Chapter 47
Adventure Time
Adom awoke to the soft light of dawn filtering through the window of his room at the inn. The first thing he did was to summon his status window. The familiar blue hue of the holographic display materialized before him, detailing his current level, Essentia reserves, and the status of his skills and abilities. Everything appeared as expected, unchanged from the night before.
He dressed, donning the suit of light armor he had acquired back at the forge in Mandrake. The armor felt comfortable, almost a second skin, yet provided a reassuring sense of protection. As he equipped his gear, Adom's thoughts drifted to the task ahead, a mix of anticipation and anxiety swirling within him.
In a moment of reflection, he found himself missing the comforting presence of his parents and Bennu. On a whim, driven by a longing he couldn't shake, Adom reached out with his senses, attempting to connect with Bennu across the distance that separated them.
To his surprise, the bond they shared seemed to transcend physical space. He could feel Bennu's presence, warm and comforting, as if the phoenix was right beside him. Yet, there was an unmistakable sense of distance, a vast void that lay between them. Adom tried to communicate, to speak with Bennu as he had done countless times before, but his words seemed to echo back to him, lost in the expanse that divided them.
Though he could feel Bennu vividly, a realization dawned on him—while their bond allowed them to sense each other's presence, actual communication was hindered by the sheer distance.
Adom descended the stairs to the common room, a little ritualistic slap on his cheeks having sharpened his focus for the day ahead. The room was quietly lively, with Zara, the Tiefling sorceress, among a few scattered patrons, and Alea behind the counter. Zara, engrossed in her morning coffee, acknowledged Adom with a simple nod as he greeted them.
Alea beckoned Adom over with a warm smile, directing him to a table where his breakfast awaited. The meal was modest but delightful, featuring scrambled eggs with butter, toasted bread, and thinly sliced spiced meat, accompanied by chocolate milk and orange juice. Adom couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of chocolate milk—Alea, perhaps perceiving him as more youthful than he was, had opted for a child's preference. The irony was, Adom had always favored chocolate milk over coffee, a fact that made the gesture all the more endearing.
Expressing his gratitude, Adom settled into his seat to enjoy the meal. Between bites, he struck up a conversation with Zara, inquiring about the whereabouts of the others. Given the time, it seemed too early for the group to have departed.
Alea chimed in from across the room, wiping her hands on her apron. "Oh, they're just outside, getting the car ready," she explained, her voice carrying the homely warmth characteristic of the inn.
Adom, seeking to foster some semblance of camaraderie, ventured further into conversation with Zara. "So... you're a sorceress, huh?" he asked, aiming for casual interest.
Zara, her attention still seemingly captured by her coffee, responded with a nonchalant "Yup," not bothering to meet Adom's gaze or show any real interest in the conversation.
Undeterred, Adom pressed on, "Where have you studied?" This time, Zara paused, her eyes finally lifting to scrutinize Adom. Her silent, assessing gaze made him squirm slightly, an unexpected reaction for someone who had faced much graver situations with a steadier heart.
After a moment that stretched uncomfortably long, Zara posed her question, "Are you a student?" The directness caught Adom slightly off guard, compelling him to retreat to a skill he had honed over years—lying.
Lying had become a second nature to Adom, a survival mechanism he had refined through the many trials of his previous life. He had mastered the art of concealing his pain, of wearing a facade of well-being even when his body was marred by broken bones, lacerations, and the silent torment of heart attacks. Each lie was a barrier he erected between himself and the world, a means to shield his vulnerabilities from those who might exploit them.
Drawing upon this ingrained talent, Adom crafted his response with care, mindful of the magical aura that Essentia manipulation imbued him with—an aura that was perceptible to anyone even remotely versed in the arcane arts. "Well, no, not really," he began, his tone imbued with the right mix of sincerity and modesty. "I am more of a self-taught individual." This wasn't entirely false; much of what Adom knew, he had indeed pieced together through solitary study and relentless experimentation.
Zara's penetrating gaze lingered on Adom, her eyes alight with a mix of skepticism and curiosity. After a moment, she let out a thoughtful "Hmm," her eyes still scanning him as if trying to decipher an intricate puzzle. "You're pretty talented then," she finally remarked, her voice tinged with a hint of surprise. "Your mastery over Essentia is palpable even without active use. That's not typically within the reach of self-taught sorcerers."
Caught off guard by her observation, Adom could only muster an awkward chuckle in response. "Thank you," he said, his laughter a feeble attempt to dispel the tension that Zara's intense scrutiny had woven around them.
As Zara prepared to leave, she advised Adom to hurry and join the others outside. She then turned to Alea, expressing her gratitude for the meal. Alea, ever the jocular hostess, retorted, "You paid for it, dear! No need for thanks!" Her laughter followed Zara out of the inn.
Adom, left somewhat perplexed by the exchange, received a consoling word from Alea. "Don't mind Zara; that's just her way of teasing. She's not mean, just... Zara. Play your cards right, and you might even see her smile one day. She has a lovely smile, that one," Alea mused, a knowing twinkle in her eye.
The insinuation that Adom might harbor feelings for Zara left him even more bewildered. Chuckling, he brushed off the suggestion. In his mind, he was still the seasoned soul he had always been, and Zara, despite being older than his current physical form, seemed youthful by comparison.
Alea, sensing Adom's discomfort, playfully added, "Zara's only 19, you know. Maybe she'll wait for you to be ready." Her words were light, teasing, yet they stirred an odd mix of amusement and disconcertion in Adom.
Playing along with Alea's banter, Adom replied with feigned earnestness, "Then I suppose I'll have to do my best." His response, delivered with a smile, was the perfect parry to Alea's gentle ribbing.
Adom then stood, glancing at the clock on the wall. It was nearing 7 AM. "I should get going," he announced, turning to Alea. "How much do I owe you for the meals and the room?"
Alea's response came with the warmth of a summer sunrise. "Nothing at all, lad. We don't often see young ones around these parts. Just make sure to be careful out there and come back safe, you hear?" Her words were laced with a maternal concern that seemed to transcend the simple transaction of room and board.
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Adom detected a subtle undertone of sadness in Alea's voice, a fleeting shadow that crossed her otherwise cheerful demeanor. He chose not to probe, respecting the boundaries of her unspoken thoughts. Instead, he accepted her generosity with a promise. "I'll be careful, and I'll find a way to repay your kindness," he assured her, his words sincere and heartfelt.
Alea's laughter filled the room, rich and hearty. "Oh, you're quite the charmer, aren't you?" she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. She extended a basket towards him, filled with rations. "Take this, on the house. You're still too skinny for my liking."
Adom couldn't help but smile at her gesture, his heart warmed by the unexpected kindness. "Thank you, Alea. I'll make sure to come back safe," he said, accepting the basket. With a final nod of gratitude, he stepped out of the inn, the door closing softly behind him.
Stepping outside into the crisp morning air of Old Salamander, Adom was greeted by the cold yet invigorating brightness of the dawn. He couldn't help but notice a peculiar sensation that had become familiar to him lately—the sun's rays seemed to imbue him with a sense of replenishment and comfort, a soothing balm that eased his spirit and invigorated his body.
This newfound affinity for sunlight, he mused, must have been an aftereffect of his bond with Bennu. Ever since their paths intertwined, Adom found himself experiencing the world in ways he hadn't before, with the sun's warmth taking on a more profound significance. The system's suggestion of "Sun Phoenix" as a potential class for him further supported this notion. Perhaps, he contemplated, phoenixes held a direct connection to the sun, drawing strength and vitality from its radiant energy.
Phoenixes, creatures of legend that had vanished from the world eons ago, had always been a distant curiosity for Adom. The idea that he would encounter one, much less form a bond with such a mythical being, had been beyond his wildest imaginations. His encounter with Bennu had opened up a realm of possibilities and questions he had yet to explore.
His mind drifted to the research he had conducted on dragons, spurred by the devastating appearance of a black dragon in his past life—a cataclysmic event that had wrought untold destruction and claimed millions of lives. The dragon's might had been overwhelming, a dark scourge that had only been quelled at great cost, including the sacrifice of the last giants.
The thought that a phoenix might possess power comparable to that of a dragon sent a chill down Adom's spine. The implications of such potential were both awe-inspiring and daunting. As he walked, basking in the gentle embrace of the morning sun, Adom resolved to delve deeper into the lore of phoenixes upon his return.
Adom's contemplative state was abruptly shattered by the booming voice of Borgen, the Giantborn. His greeting, though shouted from a distance, carried with such force it seemed as if he were standing right beside Adom. "Morning, Rey!" Borgen bellowed, his voice a testament to his formidable nature.
Approaching the vehicle, which resembled more of a rugged bus than a car, Adom was met with the welcoming faces of the adventuring party. The vehicle itself bore the marks of countless journeys, its exterior telling tales of the many perils and wonders it had encountered.
Bruni, the Dwarf, with an eye for craftsmanship, immediately took notice of Adom's armor. "That's some fine work you've got there," he remarked, a hint of admiration in his voice.
"Thanks, I like it too," Adom responded, tactfully avoiding any mention of where he had acquired it. His discretion was deliberate, aimed at keeping certain details of his past and his capabilities close to his chest.
The atmosphere lightened considerably with the arrival of Jace and Assia. As the couple approached, Borgen couldn't resist the opportunity to tease them. "Always late, these two! Had an active night, did we? You know it's not wise before a high-risk adventure, Jace," he chided, his tone playful yet pointed.
Caught off-guard, Jace and Assia turned a deep shade of red, their embarrassment palpable. "I—I don't know what you're talking about," they stammered in unison, their synchronized denial only fueling the amusement of their companions.
The group erupted into laughter, teasing the couple further. "Seems you're not just finishing each other's sentences now, but speaking as one!" someone joked.
Jace, attempting to deflect the attention, insisted, "I just couldn't sleep last night, what with the excitement for the expedition and all."
It was Lyria, unexpectedly joining the playful banter, who landed the final blow. "You know, Alea's walls are quite thin," she said with a belying warm smile, "Makes it easy to hear... certain things. Moaning, for example."
The laughter that followed was hearty and warm, a shared moment of camaraderie among the group. Assia, overwhelmed with embarrassment, sought refuge in Jace's embrace, her face buried in his chest.
Enolar, usually the more reserved member of the group, added his perspective with a comforting tone. "There's nothing to be ashamed of. You're in love, after all."
As they boarded the vehicle, Adom was taken aback by the spaciousness that unfolded before him—an application of spatial magic that expanded the interior far beyond its external dimensions. The realization dawned on him; this was how Borgen, with his towering stature, could comfortably fit inside what was, in essence, a magically enhanced bus.
Adom's fascination with cars, a marvel of technology that had first emerged some 3000 years ago, was reignited in this moment. The inception of cars, alongside firearms, was attributed to a figure known as David the Hero, also called 'The Stranger', who had fought alongside legends such as Athena and Snape to defeat the Lich King. The Hero's development of atomic magic, capable of generating colossal explosions, had been pivotal in halting the advance of the undead hordes.
Bruni, noticing Adom's awestruck exploration of the vehicle's interior, couldn't help but chuckle. "You like her?" he boomed with pride. "I'm the one who crafted her. Brunilda's her name—my car. She's a beauty, isn't she?"
Lyria, seated across from Adom, added, "Bruni's a master blacksmith. He can name his creations. But he has a special fondness for cars and similar contraptions. Brunilda is one of his prized works."
Adom couldn't suppress a chuckle as he observed Bruni's affectionate interaction with the vehicle. The Dwarf's tender pat on the steering wheel, accompanied by an endearing "my beauty," before igniting the engine, was a testament to his deep attachment. However, it was Bruni's choice of name for his beloved creation, a playful variation of his own, that elicited a genuine laugh from Adom. It was evident that Bruni held a considerable amount of self-love, extending even to naming his most cherished possessions after himself.
As the engine of Brunilda roared to life, the group set off towards Samar, the village that served as a gateway to the adventures and perils that lay within Old Salamander. The journey was smooth, with the vehicle navigating the rugged terrain with ease, a testament to Bruni's craftsmanship and the enchantments that imbued the bus with its exceptional capabilities.
Adom, seated among the adventurers, found himself lost in thought as the landscape passed by. His plan was clear: upon reaching Samar, he intended to discreetly part ways with the group before they embarked on their collective journey.
*****
In the secluded expanse of Hell's Paradise, amidst a garden of unspeakable beauty, a scene unfolded that was both captivating and foreboding. Amidst the lush, untamed foliage, a creature that bore the semblance of a man stood in contemplation, completely naked, eating a fruit, the red of its juice had nothing to envy the colour of blood. His form was statuesque, a blend of raw power and ethereal grace, his skin basking in the dappled sunlight that filtered through the canopy above.
"Hmm, I am bored," he mused aloud, his voice a deep timbre that resonated with the tranquility of their Edenic surroundings. It had been years since any form of diversion had pierced the monotony of their existence in this secluded paradise.
From the shadows, a figure of equal nudity emerged, her presence as commanding as it was alluring. With movements that flowed like water, she approached the man, her embrace an intoxicating blend of tenderness and latent danger. She pressed her lips to his neck, her breath a whisper against his skin, her touch igniting a spark that threatened to consume them both, "They will come. They always do, these lessers. And soon, too."
Her words were laced with anticipation, a chuckle that hinted at the thrill of the hunt that lay ahead. The man turned to face her, his hands finding her waist with a possessive ease. His gaze, a piercing blue that mirrored the untamed sky above, locked onto hers, which burned with the vibrant pink of the cherry blossoms.
"How do you know?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued by her confident assertion.
With a playful smirk, she traced the line of his jaw with the tip of her tongue, her laughter a melody amidst the serene yet eerie silence of the garden. "A feeling," she said, her voice tinged with amusement before sinking her fangs into his flesh. The act, far from causing distress, elicited a smile from the man, a sign of intense pleasure in their dark dance of intimacy.
"Good, aah, very good" he breathed out, his voice laced with a predatory excitement. "We shall hunt soon then."