Chapter 10: The Final Guardian

"After making out of the labyrinth, Creo and his group continued walking inside the mountain cave." The Narrator said.

"They eventually saw the injured Rook and his Pawn soldiers as they walked even further.

"Well this is a surprise, nonetheless you guys look badly injured." Zion Kishima stated.

"The guardian proved to be quite a challenge, it can decimate anyone in an instant, almost like a one-man army, it's quite the unstoppable force," Rook said as he proceeded to cough after sustaining his injury.

"After hearing this, they decided to plan how they will confront the last guardian." The Narrator foretold. 

"We best be careful after seeing the damage this thing can do if we are not careful" Athena stated as she sighed and prepared to unsheathe her sword.

"The guild continues walking and they reached towards the end of the mountain cave and they are able to see the crystal from afar but alas there is another obstacle acting as a hindrance towards the group." The Narrator uttered.

"The guardian in front of them is physically imposing by it's looks, it has it's guard up and is glaring towards Creo and his group with anger." The Narrator continued.

"Halt, intruders! None shall pass and claim the legendary Aethereal Dreamstone Crystal. Turn back now or all of you shall face the consequences!" The guardian shouted at them as his voice echoed throughout the cave.

"No, we have come this far and there is no turning back for us. The crystal is vital for Eldoria!" Creo said stepping forward with determination.

"Careful Creo, let's not provoke this guardian. We need to approach this situation wisely and not go out in about with such recklessness which I know you are going to do if I hadn't stopped you." Athena said as she placed her hand on Creo's shoulder.

"Athena is right Creo, maybe we should reason with the guardian first." Zion Kishima said while holding his weapon.

"Dear guardian, we seek the crystal to use it's power to restore the balance and peace among this realm. Surely you understand how important it is for us to be able to get that crystal." Zion stated as he plead for the guardian to reason with them.

"Your intentions do not matter to me. My duty is to be the guardian of the crystal and protect it from anyone who seek it, regardless of the motives." The guardian rebuked as he looks at Creo and his group.

"Guardian of the crystal, you are but an ancient being, surely you know the conditions of life out there. We do not wish or seek to use the crystal for power or for greed, we want to use the crystal to restore back the peace and order that once existed in this realm." Zino said as he stepped forward, talking to the guardian with a calm personality.

"I don't care how many excuses you humans make, but one thing is clear, you want the crystal, then you're going to have to kill me first!" The guardian shouted in anger, as he was getting ready to fight Creo and his group.

"So much for reasoning, now let's fight." Creo said as he smirked and looked at the guardian in excitement.

"Creo's guild and the guardian clashed, with Zion using his blade to fight the guardian but the guardian tosses him around and stabs him with his sword and setting him aside in a corner." The Narrator uttered.

"Zino tries using his magic and uses his binding chains but the guardian breaks free from the chains and utilizes its staff, Zino creates a magic barrier but the guardian breaks it and knocks Zino unconscious." The Narrator said.

"The Bookkeeper charges in, utilizing his magic book, and calls out a barrage of blades to attack the guardian but the guardian blocks the swords incoming attack with his staff, he then tries casting a spell with him trying to trap him in a different dimension but the guardian's willpower was strong, the guardian charges at the Bookkeeper and hits his head to the wall and the Bookkeeper is knocked unconscious as well." The Narrator said.

"Now it all comes down to Creo and Athena to defeat the guardian, will they succeed and triumph or lose and be defeated?" The Narrator wondered.

"Your companions have fallen but you two are still standing, admirable but you two will end up the same as them." The guardian said in a mockingly tone.

"We're not yet done, me and my guild can hardly afford to fail. If we were to lose right here, right now, then all of the things that me and my guild went through would had been for nothing." Creo panted as he was gripping towards his sword tightly.

"We'll fight till the end of our lives guardian, the balance of peace and order in this realm, depends on us." Athena said as she was steadying herself and wielding her weapon with precision.

"Well then, you two shall face your fate with honor!" The guardian replied as it raised its staff and harnessed a wave of energy.

"Athena and Creo both charge towards the guardian's direction, the guardian is getting ready to anticipate on what their next move will be." The Narrator said.

"Now Athena!" Creo replied as he rushed and deflecting the guardian's attacks.

"This is for our kingdom!" Athena stated as she dashed in, aiming towards the guardian's weak spot but starts to feel fatigue in her body.

"Not bad, you have the skills but this is not enough to defeat me." The guardian said as it used its staff to block Athena's sword. 

"We'll see about that." Creo said as he joined in, striking from the opposite side.

"Creo, we have to apply more damage to him, don't even let your guard down." Athena said while dodging a counterattack from the guardian.

"Your persistency is quite admirable as a fighter but your persistency will not save you for much longer." The guardian exclaimed as it swung its staff, creating a shockwave.

"Argh, we have to find a way to break his defense." Creo said as he was affected by the shockwave, but still determined.

"There! When the guardian swings it's staff, it starts to become vulnerable, that gives us the perfect opportunity to strike." Athena said as she found the guardians weak spot, breathing heavily.

"Prepare to meet your end!" The guardian declared as it was about to prepare a powerful strike.

"We're going to have to need to synchronize our moves, are you ready Athena?" Creo said as he gazed at Athena, nodding.

"Ready. On my mark...now!" Athena nods back and said with a strained voice.

"Now Athena!" Creo said as he aimed for the guardian's staff.

"This is for the realm!" Athena said as she went for the guardian's exposed weak side, as her strength was waning.

"No...this is impossible!" The guardian staggered as it was unable to block both attacks at the same time.

"Fall before my power!" The guardian exclaimed as it unleashed a powerful strike, in an act of desperation and it hits Creo directly in the chest.

"Athena..." Creo said as he took the hit, crumpling to the ground as his eyes close and seemingly dies.

"Creo! Hang on!" Athena said as she rushed towards Creo's side as her strength was beginning to fade.

"This ends now!" The guardian declared as he was approaching towards and was ready to finish them.

"Meanwhile in an aethereal plane, shrouded with thick mist, Creo stands before a mysterious enigmatic figure cloaked in the shadows." The Narrator explained.

"Creo Creatorius, your time has not yet come." The mysterious figure calmly said in a resonating tone.

"Where am I? Who are you?" Creo said as he looked around his surroundings, in a bewildered state.

"I am known as Lady Death, I am the one who guides the deceased souls. But your journey is far from over." Death replied.

"I can't be dead, my kingdom needs me. My friends need me." Creo said determined.

"You have a strong will Creo, I'll give you that, your purpose has not yet been fulfilled. Return back to the land of the living, and fight for your cause." Death said as she reached out Creo's hand.

"I will and I won't give up." Creo said resolutely.

"That's the spirit." Death said as she smiled seeing Creo determined.

"Meanwhile, as Athena faces the guardian alone, Creo's body lays still but suddenly, he slowly starts to rise up with determination blazing in his eyes." The Narrator said.

"Creo...please." Athena said as she was struggling and about to reach her limit.

"It is over." The guardian said as it was about to prepare to deliver the final blow.

"It is not over, yet." Creo said, rising up and gripping his sword.

"Creo! You're alive!" Athena said as her eyes widen in surprise.

"Impossible!" The guardian said as it was surprised to see Creo back up again.

"We're ending this, together." Creo said with fierce determination.

"Together" Athena said as she regained strength.

"Creo and Athena attack the guardian in unison, using the moment where the guardian was shocked and overconfident as Creo drove his sword to the guardian's chest and Athena landing the critical blow." The Narrator said.

"For Elderith! For our friends!" Creo and Athena said in unison.

"You have...proven...your worth." The guardian said as it started to crumbled.

"We...did...it.." Creo said as he was about to collapse.

"We really did..." Athena said as she catches Creo with tears in her eyes.

"Creo and Athena grabbed the crystal and went to tend to their injured friends as all three of them started to regain consciousness." The Narrator said.

"Did we...win?" Zion asked as he groaned while sitting up.

"Looks like it. Well done you two." Zino said as he smiles at them.

"I knew you two could do it." The Bookkeeper said while smiling.

"We did it together." Athena said.

'And we got what we needed." Creo said while struggling to stand up, as he showed the crystal.

"Mission accomplished!" Creo said before lying down on the ground, exhausted.

"All of them could not help but laugh and took the moment to rest and recover as they have accomplished in getting the legendary Aethereal Dreamstone Crystal." The Narrator said.