Adrian's Frustration #26

Adrian flicked his sword with a swift motion, sending droplets of crimson blood flying through the air before sheathing the blade. His eyes scanned the aftermath of the confrontation—the lifeless bodies of Godrick soldiers and their fierce hounds strewn across the ground.

He had hoped the campsite would be as empty as he left it in his wake. But Adrian couldn't deny the sense of satisfaction he felt at the conclusion of the confrontation. He had grown considerably stronger since his first encounter with these soldiers, thanks to the power infused by the golden runes and the rigorous training under Knight Bernahl.

This time, not only had he emerged victorious without sustaining any injuries, but he had also dispatched his foes swiftly and efficiently in a surprisingly short time.

Shaking his head, Adrian redirected his focus toward the ruins situated alongside the stone road. The area was dotted with the tents of the soldiers, a testament to their presence and occupation. Amidst the chaos and destruction, he noticed a narrow passageway leading beneath the earth, beckoning him with an air of mystery and intrigue.

Curiosity piqued, Adrian approached the entrance of the passageway. The cool, musty air emanating from the depths below seemed to whisper ancient secrets, tempting him to uncover their hidden truths. Without hesitation, he descended the stone stairs that spiraled down into the earth, each step leading him closer to the unknown.

As he reached the bottom of the stairs, Adrian found himself in a small chamber. The flickering light of his torch illuminated the surroundings, casting dancing shadows upon the rough stone walls. The chamber exuded a sense of timelessness as if it had remained untouched by the passage of ages.

Inside the small chamber, illuminated by the flickering light of Adrian's torch, his eyes fell upon a silver chest adorned with intricate depictions of the Erdtree. The chest's lid, embellished with engraved leaves and branches, exuded an air of enchantment. Faint light leaked from the small gaps, tempting Adrian with the promise of hidden treasures.

Adrian wasted no time. With careful hands, he unlatched the chest, feeling a sense of anticipation coursing through his veins. The lid creaked open, revealing a treasure trove of gold and silver trinkets that glinted in the torchlight. Recognizing their worthlessness in this world, Adrian quickly set them aside, his gaze fixed on finding the object he had come for.

His search within the chest led him deeper, his fingers sifting through the contents. And then, amidst the miscellaneous items, Adrian's hand brushed against a distinct object—an old knife. The handle bore intricate carvings depicting ancient symbols-- crafted from aged copper. The blade, fashioned from a smooth whetstone, shimmered with a subtle sheen.

Recognition sparked within Adrian as he realized he had found the tool he had come to collect—the whetstone knife. Its significance to his mission couldn't be overstated, as it would allow him to imbue the power of the Sacred Blade gem into his weapon.

Adrian carefully retrieved the whetstone knife from the chest. He marveled at its craftsmanship, understanding that this humble tool would be the conduit for many of his future endeavors.

Stowing the whetstone knife securely within his belongings, Adrian closed the lid of the silver chest and secured its latch. The chamber seemed to exhale a sigh of ancient secrets as he turned away, his mind already shifting toward his ascent back to the surface.

With purposeful strides, Adrian retraced his path up the stone stairs, each step filled with a renewed sense of purpose. With the whetstone knife and the Sacred Blade Ashes of War now in his possession, he only needed to complete one more step before facing the mariner.

Emerging from the chamber, Adrian found himself in the open air, the ruins and remnants of the soldiers' camp spread out before him. His eyes briefly scanned the area, acknowledging the remnants of the battle before refocusing on his ultimate goal.

With the whetstone knife safely stowed away, Adrian's thoughts turned to the final piece of the puzzle—the anvil. He knew that the Church of Ellah, where he had previously encountered Kale, the merchant, housed an anvil within its tattered walls. It was the nearest location where he could find the necessary equipment to complete his preparations.

As he stood at the entrance of the small chamber, his gaze shifted eastward, peering into the dense forest beyond. He pondered for a moment, contemplating the fastest route to the church. A part of him considered using the map's teleportation ability to arrive at his destination instantly, but another part urged him to take a more conventional approach.

Ultimately, Adrian shrugged off the temptation of teleportation, opting to summon his trusted steed, Torrent, and ride to the Church of Ellah. The church wasn't far away, and he knew the journey would allow him to clear his mind and prepare mentally for the tasks that lay ahead.

With a determined stride, Adrian made his way toward Torrent, who stood patiently nearby. The horse whinnied softly, sensing his master's resolve and readiness to embark on the next leg of their adventure. Adrian mounted Torrent, feeling the familiar weight of the reins in his hands.

Adrian's surroundings blurred into a swift blur of green and brown as he prompted Torrent to gallop. The wind rushed through his hair, carrying with it a sense of freedom and anticipation. The rhythmic galloping of Torrent's hooves echoed in harmony with Adrian's racing thoughts.

The path leading to the Church of Ellah unfolded before them, winding through the forest like a ribbon of earth. The vibrant foliage brushed against Adrian's armor, whispering secrets of the ancient woods. The scent of moss and earth mingled with the crisp air, invigorating his senses.

...

Deep within the forest, Adrian continued his uneventful journey, the rhythmic sound of Torrent's hooves against the earth lulling him into a calm state. The towering trees enveloped them, their branches reaching toward the heavens like ancient sentinels guarding their domain. After twenty minutes of riding, a familiar sight appeared before Adrian's eyes—the dilapidated ruins of the church, its weathered walls barely standing.

As they approached the skeletal remains of the church, Adrian dismounted from Torrent, his armor thudding as he moved. Stepping through the remnants of the entrance, he found himself in the midst of the desolate interior. The air held a musty scent, and rays of sunlight filtered through the cracks in the crumbling walls, casting ethereal beams across the dusty floor.

Seated near a flickering bonfire, Kale, the merchant with a penchant for music, plucked at the strings of his rebab-like instrument. Adrian greeted him with a chuckle. "Hello, Kale. It's good to see you're still in one piece, throat and all..."

Kale looked up, a flicker of recognition crossing his features. "Wait, weren't you...? Never mind, are you here to buy something?" He asked as if eagerly anticipating a potential transaction.

Knowing what Kale wanted to ask, Adrian shook his head. "No, I'm not heading to Stromveil any time soon... I'm not that eager to die, thank you very much..."

A smile tugging at the corners of his lips, he continued. "And no. I'm not here to buy this time, Kale," he replied, his voice carrying a lighthearted tone. "I'm actually here for the anvil."

At the mention of the anvil, Kale's eyes glazed over, his interest instantly fading. He gave a nonchalant shrug, seemingly disinterested in Adrian's purpose. Adrian couldn't help but chuckle softly at the merchant-like reaction, finding amusement in Kale's indifference.

With a dismissive wave, Adrian made his way toward the anvil, guided by the faint light that filtered through the crumbling ceiling. He laid the whetstone knife, the Sacred Blade gem, and the Lordsworn greatsword upon the anvil's surface, arranging them with meticulous care.

Once everything was in place, Adrian couldn't help but scratch his head, having no clue what to do next. Slowly, the urge to bash his head against the church's tattered walls until one gave in crept upon him as Adrian realized that he'd forgotten to ask Melina about how to complete the process.

Yet, as Adrian prepared to surrender to the urge, a sudden shift in the atmosphere caught his attention. The air crackled with energy, and a soft, ethereal light filled the room, emanating from the artifacts resting upon the anvil.

Adrian's eyes widened in surprise as he watched the transformation unfold before him. The Sacred Blade gem glowed with radiant brilliance, its light intertwining with the blade of the greatsword. The whetstone knife, bathed in the same ethereal glow, seemed to vibrate with anticipation.

The room seemed to hold its breath as the artifacts resonated with an unseen power. Adrian could feel the energy in the air tingling against his skin and electrifying his senses. It was as if the very essence of the artifacts had come alive, ready to merge and imbue their collective power into a new form.

As the luminous energy intensified, a soft voice seemed to echo within Adrian's mind. It was Melina's voice, calm and serene, guiding him through the process he had forgotten to inquire about. Her words were clear and concise, providing him with the necessary instructions on how to harness the anvil's potential.

"Good for you, you goddamned shabby church wall... looks like you'll get to see the light of another day..." Adrian remarked, awkwardly chuckling as he tried to hide his embarrassment.

With that, he gave the wall a vicious kick for no reason at all before walking to the anvil.

...

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