Chapter 16 – The General

Chapter 16 – The General

Cordelia:

— Here, take this potion. It should heal your wounds — she says, pulling a small silver vial from her belt and handing it to Adrian. The liquid inside glows with a soft green hue.

Adrian:

— Thanks, Cordelia — he replies, gulping down the potion with a grimace at its bitter taste.

— Can you still keep going, or would you rather try again tomorrow?

Cordelia:

— I'm fine. You're the one all messed up — she says, crossing her arms.

— But if you can still stand, let's move. I'm not wasting a whole day over a scratch.

Adrian:

— I can take it… But if I pass out, you're carrying me — he says with a tired smile.

Cordelia rolls her eyes but smiles back.

Cordelia:

— Let's go, before your courage runs off.

They move forward, passing through a rusty gate and entering a stone building with walls covered in roots and rubble.

Adrian:

— Hey, Cordelia… what do you think this place used to be?

Cordelia:

— Judging by what's left, looks like a training ground. Probably where the old kingdom's soldiers trained — she says, running her fingers over the sword marks on a worn wall.

— Why?

Adrian:

— I was just thinking… if the soldiers gathered here like they did in the last place—

BOOOOOOM!!!

A deafening roar shakes the ground.

Adrian instinctively ducks and shouts:

— WATCH OUT! — pulling Cordelia aside at the last second.

A colossal sword crashes down from above like a meteor, splitting the floor with a thunderous crack that echoes through the structure.

Cordelia:

— What the hell was that?!

Adrian:

— Exactly what I was thinking… is happening again.

They look up.

From the shadows emerges a giant creature — over three meters tall. Clad in black armor etched with glowing red runes, it wields a blade as wide as a door and heavy enough to crush walls in one swing.

Cordelia:

— Looks like we found the boss…

She raises her arm with firm resolve.

— Divine Possession!

Her body is enveloped in a blazing golden aura. Her clothes morph into a radiant form with angelic patterns, and her eyes shine with sacred light.

With superhuman speed, she lunges and soars like a divine spear.

— Holy Kick! — she yells. — DIE, MONSTER!

Her foot slams into the enemy's chest like a cannon of light, creating a shockwave that shakes the air around them.

But the creature blocks the attack with its massive blade, then counters with a brutal punch.

The impact hurls Cordelia like a ragdoll against the far wall, smashing stone and splintering wood.

Cordelia:

— Ugh… damn it…

Adrian:

— Cordelia! Are you okay?!

Cordelia:

— Still standing… barely — she replies, voice strained.

Cordelia:

— I have a plan. But it might kill you.

Adrian:

— Then let's do it.

Cordelia:

— I'm going to transfer half of my divine energy to you.

While I bind him, you finish him off. Ready?

— No time to waste…

— NOW! — she says, pressing her hand to his chest.

A surge of divine energy erupts like lightning. The ground cracks, the air vibrates, and Adrian is engulfed in pure golden light.

Adrian:

— AAAAAARGHH!! — he screams as the energy tears through him like celestial fire.

Cordelia:

— Adrian, it's all yours now!

She turns to face the monster.

— Hey ugly… try this!

— Chains of the Divine Lamb!

Golden chains burst from the ground, coiling around the enemy like sacred serpents, locking its arms, legs, even its blade.

— Finish him! Go, Adrian!

Adrian trembles, nearly collapsing to his knees.

Adrian:

— Stand up… STAND UP…

— I didn't come this far to die to this trash…

He rises, eyes glowing gold, his body radiating an intense aura that makes even the air around him shimmer.

Adrian:

— DIE!!! DIVINE PUNCH!!!

BOOOOOM!!!

The impact is like a comet strike. A blast of light engulfs everything. The ground quakes as if the world itself is breaking. Debris flies, and for a moment, the sky flashes pure white.

When the dust settles, the monster's body lies shattered. Adrian collapses backward, exhausted.

Adrian:

— I… did it… — he murmurs before blacking out.

Cordelia:

— ADRIAN!! — she runs to him, panicked.

She checks his pulse… and smiles with relief as she feels his breathing.

Cordelia:

— Still breathing…

— Good night… and thanks for the effort — she whispers, softly brushing the hair from his face.

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