In the bustling city of Valenridge, Elara and Cedric found themselves struggling to make ends meet. The cobblestone streets, lined with merchants peddling their wares and adventurers looking for work, were a far cry from the opulent halls of the Valoria estate. The transition had been hard, and they faced new challenges daily.
Cedric took on whatever jobs he could find—bodyguard work, manual labor, and even the occasional mercenary contract. Despite his training, he was still young and unproven, and the city was harsh on those who were untested.
Elara, on the other hand, found herself in an even more precarious situation. With her core abolished, her mana abilities were supposed to be gone. Yet, inexplicably, she could still summon small bursts of magic, enough to perform basic spells. It wasn't the powerful magic she had once wielded, but it was something. She kept this a secret from most, revealing it only to Cedric.
That was something that was special, but that could also have been caused by the one who abolished her core. Elara could not make sure.
But her still being able to use basic spells meant something.
'I am still not out yet.'
She refused to bow down. She refused to acknowledge her weakness. After all the things that had happened to her, after the betrayal she faced, she would not stop.
Thus, she trained herself. While Cedric was away looking for things to provide, Elara was working on her magic. So that, even if she were to slightly get stronger, they could possibly look for ways to fix her core.
"I am not going to stop."
Was it painful? It was. The fact that with her core abolished and her mana meridians damaged meant using even a tiny bit of mana would require 1000 times more effort. And for her to force herself to do such a thing, she needed to bear the pain.
"This pain is nothing." She swore to herself constantly and did her best.
Months have passed, and she was seeing small improvements.
One evening, after a long day of work, Cedric returned to their modest lodging—a small room above a tavern. Elara was there.
Her fists were clenched, and fire was in her hands. She looked tired, with sweat sliding down her face, her mouth clasped. She was clenching her teeth.
Cedric entered quietly, but the sight before him stopped him in his tracks. Elara was generating ice on her other hand. He watched, his heart pounding with a mix of awe and concern.
With a guttural scream, Elara forced the ice forward, creating a block that shot across the room and shattered against the wall. The effort left her gasping for breath, her body trembling with the strain.
"Why are you pushing yourself this hard?" Cedric asked, rushing to her side, his voice filled with worry.
Elara looked up at him, her eyes blazing with determination. "Because I am going to make them pay."
Cedric knelt beside her, his hands gently cupping her shoulders. "Elara, you don't need to do this. The life we're living is enough. We can find a way to move on."
Elara shook her head, her expression resolute. "I will never forget what happened on that day, Cedric. Until I die, I will carry the memory of that betrayal, and I will not rest until justice is served."
Cedric bowed his head, understanding the depth of her pain. He had seen the nightmares that plagued her, the nights she spent tossing and turning, unable to find peace. Her determination was fueled by a relentless drive for vengeance, something he couldn't ignore or diminish.
"I see," Cedric said as if he had finally made up his mind.
There was something that he had been informed of just recently. Something that he was in a dilemma about whether he should talk about this to her or not.
"Hey, have you heard? Recently, new ruins were discovered around Grimshade Hollow," Cedric recalled hearing a conversation in the market.
"What? New ruins?" one of the merchants had asked, his eyes wide with excitement.
"Yeah, that's right. It was said that those ruins belonged to an old and very powerful Archmage," another adventurer had replied, his voice full of wonder.
"Really?" the merchant pressed.
"Yeah," the adventurer confirmed. "There are countless artifacts there. Many adventurers have already gone to explore and look for treasures."
Cedric remembered the excitement and anticipation in the voices of those talking about the ruins. They had mentioned various treasures, and one in particular had caught his attention: a cure for damaged cores.
Hearing that, Cedric's heart had raced with hope. He knew how much Elara wanted to restore her core, to reclaim her power. But at the same time, he was filled with worry. They were not strong enough yet, and the dangers of such an expedition could cost them their lives.
Cedric had decided not to tell Elara immediately, fearing the risks were too great. But now, seeing her determination and knowing how deeply she wanted her revenge, he couldn't hold it in any longer.
"Elara," he began, his voice hesitant. "There's something I need to tell you."
She looked up at him, her expression curious but cautious. "What is it, Cedric?"
He took a deep breath. "I heard some people talking about new ruins discovered around Grimshade Hollow. They say the ruins belonged to a powerful Archmage and that there are countless artifacts there."
Elara's eyes widened with interest. "Artifacts?"
Cedric nodded. "Yes, and one of those artifacts is said to be a cure for damaged cores."
Elara's breath caught in her throat. "A cure for damaged cores? Are you serious?"
"That is what I heard." The moment Cedric said this, Elara suddenly jumped up.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go there."
Cedric quickly reached out, grabbing her arm gently. "Elara, wait. We need to think this through. It could be dangerous. We're not ready for something like this."
Elara shook her head, her eyes blazing with determination. "Cedric, this is too important. If you don't want to come, you don't have to. But I'm not going to spend my time here rotting while I know such an opportunity exists and could be taken at any time."
Cedric tightened his grip slightly, his voice urgent. "Elara, they are just rumors. We don't even know if the cure really exists or if the ruins are safe."
"So what?" Elara shot back, her voice rising. "As long as there is hope, I'm going to do everything in my power to chase it. I can't sit idly by and do nothing when there's a chance to restore my core."
Cedric looked into her eyes, seeing the fierce resolve that had always defined her. He sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. "Alright, Elara. We'll go. But we need to prepare. We can't rush into this blindly."
Elara's expression softened, and she placed a hand on his cheek. "Thank you, Cedric. I know you're worried, but I need to do this. We need to do this."
Cedric nodded, his resolve hardening. "We'll face this together, Elara. But we'll do it smartly. Let's gather supplies, make a plan, and ensure we're as ready as we can be."
Elara smiled, her eyes glistening with gratitude. "Agreed. We'll do this right."
For the next few days, they prepared meticulously. They gathered provisions, researched the rumors of the ruins, and trained rigorously. Cedric ensured they had maps of the area around Grimshade Hollow while Elara worked tirelessly to strengthen her limited magic.
The night before their departure, Cedric and Elara sat in their small room, going over their plans one final time. The weight of what they were about to undertake hung heavily in the air, but so did the sense of hope and determination.
Yet, neither of the two knew this trip would change everything.
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