Chapter 21 – If Walking Doesn't Work, Then Let's Fly
Adriano stretched slowly, his body still warm under the makeshift blanket of leaves and fabric.
Adriano: — That was a good sleep...
Cordélia was sitting near a small, extinguished fire, idly fiddling with her dagger, her gaze distracted.
Cordélia: — Well, since you slept so well, it's time to hit the road again. — Here, have your breakfast — she said, tossing him a piece of grilled meat still warm.
Adriano caught the meat in mid-air. The smell was strange, but not exactly unpleasant.
Adriano: — Where did you get this meat? — he asked, frowning in confusion.
Cordélia: — While you were sleeping, I looked around the camp and found some mutated birds. I killed one so we could eat.
Adriano examined the meat carefully, noticing the bluish veins between the fibers.
Adriano: — Is this edible? Isn't it dangerous?
Cordélia: — If we were ordinary people, the corrupted energy inside would poison and kill us. — But since we're heirs, as long as we don't overdo it, it's fine — she said casually, finishing her own meal.
Adriano took a cautious bite and was surprised by the intense flavor — almost like smoked meat. Still, the idea of eating something "corrupted" bothered him.
Adriano: — This world is so cruel for ordinary people... one wrong meal could be fatal. — If it weren't for the city barriers, everyone would be in constant danger...
He turned his gaze away, lost in thoughts about his old school and the children at the orphanage.
Cordélia: — Yeah... we should be grateful to those who built the barriers — she replied, her voice briefly soft.
Adriano: — Hey, Cordélia, how much longer until we reach the marked place?
Cordélia: — Two more days — she answered, sheathing her dagger.
Adriano: — Seriously?! That long? It'd be so nice if we could just fly there... we'd get there quickly.
Cordélia glanced at the cloudy sky and sighed.
Cordélia: — Yeah, too bad we don't have an inheritance that gives us wings or some kind of flying power...
Adriano suddenly smiled, his eyes gleaming with wild inspiration.
Adriano: — Too bad we don't have wings... wait! I just had an idea! But I think you're not going to like it...
Cordélia: — Oh no... you know what? Fine. What's your idea?
Adriano: — You and I don't have wings... but I know someone who does — he said, nodding toward the carcass of the giant bird Cordélia had killed earlier.
Cordélia raised an eyebrow.
Cordélia: — You're not thinking...
Adriano: — I am.
Moments later, they were standing in front of two stunned, still-living giant birds, struggling to get up.
Cordélia: — Well... here they are. — So, what's the plan?
Adriano: — Plan? — he replied, jumping onto the back of one of the birds with a wild grin. — Come on, Cordélia! Wahoo!
Cordélia: — You maniac! Argh, you know what? Never mind! Aah! — she shouted, running and jumping onto the other bird instinctively.
The bird tried to escape, but she held on tightly.
Adriano: — Gotcha, buddy. Now I need a ride! Let's go! Sonic Punch!
He punched the air, creating a sonic explosion that startled the birds and forced them to fly.
In seconds, they were airborne, the cold wind whipping their faces as the clouds raced by.
Adriano: — This is amazing, Cordélia! — he said, pointing to her on the bird to his right.
Cordélia: — Adriano... I'm going to kill you! — she shouted back, holding tightly onto the feathers.
Adriano: — Cordélia, open your eyes!
She hesitated, then looked around — and froze.
Before them stretched an otherworldly landscape: golden mountains floating in the air, rivers of light winding through the sky, and trees with crystalline leaves glowing in the sunlight. It was a divine domain — unexplored and majestic.
Cordélia: — What a beautiful view... a divine domain...
Adriano: — Incredible, isn't it? I know we can't always stop to admire the view, but we still need to relax sometimes and smile at life — he said with a sincere smile.
Cordélia was silent for a few seconds, then something strange happened: she sighed.
Cordélia: — Hmm... just this once, it's fine.
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