Chapter 18 – The Unexpected Inheritance
The inside of the magic tent was far more spacious than it appeared from the outside. The inner walls pulsed with a faint bluish glow, as if alive, responding to the presence of the two young people. The atmosphere was calm, shielded from the cold night and the wild sounds of the divine domain. The soft flames of an enchanted lantern cast dancing shadows on the walls while Cordelia tended to Adriano's wounds with a clean cloth and a few potions.
Adriano:
— But how is this possible? If I really had some kind of inheritance or power... why have I never felt anything?
Cordelia:
— That's easy to explain.
She dipped the cloth in warm water and gently pressed it against the cut on his arm, her voice calm but her gaze sharp.
— You didn't inherit a full legacy... only fragments of one.
She stepped back a little, crossing her arms thoughtfully.
— For example, if I had a child, they would only inherit one aspect of my power: my light ability, my strength, or my speed. But they would never be able to use my Divine Possession, nor reach more than fifty percent of my strength — even if they reached the same level as me.
Adriano:
— But that still doesn't explain why I never awakened those powers before.
He struggled to sit upright, eyes fixed on hers.
Cordelia:
— I believe it's because of the city's barrier.
Her voice took on a more serious, certain tone.
— That barrier doesn't just provide physical protection. It suppresses divine traces, even the most subtle ones. Powerful heirs must restrain their abilities inside it, and for someone like you, who hasn't awakened yet... it's like living chained by something invisible.
She approached and gently touched his shoulder, showing empathy.
— But here, in this wild and divine domain, far from the barrier... your body started to respond. And when I transferred my energy into you — even if accidentally — I triggered the beginning of your awakening.
Adriano:
— So how do I complete this... awakening?
Cordelia:
— Normally, it would be impossible in our situation. Awakening requires something very specific... a source of neutral energy.
Adriano:
— Neutral energy? What is that?
Cordelia:
— Pure energy, with no alignment to light, darkness, fire, ice, or anything else.
She moved her hands through the air, drawing invisible circles.
— Every being carries a signature in their energy. Mine, for example, is luminous and aggressive. If I keep channeling it into you, it might force your awakening... or kill you. Neutral energy is like a calm lake. Your soul can bathe in it freely.
Adriano:
— So... I'm stuck? I can't awaken?
Cordelia:
— That's what I said... normally.
She smirked and took a small leather pouch resting on the makeshift mattress. Opening it, she revealed a small crystal wrapped in fine cloth. The light it emitted was serene, silvery — almost ethereal. It pulsed in sync with Adriano's breathing.
Adriano:
— Isn't that... the power stone I found?
Cordelia:
— Yes. You're a lucky idiot.
She chuckled softly.
— This is a true neutral crystal. Pure energy. With it, you can awaken safely. You just need to relax... and trust.
Adriano:
— So I'll fall asleep and only wake up tomorrow, right?
Cordelia:
— Exactly. Don't worry — I'll keep watch. Let's begin.
She knelt beside him carefully, placing the crystal at the center of Adriano's chest. Her fingers moved in a complex pattern, activating the flow of energy. The crystal began to vibrate, and a soft beam of light slowly sank into his skin.
Adriano's body warmed from within. He let out a deep sigh as his muscles relaxed. The pain, the tension... all faded away.
Cordelia:
— Good night.
She whispered gently, a serene smile on her lips.
Adriano:
— Good... night...
His eyelids closed, and an unusual peace filled the room. The crystal's glow dimmed until it vanished completely, fusing with Adriano's energy.
Cordelia watched silently, ensuring everything went as expected. Then she sighed and lay down beside him, eyes fixed on the magical tent ceiling where illusory constellations flickered slowly — like a memory of the real sky.
Cordelia:
"Well... I'll sleep too.
Once he awakens that inheritance, our real journey will finally begin."
The soft wind outside the tent whispered through the divine domain, a quiet omen of what was yet to come. Cordelia closed her eyes with confidence, resting close to Adriano, ready for the new dawn.
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