The ancient plaza fell silent.
The colossal bronze doors remained open.
Beyond them...
Only darkness waited.
No monsters emerged.
No traps activated.
It was as though the forgotten city itself...
Was waiting.
---
Footsteps echoed across the stone.
Ben turned toward the sound.
A smile spread across his face.
"They're here."
Everyone looked toward the entrance to the plaza.
Two familiar figures stepped into view.
Runa.
Leon.
Dust covered their cloaks after days of travel.
Yet both still stood proudly.
Mira's eyes immediately found the crystal pendants hanging around their necks.
Both glowed softly.
She let out a long breath.
"You made it back..."
Kael crossed his arms with a grin.
"Told you they'd survive."
Leon smirked.
"Barely."
Runa laughed.
"Don't listen to him."
---
Sam walked toward them.
"Welcome home."
Leon handed George a thick bundle of maps.
"Everything we found."
George carefully accepted them.
"I'll study every page."
Runa stepped beside the crystal table that had been carried with the expedition.
Using mana, George projected a map above it.
"We found another human kingdom."
Every general became serious.
"A kingdom?" Ben asked.
Runa nodded.
"They call themselves the Phoenix Kingdom."
"It has enormous walls, disciplined soldiers, organized engineers, powerful mages, and a population far larger than we expected."
George quickly marked its location.
"So humanity stretches farther west than we believed..."
Leon continued.
"They accepted refugees."
"They're expanding their defenses."
"They're preparing for a war."
Sam narrowed his eyes.
"Against who?"
Leon shook his head.
"We couldn't determine that."
"Their enemy lies somewhere beyond the western mountains."
Silence settled over the plaza.
Another threat...
Another mystery.
Aetherra was becoming larger with every expedition.
---
Inside Sam's mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Reconnaissance mission...
Complete.
New kingdom registered.
Updating world records...
Success.
---
Before anyone could speak again...
WHOOM!
The two Guardian Keys suddenly floated into the air.
Brilliant emerald light surged across the plaza.
The monument of the nine heroes answered.
One by one...
The statues began glowing.
Then...
Every weapon forged by Master Doran resonated.
Ben's greatsword hummed.
Kael's Frost King's Spear released a wave of icy mana.
Runa's Skybreaker Bow shone with azure light.
Leon's Shadow Fang Daggers disappeared beneath rippling shadows.
Zora's staff filled the air with blue mana.
Mira's healing staff radiated warm golden light.
George's enchanted gauntlets vibrated with silver energy.
Master Doran's Forge Master's Hammer blazed like a miniature sun.
Only Sam's Emerald Soul Reaver remained calm.
Its emerald glow was steady.
Unchanging.
Inside his mind...
Rex reported immediately.
Commander...
Emerald Soul Reaver...
Current evolution confirmed.
No further evolution available.
Remaining legendary masterpieces...
Legacy Resonance detected.
Awaiting qualification.
---
The ground trembled.
Ancient runes spread across the plaza like flowing rivers of light.
The towering statue holding the Forge Master's Hammer slowly lowered its head.
Its voice echoed throughout the forgotten city.
"Master Craftsman recognized."
Every eye turned toward Doran.
The old blacksmith stood frozen.
The voice continued.
"Nine masterpieces forged."
"Nine successors chosen."
"The Trial of Legacy may begin."
Bronze gears rumbled deep beneath the city.
The massive doors beyond the plaza opened wider.
Golden light spilled into the ancient streets.
Master Doran tightened his grip on his hammer.
His eyes reflected the forgotten forge beyond.
"...This city..."
"...knows my work."
Sam rested Emerald Soul Reaver on his shoulder.
"Then let's see..."
"...if we're worthy of its legacy."
Together...
The nine leaders of Base 101 stepped toward the ancient Titan Forge.
The Trial of Legacy...
Had officially begun.