Golden light engulfed the battlefield.
WHOOOOOOOOOM!!
The endless plain disappeared beneath a sea of radiant mana.
Ben instinctively stepped back.
His greatsword floated from his grasp.
It rose into the air.
Suspended between heaven and earth.
The ancient runes engraved across its blade blazed brighter than the sun.
---
Inside Ben's mind...
His System spoke.
General...
Legendary Weapon Evolution in Progress.
Synchronizing with Titan Legacy...
Compatibility: One Hundred Percent.
Host Requirements Satisfied.
Evaluating Vanguard Spirit...
Ben looked up at the floating weapon.
"...One hundred percent?"
His System answered.
Confirmed.
The Titan Legacy has accepted you as its successor.
---
Aegis stepped forward.
The First Vanguard removed his massive shield from his back.
For the first time...
He held it with both hands.
The battlefield fell silent.
Every Titan warrior remained kneeling.
The ancient giant looked at Ben.
«"For ten thousand years..."»
«"...this legacy has awaited its next master."»
He slowly raised the colossal shield.
Golden light poured from countless cracks across its surface.
«"This shield defended the First King."»
«"It protected the Titan Kingdom."»
«"It never broke."»
The shield began to dissolve.
Stone became light.
Bronze became mana.
Its entire existence transformed into thousands of golden particles.
Ben's eyes widened.
"...It's disappearing."
Aegis smiled.
«"No."»
«"It is returning..."»
«"...to its rightful purpose."»
The golden particles surged toward Ben's floating greatsword.
WHOOOOOOOM!!
The blade trembled violently.
---
Ancient Titan runes spread from the hilt to the tip.
The steel darkened into brilliant Titan silver.
Golden veins appeared throughout the blade.
The edge became impossibly sharp.
The crossguard expanded into two enormous wings that curved outward like a fortress protecting its people.
At the center of the guard...
A brilliant golden crystal formed.
It pulsed steadily.
Like the heartbeat of a guardian.
---
Inside Ben's mind...
His System continued.
Evolution Complete.
Legendary Weapon Updated.
Name Confirmed...
Titan Vanguard.
Classification: Titan Legacy Weapon.
Rank: Mythic.
Ben slowly repeated the name.
"...Titan Vanguard."
The weapon descended.
The moment Ben's fingers wrapped around its hilt—
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!
An overwhelming wave of golden mana erupted from his body.
The shockwave swept across the battlefield.
Every Titan banner fluttered.
Every kneeling warrior lowered their heads even farther.
---
Ben stared at the weapon in disbelief.
He could feel it.
It wasn't simply stronger.
It felt...
Alive.
As if countless Vanguard warriors stood behind him.
Their courage.
Their resolve.
Their unwavering determination.
All of it flowed through the blade.
---
Aegis nodded with satisfaction.
«"A weapon..."»
«"...reflects its master."»
«"This blade did not evolve because of your strength."»
«"It evolved..."»
«"...because your heart never yielded."»
The First Vanguard stepped closer.
Then...
To Ben's astonishment...
The colossal Titan knelt on one knee.
The entire Titan legion followed.
THOOM!!
Thousands knelt together.
The sound echoed across the endless world.
Ben stood frozen.
"...What are you doing?"
Aegis lowered his head.
«"Paying respect..."»
«"...to the Vanguard who will protect the next great kingdom."»
Silence filled the battlefield.
Even Ben didn't know what to say.
---
Aegis slowly stood.
His body had begun to glow.
Tiny fragments of light drifted from his stone form.
His time was ending.
«"Remember this..."»
Ben listened carefully.
«"A Vanguard is not the strongest warrior."»
«"He is the one..."»
«"...who remains standing..."»
«"...after everyone else has fallen."»
The ancient giant smiled.
A proud smile.
«"Protect your King."»
«"Protect your kingdom."»
«"Protect..."»
«"...the future."»
His body dissolved into countless golden lights.
The Titan legion followed.
One by one...
The warriors faded into the sky.
Until only Ben remained.
Standing alone.
Titan Vanguard resting upon his shoulder.
---
Inside his mind...
His System spoke one final time.
General...
Trial Complete.
Preparing return to the Hall of Masters.
Golden light enveloped Ben.
He smiled.
"Sam..."
"I can't wait to show you this."
WHOOM!!
His figure vanished from the battlefield.
Far away...
Within the Hall of Masters...
One of the nine Titan statues cracked.
A single golden tear rolled down the face of the First Vanguard.
The legacy had found its successor.