The Legend of the Four Seasons - Power and Divinity Recovery System

The three of them washed up and got rid of their grimy clothes, leaving Thomas and Kai to put away the supplies they had brought back.

Sete was up to her neck in a tub of warm water, the wound on her arm stung from the soap and she couldn't get used to the discomfort. 

Whitish steam filled the air of the bathroom with humidity and the sound of a constant drip echoed in the room, the young deity sighed. The duality between the calming exterior and the interior bustling with worries made her increasingly restless.

She was thinking about various things, among them Ethan's mysterious power and the captive heirs of the E.G.O. convoy, urgent matters that she needed to deal with at that lunch.

At this point, Vez interrupted her train of thought to congratulate her and offer rewards for the achievements [Looting Servants of Corruption] and [Purification Begins]. In total, she received 140 coins from the seed store and 2% divinity, a bonus for successfully protecting the heirs of the Deities.

༻ ༊*·˚ ༺

When she came out of the shower wearing a comfortable military-green sweatshirt, Sete saw Bianca finishing cleaning the mutant chicken with the help of the boys. As seasoning, the young cook had separated the juice of a few oranges, salt and a mixture of fine herbs, which she sprinkled over the meat and left to marinate while they lit the fire. 

Using gas or electricity to cook was simply not feasible in this ghost town, so the bunker was enhanced with a wood-burning stove and oven. To further enrich the flavor of the meat, Bianca came up with the idea of cooking it in the oven using orange wood as fuel. And Sete happily helped her get the wood she needed, infusing the remaining orange seeds with her power.

— Now, just turn the meat from time to time to brown it evenly and wait! — Bianca was excited for the first time since they had met, wiping her hands on her apron and tucking part of her fringe behind her ear. The near-death experience in the mall hours ago had perhaps shown her new perspectives, or she was just loosening up more with time.

Everyone gathered around the worn wooden table, after lining it with a checkered tablecloth and decorating it with a bowl full of washed cherry tomatoes. Kai had picked the fruit while the three of them were away and now they served as an appetizer before the main course. 

Ethan and Bianca looked at each other, as if in a silent dialog. They must have had time to talk alone while Sete washed up and, by the looks of it, come to some sort of decision.

— So, Sete... — Ethan began, attracting the young deity's attention. — Bianca and I talked, we wanted to know if we could go on with you... We want to help with the E.G.O. convoy, as much as we can, of course. Supplies in Ousbury are running low and soon we won't be able to live here. Thomas said that you plan to find a safe place for people like us...

Sete nodded, a slight smile at the corner of her gentle lips. The conclusion of "[Secondary Mission (optional)]: Convince Ethan and Bianca to travel with you." was announced by Vez, whose reward was 2% power. Logically, she was happy for the extra 2% power and the delicious food she could have forever, but she also felt better now that she would be able to protect the two heirs.

— Of course, you're welcome to travel with us. — She agreed, her words taking a weight off the shoulders of the young people around her. — By the way, Ethan, about your powers...

Ethan's shoulders stiffened and he lowered his head, hesitant tension surrounding him completely.

— You see, with that monster in the market, he didn't even stand a chance… — The boy spoke quickly, wiggling his fingers covered in dark gloves. — I-I didn't want to be like that, but everything I touch ends up dying, I can't control it-

Ethan's voice trembled as he mumbled, fear and anxiety evident in the large circles under his eyes. 

— It's okay, I can help you control it. — Sete calmed him down, causing him to give her a surprised look. — You must be heir to Death, an ancient and neutral Deity. You know, everything that lives dies one day. What you do is natural, in a way. And, in the end, character depends only on you. Good or evil are two forces of no importance to Death.

Everyone was silent, digesting Sete's words.

— W-what about me? From which Deity did I inherit my powers? — Bianca broke some of the group's contemplative atmosphere.

— From the Wind, of course. A formidable force of nature, the wild king of storms... He doesn't get involved in good or evil either, he just does his duty... — Spring paused and frowned. — At least, that's what I remember.