The group stood in front of the massive sealed door, their expressions tense as the riddle carved into the ancient stone echoed in their minds. Confusion painted their faces as they scoured the area for clues. Lumiel, however, remained still, his gaze fixed on the unmoving stone knights flanking the gate.
"Kurt," Lumiel whispered mentally, "do you know anything about these guardians?"
Kurt responded promptly, "No, this is my first time seeing them."
"Tch. No help then," Lumiel muttered to himself.
Just as despair began to sink in, Skye's voice broke through the air.
"Guys! Look here! The knight with the shield!"
Everyone rushed over. Before the stone knight lay a weathered altar wrapped in thick vines. Despite the overgrowth, an inscription was still visible.
Lady Nishia crouched and read aloud, "A shield without its sword cannot hold back the darkness. With the blade gone, the guardian who once stood strong is left powerless."
Skye groaned. "Another riddle. What now?"
"It sounds like the knight with the shield used to have a sword," Nishia reasoned. "Maybe we need to return it."
Lumiel's eyes widened. "Let's test that. Nishia, try placing your sword in the altar."
She obeyed, but nothing happened.
"Only your sword remains, Lumiel," Skye noted.
Without hesitation, Lumiel summoned his blade and drove it into the altar. At once, the engravings on the knight with the shield glowed white, and its shield began to radiate with a divine light. The altar illuminated with glowing runes.
But then, the knight on the opposite side stirred. A dark aura surrounded its frame. Its stone eyes blazed red as it began to move.
[System Notice: Dangerous Anomaly Detected Nearby — Stone Sword Knight regained consciousness.]
"Everyone! Prepare for battle!" Lumiel shouted.
He gripped the hilt of his sword, but it wouldn't budge. He tried summoning it, but the system rejected the command. His blade remained embedded in the altar.
Unable to fight properly, Lumiel resorted to support. "Summon: Army of Undead Cavalry Knights!"
He manipulated the earth to bind the Guardian's limbs. Seraphine reacted quickly, wrapping her ribbon around the statue. Lady Nishia lunged with her blade.
But the stone knight was relentless. It shattered its bindings and pulverized Lumiel's undead forces. With a swing of its arm, it flung Seraphine against a tree, leaving her limp and unconscious.
"Seraphine!" Lumiel shouted in horror. "Skye! Get her out of here! Nishia and I will hold it off!"
Skye nodded and sprinted toward Seraphine.
Despite being drained, Lumiel used every ounce of strength to manipulate the terrain and slow the guardian's movements, giving Nishia a brief window to attack.
Yet again, the knight broke free. It leapt into the air and swung a devastating slash toward Lady Nishia. She was midair and exposed.
"Platform!" Lumiel cried, raising an earth slab beneath her feet just in time.
Nishia landed, parried the strike with great difficulty, and noticed something.
A crack.
"Lumiel! I know how to damage it!"
"How!?"
"We need to break its sword! Keep its blade exposed!"
"Skye!" Lumiel called out, "Use your gift! Picture yourself holding down its arms and legs with earth!"
"But my power—"
"Trust me!"
Skye obeyed. Lumiel and Skye pooled their strength, summoning thick pillars of earth to trap the guardian. Nishia seized the opportunity.
"Precision Shot!"
With grace and speed, she struck the crack in the blade. A thunderous crack echoed as the sword splintered and shattered. The knight stilled.
"I-is it done?" Skye asked, trembling.
"I think so," Nishia replied, panting.
Lumiel collapsed, unconscious. His sword slowly dissolved from the altar, returning to his system.
"Lumiel!" Skye shouted.
"Lady Nishia! Go to him!"
She ran, finding Lumiel out cold but alive. As if recognizing the completion of a trial, the two guardians lifted their arms and touched the door. A loud rumble followed. The entrance to the boss chamber opened.
But Lumiel and Seraphine were both unconscious. The group chose to rest. They weren't hungry or tired, but they waited.
Waited for Lumiel and Seraphine to wake.