Chapter 17: Relic - Hurriclaw
"Wait!" Lucien suddenly spoke up. "What if there’s danger?"
"Hahaha... then that’s even better." Irelia grinned, gripping her sword tightly and raising it in front of him. "I’ll fight. Besides, the more dangerous it is, the stronger that relic must be, right?"
Lucien was a little surprised by her attitude and words. Then, he also stood up, hefting his greatsword and said, "You’re right. Even if we haven’t found the Awakening Stone yet, I’m not about to pass up any stroke of luck."
The two exchanged confident smiles. Irelia gripped her slender sword, while Lucien slung his greatsword over his back.
They left the cave together, heading deeper into the forest toward where the glowing orbs were gathering.
After about thirty minutes, Irelia and Lucien reached the place where the lights converged.
"There—" Irelia gasped, immediately raising a hand to signal Lucien, who was walking behind her, to stop.
Lucien didn’t hesitate—he halted right away and frowned. "What’s wrong?"
Irelia didn’t answer, only gestured for him to look ahead.
Lucien followed her gaze and saw a wide clearing up ahead.
In the center stood an ancient, withered tree with a strange, twisted shape.