The nine leaders of Base 101 crossed the bronze threshold.
The moment the last of them stepped inside...
BOOOOOOM!!
The colossal doors sealed shut behind them.
The sound echoed throughout the forgotten city.
Outside...
Ben's Vanguard Corps instinctively raised their shields.
Kael's Spear Corps lowered their weapons.
Zora's Mage Corps began forming defensive circles.
Mira's Medical Corps prepared for the worst.
Yet...
Nothing attacked.
The ancient city remained peaceful.
---
Inside...
Sam and the others found themselves standing within a chamber unlike any they had ever seen.
The ceiling disappeared into darkness.
Hundreds of colossal Titan statues lined both sides of the hall.
Each held a different craft.
A blacksmith.
An engineer.
A healer.
A warrior.
An archer.
An assassin.
A mage.
A commander.
The final statue stood at the end of the chamber.
Twice the height of the others.
Its face was hidden beneath an ancient crown.
---
George stared in amazement.
"This isn't a throne room..."
"It's a hall of masters."
Master Doran slowly nodded.
"Every statue represents a profession..."
"...and someone who perfected it."
---
The Guardian Keys floated from Sam's belt once again.
They drifted toward the center of the chamber.
WHOOM...
Two emerald beams shot upward.
The entire hall came alive.
Ancient runes ignited across the floor.
Then...
The same deep voice echoed through the chamber.
"Welcome..."
"...Successors."
No one answered.
The voice continued.
"The Titan Kingdom did not leave behind treasure."
"We left behind inheritance."
"Power without worth destroys kingdoms."
"Power earned preserves them."
---
Suddenly...
Nine pillars of light descended.
One before each leader.
Sam.
Ben.
Kael.
Runa.
Leon.
Zora.
Mira.
George.
Master Doran.
Each pillar displayed a glowing symbol matching its owner.
A sword.
A shield.
A spear.
A bow.
Twin daggers.
A staff.
A healing crest.
A hammer and compass.
A forge hammer.
---
Inside Sam's mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Ancient evaluation beginning.
---
The emerald light swept across every masterpiece Doran had forged.
One by one...
The weapons answered.
Ben's greatsword.
Kael's Frost King's Spear.
Runa's Skybreaker Bow.
Leon's Shadow Fang Daggers.
Zora's Arcane Staff.
Mira's healing staff.
George's Kingdom Architect tools.
Doran's Forge Master's Hammer.
Finally...
The light reached Emerald Soul Reaver.
It paused.
Then faded.
Rex immediately reported.
Emerald Soul Reaver recognized.
Evolution Status: Complete.
No additional awakening required.
Sam smiled faintly.
Exactly as he expected.
This trial...
Was not for him.
It was for the people standing beside him.
---
The ancient voice spoke once more.
"The Commander has already proven his weapon."
"Now..."
"Let the guardians of his kingdom prove theirs."
Ben tightened his grip on his sword.
Kael spun his spear once before planting it into the stone.
Runa rested a hand on the Skybreaker Bow.
Leon silently drew one dagger.
Zora's staff glowed with anticipation.
Mira clasped her staff with both hands.
George adjusted his enchanted gauntlets.
Master Doran lifted the Forge Master's Hammer onto his shoulder.
No one looked afraid.
Only determined.
---
Then...
The chamber trembled.
Nine massive stone doors slowly rose from the floor.
Above each doorway...
Ancient Titan script appeared.
The runes translated themselves before everyone's eyes.
The Trial of the Commander.
The Trial of the Vanguard.
The Trial of the Spear.
The Trial of the Archer.
The Trial of the Shadow.
The Trial of the Arcane.
The Trial of the Healer.
The Trial of the Builder.
The Trial of the Master Blacksmith.
Silence filled the hall.
Each path led in a different direction.
Each trial would test not strength alone...
But the very ideals that made each of them worthy to stand beside the Commander of the Silver Kingdom.
The Legacy of the Titans...
Was ready to judge its successors.