The kingdom is quiet now, the air still heavy with the echoes of the recent conflict. The sun was beginning to set, casting a shadow over the ruins left by the chaos of the CHESS organization.
Creo, Athena, Zion Kishima, Zino and The Bookkeeper gathered together around the fallen body of King, leader of the CHESS organization.
The Arquitenen Leader and his archers came to gather with their ally, with two Elderith military officers following with them.
"The war has now ended, I am glad." An Elderith military officer said.
"State your names, military officer." Creo said weakly.
"My name is General Relade Sr., my companion here is my son, Relade Jr." General Relade Senior stated.
"I see." Creo stated as he was exhausted.
"Finally it is now over...but it feels a little hollow to me." Creo said as he was kneeling at King's burial site.
"We did what we had to do Creo, and besides Elderith is now free because of you." Athena said as she placed her hand on Creo's shoulder.
"We fought for a better future. King's death was a necessity, not a choice." Zion Kishima said (nodding)
"This crystal is now in our possession but who knows what would happen when it falls to other people's hands." Zino said as he was examining the crystal.
"The Aethereal Dreamstone Crystal...it can corrupt the user when not used properly. We must decide what we should do with it properly." The Bookkeeper said with a solemn expression.
"King Creo, you and your friends have done a great service to Elderith. But this victory comes with great responsibility." General Relade Senior said.
"Father is right, we must ensure that crystal must not fall into the wrong hands again." General Relade Junior said.
"My archers are ready to assist in any way we can. The threat may be gone but who knows what is yet to come." The Arquitenen Leader stated.
"On one hand, destroying the crystal would be a good option, it could become too dangerous to keep." The Arquitenen Leader continued.
"Destroying the crystal might not be that simple. What if the power inside is released and it could cause more harm than it already had?" Athena said.
"There are ancient texts about the crystal, logically since we went to get the crystal from the mountain, the best way is to return it back up atop the mountain, that way it can still be preserved and sealed away from any intruders." Zino stated.
"Youre on point with that one Zino." Creo said.
"Although it is going to be quite the long journey to get back to that mountain and we should head there before it reaches nightfall so it is much better if we still remain prepared." Zino said.
"Our forces will support you, we can't allow nor afford to let this crystal threaten the peace of our kingdom again." General Relade Senior said.
"I will lead a batch of soldiers to accompany you. This is too important of a chance to leave." General Relade Junior.
"And I will send my best archers to provide cover and assistance along the way." The Arquitenen Leader stated.
"Thank you very much, all of you, and together we can ensure the crystal to be secured." Creo said in relief.
"Then it is settled then, we will make a journey back to the mountain where the crystal originally was and seal the crystal. For the good of Elderith and for the good of the entire realm." Creo continued as he stood tall and proud.
"I'll start making preparations, immediately. We will need supplies, maps and a clear strategy." Zino said.
"I'll plan the ritual in sealing the crystal, all of us should be precise in our actions and ensure that the crystal remains contained." The Bookkeeper said.
"We should not waste time and make haste, we shall go out at dawn." General Relade Senior stated.
"We will be ready, after all we must secure for the future of not only this kingdom but the entire world." Zion Kishima said.
"I can't thank you enough everyone, for your bravery, for your support. This journey won't be easy, but it is necessary, for those we have lost along the way and for the people who still live, we will succeed." Creo said happily.
*Later at the makeshift camp*
"Creo, are you alright. I've noticed that you've been awfully too quiet since the battle had ended." Athena said, worried about Creo's condition.
"It's just that...I just keep thinking about King. He was driven by his revenge and abhor his anger towards the kingdom out of resentment. I can't help but think if there was any other way to help him." Creo sighed as he leans on Athena's shoulder.
"Well Creo, sometimes there is no other way. He made his choices and we had to make ours." Zion Kishima stated.
"We can't change the past but we can shape the future. Let's focus on that." Zino said encouragingly.
"Creo, your empathy is your greatest strength, but remember this, you did what was right, your kingdom Elderith owes you a great debt cause of that." The Bookkeeper said.
"I know...it's just...I wish things could have been a lot more different." Creo sighed in disappointment in himself.
"You showed great courage and mercy Creo. Not many people could have been able to do what you did." General Relade Junior said.
"We all have our burdens to bear, my fellow king. Let's carry them together and look forward to a brighter future." The Arquitenen Leader said.
"You're right. Together we'll face whatever comes next." Creo said with a faint smile.
*And so the camp slowly settled into a quiet hum of preparation and reflection with each member of the group finding solace in their shared purpose and camaraderie. The journey ahead of them may be daunting, but united in their cause, they are ready to face the challenges and ensure the safety of the realm.*
*The next day, Creo and his group were ready and set out to reach back to the mountain where the crystal was originally located*
As they ventured on, Creo and his friends arrived at the bridge where they confronted Manastura.
"I'm surprised that his body is still here, no matter, he could still be of use." The Bookkeeper said.
"I can just conjure up a spell to resummon him although the next time he dies, it's permanent." The Bookkeeper said as he placed his hand over Manastura's disassembled body.
He proceeded to chant a spell that ultimately assembled his body parts altogether and is imbued by his magic.
"Well we can count on him to protect the Aethereal Dreamstone Crystal this time because I've added a little bit of my magic energy as a buff to his powers." The Bookkeeper said.
"Meaning to say, no intruder will ever get pass Manastura first." Zino chuckled.
The group proceeded to cross the bridge, entrusting Manastura to guard the area in case of unsuspecting intruders.
As they continued walking down the path, it was very foggy and then they heard a voice calling them out.
"Long time no see, dear travellers." A familiar voice cried out.
"I know that voice..." Athena said.
The speaker came out of the fog armed with her two blades, confronting Creo and his group with a smile, the person was none other than, the second guardian, Windblade.
"It's nice to see you again." Windblade smiled.
Athena rushed in and went to embrace Windblade, out of excitement.
"It's nice to see you as well." Athena said happily.
"So, what brings you guys here?" Windblade asked.
"We are here to return back the Aethereal Dreamstone Crystal." Creo said.
"I see, well I guess I could accompany you guys on your way up there." Windblade said.
"That's very nice of you." Zion said.
"Let's just say I'm just repaying you all in a way." Windblade chuckled as she led Creo and his group on the way up the mountain
They eventually made their way up the mountain before the sun had set, they decided to take a short break after trekking for hours on end.
"Well, at least we finally made it up the mountain." Zion said exhaustingly.
"Indeed, now me, Athena, Windblade, Zino and Bookkeeper will enter inside the cave area while you and the rest watch over if any unsuspecting trespassers arrive." Creo said.
"Sure thing, Creo." Zion said affirmly.
And so Creo, with the accompaniment of the Bookkeeper, Zino, Athena and Windblade ventured inside the cave to put the Aethereal Dreamstone Crystal back in its place.
"So, mind if I ask, what happened on your way to get the crystal?" Windblade asked curiously.
"Well, when we arrived, we were confronted by twin female guardians, one with red hair and one with blue hair." The Bookkeeper remarked.
All of a sudden, those two specific guardians came out of the shadows and came to confront them.
"Speak of the devils." Creo said with his sword up and ready.
"Well it looks like the King of Elderith is back here and I see you've accompanied him...Windblade." Flaira taunted.
"Is there a problem with that?" Windblade glared.
"No, I'm just making sure you're still in line with us." Flaira said.
"Sorry for that Windblade, big sis here still can't get over how Creo and his team foiled her plan and annihilated the monsters in the labyrinth." Aqua said.
"You guys annihilated the monsters in the labyrinth?!" Windblade said in shock.
"Yeah, we were like not holding back, I seriously remembered when Athena burned down most of the monsters out of rage." Creo chuckled.
"To be fair, you just had to say 'is that all you've got'." Athena said out of annoyance.
"Sorry, Athena." Creo said.
"It's alright, I can't stay mad at you all the time." Athena said as she tapped her hand on Creo's shoulder.
"We should probably go ahead and place the crystal now." Zino said.
"Well ok, I guess that should be top priority right now." Creo said.
"It's always been the top priority of why we are here." The Bookkeeper said.
"Well, Windblade we'll leave you chatting with Flaira and Aqua for a while, we're just gonna place back the crystal, ok?" Athena said.
"Sure, go ahead." Windblade said.
Creo and his group went to the area where they fought the final guardian and where they originally found the crystal.
"Ah this place was memorable." Creo said.
"Yeah, I remember it very much as well." Athena said.
"I remembered when I thought you seemingly died after fighting against the last guardian, I was left alone, having to face such a strong opponent, but you came back to the land of the living and we finished it off together." Athena said.
"Yeah, I was lucky to have come back to life then." Creo said.
"You know, don't ever leave us or me behind, ok? We would be so worried for you." Athena said.
"You are a true friend Athena." Creo said.
"Well what can I say..." Athena said.
"A person who is willing to spend time to understand your feelings and will stick by your side through thick and thin is the best person to meet once in your life." Athena said.
"That surely fits you well, Athena." Creo said with a smile.
"Well no need to flatter me." Athena said as she was a little flustered.
"I see that the body of the guardian is still here, well just for added measure, we can use the guardian to be the ultimate challenge to guard the crystal." The Bookkeeper said.
"Hold on there, let me place the crystal before things get messy." Zino said.
"Alright you're call, bossy pants." The Bookkeeper said mockingly.
"Why I-...you know what I'll just do what we are here for." Zino said.
He reached the altar and placed the crystal back where it belonged.
"Alright, now you can have your turn." Zino said.
"Hooray!" The Bookkeeper said.
He approached the body and went to activate a spell and healed it from its wounds and resummoned it and by adding his magic, he controls the guardian in case it went amok.
"Welp, now no one is gonna get this crystal." The Bookkeeper said.
"It's secured with magic and that means our work here is done." Zino said.
"Yup, well let's get back with them, shall we?" Creo said.
They all nod and head back and went back to fetch Windblade, they decided to rest in the mountain for the night.
*The next day*
"Farewell, travellers." Windblade said.
"Farewell." Creo and Athena said.
And so Creo and his group left the area and went down the mountain and headed back to Elderith with Windblade and the other guardians back on their duty as guardians of the Aethereal Dreamstone Crystal.