Chapter 18 – The Unexpected Inheritance
The inside of the magic tent was more spacious than it looked from the outside. The inner walls pulsed with a faint bluish aura, as if alive, reacting 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 had some kind of inheritance or power, why have I never felt anything?
Cordelia:
— That's easy to explain.
She dipped a cloth in warm water and gently pressed it against the cut on his arm, speaking calmly but with a sharp gaze.
— You didn't inherit a full legacy — just fragments of one.
She stepped back slightly, crossing her arms thoughtfully.
— For example, if I had a child, they would only inherit one aspect of my power: my light ability, my super strength, or my speed. But they wouldn't be able to use my Divine Possession, nor would they ever reach more than fifty percent of my strength, even if they got to 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 you've always been inside the city's barrier.
Her voice took on a more serious tone.
— That barrier doesn't just offer physical protection. It suppresses divine traces, even the most subtle ones. Powerful heirs are forced to restrain their abilities inside it, and for someone like you, who hasn't awakened yet... it's like living in invisible chains.
She approached and touched his shoulder gently, 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's that?
Cordelia:
— Pure energy, with no alignment to light, darkness, fire, ice, or anything else.
She made gentle gestures with her hands, tracing invisible circles in the air.
— Every being carries a signature in their energy. Mine, for example, is aggressive and luminous. If I keep channeling it into your body, it might force your awakening... or kill you. Neutral energy, though, 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 grabbed a small leather pouch resting on an improvised mattress. Opening it, she revealed a small crystal wrapped in fine cloth. The light emanating from it was serene, silvery — almost ethereal. It pulsed in sync with Adriano's breath.
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 with delicate care, 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 beam of soft 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.
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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