Chapter 7: Part-Phoenix

Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Part-Phoenix "What do you mean?" Betty asked, eyes narrowing with curiosity. The phoenix flapped her wings and took to the air. "Come with me." Without waiting for a reply, she soared toward the towering waterfall. Betty blinked, watching the small, fiery bird glide through the mist. Then she looked at the wide lake between her and the waterfall. Her lips twitched. ’Don’t tell me she expects me to swim across.’ Letting out a resigned sigh, she scanned the area for another path. No luck. Clicking her tongue, she muttered under her breath and jumped into the cool water, her arms cutting through the surface as she swam toward the waterfall. A few minutes later, dripping and breathless, she hoisted herself up onto the slippery rocks beside the waterfall. The phoenix sat perched there, looking smug. "Tch... so slow," she teased. "Hurry up." Betty forced a smile, masking her irritation at the mocking tone. ’If I ever get the power to roast birds... she’s first.’ Following her closely, she noticed something strange: behind the curtain of falling water was a narrow, shadowy opening. A cave. She paused just as the phoenix stopped midair and turned to face her. Her tone was softer now, more reverent. "Go inside, Master. There’s a small pool within. It has healing properties. That’s where I was born—it’s infused with ancient phoenix energy." Betty’s eyes widened as she stepped forward, mist curling around her ankles. ’A magical birthplace of a phoenix... and a healing pool? This is straight out of a fantasy novel. Yeah, I guess it makes sense since I’m in novel’ "So... I have to bathe in it?" Betty asked, glancing at the phoenix hovering beside her. The phoenix nodded, her glowing feathers fluttering as she circled Betty mid-air. "Yes. But don’t expect a miracle just yet," she said matter-of-factly. "Your voice will return, but it’ll be hoarse. And after some time, it’ll fade again. You’ll need to bathe in it daily for lasting results." Betty sighed, giving a small nod. ’Even a little is better than nothing.’ Turning toward the cave’s mouth, she stepped inside. A wave of cool, damp air met her, and shadows closed in. The floor was uneven, scattered with jagged rocks that poked up from the earth. Carefully, she hopped between them, eyes squinting through the dim light. ’Where is this magical pool she was talking about?’ Then, in the distance, she saw it—a faint blue glow flickering behind a ring of smooth stones. Her eyes lit up. ’This has to be it.’ She stepped closer, the shimmer of the water catching the light. The pool was small but radiant, with steam gently rising from its surface as if it breathed magic itself. Undoing the leafy wrap she had tied earlier, Betty slowly stepped forward, dipping her foot into the water. It was warm. Comforting. Almost alive. Taking a deep breath, she let herself slide in, inch by inch, the soothing water wrapping around her tired body like a blanket. ’Please... let this work. Just for a while... I don’t want to remain unable to speak.’ The coolness of the water wrapped around Betty like silk, but instead of soothing her, it sent a sharp throb through her skull. "Ugh—" Her vision blurred, her foot slipped on the slick stone beneath her, and with a faint splash, she fell completely under. The world went dark. After some time, the pool shimmered with gentle ripples. From beneath the surface, a delicate, jade-like hand emerged—smooth, pale, and ethereal. Betty rose slowly, gasping as she broke through the surface, water cascading down her face and shoulders. She clutched her forehead, her breath shaky. The pain was fading now, replaced by a strange warmth pulsing through her veins. "Why... why did it hurt so much?" she whispered hoarsely. Then, her eyes caught something—her reflection in the glowing surface of the water. She froze. Her trembling fingers reached up to touch her chin, brushing over skin that felt unnaturally soft and flawless. "H-How... is this really me?" Her once-scratched and battered skin was now porcelain-smooth. Her limbs looked slimmer, more graceful. Her hair clung to her back like ink-drenched silk. Her blue eyes still remained—but there was a faint red glint in them now, glowing subtly like hidden embers. Snapping back to reality, she quickly wrapped herself with nearby leaves, fashioning a cover with practiced speed. Without another word, she stepped out of the cave. "Bird! Where are you?!" Betty shouted, stepping out from the cave and looking up at the sky. "What?" A voice responded—right behind her. She jumped, heart nearly leaping out of her chest. "Ughhh! Where did you come from?!" she spun around to see the phoenix perched casually on a tree branch, wings folded and tail swaying like royalty. The little phoenix tilted her head, her crimson feathers glowing softly in the light. "You called. I came. What’s with the drama?" Betty narrowed her eyes."Don’t sneak up on people like that!" "You were yelling into the sky like a lost chicken. I was being polite." Betty groaned and pointed at herself. "Okay—seriously now. What happened to me? Why is my skin suddenly all smooth and glowing? And my eyes—" She leaned forward, voice dropping, "Why do they have a red tint now?" The phoenix blinked once, then gave a small smile. "Ah. That’s because you bathed in the Phoenix’s birthplace." Betty’s eyes widened."You didn’t say anything about a change in appearance!" "You bathed in the birthplace of a phoenix, Master. Did you think you’d come out exactly the same?" she said matter-of-factly, preening her feathers smugly. "Your body is starting to adapt to phoenix energy. It’s subtle now, but the more you use the pool, the more it’ll grow." Betty blinked, looking down at her pale, glowing skin."So... I’m becoming... part-phoenix?" The phoenix shrugged. "Something like that. You’re still human, but your bond with the phoenix flame is forming. Slowly, you’ll notice changes: strength, resilience, healing... and maybe even a spark of fire, but its chances are nearly zero."