Bab 16: Chapter 16: The Guardian’s Wrath
The Celestial Stone sat tantalizingly close on the pedestal, its radiant light casting soft reflections across the clearing. Yet the Guardian of the Forest loomed menacingly between them and their goal, its formidable presence commanding both respect and fear.
Arnold and his team quickly assessed their situation. The Guardian's massive, vine-like limbs swayed with a slow, deliberate rhythm, each movement causing the earth to tremble slightly. Its eyes, glowing like embers, seemed to pierce through them, sizing up each member of the team.
"We need to stay coordinated," Arnold said, gripping his weapon tightly. "Ethan, use your sensors to identify any weak spots. Sarah, be ready with healing support. Marcus, focus on drawing its attention while I try to get closer to the stone."
As they prepared their strategy, the Guardian roared, its voice a deep, guttural sound that reverberated through the forest. The roar was followed by a sudden, explosive burst of energy from its mouth, sending a wave of dark, pulsating energy toward the team.
Marcus reacted quickly, using his weapon to deflect the energy blast. "We've got to be quick. Its attacks are powerful and unpredictable."
Ethan was already scanning the Guardian, his device picking up faint signals indicating vulnerable areas. "It looks like its core is exposed when it attacks. We need to strike there, but we'll have to dodge its attacks to get close."
Sarah began to cast protective spells, creating a shimmering shield around the team to mitigate the impact of the Guardian's energy attacks. The shield glowed faintly, offering a temporary reprieve from the relentless onslaught.
Arnold and Marcus moved forward cautiously, using the terrain to their advantage. The Guardian's attacks were fierce but somewhat slow to adjust. Marcus drew the Guardian's attention with quick, aggressive maneuvers, making it focus on him while Arnold approached from the side.
The Guardian's attacks became more erratic, and its massive limbs swung in wide arcs, forcing Arnold and Marcus to stay agile and unpredictable. Ethan's device provided critical guidance, highlighting the Guardian's core with each attack.
"We're getting close!" Arnold shouted, as he dodged another wave of dark energy. "Keep it distracted, Marcus. I'm almost there!"
Marcus charged forward, his weapon clashing against the Guardian's limbs and causing sparks to fly. His movements were calculated, designed to keep the Guardian's attention firmly on him.
Arnold used the cover of Marcus's distraction to close in on the Celestial Stone. As he neared the pedestal, the Guardian let out a deafening roar, sending a shockwave of energy that shook the clearing. Arnold stumbled but managed to keep his balance.
The Guardian's core, previously obscured by its defenses, now glowed more prominently as it launched a particularly fierce attack. Arnold saw his opportunity and moved with precision. He dodged a series of energy blasts and struck at the exposed core with all his strength.
The impact was significant. The Guardian staggered, its form convulsing as the core was hit. The clearing was filled with a blinding light as the Guardian's energy fluctuated wildly. Arnold could feel the surge of power from the Celestial Stone reacting to the Guardian's distress.
"Now, Sarah!" Arnold called out. "Get ready to grab the stone!"
Sarah rushed forward, her shield absorbing the last of the Guardian's energy blasts. As the Guardian's attacks weakened, the pedestal's protective barrier dissipated. Sarah reached the stone and grasped it firmly, her face a mask of concentration and relief.
The moment Sarah touched the Celestial Stone, a powerful wave of energy surged through the clearing. The Guardian let out one final roar before its form dissolved into a cloud of shadowy mist. The energy wave surged outward, causing the forest around them to shift and warp.
The mist began to clear, and the oppressive atmosphere lifted. The team stood in the now-quiet clearing, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. The Celestial Stone's light illuminated their faces, casting a warm glow over their exhausted forms.
Arnold approached Sarah, who was holding the Celestial Stone with a mix of awe and relief. "You did it," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "We did it."
Sarah nodded, her expression a blend of fatigue and triumph. "The stone is ours. But we need to be ready. The Trial of the Elements isn't over yet."
Ethan was already analyzing the surroundings. "The forest is stabilizing, but there's still no sign of what's next. We should stay alert."
As they prepared to leave the clearing, the blue screen appeared once more, offering a final message for this phase.
**Trial of the Elements: Phase 3 Completed**
*The Celestial Stone has been retrieved. The Cursed Forest's power is diminished.
Prepare for the final phase of the Trial.*
The message faded, leaving the team with a mix of relief and apprehension. They had succeeded in retrieving the Celestial Stone, but the Trial was not yet complete. The final phase awaited them, and its nature remained unknown.
The forest's oppressive atmosphere had lifted, but the team knew that their journey was far from over. The final phase of the Trial of the Elements promised to be the most challenging yet, and they needed to be prepared for whatever lay ahead.
As they made their way out of the forest, the Celestial Stone's light guided their path. The dense fog that had once enveloped the forest now seemed to part before them, offering a glimpse of what lay beyond. The trials had tested their strength, resolve, and unity, but the final challenge loomed ahead, and Arnold could only wonder what new obstacles awaited them.
The journey through the Trial of the Elements had been a grueling test, but the true test of their endurance and courage was yet to come. With the Celestial Stone in their possession, the team was one step closer to completing the trial, but the final phase promised to be the ultimate test of their abilities and determination.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone