Chapter 14 – The Revelation of a Secret
Cordelia stretched her arms wide and let out a satisfied sigh — the kind that only comes after a deep, restful sleep.
"Ahh... that was a good night's sleep," she murmured with relief, her voice filled with newly awakened energy. "Today marks the beginning of our journey, Adrian! Wake up! The sun's already up, and we've got a long road ahead!"
Adrian sat up slowly on the rough wooden bed, still groggy. He rubbed his eyes as the first golden rays of dawn slipped through the cracks in the old cabin walls. The soft light illuminated the dust dancing in the air, and in the distance, he could hear the calls of unseen creatures waking with the new day.
"I'm getting up," he replied, his voice heavy with sleep but tinged with determination. "So... where do we start today?"
Cordelia stepped up to the small window and looked out at the horizon, where the divine domain stretched vast beneath the morning sky. After a brief silence, she answered with thoughtful resolve:
"How about we go back to where you found the letter? Maybe there's something we missed. Something important."
Adrian nodded and quickly pulled on his worn boots. The old leather creaked softly as he stood.
"Alright. Let's go."
Cordelia rummaged through her bag and tossed him a piece of bread wrapped in a simple cloth.
"Here, eat this. You'll need energy for what's coming."
He took the bread and gave her a small smile — a simple gesture, but full of gratitude.
"Thanks," he said sincerely.
They sat together in silence for a few minutes, sharing the humble meal. For a moment, the weight of their mission faded, replaced by the peace of morning and the quiet crunch of bread.
When Cordelia took the last bite, she stood with a light yawn, stretching again.
"As soon as we're done, we move out," she said firmly, hope shining in her eyes.
Adrian watched her for a moment, curious. Something inside nudged him to ask:
"Cordelia... I never asked you this, but... how did you end up here?"
Her face darkened slightly. A shadow of pain crossed her eyes, but she didn't shy away from the question.
"I was very sick," she began, her voice low and trembling with memory. "My parents searched everywhere for a cure. But... they never found one. Because we were weak. Poor."
Adrian frowned, confused.
"But... weren't your parents inheritors?"
She nodded slowly, sighing under the weight of a bitter truth.
"Yes... but being an inheritor doesn't mean much when your spirit is weak." She met Adrian's eyes seriously. "For example: someone who inherits a centaur spirit doesn't compare to someone who inherits a dragon."
She tilted her head slightly, waiting for him to grasp the point.
"If you had to choose... which would you pick?"
Adrian answered without hesitation.
"A dragon, of course."
"Exactly," she said, her tone almost bitter. "The people my parents turned to for help didn't think it was worth investing in 'weak' inheritors like us."
She clenched her fists for a moment, then breathed deeply and released them.
"So they made a decision: they would seek out a legacy for me. Something that could heal me."
Her voice softened, as if lost in the memories.
"And in one of those searches, we ended up here... by accident. We got separated. I found my legacy and started searching... until I found you."
Cordelia sat for a moment, her gaze distant. Her words hung in the air like fragile threads between them.
"That's how I ended up in this place," she concluded, brushing crumbs from her clothes with a sigh that was equal parts acceptance and longing.
Adrian looked at her, surprised and moved by her honesty.
"So... you were alone before you met me?"
She nodded as she rose and headed toward the door.
"Yeah, basically."
She turned to him with renewed determination. Her eyes shone with strength.
"Now let's go. We've got a long way to walk. Hurry up!"
Adrian followed, pausing briefly at the entrance, where the world outside waited — vast and uncertain.
"Cordelia... I promise. I'll help you find your parents," he said with conviction.
She stopped for a second, still facing away. Her reply came softly, almost a whisper... and with a hint of affectionate sarcasm:
"Idiot..."
"Huh? Did you say something?" he asked, confused.
"Nothing. Come on!" she replied, already marching forward with determined steps.
"Alright, alright... I'm coming!" Adrian said, running to catch up.
Together, they stepped into the unknown. The path ahead was long and uncertain... but now, it was shared.
The morning light spread across the ruined landscape, touching both shattered stones and the secrets hidden in the shadows — as if the divine domain itself was watching the first steps of a new chapter.
---