A member of the Hyeon Association rushed into Rian's party's makeshift camp. He had a wound on his face and spoke, catching his breath.
Hyeon Association Member: "The Noktus… they attacked us. They're trying to get their hands on the artifacts here. You all should be careful, too. They're very dangerous."
Rian couldn't hide his anger at hearing this.
Rian: "The Noktus are even here… It seems they're trying to interfere with us. We have to protect the artifacts of this place."
Brunok: "Then there's no need for words. Let's go and drive those bastards out."
Rian's party headed for the Hyeon Association's camp, where a Noktus exploration team was wrecking the area. The party took their positions and finished their battle preparations. Rian drew his greatsword and stepped forward, while Ria prepared her magic beside him. Brunok readied his aim from the rear, aligning his sights with Silverfang. Marielle checked the party's condition from the back, preparing her healing and barrier spells, and Eris summoned various totems, providing buffs to her companions.
Rian: "Everyone, ready? I'll take the lead."
Rian raised his greatsword and charged toward the front of the Noktus expedition. His greatsword swung in a great arc, crashing down on the enemies, and the Noktus warriors began to be pushed back by his strength. Rian's greatsword was powerful and sharp, and his eyes were filled with resolve.
Ria: "Baram-ui Hwasal, naragara!" (Arrow of wind, fly!)
Ria formed the wind at her fingertips and fired a magic arrow. The arrow flew nimbly, piercing the enemies and hindering their movements. Ria's magic broke the enemy's morale and assisted Rian's attack.
Brunok: "Silverfang, attack from the right!"
Following Brunok's command, Silverfang moved quickly and broke the enemy's defensive line. Brunok, not missing the opportunity, sniped at the enemy's vital points. Each time his gun roared, a Noktus warrior fell.
Marielle: "The light of the divine is with us, so do not be afraid!"
Marielle watched Rian and Ria's condition from the rear, casting healing and protective barriers. A light shone from her fingertips, healing Rian's wounds and restoring Ria's stamina. She momentarily cast a barrier of light to block the enemy's attacks, and in that opening, Rian resumed his assault.
Eris: "This totem will protect us. And these spirits will harass the enemy!"
Eris placed a lightning totem in the center of the battlefield, providing buffs to her companions. The lightning totem enveloped the battlefield's energy, hindering the enemy's movements, and Eris bound the enemies with her shamanistic magic. She also summoned a wolf spirit to disrupt the enemy's formation. The wolf spirit moved quickly and sharply, breaking down the enemies, and in that opening, Eris called down a bolt of lightning.
Rian: "Alright, that's it! Let's push them with a joint attack!"
Rian swung his greatsword and charged toward the enemy's center, and at the same time, Eris strengthened the power of the lightning totem, sending electricity flowing into his greatsword. Rian's greatsword, now wreathed in lightning, created a powerful shockwave, and the enemies were swept away by the powerful impact.
Ria: "This is our power, take this!"
Ria added speed to Rian's attack with her wind magic, and Marielle imbued her morning star with the power of light, delivering a powerful blow to the enemy. Marielle's morning star, radiating the power of light, broke through the enemy's defense and dealt a heavy impact. Ria captured that light and infused it into her magic arrows, giving them even greater power.
The coordinated attack of Rian, Ria, Eris, and Marielle exerted a powerful synergy, felling the enemies one by one. Brunok brought down the enemy's defense with his sniping, and Silverfang quickly targeted their weak points.
As the battle intensified, a Noktus mage began to attack the party. Flickering flames and cold ice erupted from his hands, threatening them.
Noktus Mage: "Did you think you could protect the artifacts here with your power? We won't back down so easily!"
Ria immediately stretched out her hand and activated her magic. She aimed at the opponent's spell and meticulously cast a counter-spell.
Ria: "You're trying to use magic in front of me? Did you think I'd fall for that so easily?"
As Ria's magic nullified the enemy's spell, the Noktus mage's face showed his surprise. At the same time, an enemy warrior charged toward Rian. He swung a large sword, trying to break through Rian's defense, but Rian moved nimbly, deflecting his attack. Rian's greatsword blocked the enemy's strike and parried his counter.
Rian: "Don't think you can get past me."
Rian parried the enemy's attack with his greatsword and pushed forward with force. The opponent was pushed back by Rian's strength and lost his balance. Rian drove the enemy back with his greatsword and quickly switched to twin blades. Rian's swords, now transformed, moved even faster and more nimbly, striking at the enemy's weak points.
Rian: "Switching to twin blades...!"
Rian transformed his weapon and broke through the enemy's defense with greater agility. His twin blades, each carrying the power of lightning and wind, overwhelmed the enemy, and they fell before his fast and powerful attacks.
As the battle was nearing its end, a powerful vibration was felt from the artifact the Hyeon Association had been researching. The remnant reacted, and a large, small golem awakened. The golem, awakened by its reaction to the remnants of the ancient gods and Titans, tensed the party with its intimidating presence.
Eris: "That golem, it seems to be reacting to the power of the ancient gods and Titans... To think that power is still alive."
The golem slowly approached the party, swinging its arms. Its arms were packed with the force of a heavy boulder, and the party was surprised by its weight and destructive power. Rian raised his greatsword high to block the powerful attack, but the golem's strength was too great to be ignored.
Rian: "This thing... is stronger than I thought. A greatsword won't be enough for this."
Rian swung his greatsword, attempting his first attack. The powerful blow struck the golem's body, but the golem lightly absorbed the impact and countered directly at Rian. Rian quickly stepped back, tightening his grip on his sword.
Rian: "Switching to twin blades...!"
With a flash of his hand, Rian transformed his greatsword into twin blades. The twin blades moved quickly and flexibly, and Rian began to break through the golem's defense. The twin blades, each carrying the power of lightning and wind, aimed for the golem's weak points. Rian, at high speed, targeted the golem's arms and legs, beginning to restrict its movements.
Ria: "I'll boost your speed with the power of wind, Rian!"
Rian's twin blades, carrying the power of lightning and wind, struck the golem's weak points, and the golem gradually began to falter. Brunok, with Silverfang, sniped from the rear, aiming for the golem's weak spots.
Brunok: "Silverfang, now! Aim for the knee over there!"
Silverfang moved quickly and attacked the golem's knee, and Brunok's precise shot pierced through it. The golem fell to its knees, crumbling before their attack. Marielle imbued her morning star with holy light and struck the golem's torso. The light seeped into the golem's core, disrupting its internal energy.
Marielle: "To think this power remains, we'll put an end to it properly!"
Marielle then imbued her companions' weapons with the power of light, strengthening their attacks. The light glittered on her companions' weapons, carrying an even more powerful energy. Eris used her lightning totem to further confuse the golem's energy and continued her assault.
Eris: "Lightning Totem, neutralize that golem!"
Eris's totem discharged lightning, hindering the golem's movements, and in that opening, Rian delivered the final blow with his twin blades. Rian's twin blades flashed, cutting deep into the golem's core, and the golem finally collapsed.
The golem's final counterattack was unexpectedly powerful. A shockwave strong enough to shake the ground spread out, and the party was momentarily pushed back. Eris quickly summoned a wolf spirit to form a defensive line and protect her companions. The wolf spirit, with its intense gaze, held back the golem's remaining power, becoming a shield for the party.
Eris: "Wolf Spirit, protect us!"
As the golem's body slowly disintegrated, its ancient energy drained away, and Rian caught his breath, transforming his twin blades back into a greatsword. Their cooperation had finally brought down the golem, and the party was able to confirm once again just how powerful their teamwork was.
Rian: "We did it...! We won by working together."
The party looked at the fallen golem and celebrated their victory with each other. They had realized once again how strong their teamwork was and had protected the ancient remnants. Now, they were prepared for bigger fights and challenges.
Marielle: "We are a true team. The grace of the divine is with us."
Eris: "That's right. If we combine our strengths, we're not afraid of any enemy."
Rian: "Alright, now let's prepare for what's next. We don't stop."
They had succeeded in protecting the artifacts at World's End, holding in their hands a key that could unlock more of the ancient secrets. Now, they were ready to fight with renewed strength against the threat of the Noktus. As they investigated the remnants of the ancient gods and Titans and began to realize the true value and danger of the artifacts they sought to protect, the party hardened their resolve for the journey ahead.
Rian: "Our objective has become clear. Let's protect these artifacts and thwart the ambitions of the Noktus."
The party clasped hands, their resolve for the new challenge steeled. They left the canyon with hearts hardened to win the war against the Noktus and set off on their next journey. The ancient secrets they had discovered would be the key to changing the fate of Celesta.
***
At World's End, Part 3
As Rian's party was catching their breath after the battle with the golem, the ancient Trolls and Tosokin gathered around them. As if having forgotten the chaos of the battle, they were carefully collecting the remains of the golem and the artifacts. Their actions seemed to be part of some kind of ritual, and Rian's party watched them with a sense of awe.
Rian: "Why are they moving with such care? It doesn't seem like they're simply collecting things."
Ria nodded and cautiously approached. She looked around and spoke to a Tosokin who stood out.
Ria: "Hello. We are exploring this place. I hope we are not disturbing you?"
The Tosokin looked at Ria and answered in a dull, low voice.
Tosokin: "We are the guardians of this place. It is our mission to protect the remnants of the ancient gods and the Titans. The Titans created us long ago to protect this land, and we are fulfilling that mission."
Rian listened to the Tosokin's words, feeling the weight of the mission he spoke of. In their eyes were the traces of life that had watched over the world for a very long time.
Eris looked around at the Tosokin, her curiosity piqued by their culture and way of life. Their homes were built naturally into the walls of the canyon, and the stone structures were simple yet sturdy. Inside, delicately carved jewels and small models were on display, seeming like precious relics that contained their past and present.
Eris: "This is truly beautiful. To be able to do such delicate work with stone and earth... you are all truly amazing beings."
The Tosokin listened to Eris's words with a quiet smile.
Tosokin: "To us, stone and earth are as life itself. We are born from this land, and to this land we return. Everything our hands touch becomes a part of us."
Marielle looked at the stone models, trying to understand the stories they contained.
Marielle: "Do these jewels symbolize something? They're too elaborate to be simple decorations."
The Tosokin reached out and picked up one of the small models. It looked like a miniature version of an ancient city, with small carvings densely etched all over it.
Tosokin: "This is the home of our ancestors. It commemorates the moment we first set foot on this land. We were first made by the hand of the Titans, and since then, we have lived, protecting the earth."
Brunok looked around their home, feeling the devotion and meaning contained within.
Brunok: "So they weren't just lumps of rock. These delicate carvings contain your history. They have a different kind of charm from the things we Dwarves make."
Meanwhile, one of the ancient Trolls approached Rian. He spoke in a deep, low voice that matched his giant frame.
Ancient Troll: "We are the beings who protect the ancient power. The reason the Titans left us on this land is singular: to protect the balance of the earth. You need not fear that the power we have protected will be taken."
Rian nodded at the ancient Troll's words. He was beginning to understand how important their existence was, and what it was they had been protecting.
Rian: "We intended to take the artifacts here for our own purposes, but it seems more fitting that you protect them. We pay our respects to your existence and the history of this land."
The Tosokin seemed to think for a moment, but then nodded.
Tosokin: "We have lived a long time, and to us, time is merely something that flows. But we are fulfilling our mission. You, too, should walk your own path."
Hearing their words, Rian and his companions decided not to covet the artifacts of this place any longer. They realized that these artifacts belonged with this land.
Ria: "This place is yours. We will cherish what we have learned here and return."
The Tosokin nodded and waved to the party. Their gestures were slow, yet felt powerful. They leaned against the walls like statues and fell asleep, showing how they were one with their roots.
Rian's party, now deeply understanding their existence and mission, became certain that the guardians of the artifacts here were none other than them. They realized that they were not the only ones who could save the world; that various beings were protecting the world in their own ways.
Rian: "We, too, must protect the world in our own way. That was the lesson of this place."
Marielle: "They have protected the world in their own way, and they will continue to do so. We must respect them as we walk our own path."
Brunok: "Yeah, our job is to fight our own fight. So that they can continue to do their part."
Rian's party carved the lesson they learned at World's End into their hearts and moved on, preparing for greater fights and challenges. They were now ready to face the threat of the Noktus with an even stronger resolve.
They had learned what they must protect and how to do it, and through that, they were now on a path to understanding the diversity of the world and its beauty.