25 Delirium I

"Don't!"

A sharp distressed voice disrupted Yang's line of thoughts and caused him to focus on the reality instead.

He could see that Ying was still trapped in her nightmare with the big frown on her forehead and the shudders. This had to change. He didn't like to see her in this weak state.

The Ice God Ying had always been a strong individual to him and his motivation to cultivation. Her current state didn't fit the image.

She started to whimper again and mumbling something incomprehensible.

"Ying, wake up." Yang decided to attempt waking her without touching her at first. If it would fail, he would have no other choice than to stir her awaken through other sensory system.

"Ying!" His voice cracked a bit as he increased the volume. Still, she had no apparent reaction.

He kept screaming for a while, before giving up on the idea. His mouth was already dry to begin with and now even more so after his screaming sessions.

To relieve himself, he took out a water bag and drank a few chunks of water. As he drank, he felt a deep urge to continue, but with determination and willpower he prevented himself from doing so.

With no other brilliant ideas, Yang now decided to shake her. She wouldn't hopefully wake up as a vengenceful spirit and end his life.

As his hand came in contact with her shoulder, he felt it unusually hot. He then directly took off her scarf and felt her cheek. It was way too warm and sweaty, even if they were in this hot climate. Maybe she had a fever?

He gently patted her face at first before he started to increase his strength, but even with this physical contact she remained unconscious. She did though continue doing some distressed sounds.

Yang sighed deeply as he was left without good options for action. She seemed sick, but he was no doctor. He possessed no medical knowledge and knew nothing of how to treat a patient.

If she had a fever, he had no idea how it started and how to efficiently treat it. Of course he could always provide some water to help her stay hydrated, but nothing else.

He sighed again as he opened her mouth and poured water into it. His movement was a bit sloppy, causing some water to miss the oral entrance. As he cursed himself, he perfected the angle of the water flow to limit the losses.

After a while, the water bag was emptied. Yang cursed himself once again for having wasted so much water on the woman in front of him, who was still unresponsive. He slumped as he contemplated.

Why did he actually care?

As she stated before, they could die unlimited amount of times. A quick slice of the throat would solve the problem and they would rewind the entire journey.

But the thought of killing her, ignited such an unpleasant feeling in the Fire God that he couldn't make himself do so.