As Thorian erected his earth wall, flanked by Aqua and Saxum, he was acutely aware that these fortifications were merely a temporary impediment to their relentless foe. Gripping his staff more firmly, he braced himself to unleash the Fire Stream once more.

Just then, Zogarth stepped forward, his figure radiating an aura of unprecedented power. A fierce amalgam of black and red energy swirled around him, clawing its way towards the heavens.

Similarly, Forlune advanced, a light purple aura shimmering around his entire being. "Leave this one to us, my lord," he declared, unsheathing his sword with a determined flourish. The blade absorbed the purple aura, glowing with a formidable intensity.

Zogarth, too, channeled all of his red and black aura into his battleaxe, the weapon thrumming with deadly anticipation.

As the spirit elf's fiery bolt shattered their defenses, the two generals steeled themselves. With a thunderous battle cry, they soared into the sky, a blur of motion and color, to confront the onslaught head-on.

Their blades, a fusion of purple, black, and red, cleaved through the air, leaving an X-shaped trail of aura in their wake. They collided with the fiery bolt, unleashing a shockwave that rippled through the air, forcing Thorian to shield his eyes from the gust.

These are new skills, Thorian realized, his gaze fixed on his two generals with a mixture of admiration and awe. The fruits of their class advancement, no doubt.

As the remnants of the spirit elf's attack fizzled out, Zogarth and Forlune descended gracefully back to earth, making their way to rejoin Thorian and the rest of their party.

At the same moment, a grand magical circle began to emerge from the depths of the shrine, gradually enveloping everyone within its bounds. From its epicenter, a dome-like barrier of magic materialized, encasing the group in its protective embrace.

"He's succeeded," Thorian said with a chuckle, turning to see Ventus emerging from the shrine. In his grasp was an odd purple octopus, its mouth brimming with an unnervingly large number of teeth.

"This creature is disgusting," Ventus muttered, disdain evident in his voice. He then released a small but potent lightning bolt upon the octopus. Afterward, he faced Thorian with a look of confusion. "So, are we finally done?"

Thorian's gaze shifted to Zarjin, who had just vanquished the treant bear, before he released a sigh, heavy with relief. "Yes, you've successfully raised the barrier. We're now safe."

Upon hearing Thorian's affirmation, both Aqua and Vigil collapsed to the ground, each letting out a deep, exhausted breath. "At last," Aqua exhaled. "I can't remember a time when I've been more terrified."

"You're not alone," Vigil said, laughing lightly. "Those attacks were unnaturally powerful."

Forlune nodded in agreement. "Indeed, those spirit elves posed a formidable challenge." He puffed out his chest with a prideful chuckle. "But even so, we emerged victorious."

Thorian, however, shook his head slightly. "I believe there's a misunderstanding here. We were only facing a single spirit elf."

Both Forlune and Zogarth stared at Thorian, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and astonishment. "But, my lord, that volley of arrows... Surely a single spirit elf couldn't have launched so many simultaneously?" Zogarth questioned, seeking clarification.

Thorian responded with a wry smile, his tone carrying a hint of admiration for their foe. "It's hard to comprehend without witnessing it yourself. Their bows are not only exceptionally large, but their speed is also simply otherworldly."

Vigil, speaking in a soft, reassuring tone, interjected, "Yet, we accomplished our objective. In the end, isn't that what truly counts?"

"That is indeed true," Thorian concurred, his smile broadening as he surveyed the wreckage of the shrine. "Now, let's secure the tear we came here to obtain."

With a stride that mixed confidence with a trace of impatience, Thorian entered the shrine. At the heart of the decimated grand hall, an altar stood, above which hovered a blood-red crystal.

Without a moment's hesitation, Thorian approached the altar and gingerly touched the crystal. Abruptly, a notification materialized before him:

Spill a drop of your blood onto the corrupted crystal to purify it.

Heeding the system's directive, Thorian bit his thumb, allowing his blood to fall onto the red crystal. Upon contact, the crystal eagerly absorbed the droplets, shimmering with a dazzling blue light, before being engulfed by the altar.

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The purification of Amelia’s Shrine has begun.

As Thorian read the notification, the debris scattered around the desolate shrine began to levitate, merging seamlessly with the shattered walls. Furniture, long decayed by the ravages of time, miraculously rejuvenated, returning to its former splendor.

Once the restoration of the shrine was complete, a new crystal emerged from the very spot where the previous one had vanished. This crystal, small enough to nestle comfortably in one's palm, radiated a deep ocean blue hue and bore the resemblance of a teardrop.

"So, this is Amelia's tear," Forlune observed, stepping closer to Thorian. His eyes reflected the crystal's luminescence. "Indeed, it's a thing of beauty."

Zogarth, unable to contain his elation, added, "With this, we can finally heal Nox. It's been a long-awaited moment."

Thorian nodded in agreement with their sentiments, gently lifting the crystal tear from the altar. He examined it closely, noting its details:

Amelia's Tear Rarity Crimson Sun Class Requirement Priest Advancement Requirement Second Advancement Description As Saintess Amelia beheld the corruption ravaging Feywild, the elven homeland, a solitary tear fell from her eye, mourning the impending downfall of their empire. Special Abilities Cry of the Soul: This one-time use ability enhances the user's next healing spell by 200%. After use, the tear shatters irreparably.

We've finally acquired it, Thorian thought, a smile of triumph playing on his lips. It's truly in our possession now.

As he contemplated their success, another item materialized on the altar: a ring. Recalling the specifics of their quest, Thorian immediately recognized its significance. He picked up the ring for inspection:

Ring of Amelia's Grace Note

This is a quest item of high grade. Its description and specifics are concealed.

While Thorian found it slightly disconcerting that he couldn't fully discern the ring's properties, he wasn't overly concerned. As long as it was the correct item for their quest, that was all that mattered.

"Oh, it appears our task here is concluded," Forlune remarked, drawing Thorian's attention away from the ring. Beyond the altar, a portal had appeared, signifying the end of their arduous journey.

"We've secured everything we needed," Thorian declared with a sense of finality. "Now, it's time to return home."

Determined, Thorian led the way out of the dungeon, stepping through the portal. His companions trailed close behind, each sharing the same eager anticipation for the revival of their friend.

Upon their arrival in Wolvendale, Ventus let out a light chuckle. "Imagine Nox's expression when he wakes up. He's going to be so frustrated about missing out on all this action."

Aqua responded with a thoughtful tone, "The most important thing is his survival. Besides, there are plenty of ways for him to catch up quickly, especially if he exploits the abyss for rapid leveling."

While Ventus and Aqua conversed, Thorian's mind was almost in a trance. His heart pounded with the excitement and relief of finally nearing the culmination of their long quest.

Lost in his thoughts, Thorian was approached by Vigil. "My lord, since Whisperwind's spell is sustaining Nox, it would be wise to perform my ultimate ability near the Guild Master. He can alert us if there are any complications."

Thorian nodded in agreement. "You're absolutely right. We can't afford any missteps now that we're this close to achieving our goal."

Heeding Vigil's counsel, the group made their way to Nox's house. Thorian carefully lifted Nox, taking every precaution to avoid exacerbating his condition.

Fortuitously, the Assassin Guild was located adjacent to Nox's residence. Thorian had arranged this proximity so that Whisperwind's skill would remain effective, a decision that now proved beneficial under these circumstances.

Moving with measured steps, Thorian delicately carried Nox in a princess hold as he entered the guild. Whisperwind, upon witnessing this, immediately grasped the situation.

"I see the necessary conditions have been met, my lord," Whisperwind remarked, approaching Thorian and gently taking Nox into his own care. "Let us proceed to my private chamber for this task."

Thorian, acknowledging Whisperwind's suggestion with a nod, led the party deeper into the guild's interior. They traversed several rooms before arriving at the guild master's personal bedroom.

Once inside, Whisperwind carefully placed Nox on his bed, turning his attention to Vigil. "You may commence now," he instructed, signaling the beginning of the crucial procedure.