A familiar Face

The sun blazed high over the rolling hills, where Adam, Elliot Graves' childhood friend, trudged along a dusty road. His once-boisterous demeanor was now tempered by determination. The journey from their small village had been long and grueling, but Adam had made up his mind the moment Elliot vanished.

"I won't let you face this alone," Adam muttered to himself, gripping the wooden staff he carried as a walking stick. Memories of their childhood flooded his mind—running through fields, daring each other to climb trees, and the unbreakable bond they had shared.

When the lightning struck and Elliot disappeared, Adam couldn't shake the feeling that his friend was in danger. He left the safety of their village, following rumors and fragmented tales that hinted at Elliot's movements.

Late one evening, as the sky turned shades of amber and purple, Adam stumbled upon a small roadside inn. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of stew and the hum of idle chatter. Adam sat at a corner table, nursing a cup of water and trying to overhear anything that might lead him to Elliot.

"Looking for someone, lad?"

Adam turned to see an old man sitting across from him, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. His hair was silver, and his eyes gleamed with a peculiar light.

"Yes," Adam said cautiously. "My friend. He disappeared a few weeks ago. I'm trying to find him."

The old man nodded thoughtfully. "This friend of yours—he's special, isn't he? Touched by something… otherworldly?"

Adam's eyes widened. "How do you know that?"

The old man chuckled, pulling a small pouch from his cloak. He placed it on the table, the contents jingling softly. "The world is changing, boy. Forces beyond our comprehension are stirring. If you wish to stand beside your friend, you'll need this."

From the pouch, the old man produced a small coin, its surface engraved with runes that shimmered faintly in the dim light.

"What is it?" Adam asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"A Conis," the man replied. "Break it, and you will be granted power. But be warned—power always comes with a price."

Adam hesitated, staring at the coin in his palm. "What kind of power?"

The old man smiled cryptically. "You'll see when the time comes." Then, just as suddenly as he had appeared, the man was gone, leaving Adam alone with his thoughts.

That night, as Adam walked under the stars, his path was blocked by a group of bandits. Their leader stepped forward, a crooked smile on his face.

"Well, what do we have here?" the man sneered. "Hand over your coin, boy, and we won't hurt you. Too much."

Adam's heart pounded as the bandits closed in. In a moment of desperation, he remembered the old man's words. He held the coin tightly and whispered, "I hope you're worth it." Then, he broke the coin in his hand.

A brilliant flash of light erupted from the broken coin, blinding the bandits and illuminating the night sky. When the light faded, Adam's body glowed with radiant energy. His limbs felt weightless, his movements impossibly quick.

The bandits scrambled, shouting in fear as Adam moved like a streak of light, disarming and incapacitating them in seconds. But as the last bandit fled, the light around Adam began to fade, and a wave of exhaustion swept over him.

He collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. "So that's the price," he muttered before fainting.

When Adam woke, the sun was rising, casting a golden glow over the landscape. He felt weak but determined. The power of the Conis was incredible, but the cost was clear—it drained him entirely if he overused it.

A few days later, Adam reached the outskirts of Serenia, the town where rumors said Elliot had been seen last. The village was quiet, its streets dusty and empty. As Adam walked through, he caught sight of a familiar figure in the distance.

"Elliot!" he called, his voice breaking the silence.

Elliot turned, his eyes widening in shock. "Adam?"

The two friends ran to each other, the weight of their reunion evident in their expressions. "What are you doing here?" Elliot asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and relief.

"I came to find you," Adam said simply. "I couldn't just stay behind while you faced… whatever this is."

Elliot looked at him, noticing the faint glow that still lingered around Adam. "What happened to you?"

Adam grinned sheepishly. "Let's just say I picked up a little something along the way."

As they sat by a well to rest, Adam explained his encounter with the old man and the power of the Conis. Lyssara, who had been watching from a distance, finally approached, her green eyes appraising Adam.

"Another friend of yours?" she asked Elliot.

"Yeah," Elliot replied. "This is Adam. We've known each other since we were kids."

Lyssara raised an eyebrow. "And you've got powers too now? What are you, a lightbulb?"

Adam laughed. "Something like that. But the power has limits. If I use it too much, I faint."

Lyssara's expression softened slightly. "Well, at least you're honest about your weaknesses."

Elliot placed a hand on Adam's shoulder. "I don't know what's ahead, but having you here means a lot. Just… be careful. This world is more dangerous than either of us ever imagined."

Adam nodded, his grin fading. "I didn't come all this way to lose you, Elliot. We'll face whatever's coming together."

As the three prepared to leave Serenia, the bond between Elliot and Adam strengthened. For Elliot, having a piece of his past alongside him brought comfort. For Adam, it was a chance to prove that he could stand beside his friend in the face of unimaginable challenges.

High above the mortal plane, on a cloud bathed in radiant light, a figure stood watching the reunion. The angel, clad in silver armor that shimmered with ethereal energy, rested his hand on the hilt of a golden sword. His wings, vast and luminous, glowed softly against the heavens.

"This mortal's fate intertwines with forces beyond his understanding," the angel said, his voice resonant and serene. "Etreuf's presence grows stronger. But there is light here… a spark of hope."

Another figure, cloaked in shadow, appeared beside him. "Will you intervene?" it asked, its tone curious.

The angel's gaze didn't waver. "Not yet.

As the angel turned back to the scene below, his wings unfurled, casting a brilliant glow that pierced through the clouds. In the distance, thunder rumbled faintly, a sign that destiny was still in motion.