Chapter 15 – The Attack and the Promise
Adrian and Cordelia walked side by side along a narrow trail, surrounded by rocky terrain. The wind whispered through the dry grass, carrying the scent of dust and silence.
"You know, Cordelia..." Adrian began with a thoughtful tone, "When I found those messages in the journal, I honestly didn't think I'd get this far."
He paused for a moment, his eyes wandering across the horizon where sunlight pierced through floating clouds of sand.
"I'm getting closer and closer, and yet it's hard to believe I actually made it here."
He turned to her, offering a sincere smile.
"That's why I have to thank you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have made it. So... thank you for everything so far."
Cordelia stared at him for a brief moment before looking away, a slight smile playing on her lips.
"You're welcome, Adrian. And even though you're an idiot... it's nice having you around," she replied with a teasing grin.
She pointed toward a stretch of land ahead.
"Look, we're here. This is where we split up last time. Now it's your turn to lead."
Adrian's expression grew serious as he nodded.
"Got it. Follow me. See that house over there? That's where I found the letter... and the power stone."
The small structure was half-buried in the sand, old and silent, as if it had been holding its breath for centuries, forgotten by the world.
"We're going deeper now," Cordelia said. "Let's see if we can find anything useful. Keep moving."
As they approached, Adrian turned his head slightly.
"Hey, Cordelia... I've always wondered. Why call them 'power stones'? Why not something like 'divine crystals' or something cooler?"
She let out a low laugh.
"Remember how I told you how they're formed?"
"I do. You said they're created by the energy leaking from broken divine domains, right?"
"That's right. Looks like you actually paid attention."
Her tone was teasing, but there was pride behind her words.
"Actually, there's more than one broken divine domain. A lot more. No one knows how many for sure."
She kept walking, her voice firm despite the weight of the revelation.
"And each one discovered so far emits a different type of energy."
She gestured with her hand.
"For example: the domain of death produces power stones with death energy."
Adrian raised his eyebrows, processing the information.
"So to avoid giving them all different names, they just call everything a power stone. Doesn't matter if it's holy energy, death energy... it's still power."
"Exactly," she replied.
But the conversation was cut short.
Cordelia stopped mid-step, eyes narrowing.
"Looks like our talk ends here," she said, staring ahead.
Twenty monstrous soldiers emerged from behind the rocky formations, their grotesque forms snarling, eyes glowing with pure hatred.
Adrian drew his sword.
"Ready?"
"Yeah. Let's finish them! Divine Possession!" she shouted, as light enveloped her body like sacred armor, her form radiating raw power.
"Whoa!"
Cordelia leaped high, her foot wrapped in radiant energy, diving into the center of the enemy group.
"Die, monsters!"
BOOM!
A shockwave spread with a deafening roar, lifting dust and debris. Adrian was thrown, rolling across the sand.
"Cordelia! You forgot about me?!" he shouted, coughing as he got up. His sword gleamed as he charged at the remaining enemies.
They fought in perfect sync — blades slashing, divine energy erupting, roars echoing. After fierce blows, only a few enemies remained.
Cordelia took a deep breath, ending the divine possession. The soft glow faded from her skin.
"Ugh... looks like those were the last ones."
Adrian nodded, lowering his sword.
"Let's conti—"
Before he could finish, the sand beneath his feet exploded.
A hidden creature emerged, roaring.
"Watch out!" Adrian shouted, throwing himself forward.
He struck with his sword, but the creature reacted, digging its claws into his arm and leaving a deep gash.
Cordelia dropped low, channeling energy into her palm. With a fierce cry, she struck the creature's wrist.
Divine energy exploded, vaporizing the monster instantly.
She turned to Adrian, furious.
"What the hell were you thinking, you idiot?!"
Blood trickled down his arm, but he still smiled.
"I told you, didn't I? I promised I'd help you find your parents..."
Cordelia froze for a moment, eyes wide. The anger on her face melted into surprise.
That idiot... he was actually serious...
More softly, she muttered:
"Thank you..."
"You're welcome," Adrian replied, smiling through the pain.
---
If you enjoyed the story, don't forget to vote with a Power Stone!
Your support helps this novel grClaro! Aqui está a tradução para o inglês, mantendo o estilo fluido, visual e emocional do original:
---
Chapter 15 – The Attack and the Promise
Adrian and Cordelia walked side by side along a narrow trail, surrounded by rocky terrain. The wind whispered through the dry grass, carrying the scent of dust and silence.
"You know, Cordelia..." Adrian began with a thoughtful tone, "When I found those messages in the journal, I honestly didn't think I'd get this far."
He paused for a moment, his eyes wandering across the horizon where sunlight pierced through floating clouds of sand.
"I'm getting closer and closer, and yet it's hard to believe I actually made it here."
He turned to her, offering a sincere smile.
"That's why I have to thank you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have made it. So... thank you for everything so far."
Cordelia stared at him for a brief moment before looking away, a slight smile playing on her lips.
"You're welcome, Adrian. And even though you're an idiot... it's nice having you around," she replied with a teasing grin.
She pointed toward a stretch of land ahead.
"Look, we're here. This is where we split up last time. Now it's your turn to lead."
Adrian's expression grew serious as he nodded.
"Got it. Follow me. See that house over there? That's where I found the letter... and the power stone."
The small structure was half-buried in the sand, old and silent, as if it had been holding its breath for centuries, forgotten by the world.
"We're going deeper now," Cordelia said. "Let's see if we can find anything useful. Keep moving."
As they approached, Adrian turned his head slightly.
"Hey, Cordelia... I've always wondered. Why call them 'power stones'? Why not something like 'divine crystals' or something cooler?"
She let out a low laugh.
"Remember how I told you how they're formed?"
"I do. You said they're created by the energy leaking from broken divine domains, right?"
"That's right. Looks like you actually paid attention."
Her tone was teasing, but there was pride behind her words.
"Actually, there's more than one broken divine domain. A lot more. No one knows how many for sure."
She kept walking, her voice firm despite the weight of the revelation.
"And each one discovered so far emits a different type of energy."
She gestured with her hand.
"For example: the domain of death produces power stones with death energy."
Adrian raised his eyebrows, processing the information.
"So to avoid giving them all different names, they just call everything a power stone. Doesn't matter if it's holy energy, death energy... it's still power."
"Exactly," she replied.
But the conversation was cut short.
Cordelia stopped mid-step, eyes narrowing.
"Looks like our talk ends here," she said, staring ahead.
Twenty monstrous soldiers emerged from behind the rocky formations, their grotesque forms snarling, eyes glowing with pure hatred.
Adrian drew his sword.
"Ready?"
"Yeah. Let's finish them! Divine Possession!" she shouted, as light enveloped her body like sacred armor, her form radiating raw power.
"Whoa!"
Cordelia leaped high, her foot wrapped in radiant energy, diving into the center of the enemy group.
"Die, monsters!"
BOOM!
A shockwave spread with a deafening roar, lifting dust and debris. Adrian was thrown, rolling across the sand.
"Cordelia! You forgot about me?!" he shouted, coughing as he got up. His sword gleamed as he charged at the remaining enemies.
They fought in perfect sync — blades slashing, divine energy erupting, roars echoing. After fierce blows, only a few enemies remained.
Cordelia took a deep breath, ending the divine possession. The soft glow faded from her skin.
"Ugh... looks like those were the last ones."
Adrian nodded, lowering his sword.
"Let's conti—"
Before he could finish, the sand beneath his feet exploded.
A hidden creature emerged, roaring.
"Watch out!" Adrian shouted, throwing himself forward.
He struck with his sword, but the creature reacted, digging its claws into his arm and leaving a deep gash.
Cordelia dropped low, channeling energy into her palm. With a fierce cry, she struck the creature's wrist.
Divine energy exploded, vaporizing the monster instantly.
She turned to Adrian, furious.
"What the hell were you thinking, you idiot?!"
Blood trickled down his arm, but he still smiled.
"I told you, didn't I? I promised I'd help you find your parents..."
Cordelia froze for a moment, eyes wide. The anger on her face melted into surprise.
That idiot... he was actually serious...
More softly, she muttered:
"Thank you..."
"You're welcome," Adrian replied, smiling through the pain.
---
If you enjoyed the story, don't forget to vote with a Power Stone!
Your support helps this novel grow and reach