Returning to Fort Valoria with the Crystal of Eternity in hand, we were greeted by Eldrin, who had been anxiously awaiting our return. The council convened immediately to discuss the next steps in our quest to activate the portal.
"We have the Crystal of Eternity," I began, placing the artifact on the table before us. "Its power is immense, and it should help us safely activate the portal. However, we still need to understand the specific conditions required."
Eldrin nodded. "We must consult with the scholars and mages who have gathered here. Their knowledge will be invaluable in deciphering the exact methods needed to harness the crystal's power."
Aria and I spent the next few days working closely with the scholars, pouring over ancient texts and comparing notes. The process was slow and meticulous, but we made steady progress.
Aria's viewpoint:
As we delved deeper into the texts, I could see the strain on Lukas' face. He was driven by a desire to find a way back to Earth, but the weight of our world's fate also rested heavily on his shoulders.
"Lukas," I said one evening as we worked late into the night, "you need to rest. We can't afford to have you burn out."
He looked up, his eyes tired but determined. "I know, Aria. But we're so close. I can feel it."
I placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll get there, but we need you at your best. Take a break, even if it's just for a little while."
He nodded reluctantly, agreeing to rest while I continued to sift through the texts. As I read, I came across a passage that seemed particularly relevant.
"The portal's activation requires a convergence of power, time, and place," I read aloud to myself. "The Crystal of Eternity must be charged with the combined energy of three ancient relics, each representing an element: Earth, Water, and Fire."
Excited by this discovery, I quickly made notes and prepared to share it with Lukas and the council.
Lukas' viewpoint:
The next morning, Aria presented her findings to the council. "We need to find three ancient relics, each representing an element: Earth, Water, and Fire. These relics will help us charge the Crystal of Eternity and activate the portal."
Eldrin nodded thoughtfully. "This will be a challenging task, but not impossible. We need to divide our forces and seek out these relics."
Aria and I decided to take on the task of finding the first relic, the Earth Element. According to the texts, it was located in a hidden cave deep within the Emerald Forest.
Before setting out, I checked my status to ensure I was ready for the journey.
"System, show me my status."
[ Name: Lukas Gigonos
Age: --
Titles: 'Someone From Another World' 'God'
Job: 'God'
Strength: --
Endurance: -
Speed: -
Mana: ∞
Wisdom: 1,000,000,000
Skills: 'Unlimited Potential' 'Unlimited Magic' 'Can't Level Up? I Just Need To Train' 'Unlimited Appraisal' 'Hide It' 'Training Addict' 'Immortality' '1000x Training Benefits' 'Magic Creation' 'Deadly Weapon Creation' 'Absolute Defence' 'True Immortality' 'Absolute Mind Defence' 'Age Reverse' 'Skills Creation' 'Heart of Eternity']
With our preparations complete, Aria and I set out for the Emerald Forest. The journey was long and treacherous, but we were undeterred. The forest was dense and filled with magical creatures, each presenting its own challenges.
Aria's viewpoint:
Navigating through the Emerald Forest was no easy task. The thick canopy overhead blocked out most of the sunlight, making it difficult to see far ahead. But with Lukas by my side, I felt confident we could overcome any obstacle.
"According to the texts, the hidden cave should be near a large, ancient tree," I said, consulting the map we had pieced together from the various texts.
Lukas nodded. "We need to stay alert. The forest is known for its trickster spirits and dangerous creatures."
As we searched, we encountered various creatures, some friendly, others not so much. Using our combined skills, we managed to avoid any serious conflicts and continued our search.
After hours of trekking, we finally came upon a massive, ancient tree, its roots sprawling out like fingers grasping the earth. At its base, hidden behind thick vines, was the entrance to the cave.
"We found it," I said, feeling a surge of excitement.
Lukas' viewpoint:
The cave entrance was dark and foreboding, but we pressed on, knowing the Earth Element relic was within. As we ventured deeper, the air grew colder and the passage narrower.
The walls of the cave were lined with ancient carvings, depicting scenes of powerful beings harnessing the elements. It was clear that this place was of great significance.
Finally, we reached a large chamber, and at its center stood a pedestal with a glowing green gem—the Earth Element relic. As I reached out to take it, the ground beneath us trembled, and a deep, rumbling voice filled the chamber.
"Who dares disturb the sacred relic of Earth?" the voice boomed.
A massive golem, made entirely of stone, emerged from the shadows, its eyes glowing with an intense green light. It was the guardian of the relic.
"We mean no harm," I said, stepping forward. "We seek the relic to protect our world from a great threat."
The golem's eyes narrowed. "Prove your worth, or be crushed."
Without hesitation, I prepared for battle. The golem lunged at us, its massive fists crashing down with tremendous force. Using my speed and strength, I dodged its attacks and countered with powerful strikes.
The battle was intense, but with Aria's support and my enhanced abilities, we managed to weaken the golem. Finally, with a decisive blow, I struck the golem's core, causing it to crumble into a pile of rubble.
With the guardian defeated, I carefully took the Earth Element relic from the pedestal. Its power surged through me, filling me with a sense of strength and stability.
"We did it," Aria said, her voice filled with relief. "One relic down, two more to go."
As we made our way back to Fort Valoria, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. The journey ahead was still long, but with the Earth Element relic in our possession, we were one step closer to our goal.