the situation."
With practiced ease, she skillfully avoided the core issue.
The doctor opened his mouth, desperate to say something more, but Atea was already on her feet. Her tone remained gentle, but it carried an unyielding edge.
"Alright, I am really fine. Everyone, check the surroundings one last time for any stray monsters, and then go rest. Tomorrow, our hot spring party cannot be delayed."
Without waiting for an argument, she took the lead and walked out of the hot spring area.
The tribal doctor stared at Atea's retreating figure. He recognized that tone. As one of the most respected Candle Keepers of the tribe, her choice and her boundaries deserved absolute respect. He gave a silent nod and stopped pressing the matter.
After a thorough sweep of the perimeter yielded zero Abyssal monsters, the group finally prepared to head back and rest.
Floating along the path, Paimon stretched her arms high above her head and let out a massive exclamation. "Today was truly exceptionally fulfilling!"
Then she let out a jaw-cracking yawn. "But I really can't take it anymore. I feel like I'm going to fall asleep while flying. I must get enough sleep when I get back later."
Lumine watched her little companion's drowsy, swaying form, finding it both amusing and endearing. Paimon might not have fought directly, but she had scouted the entire route, stressed herself into a panic, and ultimately saved Atea's life. She was indeed exhausted.
"Come on, Paimon," Lumine said softly, reaching out her hands. "I'll carry you. When you wake up tomorrow, I'll take you to eat something delicious."
The words 'something delicious' acted like magic. The drowsy guide's eyes instantly brightened a few shades in the moonlight.
"You promised! Tomorrow, I'm going to properly try all the local cuisine of the People of the Springs! I also want to eat the cookies Atea bakes! I only had a little bit last time at the hot spring and didn't get nearly enough!"
Walking just ahead of them, Atea heard this and smiled warmly. "Okay, tomorrow, however many cookies you want, I will bake for you. At the hot spring party, you must have an absolute blast."
The next day, Lumine and Paimon woke up very late, the sun already high in the sky. But even so, their late start didn't delay the hot spring party. After experiencing such a fierce battle the night before, the tribe had naturally postponed the start time.
When they arrived, the settlement was alive with vibrant energy. The people at the party celebrated to their heart's content, the infectious laughter and rhythmic music completely dispelling the gloom of the previous night.
Paimon was a girl on a mission. She ate her way from south to north, trying every single skewer of grilled meat and sweet snack she could get her hands on.
Amidst the chaos, Atea quietly called Lumine and Mualani out, gesturing for them to follow her.
Paimon didn't follow. She was entirely engrossed in watching the people's joyful dance steps, firmly believing that watching others exercise was perfectly equivalent to dancing herself and would aid her digestion.
The three women walked to a slightly distant spot, where the lively sounds of the party faded into a pleasant, faint hum.
Atea turned to Lumine, her gaze sincere and deeply deep. "I am very, very grateful to Paimon for saving me. I will remember this kindness in my heart forever."
She took a slow breath, her tone shifting into a solemn warning. "But I hope that in the future, you will try to use this ability as little as possible in front of others."
Lumine listened quietly, understanding dawning in her eyes.
"Natlan's war with the Abyss is long and cruel," Atea explained softly. "I don't want to see you bound by moral ropes at a high place, losing your freedom of choice."
Reaching into her garments, Atea pulled out two ancient amulets. They were old, the material worn smooth by years of touch, yet they contained a warm, pulsing luster. She handed one to Lumine and the other to Mualani.
"This is the amulet that has accompanied me my entire life," Atea said, her voice carrying a hint of imperceptible etherealness. "If there is a chance... please help me give it to Mavuika."
She looked out toward the horizon. "The Abyss is becoming more and more restless... no one knows when we will meet again."
Finally, she turned her gaze to Mualani, her eyes filled with fierce satisfaction and deep expectation. "Mualani, I am very happy. Not only to see that you can stand on your own, but more gratifyingly, that you can unite everyone around you."
She opened her arms and pulled Mualani into a warm, incredibly firm hug. "Next... it is up to you young people."
Mualani buried her face in Atea's shoulder, hugging her back tightly. Her voice was choked with emotion but rang with absolute conviction. "Yes! Auntie Atea, we will definitely not disappoint you!"
Atea released her embrace, a gentle, teasing smile reappearing on her face. "I told you not to keep calling me 'Auntie'; you're making me sound old."
She patted Mualani's shoulder and turned back toward the distant lights of the festival. "Alright, let's go back together. Our party time isn't much longer."
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