Departure

The first day passed, and it was heaven for Crystal.

She held and clung to Adam, embracing him and enjoying his warmth even as she had slept.

Adam's confession meant the world to Crystal.

Aside from the frost of her soul that would push her to insecurity and fear, Crystal had yet to experience the acceptance and confession of a man of such great standing.

Adam was perfect in his looks.

That's how Crystal would describe him.

As she grew up, she had seen many men who would show interest in her because of her beauty. But they would never last. Some men could not endure her depression. Crystal's insecurity made her very needy and suspicious.

She had been confessed to several times. Because of her beauty, she was far more than the average girl because of her beauty. But she always acted in suspicion and fear. At times, she would suddenly break up with the men who were there for the smallest acts of these men that made her suspicious.

Three men who pursued her had been placed in embarrassing situations due to her outbursts and cries.

These men had family of power and pressured her family. These men also showed great disdain towards her and even turned from a suitor to a persecutor.

Crystal opened her heart to all these past events. And she was comforted because Adam perfectly understood her crazy.

"So… I ended up running away at that party. My parents were enraged at me. It's probably why they hate me now. I've put them in many very dangerous situations with these people. The guys who courted me all had positions of power. But I just… lose myself in the crazy and think of all the bad things. It's like, I expect that I'll be alone at the end of the day." Crystal explained.

"It's still part of the curse of the Sorrowful Maiden…"

"Have you met a Sorrowful Maiden?"

"I've eaten two."

"...What?!"

"I told you, you guys are still prey to me. I've eaten countless of humans in my life."

"So… is it possible you'd… eat me one day?"

Adam's expression turned into a bewildered one.

"Why would I eat you? I've already told you I like you!"

"So? You're a dragon. Maybe one of the ways you'd show your love is biting me."

"Let's put it this way…" Adam sighed.

"Imagine having a pet, like a chicken, that you love. Would you eat that chicken?"

"...No. So, you're saying I'm like a chicken to you?"

"Why are you picking up the most unnecessary components of my examples?! I like you!"

"As a chicken?"

"No! I'm attracted to you! You're gorgeous and beautiful! I don't see you just as a chicken!"

"...In other words, you see me as a beautiful chicken?"

"Alright… Now I know you're just teasing me." Adam frowned.

"Sorry!" Crystal chuckled.

"I can't believe I'm doing this though. You're like a god. You are close to being one, not just in your looks and form! And I'm having this conversation with you! And you actually like me! And understand me!" Crystal laughed as he embraced Adam even tighter.

Adam smiled as he pulled back and gazed at Crystal.

In the days that passed and the affections that they shared, the lust had subsided, and Crystal was already able to simply enjoy Adam's presence as the phantasmagoria of her emotions on being accepted, loved, and understood, surpassed the hunger of lust.

The two looked at each other eye to eye.

But then, Crystal did what every woman would do in these loving situations.

"...Wait! Did you kiss any of those Ice Soul Maiden you met and ate?"

"Yes. But I ate them. So they are dead. You don't need to worry. Gods… This is why I hate mortal women!" Adam sighed.

"So… you've… slept with a lot of women?"

"I'm a being of lust. Lots is an understatement. I'd use the word 'countless'." Adam answered.

"Countless of women?! Countless?!" Crystal exclaimed.

"What do you expect?"

"So… you could be the father of countless kids!"

"Impossible."

"Why is that impossible?!"

"Because I ate them."

"What?! Why do you keep eating people!?"

"Because I'm a dragon. I eat anything." Adam answered again.

"So I really am your beautiful pet chicken…" Crystal didn't know what to feel.

Adam sighed and took hold of her as his hands held on her cheeks, and the two shared another deep kiss.

The kiss was not their usual 'feeding session.' Adam simply took her and kissed her.

"Do you feel like a chicken now?"

"...Yes. I think I need five more kisses." Crystal blushed.

Adam laughed.

"You really are in the no-frost soul euphoria. There were theories of this, but it's fun to see it in action. Many Ice Soul Maidens had tried this path to find happiness but concluded their sorrow was in them. You being out of the sorrow is like a blind man experiencing sight."

"It's true! I can't believe it! These emotions that were- Mfffff….!"

Crystal was caught off guard.

"I thought you needed five more kisses?" Adam smiled.

"So? Is it helping? Or do you still feel like a chicken?"

"...Cluck."

Adam smiled as he glanced at Crystal.

Crystal became so embarrassed that it was her who had fled from Adam's sight.

Adam watched with his heart flowing in the same warmth he once had. But behind this smile was the increasing guilt.

"Idiot. You are only making it worse. Her heart will break soon." He told himself.

"Once again, your selfishness is costing your future…" Adam sighed.

Realizing that he would leave, Adam then continued to train Crystal.

The third day quickly passed. It was like a blur to Crystal and Adam, who thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this time.

But even in the sweetest moments, and even when Crystal was dying to be touched by him that way, Adam never made this move.

The flames began to appear out of Crystal as he felt the surging flames.

"It doesn't hurt anymore!" She smiled as the flames appeared.

"Oh? Immaterial Coalescence. Your Immaterial body is becoming more connected with your Material. Yesterday's training wasn't in vain. But it's amazing. You are very skilled at this. Setting aside your soul, you are a genius in wielding Wizardry."

"I have a great teacher." Crystal smiled.

"You managed to wield fire just in time, too… We are about to leave."

"That's great!" Crystal smiled.

"My parents should be worried now. I can't wait to introduce you to them!" Crystal was excited.

Adam didn't speak but only nodded in confirmation every time Crystal spoke of the future.

"Hold on tight."

WARP!

The dragon's powers created a flaming path and were moving in the Immaterial realm. This was magic so advanced that even the kingdom where Crystal belonged would call this impossible.

The mountain began to shake as the heat of Adam's warp and how he would pull the buried Legacy Artifacts melted the ice.

RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

At once, Crystal saw herself falling into a wide, pleasant meadow and landed softly on the grass.

"We're free!" Crystal shouted and quickly stood up. Her first act was to glance around to search for Adam.

But Adam was gone. All that remained was a small wisp of fire that floated and approached her.

"Goodbye, Crystal." Adam's voice spoke through the fire.