The audience won't believe it without some sort of explanation.

But there was nothing like that.

But I think restructuring the content, decreasing character details, and creating a backbone for the world may be enough to pull us through.

you need to consider the protagonist's feelings based on the scene, description and point of view.

...then why not go for a more risqué approach?

Their mental states aren't explained that well, and I have to wonder where the author's going with their relationship.

Nonetheless, many are drawn to these stones based on the local stories describing them as a source of significant power.

Its appearance is exactly as described in the myths.