Chimaera's Conquest: The Legend Of The Devourer
Chapter 211: I’ll Always Be There For You

Chapter 211: I’ll Always Be There For You

Adrian’s sudden disappearance had left the girls and even Fenris, his loyal companion, worried. It had been a while since he had vanished without a word, causing everyone to worry about his well-being.

"George is looking around the city," Sophia informed the others after getting off the call. "He even has his people search for him."

"I called James, but even he doesn’t know where Adrian could be," Amelia said. "He did mention that Adrian said he’ll meet his family, but I doubt that was the case, given their history."

"What about Seraphina? Did you call her?" A’Mila asked.

"Yeah, she has turned it off, so no luck there either," Sophia sighed, shaking her head.

Just as the girls were getting more worried, Fenris ran towards the gates. The girls followed her outside and saw Adrian and Seraphina leaving the car.

While Seraphina looked alright, Adrian was covered in blood, prompting the girls to rush towards them.

"Adrian, where have you been? Are you okay?" Sophia asked, but Adrian didn’t respond, his gaze distant as he passed them by without a word. Hell, it didn’t seem like he even noticed them standing there.

Confused and alarmed by his sudden shift in demeanour, the girls turned to Seraphina, hoping she could give them some answers.

"What’s wrong with Adrian?" Amelia asked, her brow furrowed with concern. "Why won’t he talk to us?"

"I guess there’s no point hiding it from all of you," Seraphina sighed before narrating everything to them.

She started by telling them how Adrian had called for her help and made her swear not to tell anyone about it. Then she told them about the fight with the White Tigers and, finally, the talk Adrian had with his family.

"But why would he visit his family-" A’Mila spoke, but Seraphina interrupted.

"Adrian’s family... they were the ones who ordered the attack on him in the dungeon," she said, surprising everyone.

"But why would they do that?" Amelia asked. "For some money? How can someone be so petty over something like that?"

On the other hand, Sophia couldn’t believe what she had heard. She thought her family was filled with lunatics, but no one could beat Adrian in that contest either.

"I overheard them talking," Sophia admitted to snooping. "It wasn’t just about money. The family wanted to show Adrian ’his rightful place,’ which, according to them, was under their feet."

Looking at Amelia and Sophia, she continued, "That’s why they wanted to hurt Adrian, and they didn’t care who got caught in the crossfire. I thought you’d know about it since you were with him in the dungeon."

"I was with Amelia," Sophia revealed. "I was healing her when Adrian confronted the White Tiger assailants. So I didn’t know what was happening or who was behind the attack."

The girls stood there for a moment, their silence broken by Fenris’s whimpering.

"We shouldn’t leave him alone," A’Mila commented. "A lot must be going through his head, and god knows what he might do to himself."

A’Mila knew a thing or two about being betrayed by the family and could sense what might be happening inside Adrian’s head. However, despite all that, she wasn’t a good communicator, and he might not have listened to her.

"I’ll go," Sophia said. "He might not remember me, but no one can get him to open up faster than I can."

The girls looked at each other and nodded. Sophia and Adrian had spent a lot of time together, so it was only fitting to send her first. If Sophia failed, then they could think of something else.

***

Sophia stood outside Adrian’s room, worried about him. Taking some time, she knocked on the door, waiting for a reply that never came.

Worried, she tried again, a little louder this time, but still, there was no response. Unable to handle the silence, she reached for the doorknob, pushing the door open slowly.

The sight that greeted her made her gasp. Adrian stood in the middle of the room, his fists clenched and bloodied. Broken glass was littered everywhere on the floor around him as he kept punching the shattered mirror.

"Adrian!" Sophia exclaimed, rushing forward. "Stop it!"

Adrian didn’t seem to hear her, his eyes fixed on the shattered reflection before him, laughing at his misery. With each punch, more blood gushed out from his wounded hands, but still, he continued as if he couldn’t feel the pain.

"Stop, Adrian, please stop!" she pleaded, her hands grasping his shoulders. "You’re hurting yourself!"

Adrian seemed to hesitate for a moment but continued slamming his hand on the mirror.

Sensing her words might not cut it, Sophia wrapped her hands around his chest and forcefully pulled him backwards.

Adrian still wanted to fight the imaginary enemy he saw in the glass, but Sophia’s touch brought him to senses... at least somewhat.

"Let’s get you cleaned up, alright?" Sophia murmured softly, guiding him to sit on the floor beside the shattered glass.

However, Adrian’s feet gave away, and he collapsed immediately, his breathing laboured as he stared blankly ahead. Sophia knelt beside him, worried about him in his manic state. Gently, she lifted his head, her fingers brushing against his cheek as she tried to catch his gaze.

"Adrian, please," she pleaded. "Talk to me. Tell me what’s wrong. I’m here to help you. All of us are."

But Adrian remained silent. His need to do everything alone had left no space for anyone inside him, not even Sophia. But like him, Sophia wasn’t one to give up either.

"Hey," she whispered softly, barely above a murmur. "Look at me, Adrian. It’s going to be okay."

Slowly, hesitantly, Adrian’s defences began to crumble. He looked away, unable to meet her gaze.

"I’ve ruined everything... and I don’t know how to fix this or do anything without ruining something..."

"You don’t have to fix everything, Adrian," she said, gently caressing his face. "Sometimes, all we can do is face our struggles together, one step at a time. Whatever you’re going through, I’m here for you. I’ll always be here for you."

There was silence between them for a moment, broken only by their breathing. Then, slowly, hesitantly, Adrian leaned his head against Sophia’s shoulder, finally giving in to his emotions. Sophia wrapped her arms around him, holding him close... trying to stop him from breaking further.