Chapter 85: The bridge of Akanon!
After walking for so long, trudging through the different dangers, the night time finally came. The moon hung like a sentinel in the sky, casting its ethereal glow directly upon Tessa.
She stood still for a moment, her eyes half-closed, feeling a surge of raw power burst forth from within. It was as though the moon itself had chosen her, focusing all its energy to reignite the dormant god-like force she possessed. Her lips curved into a knowing smile, and as her strength fully returned, she knew exactly what to do.
She had healed some of the injured, but due to her extremely weak state, she couldn't heal all, so this time, now that she had enough power to spare, she decided to complete the healings she had left aside.
With a deep breath, Tessa extended her hands and, one by one, healed every single injured person who had been left untreated.
The warmth that emanated from her touch was unmistakable, like the healing rays of the sun gently washing over each of them. They sighed in relief, their pain vanishing as if it had never existed. She moved with a confidence that came from both power and purpose.
After healing all the injured, she decided to thank Adrian for being a shield for her through all the trials that they faced.
Finally, she came to Adrian. He stood, his usual cool demeanor in place, but something shifted the moment her hand gently rested on his shoulder.
A simple gesture—one of gratitude, of unspoken connection. But to Adrian, it was much more. Her touch felt like a gentle breeze on a scorching day, like cool rain after endless drought. It soothed and stirred something deep inside him.
He tried to keep his composure, but as she removed her hand, an unfamiliar longing crept over him. Why did it feel so right? Adrian thought.
For a brief, reckless moment, he was tempted to reach for her hand again, to hold onto it and never let go. Her scent, soft and intoxicating, lingered in the air—a blend of mystery and allure, something that made his pulse quicken.
Now, more than ever, the choice between Tessa and Nymff tormented him. Two incredible women—both powerful, both compelling—and yet, so different.
How did I get into this mess? Adrian mused, his eyes briefly following Tessa as she stepped forward, every inch of her radiating power.
But before he could dwell too long on his dilemma, a sudden loud bang shattered his thoughts.
Adrian snapped his head up to see Ikehara. Blood streamed from his nose, ears, and mouth. Tessa, her fists clenched, stood over him. No one had expected it, but everyone watched with a strange mix of satisfaction and awe.
The first thing Tessa had done after regaining her full power was to beat Ikehara like a rug getting dusted in a storm.
There was no grand speech, no declaration of intent—just pure, unbridled fists of fury. Each punch landed with the precision and fury of a vengeful god, Ikehara's body crumpling with every impact.
Her teeth were gritted in silent determination, her eyes focused solely on him as if every slap, punch, and kick were long overdue.
Ikehara couldn't even muster a defense. He flailed like a ragdoll in a hurricane, his smug face now a canvas of bruises and swollen flesh.
The sound of each blow echoed in the silence, the only thing cutting through the night air. Blood splattered as Tessa unleashed, her fists connecting with merciless precision, his body flying with each hit.
She was relentless. Ikehara's once sly smirk was completely wiped away, replaced by a dazed and battered expression. He didn't even get a word out before she hurled him aside, his body landing in a heap like discarded trash.
For a brief second, the group stood in stunned silence. Then Ecdy broke the quiet.
"He probably won't recognize his mum after that beating," he said, snickering.
Nymff, wiping away a tear from laughing so hard, added, "What are you talking about? He can't even see beyond his nose at this point!"
"Did you see that bump on his head?" Adrian chimed in, his usual playful grin reappearing. "It looks like a radio antenna. Maybe we can tune in to tomorrow's weather forecast with him."
The group erupted into laughter, the tension from earlier battles melting away in the humor of the moment. Even Tessa couldn't help but chuckle as she dusted her hands off, pleased with her work.
"This is madness," Ikehara muttered under his breath as he managed to regain a semblance of consciousness. These people are insane, he thought, barely able to move, but still managing to crawl into the shadows, hiding himself from further humiliation. I'll have my revenge, just wait.
The journey continued, but now there was a renewed sense of camaraderie among them, punctuated by occasional jokes and laughter. The air grew cooler as the night deepened, the moon still hanging above them like a silent guardian.
Soon, they reached a bridge. The structure loomed ahead of them, shrouded in an eerie mist. Beneath the bridge, thick green water swirled lazily, filled with strange floating objects that looked like grains but pulsed with a faint glow. At the top of the bridge, a name was etched in the stone: The Bridge of Akanon.
This was the final passage. On the other side lay Akanon city itself, and beyond that, the temple that housed the infamous cloak of restoration.
The group fell silent, the weight of their next steps heavy upon them. Slowly, they all turned to Tessa, the one who now held their fate in her hands. Her expression was unreadable, but there was a glint in her eye, a spark of determination that told them everything they needed to know.
Tessa stepped forward, standing at the edge of the bridge, her gaze unwavering as she peered into the distance.
The time had come to make their final plunge into the heart of Akanon city, and if the trials they had faced so far were merely the tip of the iceberg, what awaited them now was the entire frozen abyss.