"A-Adrian-!" Aria quickly moved and caught Adrian's falling body, gently putting him on her lap. He was too exhausted and busy to notice it. If he had...

"B-Brother-!" Aurelia, seeing her brother collapse with blood pouring from his left hand, quickly ran over.

"Blessing of Light!" She immediately cast a healing spell on Adrian, pouring all her aether into it. 'Please, be safe... You're the only family I have left...'

The others were stunned witnessing the scene but quickly recovered, focusing on getting the artifact while the Guardian was incapacitated.

However, none of them noticed the Guardian slowly crawling toward the altar, desperation in its eyes.

"K-Kill the monster..." Adrian muttered, knowing the consequences if the Guardian reached the altar.

Aria heard him and glanced around, searching for the Guardian. 'There!' Surprisingly, the Guardian was only four or five meters away from the altar.

"Please, take him." Aria quickly switched Adrian to Aurelia, who nodded eagerly. Then she sprinted towards the Guardian, casting the same spell she had used earlier.

Aria's heart pounded as she closed the distance. The tendrils of earth binding the Guardian were crumbling, and the creature, fueled by desperation, was dragging itself inch by inch toward the altar. 'If it reaches the artifact, all our efforts will be in vain,' Aria thought, her resolve hardening. 'I can't let that happen!'

With a sharp cry, Aria released another spell, "Frost Chains!" Ice surged from the ground, wrapping around the Guardian's legs and slowing its progress further. The creature roared in frustration, its eyes blazing with fury as it clawed at the ice, trying to free itself.

Aria didn't waste a second. She dashed forward, her steps light and swift. As she closed the distance, she channeled her aether into her weapon, causing it to glow with a brilliant blue light. "Die," she whispered coldly, her gaze fixed on the terrified Guardian. 'For hurting him...'

The Guardian's eyes widened as Aria's sword plunged into its side, the aether-infused blade cutting through its defenses like butter. The creature howled in agony, thrashing wildly in an attempt to dislodge her. But Aria held firm, driving the sword deeper until she felt the resistance give way. The Guardian's movements grew sluggish, its roars turning into pained whimpers.

Finally, with one last shuddering breath, the creature collapsed, its body going limp.

A wave of relief washed over Aria as she pulled her sword free, the blade dripping with the creature's dark blood. She took a moment to catch her breath, her eyes scanning the battlefield to ensure there were no other immediate threats. Aurelius and Ren had already defeated the statues.

Aurelius stood at the center of the altar, his clothes charred and his body blackened, likely from enduring numerous lightning strikes to reach the center. But it was all worth it. "We got it!" Aurelius shouted, holding the golden orb high in the air.

Aria breathed a sigh of relief, her shoulders sagging as the tension of the battle began to ebb away. She turned and made her way back to Adrian, who was still cradled in Aurelia's lap, his breathing shallow but steady. His eyes were closed, probably fainted from exhaustion and relief.

"How is he?" Aria asked, kneeling beside them.

"He's stable," Aurelia replied, her voice trembling with both relief and exhaustion. "But he needs more healing. I've done all I can for now."

Aria nodded, her gaze scanning over the two. 'Are they really siblings? They don't look like each other...'

"So, are you two siblings?" Aria then whispered so only she and Aurelia could hear.

"H-Huh?" Aurelia's eyes widened at her question. "W-What are you talking about?"

"Well... you called him brother just now," Aria stated. "And I think no girl would be willing to take care of a boy in such a manner. Unless they are really close."

Aurelia looked away, her expression conflicted. She bit her lip, struggling to find the words. "He... he was my brother," she finally said, her voice barely audible. "We used to be, but now... it's complicated."

Aria nodded, understanding the emotions behind Aurelia's words. "I see." 'Family relationships can be difficult sometimes.'

Aurelia then turned to look at her, a serious expression on her face. "What about you? What is your relationship with my brother?"

Aria was caught off guard by the question. "M-My relationship?" She stammered before quickly replying. "W-We are friends. Yeah, friends."

Aurelia looked at her suspiciously. "Didn't you say yourself? No girl would be willing to take care of a boy in that manner. Unless they are really close."

"!" Aria's eyes widened as her reasoning came back to her. She hesitated, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I... I'm not sure how to answer that," she admitted. "Adrian and I have been through a lot together. We've fought side by side, and I've come to care about him deeply.

A-As friends, of course. But I don't know if he sees me in the same way... As a friend, of course."

Aurelia studied her for a moment, then nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I understand. Just... take care of him, okay? He's all I have left."

Aria looked at her, her lips moving but no words came out. Hesitation passed through her eyes. "I... I can't... promise you that."

Aurelia's smile faded, replaced by a look of concern. "Why not?"

"T-This..." Aria bit her lips, unsure how to reply.

"Hey, Aurelia!" a loud voice interrupted their conversation as Aurelius approached, holding the golden orb aloft. The triumphant gleam in his eyes couldn't hide his exhaustion.

Aria quickly shifted her focus, grateful for the distraction. She stood up, giving Aurelius a nod. "You got it," she said, her voice steady despite the lingering tension from her talk with Aurelia.

Aurelius smiled, though it was strained. "It wasn't easy, but we managed. And all thanks to him." He glanced at Adrian who was still resting on Aurelia's lap. Maybe, he knew Adrian was her brother, he didn't think much of it and thought it was natural. He was in fact feeling relieved seeing the two close.

"Is he ok?" He then asked worriedly.

Aurelia nodded and explained in the same way she did to Aria. Aurelius nodded in understanding and stood up to gather everyone. Because, now everything have ended.