The armor gleamed in a brilliant golden hue, its design reminiscent of a classic knight's attire but elevated in detail. The chestplate bore the intricate image of a dragon, its wings etched to perfection, and the helmet featured sharp, downward-angled horns that added an air of authority.
"It's beautiful," Cassandra murmured, awe-struck. This armor radiated courage and valor, its aura commanding respect. It had the presence of a brave knight who had faced countless battles, unyielding in the face of any foe.
Even Cassian, who had just bonded with a war armor of his own, couldn't help but admit that this one looked far more refined. It was a stark contrast to his ominous and blood-soaked armor, its golden brilliance practically screaming heroism.
Before she could fully admire the armor, the guardian grumbled, his tone laced with irritation. "Do you want it or not?" he asked, clearly displeased. This armor, like the one Cassian had claimed, was meant to be the reward for a far more challenging trial than what she had completed. But a bet was a bet, and the guardian couldn't back out of it now—especially since he needed the help of these two for what lay ahead for him.
Cassandra hesitated, her gaze lingering on the armor's reflective surface. Desire flickered in her eyes, but so did uncertainty. Unlike the overwhelming reaction Cassian had experienced earlier, this armor didn't evoke any strong resonance in her—at least not yet. She considered engaging her domain to probe deeper, but something held her back.
Finally, she looked up at the guardian, her expression conflicted. "I'm not sure," she admitted. "Let me take a look at the remaining ones first."
With a grumble, the guardian materialized the next armor. It gave no reaction, nor did the one after that. He continued until he reached the last and highest-ranked piece—the number one.
The armor was a dark silver color, its design sleek and fully enclosed, molded perfectly into the shape of a human body. There were no visible openings, not even for eyes, as if it was meant to be a seamless, impenetrable shell. A light silver cape draped over its back, giving it an oddly majestic aura despite its minimalistic and almost unsettling appearance.
Both Circle Warriors were once again surprised. Unlike the last armor, this time Cassandra's domain stirred—a rare occurrence, as she had near-perfect control over it. Yet now, her domain seemed to urge her toward the armor, compelling her to make contact.
What made it even stranger was the complete lack of movement or aura from the armor itself. It stood utterly still, giving no indication of power or intent, yet its presence was undeniable.
"I'll take this one," Cassandra said, her voice steady as she placed her hand on the armor's smooth, cold surface. She allowed her domain to unfurl, and unlike Cassian's, which had roared to life like flames, hers shot upward like a towering pillar of light, radiant and silver.
The brilliant light illuminated the dark metallic surface of the armor as her touch connected with it. For a moment, the armor glowed faintly before vanishing entirely.
Cassian's eyes caught the faint shimmer of a dark silver star-shaped mark forming near the edge of her Warrior Circle, close to her shoulder. The mark radiated briefly before fading with the warrior circles, unlike his own, which remained visible at all times.
The guardian let out a heavy sigh, watching yet another prized reward being claimed. "Well, now that you've looted me enough, how about a matching spear to go with that armor?" he said, his tone laced with reluctant humor. He gestured, and a spear materialized—a weapon taller than Cassandra herself. It was slender, no wider than two fingers, with a needle-like tip. Intricate markings resembling fish scales adorned its length, giving it an otherworldly elegance.
Cassian sighed in turn, rolling his eyes at the guardian's theatrics. "Just tell us what you want in return already," he said, his tone exasperated.
The guardian didn't immediately state his terms, instead pulling out the same sword again, causing Cassian's domain to react once more. This time, the guardian smirked. "If the boy wants this sword, and you, girl, desire that fine spear, then you both need to help me free this space."
Cassandra raised an eyebrow, her gaze not shifting from the weapons. "And how are we supposed to do that?" she asked, unfazed. She wasn't particularly concerned about freeing the guardian—he was powerful, sure, but no more so than the top powerhouses in the world who could easily handle him.
The guardian's expression shifted to one of eager anticipation. "You'll need to break three more seals. One, you've already broken by simply coming here from those ruins. The other three seals are scattered around your world. Find them and break them, and these treasures are yours," he said, his excitement palpable.
But before either of the warriors could react, the guardian vanished, his offer hanging in the air. Both Cassian and Cassandra seemed unbothered, their interest waning as Cassian shook his head. "That's a lot of work for just this," he muttered. "I'd rather fight one of your disgusting monsters again."
The old man's ancient instincts flared with anger as he observed the two warriors' disinterested expressions. His voice grew harsh as he spoke, "Just because you got those armors easily doesn't mean you deserved them or won them. It was just a stupid bet," he snarled.
Suddenly, both Cassian and Cassandra felt an overwhelming pressure descend upon them, as if the weight of the world was bearing down on their shoulders. Their domains burst open uncontrollably, flooding them with power they couldn't even begin to control. Their knees buckled, and they nearly collapsed to the ground, gasping for air, their sweat soaking through their clothes. They barely managed to brace themselves with their hands on the floor, struggling to keep from crumbling under the weight.
The old man's voice rang out, cold and disdainful, "The things I've given you—these pathetic little toys—are beyond anything you could've ever dreamed of. You weaklings. Just because I'm impressed with your power doesn't mean I'll tolerate disrespect." He glared at them with eyes that seemed to pierce through their very souls.
His next words were a sharp demand, "Now, answer me. Do you want these treasures in exchange for taking an oath to break the seals on my Challenging Grounds?"