Chapter 25: Power Ups #25
author's note: why is the number of power stones decreasing, even though the number of readers is increasing? I'm not a machine, my dudes. I need motivation, so donate those damned power stones.
Here's a triple release for today as an incentive, but you'll only get a chapter per day if I don't see the story's rank going up...
...
His heart brimming with anticipation, Adrian sat at the site of grace within the ancient church, his surroundings bathed in a serene ambiance. With a steady voice, he called out Melina's name, his unwavering faith in their connection resonating in his words. In response, a cascade of white and blue particles shimmered into existence before him, materializing into Melina's form.
Melina stood before him, her expression serene and her tone blank as always. "What do you need of me?" she inquired.
Adrian's gaze shifted to the three artifacts he had retrieved—the Golden Seed, the Sacred Tears, and the Sacred Blade gem. Silently, he picked up the Golden Seed, its surface gleaming with a radiant golden hue. Turning to Melina, he spoke, "Erm... I picked this stuff along the way. How do I use it?"
In her usual enigmatic manner, Melina spoke, her voice devoid of inflection yet resonating with a deep understanding. "Golden Seeds are often carved into flasks," she explained. "By doing so, they allow for the storage of Cerulean or Crimson Tears liquid, both of which you are familiar with..."
"The process, though, is arduous and time-consuming, with a high chance of failure. However, as a finger maiden, I can perform this intricate process instantly." She concluded.
With Melina's words echoing, Adrian handed over the Golden Seed to her, trusting in her expertise and ancient knowledge. "Then please do..."
Melina accepted the seed and began a mesmerizing display of her otherworldly abilities. Threads of white and blue energy wrapped around the Golden Seed, spiraling and intertwining with a fluid grace.
Under Melina's touch, the Golden Seed underwent a breathtaking transformation. It morphed as if guided by an invisible hand, into the form of an empty flask—a vessel ready to be filled with the potent essence of Cerulean or Crimson liquid.
Adrian watched in awe as Melina handed him the newly formed flask, its golden surface glinting with a mesmerizing radiance. "Thanks..." he said with a grateful nod as he stowed his newly acquired flask away.
Adrian's gaze shifted to the golden cup containing the Sacred Tears, its surface adorned with intricate engravings depicting the Erdtree. Curiosity tinged his voice as he asked, "What about the cup with the golden liquid?"
In her enigmatic manner, Melina began to explain. "The golden liquid inside the cup is the manifestation of the Erdtree's blessing," she elucidated. "It holds immense restorative power, capable of transforming a tarnished's body...."
Melina continued, her voice carrying a gentle reassurance. "To partake in the blessing, you need only drink the golden liquid. It will attune your body to the restorative effects of the Cerulean and Crimson Tear's flask, enhancing their healing properties within you."
Adrian's eyes widened with understanding as he absorbed Melina's words. He already knew about its effect from playing the game, but the significance and true nature of Sacred Tears had also become clear to him.
It was a sacred elixir, a conduit for the Erdtree's grace, bestowed upon him to strengthen his resolve and fortify his connection to the healing properties of the Cerulean and Crimson Tears.
With a nod of gratitude, Adrian lifted the ornate golden cup, marveling at its intricate design and the shimmering liquid it held. Bringing the cup to his lips, Adrian closed his eyes and took a deep breath, savoring the moment.
The golden liquid, warm and soothing, flowed down his throat, infusing his being with a radiant energy. He could sense the power of the Erdtree's blessing coursing through his veins, intertwining with his very essence.
As the last drop of the golden elixir graced his lips, Adrian opened his eyes, a sense of tranquility and inner vigor enveloping him.
Adrian, his body infused with the restorative power of the Sacred Tears, turned his attention to the Sacred Blade gem. The gem glimmered in his hand, its surface depicting a sword bathed in a holy golden light.
With newfound confidence, Adrian looked to Melina and spoke, his voice filled with determination. "Melina, this gem... How can I imbue its power into a weapon?"
Melina's serene expression remained unchanged as she answered, her voice carrying a tranquil wisdom. "To imbue the gem's power, you need a special whetstone knife and an anvil. Together, they serve as conduits to transfer the gem's energy into any weapon of your choosing."
Adrian's brows furrowed as he realized his oversight. He had completely forgotten about the whetstone knife. Even worse, he had already passed by the ruin where the knife was stored on his first day outside the tutorial area. An internal groan threatened to escape, but he quickly composed himself, keeping his thoughts to himself.
Realizing there was no use dwelling on his mistake, Adrian mustered a determined smile. "Thank you for enlightening me, Melina..."
Before he could delve further into his thoughts, Melina's voice brought him back to reality. "You are welcome, but is there anything else you require, Adrian?"
A flicker of realization crossed Adrian's face as he remembered the golden runes he had obtained earlier. "One last thing, actually..." With a determined expression, he retrieved the golden runes from his inventory and held them in his hand.
Adrian's grip tightened around the golden runes, their smooth surfaces cool against his palm. With anticipation, he crushed them one after the other, basking in the feeling of runes flooding his body for a moment.
"I got these golden runes a little earlier... you mind helping me out with that?" He asked, to which Melina nodded and extended her hand toward him.
Without hesitation, Adrian rested his hand upon hers, and a golden light emanated from their palms as they made contact. A surge of energy rippled through Adrian's body, and he felt the power of the runes seeping into his being, intertwining with his essence.
The air around them crackled with a faint golden glow as Melina's otherworldly abilities worked in tandem with the ancient energy within the runes. Adrian closed his eyes, focusing on the sensations coursing through him.
Minutes stretched into an eternity as the transformation unfolded. When Adrian opened his eyes again, he felt a newfound strength pulsating within him, as if the very essence of the runes had become a part of his being.
Unlike the first time he used runes to bolster his strength, Adrian could feel a tangible difference as he had an abundance of runes to use this time.
His body and mind overflowed with power, and Adrian felt invincible for a brief moment before remembering the countless horrors waiting for him in this world, which immediately brought him back to reality.
Adrian's voice was filled with gratitude as he addressed Melina. "Thank you, Melina. With this, I will be better equipped to face the challenges ahead."
Melina's expression remained serene, her voice carrying a message of encouragement. "Indeed you will be..." She said, promptly disappearing into a light show of white and blue specs.
With those words resonating in his mind, Adrian retrieved his map with a sigh, still feeling disappointed in himself for forgetting about an item of great importance like the whetstone knife.
Shaking his head and letting out a final sigh of frustration, Adrian took a moment to collect himself. He knew that dwelling on his mistake would only hinder his progress.
Adrian's eyes scanned the intricate details etched onto the paper, tracing the path he needed to take. His gaze settled on a specific location—the Gatefront site of grace, where the elusive whetstone knife awaited.
He mentally reached for the destination, and an intense golden light overwhelmed his vision, accompanied by a tugging sensation that pulled his body and consciousness away.
As the light dissipated, Adrian found himself face to face with a soldier of Godrick, their gaze locked in an intense standoff. The soldier's stern expression mirrored Adrian's own growing unease and frustration.
Thinking quickly, Adrian attempted to pass himself off as one of the soldier's comrades, clearing his throat as he uttered, "For Godrick the Golden...?" His voice trailed off, lacking conviction and blending with a nervous chuckle.
The soldier's eyebrows furrowed, suspicion evident on his face. He narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Adrian's attire, which was far from resembling that of a colleague. The soldier's doubt quickly transformed into alarm as he shouted, "Intruder!"
Adrian's heart sank as he realized his feeble attempt at deception had backfired spectacularly. Panic set in as the soldier's cry reverberated through the air, catching the attention of his fellow troopers.
In an instant, the quiet clearing erupted into a chaotic scene. Soldiers donning armor rushed from every direction, converging on Adrian with weapons drawn. The blaring sound of an alarm horn pierced the air, its shrillness signaling imminent danger.
Feeling the urge to bash his head against the castle's sturdy walls, Adrian drew his broadsword and muttered to himself, "Oh, shit... here we go again...."
...
Want more chapters? Then consider subscribing to my patr ēon. You can read ahead for as little as $1 and it helps me a lot!
-> (patr ēon..com / wicked132)
You can also always come and say hi on my discord server
-> (disc ord..gg / sEtqmRs5y7)- or hit me up at - Wicked132#5511 - and I'll add you myself)
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone