With the Orb of Time now integrated with Borin's Stormforged System, the group turned their attention to the final artifact: the Celestial Diadem. According to the Keepers' map, it was hidden atop the Celestial Peak, the highest mountain in the world, a place said to be so close to the heavens that it was constantly shrouded in clouds.
"The highest mountain in the world, huh?" Drake sighed, rubbing his weary eyes. "Seriously? Can't we just find an artifact in, like, a nice, comfortable library? Or maybe a spa? I'm starting to think this whole 'saving the world' thing is really bad for my… everything. Especially my altitude sickness. I'm pretty sure I'm going to need supplemental oxygen for this one."
Corvus, his eyes still glowing with a soft, white light, pointed to the towering peak on the map. "The Celestial Peak is said to be a sacred place," he said. "It is a place of pilgrimage, where people go to seek enlightenment and commune with the heavens."
Elara, her silvery aura shimmering softly, nodded in agreement. "The Celestial Diadem is said to be the most powerful of all the artifacts," she added. "It is said to possess the power to… to… well, to do pretty much anything, really."
Borin, his aura crackling with the combined power of lightning and time, simply grunted. "Mountain. Clouds. Diadem. Let's go."
Their journey to the Celestial Peak was the most challenging yet. The mountain was treacherous, its slopes steep and icy, its air thin and cold. They faced blizzards, avalanches, and encounters with mythical creatures said to inhabit the high altitudes.
"You know," Drake said, slipping on a patch of ice for the tenth time, "I'm starting to think this whole 'artifact hunting' thing is really just a… cosmic… game of… 'let's see how much… Drake… can… suffer.' And I'm pretty sure… I'm losing."
Despite the hardships, they pressed on, their determination fueled by the knowledge that they were so close to completing their quest. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they reached the summit of the Celestial Peak.
The view was breathtaking. They stood above the clouds, the world spread out beneath them like a vast, shimmering tapestry. The air was crisp and clean, and the silence was broken only by the gentle whisper of the wind.
*Notification: "Location Discovered: Celestial Peak. Highest Mountain in the World. Suspected Artifact Location."*
In the center of the summit, on a pedestal of pure white jade, they could see the Celestial Diadem. It was a magnificent crown, its surface studded with shimmering gems that seemed to capture the light of the stars.
*Notification: "Artifact Detected: Celestial Diadem. Powerful Artifact. Emits Cosmic Energy. Incompatible with Current User."*
"There it is," Elara breathed, her voice filled with awe.
As they approached the pedestal, a figure materialized from the swirling clouds. It was a being of pure light, its form radiating a celestial aura.
*Notification: "Enemy Detected: 1 x Celestial Guardian. Threat Level: Extreme."*
"The final guardian," Corvus said, his voice filled with respect.
The Celestial Guardian was the most powerful guardian they had faced, a being of pure celestial energy. It raised its hands, and bolts of pure light lashed out at Drake and his companions.
The battle was unlike any they had fought before. The Celestial Guardian could manipulate the very fabric of reality, its attacks warping space and time.
Corvus, wielding light magic, found his attacks… amplified. Elara's Lunar Ice… shimmered… with celestial energy. Borin's combined lightning and time powers… resonated… with the guardian's energy.
Drake, however, found himself… challenged. His connection to the Void gave him some resistance, but the sheer power of the Celestial Guardian was overwhelming. He was being pushed to his limits.
He used Void Embrace and Shadow Cloak, becoming nearly invisible, his movements unpredictable. He struck quickly, exploiting the brief moments when the Celestial Guardian's control faltered.
The battle raged on, a swirling vortex of celestial energy and chaotic void power. Just when it seemed like the Celestial Guardian was about to overwhelm them, Borin, channeling the combined power of the Orb of Time and the Stormforged Hammer, unleashed a devastating attack, a wave of temporal lightning that shattered the guardian's form.
*Notification: "Enemy Defeated: Celestial Guardian (+15000 XP)."*
*Notification: "Experience Gained: Celestial Guardian Encounter (+15000 XP)"*
*Experience: 200200 + 15000 = 215200/21000*
*Notification: "Level Up! Drake has reached Level 31!"*
*Notification: "Stat Points Available: 31"*
*Notification: "Skill Points Available: 2"*
He allocated his stat points putting 16 into Strength and 15 into Dexterity.
*Notification: "Stat Points Allocated: Strength +16. Current Strength: 170."*
*Notification: "Stat Points Allocated: Dexterity +15. Current Dexterity: 150."*
He allocated his skill points, putting one into Void Shatter and one into Void Embrace.
*Notification: "Skill Point Allocated: Void Shatter (Level 12). Effect: Increased damage, blast radius, chance to inflict 'Void Corruption,' 'Void Resonance,' 'Void Collapse,' 'Void Annihilation,' 'Void Implosion,' 'Void Devastation,' 'Void Cataclysm,' and 'Void Rift' status effects, and now has a chance to inflict the 'Void Obliteration' status effect, which unleashes a wave of pure void energy that erases enemies from existence, leaving behind only a faint echo of their presence."*
*Notification: "Skill Point Allocated: Void Embrace (Level 9). Effect: Increased enhancement to darkness and void skills, no health drain per turn, grants a temporary boost to mana regeneration, grants a temporary boost to attack speed, grants a temporary boost to defense and magic resistance, grants a temporary boost to critical hit chance, and now grants a temporary boost to health regeneration."*
Corvus, his light magic resonating with the celestial energy, approached the pedestal. He reached out and touched the Celestial Diadem. It accepted him.
*Notification: "Celestial Diadem Acquired. Cosmic Energy Absorbed. New Skill Unlocked: Celestial Judgment (Corvus)."*
With the Celestial Diadem secured, their quest was finally complete. They had gathered all the artifacts, and they were ready to face the Harbinger.