Partially Cleared
The party slowly advanced toward the third and final Spirit Pillar. Unlike the previous two, the floating platforms here moved unpredictably.
Some rose several meters into the air. Others suddenly descended. Several even rotated halfway before stopping.
One careless step, would send a player into the glowing abyss below. Standing before the last pillar, a massive guardian slowly awakened.
Its body was nearly three meters tall.
Unlike the previous sentinels...
Its armor was engraved with glowing azure runes.
Behind it floated four crystalline cores that continuously supplied it with energy.
---
Temple Sentinel Commander
Level 15
Trial Guardian
---
The giant guardian slowly drew a colossal halberd. A heavy pressure filled the chamber. Aster immediately observed the battlefield.
Then, he spoke.
"Ironwall, keep its attention. Do not try to overpower it."
"I understand."
"Cole, destroy the energy cores whenever an opening appears."
She nodded.
"Starveil, support Cole. The guardian is my priority."
The mage immediately understood.
"Lifebloom, stay behind Starveil. Never leave the center platform."
The druid smiled.
"I'll keep everyone strengthened."
The battle began. Ironwall charged first. His shield collided against the guardian's halberd. The impact echoed throughout the chamber. The enormous guardian never moved.
Instead, Ironwall was forced backward several steps.
"So heavy..."
At the same moment, Cole and Starveil began attacking the floating crystal cores.
One...
Two...
The guardian suddenly roared. The glowing runes beneath everyone's feet ignited. Ancient magic circles spread across the platforms.
Starveil's eyes widened.
"...Trap!"
Stone spikes erupted from beneath the platforms. The party immediately scattered.
Everything happened within seconds. Lifebloom instinctively stepped backward to avoid the spikes.
She never noticed...
That the platform beneath her had already begun to disappear. A loud crack echoed. The stone beneath her feet shattered. Her body tilted backward.
"...!"
She reached for something. Anything, yet here was nothing. Beyond the platform...
Only the endless glowing abyss.
"Lifebloom!"
Ironwall shouted.
"No!"
Everything slowed. Lifebloom's staff slipped from her hands.
She closed her eyes. Then, a voice reached everyone.
"Twin Flash Step."
A blur shot across the battlefield. No one could clearly follow it. Aster's body became nothing more than a streak of motion.
His first burst carried him across three collapsing platforms in an instant. Before Lifebloom could fall, his left hand caught her wrist.
Without stopping, he pushed off the edge of the crumbling platform. The second burst activated.
Like a shooting star, both of them crossed the gap. Landing safely upon another platform just before the previous one vanished into the abyss.
Silence.
Even the Temple Sentinel Commander paused for a brief moment. Lifebloom stared at Aster.
Her heartbeat pounded wildly.
"...You..."
Aster calmly released her hand.
"Stay behind me."
She could only nod. Her hands trembled slightly.
Not from fear anymore, but from relief. Behind them, Cole stood speechless.
"...That..."
"He crossed almost twenty meters, in two movements."
Starveil slowly lowered his staff. Even Ironwall couldn't help laughing.
"If he had been one second slower, we would've lost our healer."
The atmosphere immediately changed. The party's confidence surged. Meanwhile...
The Temple Sentinel Commander lifted its halberd once more. Aster calmly raised his longsword.
"Ironwall, five more seconds."
"Hold it."
The tank grinned.
"Leave it to me."
While Ironwall occupied the guardian, Cole successfully destroyed the third crystal core.
"Only one left!"
Aster nodded.
"Twin Flash Step."
The familiar burst of speed exploded beneath his feet. He appeared beside the final crystal before anyone could react.
One clean slash.
Crack.
The last core shattered. The guardian's glowing runes instantly dimmed.
Its movements became sluggish.
"Now!"
The entire party attacked simultaneously. Cole struck first. Starveil's magic followed. Ironwall slammed his shield into the guardian's chest.
Lifebloom enhanced everyone with another wave of Forest's Blessing.
Finally, Aster stepped forward. He calmly raised his longsword. One perfectly timed strike. The blade pierced directly through the guardian's exposed core.
A brilliant crack spread throughout its body. The Temple Sentinel Commander froze.
Then...
Its massive form shattered into thousands of fragments of light. At the same time, the third Spirit Pillar erupted with radiant blue light.
The three illuminated pillars resonated with one another. Ancient energy surged toward the colossal stone gate at the end of the chamber.
The massive doors slowly trembled before beginning to open.
A deep horn echoed throughout the temple.
---
Second Trial Partially Cleared
All Three Ancient Spirit Pillars Activated.
Path to the Second Ashen Warden Unlocked.
---
As the golden light faded...
Lifebloom quietly looked at Aster.
"If you hadn't reached me..."
"I would've fallen."
Aster simply sheathed his sword.
"We're a party."
"If one person falls..."
"The whole party becomes weaker."
It was a simple answer.
Yet...
To the four guild members...
Those words carried far greater weight than any promise.
For the first time...
They no longer saw Aster merely as a powerful player. They saw him as someone worthy of leading them.