Brod and I stealthily navigated through the morning, constantly evading the lurking shadows and sinister forces that threatened to overtake us. As the sun reached its peak in the sky, we sought refuge in a sprawling park nestled at the heart of the bustling city. The vibrant green grass stretched out before us, dotted with clusters of people engaged in various forms of physical activity, taking advantage of the warm, sunny weather. The sound of laughter and chatter filled the air, creating an atmosphere of joy and liveliness. We marveled at the diverse mix of individuals around us, all united by their shared love for this tranquil oasis in the midst of chaos. It was a peaceful haven amidst the chaos and danger that lurked beyond its borders.
Perched on a wooden bench, we gazed in awe at the magnificent sculpture housed in the heart of a sparkling fountain. Three majestic dolphins, their sleek bodies crafted from shimmering bronze, leapt gracefully out of the crystal-clear water, their mouths spouting powerful jets of liquid into the air. The sunlight danced off their rippling fins and reflected onto our faces, filling us with a sense of wonder and tranquility.We sat there for what felt like hours, mesmerized by the beauty and grace of these creatures frozen in time.
Brod's unexpected words caught me off guard. "It's almost like a date," he remarked. We had spent the day together, just the two of us in the city. We strolled through the park, fought against villains who threatened innocent people, and tried new foods. Despite being on a hunt, I couldn't help but feel content with our time together."
I blushed at Brod's remark, feeling a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the sun. "I guess it does feel like a date," I admitted shyly, stealing a glance at him.
A small smile played on Brod's lips as he met my gaze. "Well, then it's the best date I've ever been on," he said, his voice filled with sincerity.
My heart fluttered at his words, and I couldn't help but wonder if there was something more between us. But before I could ponder on these thoughts, Brod rose from his seat.
"We have some time before dusk. Would you like to begin your training with the earth element?" he asked.
"Why do we need to wait until dusk?" I inquired, not understanding Brod's reasoning.
"Bartenders are often the most knowledgeable people in a city. They hear and see everything. If anyone knows where that man is, it's one of the bartenders on that main street between the twenty-first and thirty-third avenues." Brod explained, offering me a helping hand to stand up.
"That seems very specific. We don't even have a picture to show them. How will we ask for someone whose appearance I am not sure about?" I asked, looking at Brod. His confidence radiated from his face.
"When he went through the Trial of Truth, I spoke with Derek. He gave me this information." Brod replied calmly. I took the hand of the earth deity and stood up. "Now, back to training. Let me unlock the dormant earth power within you." He pulled me closer to him.
"I haven't fully mastered the fire element yet," I hesitated, unsure about unlocking even more powers that I couldn't control.
"Zane will be waiting for your return to continue training. From what I overheard him tell Jace, it seems like he has plans involving a volcano. It may or may not be related to your fire powers, but knowing Zane, anything is possible," Brod said, brushing stray hair from my face. His gaze made my heart flutter. "Shall we?"
I nodded, lost in his gaze. He leaned in closer and rested his forehead against mine before pressing his lips against mine. His touch made me feel secure and empowered. I felt like I could conquer the world with just one hand. As our passion intensified, the ground beneath us trembled. I could sense the elements of fire and wind stirring within me, and a new sensation was awakening. The power of the earth surged through my body, and I could feel the life of the trees around us through their roots. Any fatigue I had felt was now gone. The ground shook even harder, causing me to lose my balance. Brod held onto me tightly as we continued kissing, not wanting to break apart.
Suddenly, a rock came flying towards us and forced us to separate. But before it could harm anyone, Brod caught it with ease. He turned in the direction it had come from with a fierce expression on his face. A hooded man holding a knife charged towards us.
"Lesson one," Brod grumbled as he swiftly disarmed the thief, "keep your surroundings clean in order to stay focused."
The thief, now weaponless and backed into a corner, looked between Brod and me with wide eyes. Fear radiated from him as he desperately searched for an escape route. Brod, still in the grip of his earthly powers, raised an eyebrow at the trembling man.
"Who sent you?" Brod demanded, his voice low and dangerous. "And don't even think about lying. I can sense it."
The thief swallowed hard, his gaze darting around the park as if searching for a way out. Finally, he mustered up the courage to speak. "It was the Shadow Syndicate," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "They wanted to stop you from finding your brother."
A surge of anger coursed through me as I heard those words. The mere mention of the Shadow Syndicate sent a chill down my spine. I had read of their existence in the deities' library, but they were elusive and shrouded in mystery. They were known for their ruthlessness and control over the dark arts, making them a formidable force to be reckoned with. Yet, despite the fear that gripped my heart, I refused to let it consume me. I had come too far in my journey to give up now. My determination burned stronger than ever.
Brod tightened his grip on the thief's arm, his voice filled with authority. "Where can we find the Shadow Syndicate? Tell me everything you know."
The thief hesitated, his eyes darting around once more as if gauging his chances of escape. But faced with Brod's unwavering gaze and my resolute stance, he realized there was no other choice but to comply.
"They operate from an underground network," he finally admitted. "There's a hidden entrance near the abandoned factory on the outskirts of town. It leads to their headquarters."
"And Derek works for them." Brod added the information to my attention. "Plan's changed. I'm going to aim for the head of the snake."
"Please, let me go." The thief pleaded. "I was paid to come here. I was supposed to report back to them on the young woman's whereabouts. If you let me go, I won't return to them, and I'll become a better person. I swear!"
"So many lies." Brod growled. He took a swift look around and split the ground open. He released the thief who fell beneath the earth. In the blink of an eye, the ground went back to its usual state.
"I thought elemental deities were benevolent." I said, widening my eyes at the scene.
"We are. Tomorrow, he will wake up in his bed, thinking it was only a nightmare." Brod revealed himself, sending a wave of relief through my mind.
"Do you think it's a trap?" I asked, referring to the thief's revelation concerning the Shadow Syndicate.
"It definitely is." Brod concluded, taking my hand in his.