My vision shifted as the scenery from around me changed, colours running like on a pedestal as tendrils of lightning surged through the air, the static shrouding my form, lifting my hair, the flickering blinding light crackled like dynamite, as my body blitzed through space and I appeared right behind the Guardian.

The Guardian’s head twisted, it positioned its form and moved agilely enough to make a hard time for me catch up with its rapid movements, ready to take my assault head on as my arm thrust forward, reaching nearer, the staff in its hand began to blaze with an ethereal sheen, the runes submerged with a golden light, as it tried to pivot.

Mind’s Eye bloomed to life as I felt my eyes focus on the ambient mana which hovered between us, my visual perception improving—to better understand how the mana reacted to my own hold over it. But just as my arm was close enough, I cancelled out the flame which was burning on the tips of my fingers and pulled it back, as several projectiles—previously conjured by Mordian—took aim and hurled through the air in the Guardian’s direction.

I took flight immediately, as I sent a mental note to Mordian, he returned with his approval and I twisted my body mid-air, the Guardian dodged a few projectiles and parried some with its broken staff with impeccable precision in its agile movements, but with Mordian’s quick thinking and assertive hold over the mana, he used the broken pieces of the projectiles, making use of what little mana was left in the sundered projectiles and the few remaining, still intact hurled at the Guardian to restrain it in its position.

The Guardian was quick to react, it reacted as naturally as if avoiding a bug, and dodged several of the remaining projectiles, but some went through and dug straight into the platform, making cracks to run through the hard surface as there was a momentary halt to its movements.

Taking that exact moment, I worked my mana as a brilliant crackle of lightning surged through my arm, static rushed through my veins as a dim glow erupted from my palm, as lightning, fire and ice converged, I could perfectly feel the burden of maintaining such a complex spell as the bone inside my arm winced under the pressure building, the space around my arm distorting as nature bended to my will.

But with my new found control and dominance over mana, I fuelled the spell, Ruler’s Authority guiding me through the steps as a multitude of information surged through my mind for several possibilities to hold, fuel and charge the spell in more consistent and efficient ways. Then, my mana burst forth and released toward the Guardian like a howling beast, ready to devour its prey.

The spell struck the Guardian right in its back, its form hurtled through the air like a beanbag, and then a blast resounded as the destructive deviant converged spell kicked in.

Using the projectiles conjured by Mordian, I rapidly ushered the lightning attribute through them and used them like a medium to guide the lightning near the broken piece of the armour where the cube like object resided.

A severe charge of lightning struck the Guardian and with a flash of blinding light, the tendrils ran asunder around it, its form staggered slightly, unmoving for a split second.

Mordian was over its tall form, more projectiles hovering near him, hurled at the Guardian, not giving it time to correct its form and take back its feet.

And just what I’d been suspicious of, several scales over the red-rimmed armour went loose and broke off, as Mordian kept launching projectile after projectile, not giving the Guardian time to recover or retaliate from the assault.

Making it a one-sided display of strength. But I knew better what the Guardian was capable of.

Not just stopping there, I bombarded it with a series of different complex spells, wind after fire, ice after lightning, a mixture of these different spells and deviant magic, my concentration multiplied by Ruler’s Authority as the skill enhanced my overall cognitive and sensory capabilities, coupled with Mind’s Eye to sense and observe even the slightest twitch of the Guardian’s body and the mana around us.

And finally, the Guardian retaliated, the burning runes over its staff charged with mana burst with a blinding light, the hot marks of the rod went loose, bursting forth like the rays of an afternoon sun, as beams of golden energy surged and blindly moved through the air, making anything its target.

I fuelled leap, and quickly appeared by Mordian’s side, he had already conjured a barrier, the mana sewed so impeccably, leaving no gab for the streaks of light to pass through, as they struck the surface of the barrier, but I felt Mordian’s face wear a frown, as I sensed a sudden lapse in his manipulation, I looked at him and the curse was making it harder for him to focus his mana throughout the barrier to keep its shape stable.

So I stretched my arms out, ready to help my bond, my mana worked and I reinforced the barrier conjured by him, as a dim glow shrouded its surface, the beam to light stopped in its assault as the runes over the broken staff died down.

“Excellent.” The energy like voice of the Guardian resounded, its posture shifted and took a more firm stance, making the hair at the back of my neck to stand. “You both are able to understand each others weaknesses and assist each other when the need be. You both are really impressive in your own ways. Your synchronization is good, but still quite crude.”

My nerves working, the Guardian's words making me on edge, I chewed the inside of my cheek to calm myself, as the barrier in front of us rippled and disappeared.

“But try harder.” The Guardian said, sounding dissatisfied and bored.

I cracked a grin, more out of excitement rather nervousness as I peered at the Guardian, it was looking right back at me.

‘Mordian, let’s finish this as quickly as possible,’ I projected to my bond, sending over my thoughts and the strategy I’d cooked up.

It was more a frontal assault, more a blitz strategy. A reckless one at that. But procrastinating any further and prolonging the battle would only bring our own imminent defeat. So we needed to end this fight with a full scoop, as quickly as possible.

‘Its reckless, but if it works, it will give us an upper-hand over the battle,’ Mordian returned, projecting his own thoughts and ideas to alter and better my strategy.

‘And are sure you sure you can use that now?’ My bond asked, unsure over the probability of my success, as his brows knitted in thought as we considered the flaws.‘The last time you did try to use it, you almost hurt yourself.’

‘Don’t worry, I'm more than confident I can do it now. I didn’t just grind several hours on training to make excuses afterward.’ I shot him a playful wink, as Mordian’s lips rose a fraction of an inch, he shrugged as he got to work.

‘Alright, but hurry up.’ He shot back, as he lunged at the Guardian.

He took flight, his form effortlessly moving through the air, as naturally as a nighthawk taking glide.

He hovered close to the Guardian, multiple projectiles conjured in the air around him, held by a delicate tether which connected them to Mordian, as he launched several shaped projectiles at it, buying time as I went to work.

I needed to end this battle as quickly as possible and to do that I needed to use the strongest spell in my arsenal. After testing it out several times and with Mordian's help in the cavern, the past several weeks I'd spent in order to correct the spell and I was somehow able to manipulate the spell in a desired outcome.

My arms surged with the raw power of mana, the space around me seem to distort as I manipulated mana rotation and absorbed the atmospheric mana, the mana bending to my will as if acknowledging my presence, I breathed in the fresh mana, making it my own as I corrected my input and output of the magical energy coursing through my veins, making me feel alive.

The bones beneath my skin winced, I scowled, gritting my teeth in an attempt to supress the growing pain, a chill ran through my back, making me shudder slightly from the pressure building within, as all the water particles around me slowly absorbed into my body.

Now using spells from any attribute or either their deviances didn’t pose a problem for me after my training with Mordian. With mana rotation, I could perfectly balance the amount of mana I needed to incorporate in a spell to release it in the most efficient and effective way possible, and the lapse I felt during spellcasting which caused a momentary halt over my release had finally disappeared.

My concentration increased several folds, like a chain network, information coursed through my mind, as I focused my mind on charging the deviant spell I’d created and now enhanced.

Ruler’s Authority giving me a firm and absolute hold over the mana through its enhanced and more productive abilities, lessening the burden from my mind and allowing me to ease my body from the growing pain which worked like a sore thumb.

‘Jiwoo hurry up. I can’t hold on alone much longer.’ Mordian sent to me, I could vividly feel his frustration and nervousness as he clashed with the Guardian, keeping it busy and giving me time to build up my spell.

I saw the atoms in the air starting to freeze as the atmosphere grew lower and lower as the surge and onslaught of ice started to pervade, a hollow mist spiralled through the air, casting a cool wave to shroud the entire platform.

My hands began to blaze with a white light which seem to freeze matter itself, the temperature drastically falling below as a chilling breeze rushed through the platform area, and both Mordian and the Guardian seemed to have realised what I was doing.

‘Get away.’ I quickly said to my bond, my mental voice projecting to him and as he twisted his body mid-air, evading a swift attack from the Guardian, barely avoiding its staff as he reached for a safe distance, several projectiles already conjured by his side.

I took a breath, correcting my posture as the spell perfectly took form.

“If you’re going to use the same spell as last time, its not going to work, human. You better come up with something new.” The Guardian ranted, its voice raging through the cage, sounding uninterested and disappointed as it took a stance, shifting its weight as it pivoted to take on the onslaught of my attack head on.

“Oh please, don’t label me as a one trick phony,” I said, my face curved into a smirk as I looked at the Guardian looking confused. I brought my foot forward as I prepared myself. “I still have so much to show you.”

The ice deviant spell lurched forward from below my feet, as the entire platform from a thirty meter radius froze with a thick layer of ice, like a tidal wave engulfing and freezing everything that came in its path, be it the particles of mana or the entire platform. The ice soon reached the Guardian as it started to imprison its form and encasing it in a tomb of frost.

“Absolute zero: Frost prison.”

But the Guardian just stood there and did nothing like before, unharmed by the frost which pervaded, its energy-like eyes projected dissatisfaction and disappointment.

Mordian was several feet in the air ready to attack at any given moment as I firmed my stance for what was to come.

But the Guardian’s form slowly started to break free of the ice imprisoning it. The layer of frost growing cracks as the mighty giant tried to free itself.

I lunged at it, the mana reinforcing my legs, my arms blazing with a bright flash of light as the air itself seemed to freeze from my spell, my arms hissing through the air like a coiled serpent ready to strike as the mana reinforced each vein and tendon of my arm.

Just as I reached close enough to the Guardian, it completely broke free of its restrain as it retaliated. But already prepared for its counter, I twisted my body, avoiding a big chunk of ice crashing beside me as the Guardian broke free and its staff began to burn with a golden light.

Mordian got to work, his projectiles hurling at the Guardian, but his attempt was for naught as it effortlessly parried or evaded them.

But that had given me enough time to do what I needed to as I was only several feet away from it. My right arm reached near the opening in the Guardian’s sternum, where the cubic object rested, the Guardian jolted to action taking precaution over my next action as I brought my hand forward as it erupted with a blinding white glow.

But there was no nervousness or frustration visible over my face as I cheerfully grinned in excitement from the euphoric rush of the battle, looking at the towering figure of the giant.

“Frost fire.” I said, like the final drop of a curtain at the end of a long play, as white flames emerged from the palm of my hand and lurched and enveloped the Guardian, catching the giant off guard, as they swept the entire area around us.

I heard Mordian’s worry leak into my mind, as the destructive flames lurched hungrily, looking for its prey. I sent back to Mordian, trying to appease my bond and for him to be ready if anything went wrong.

The fire spread through its entire chest and abdomen area, slowly taking over its entire form, like a cascading shower of light at dawn, as its entire form lit ablaze, its armour took considerable damage as the fire slowly froze and burnt it from the inside-out, spewing into the armour and all around it as cracks ran through the red-rimmed scales, and halted the Guardian’s movements entirely, giving me the opportunity to lay my hand over the cubic object stuck in its sternum.

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But my arm was repelled back as soon as it came into contact. I frowned in desperation, my body moving with all the effort I could muster, victory barely in sight, and I felt I could grasp it, but looking so far away in this split second, as the Guardian began to free itself from the binds of the frost fire.

But by now, maintaining my strongest spell, frost fire, had started to take its toll over me. The flames slowly started to run backward, the white flames attaching themselves on my arms and rising higher as my face twisted into a scowl. I cursed, desperation working its way across my face.

But not ready to just give in, I kept pushing as I felt a surge of adrenaline rush through my veins, my entire arm burst with mana, I scowled under the pressure building as my bone harshly winced, but I didn’t care, I kept pouring more and more mana as I launched my arm at the Guardian.

My hand hissed through the air, like a serpent striking its prey, my arm struck the sternum area of the armour and through Mind’s Eye, I finally realised, or rather saw an invisible barrier protecting the object inside. My knuckle struck the barrier with all the force I could muster, a rasp noise of bones cracking reverberated in my ears, as I channelled more mana into my arm.

I shouted, my voice so hoarse as my face twisted from the agony of my bones breaking and getting regenerated from the building pressure over and over again, pouring every last bit of energy into this final attack as all my mana rushed forth. I put everything I had into this final attack.

By now, the effects of frost fire had ended as the white flames died down, and the Guardian was free, its arm reaching near me as I looked at it with complete helplessness.

For a moment, I thought of letting go and protecting myself as its giant arm reached nearer and was only a hair’s breadth away. But what if this was my only chance at defeating the Guardian before it adapted to my new attack pattern and spells?

My desperation pinched at my very sanity, I rapidly activated Mind’s Eye’s first phase, as the colours around me dulled as a veil of grey fell over the world and everything started to come to a standstill and move at a snail’s pace. And through Ruler's Authority, I thought of my next course of action immediately, several possibilities rushed through my mind, as I felt like my brain could fry from all the information coursing through my mind, and also the burden of keeping two skill active at once.

But I needed to trust Mordian on this one.

I slowly deactivated the first phase as colours rushed through the world and the hand reaching near my flank returned to its previous speed.

But in the end, my bond was quick enough to react to my intentions as we communicated telepathically, as he countered immediately, his conjured projectile struck the golem’s arm and hurled it back—away from me giving me the opportunity I was looking for.

My arm began to bleed under the stress, nasty cracks running long my skin as it looked like a grotesques scene, but relief washed over me soon as the barrier in my way grew cracks and finally succumbed to the onslaught of my attack as I took a hold of the cubic object and ripped it free from the inside of the armour as I crashed to the floor and rolled several feet away.

I heard the loud clanking of heavy armour falling to the floor, shattering the ice upon impact, as I gritted my teeth, trying to supress the unimaginable pain I felt in my right arm as it fixed itself.

But I felt the cold sensation of an object resting in my numb hand, with rough edges which glowed with a dim iridescent quality.

Just then several windows popped open in front of me, solidifying my victory, as I levelled up and saw the reward window generating.

We had done it. A victorious grin plastered across my face as I faced Mordian, the dragon walking over to my side, he looked down at me, his face looking relieved, but still expressionless, but having a victorious glint.

“It was a reckless strategy, but it really worked.” Mordian said, his lips playfully risen.

“Yes, it was a reckless strategy indeed.” We heard a disembodied voice run through the caged platform as we both sprung into a fighting stance, the criss-crossed wires slowly dissolved, as my face was replaced by a twisted scowl as the pain still bit like a bitch in my arm.

“But, if you hadn’t been as reckless as you both were, you would have certainly failed to defeat me. So I would praise you for your bold tactic earlier. I truly liked your synchronization, your ability to adapt to one another’s fighting style and compensating for each other’s weakness, was quite interesting to observe, as a matter of fact.”

We saw the fallen armour rising again, panic rushed through our mind, confusion palpable over our face as an ethereal aura enveloped the armour, as a more coherent and ancient voice entered our ears, filled with wisdom and the longevity of time itself.

“It was truly an exhilarating fight, one after several millennials. Heh, you truly shocked me, Jiwoo.”

My breathing heavy and face darkened, as I saw the damaged armour rising from where it'd fallen, a blinding light rushed through the entire platform and all the damage and destruction done to the platform fixed itself as all the ice shrouding the area vanished like an illusion being undone. It was simply magical.

‘Could it be?’ I thought, as I gaped at the giant armour, which slowly shrank, the scales growing smaller, as the intimidating aura around it gave away, and soon stopped at male height.

“Indeed. I am exactly who you think I am, Seo Jiwoo.” The heavy demonic voice which was once released from the armour, took a more lighter and incisive tone, but still sounding as authoritative and assertive as before, as the armoured figure stood tall and looked at me with a complicated expression felt through the gaps in its helmet for its eyes.

The Guardian’s hands reached for its helmet, as it slowly removed it helmet and soon enough, I saw an old man with more human-like features.

“I am a remnant. Left to guide you through your journey,” the remnant said, as I peered at its old features, unlike Indra who had appeared to me in his youthful prestige, looking magnificent and sagacious, the man standing in front of me looked old, and like a friendly uncle, who everyone was fond of.

His face displayed wrinkles, as he wore his age with pride, short white hair framed his still sharp and fresh features despite his old wrinkled cheeks and serene looking eyes, which still held a dark chestnut tinge, but looking as old as time itself. A perfectly trimmed beard covered his lower cheeks and jaw, his appearance still quite attractive for his old self.

“I am from one of the ancient races of the ash’ari, a progenitor just like Indra Arudecarus.”

Upon hearing his words, Mordian gasped in surprise, his brows risen in shock and flabbergast as he looked at the remnant with wide eyes.

I felt his surprise bleed into my mind, he was pondering over the fact whether what he was seeing was true or just an illusion.

“I am Vetustima Vivagrandus.” He said, standing with poise, oozing authority, but having a calm and certain gentleness to his tone as he addressed both of us. “I have been awaiting you, Jiwoo, and we have finally met.”

“Wait, Vivagrandus...” I said, looking at the old ash’ari, as my mind went to pondering. I went through my conversations with Mordian in my head and remembered hearing the Vivagrandus name. “You’re a titan.” I stated and Vetustima nodded in acknowledgement.

“It seems the young dragon lord has taught you a few things about us ash’ari in the mean time. Yes, I belong to the race of the titans, known for their substantial hold over the process of creation, more of course, to the artificery side of things. We are master craftsmen, not to boast, everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses.” Vetustima said, trying to sound humorous, but ultimately his tone betrayed him, making him look more sagacious.

I had finally met another remnant, an ancient who could give me answers, the answers I needed, the answers I’ve been looking for, for so desperately, but for some reason, I felt a surge of anger burning in the pit of my stomach as I looked at the old ash’ari, clearly feeling my facial muscles twitching.

Noticing my change in expression, Vetustima looked at me with a troubled raise of his brows, his eyes filled with guilt and apology as he walked a few steps closer to us.

Mordian still on guard stood in front of me, his arm forward and mana working.

“The trial is over, and your bond has passed with flying colours, there is no reason for you to be so wary of me now, Mordain's descendent. I have already acknowledged his power and deemed him worthy.”

“You know about my ancestor, Mordain Astrionyx?” Mordian asked, his eyes looking slightly awkward, as he peered at Vetustima, looking for answers.

The old wrinkled face of the titan broke into a thin and gentle smile, as if reminiscing over some past memory, but a mixture of sadness and guilt surfaced over his face, projecting some regret which I wasn’t able to understand.

“Well yes. I knew your forefather quite well, too well. Some could’ve even said that we were close friends, and brethren who had fought together in the ancient war.” Vetustima said matter-of-factly, sounding slightly annoyed as if he had remembered some grudge all of a sudden, leaving Mordian in shock over the mention of the ancient war, which I'd barely learned anything about from Indra.

Vetustima pointed a finger in my direction as he spoke succinctly, eyes convinced. “You might not be completely aware of the ancient war, which would’ve been told to you as only a bed-time story, but yes, a war which left even the ash’ari in dismay occurred a very long time ago, Mordian, and one which was unlike anything we could have ever been prepared for. And your bond over there is aware of the war as well, of course knowing about Mordain. Haven’t you seen him?”

My face flummoxed over the inclination that the titan remnant had read the very thought rushing through my mind.

Mordian snapped his head in my direction in a hurry, his face a mixture of several unreadable emotions, as he looked at me with doubt and deceit.

“Is that true?” He asked, his body loosening as his eyes slightly darkened.

“I...” I looked at him with an awkward frown, guilt growing in the pit of my stomach for some reason.

But I determined myself as I answered properly after giving a meaningful look to Vetustima. “Yes,” I admitted.

Then it was true that the man I’d seen was Mordian’s ancestor, his forefather to be exact, the resemblance that both held, it could only fall to the conclusion that the man with the golden eyes and blonde hair I’d seen was Mordian’s ancestor; Mordain Astrionyx.

The air between us grew heavy with awkwardness as I shifted my gaze away from Mordian and at the remnant. I could feel my bond’s confusion as palpably as if it was my own in my mind, as Mordian calmed himself, sending me an understanding affirmation for an explanation later, and I agreed right away.

“But let’s postpone this talk for now and go back to more important matters. First we must do what we’re here to do. The other things can wait. Let us not forgo any further and waste precious time,” the titan said, sounding coherent as his gaze shifted from Mordian and fell over me.

“You have cleared my trial and I have deemed you worthy, now claim what is rightfully yours, Seo Jiwoo.”

Vetustima brought a hand forward, pointing at the cubic object—no, the keystone in my palm—as I looked down at the cubic shape, glowing with an iridescent quality.

Whenever I acquired a new keystone I always wondered just who was this ‘he’—previously mentioned by Indra in a cryptic sense—who had created these tests for me and what had he intended from me by solving these keystones in the first place? Just what did he wanted from me to begin with?

These questions were always at the back of my head, always making me confused, for the lack of answers. But perhaps, Vetustima would be different.

With a deep breath, I looked at Mordian one last time, his face growing more curious as time passed, as I stirred the cubic keystone in my palm, cradling it with care as I studied its surface, then after a few seconds of thoroughly inspecting the relic, I finally decided to enter the realm inside the keystone. My mind stirred, the sensation similar to a suction force, as if being pushed through a narrow gap and being ushered forward, and soon enough I reached the light at the end of the tunnel and appeared inside a space disconnected from the world outside, but everything around me was a dark pitch black, nothing in sight, all there was to see was a veil of stygian.

And the most notice worthy thing was that there wasn’t any mana or demonic energy in this place, where my body or rather conscious mind was left suspended. As hard and deeply as I tried to concentrate to feel the mana in here, but what I was met with was nothingness.

There truly was nothing in here.

Then what am I supposed to do in a place which has nothing? I thought, pondering several things to make out of my current situation.

I don’t think this keystone was unsolvable. Because it was an object, a puzzle made to be solved in the first place. So why would its creator intent for it be nothing in the first place.

But I didn't fret or succumb to my growing nervousness inside here, thinking whether another being might not attack me out of nowhere in here, like the previous trial where I'd encountered that shape-shifter.

Immediately, I searched for my skills, trying to see if they were still usable—unlike in the previous two keystones, where I was stripped off of my power—, and they were, but out of them all, I quickly activated Mind's Eye, as a flurry of information rushed through my mind and I felt the keystone realm stir in response to my skill's activation, as a surge of mana ran through my body.

Interesting. I mused, pondering over the fact what this keystone could have in store for me. Instead of growing nervous, I rather felt excited as I looked around. What new lesson or insight could I acquire this time round.

I searched through the keystone realm and through the heightened visionary prowess provided by Mind's Eye, plus the ability to observe the mana and demonic energy—both elements which were currently unavailable in here—I looked for any clues which might help me, which could only be seen through the help of my skill.

And there didn't seem to be any knowledge or insight I could gain in this keystone, that’s how it seemed, or rather I had a intuitive feeling that this keystone's purpose was different, but what I was sure of was that there was only a disembodied presence in this cut of realm, like an awareness which made me feel at ease for some reason, with me suspended in the middle of this black nothingness.

Alone with own thoughts. But I felt troubled as the many responsibilities I shouldered reminded me that I needed to better myself.

So instead, I tried to do what I could, I started to release my mana in every direction, trying to do anything to get a response, sending specific levels of stimuli through the space with my own mana, in this manaless void.

I sensed my mana released in a shapeless, purposeless form, moving aimlessly in this void, I tried several times, for who knew how long, testing different things out of curiosity, but then suddenly just as I widened the range, I felt my mana collide and bounce back as if it had struck against some object or thing. Resonating with some form of energy. Like a vibration caused by the collision of two objects together, which made me intrigued about what could that thing be here in this void.

I willed myself closer to the distortion caused by the recoil of my mana being bounced back, and when I came close enough, through Mind's Eye I saw two small objects glowing in the distance, looking like a tiny spark in this manaless black void, and if not for Mind’s Eye’s perspective lens I would easily have missed both the vibrations and the objects.

When I came close enough, I saw the two glowing objects were dimensional artifacts in the shape of rings.

Curious, I zoomed closer and took a hold of the two artifacts afloat in this void having a dull blackish-amethyst tinge, and took a look around, and soon again sent a pulse of my mana around to sense if there could be something else in here which I'd missed, but there wasn't.

So, I searched for the awareness which allowed my conscious to enter the keystone realm and without further ado exited.

I laid eyes on Mordian looking at me with just the way he had before I'd entered the keystone realm, there was just the slightest change in his movement and demeanour.

"How long was I gone for?" I asked, expecting to have gone for an hour or more. Under all My thoughts, I was surprised to see that the keystone from my palm had disappeared and now two ring shaped artifacts were clenched inside the palm of my hand, their cool surface perfectly felt, as if they had come to life out of nowhere.

"You just suddenly froze up, as if in a reverie, its only been ten seconds or a little more than that since you decided to enter the keystone realm." My bond acknowledged with an intrigued tone lacing his words.

My brows knitted for a split second, but I came to the realisation quickly.

“Yes, the keystone realm is a disconnected space from the outside world. So the perception of time in there is greatly different from the one outside. So the time you spent in there was only equivalent to seconds here for us.” Vetustima said, looking satisfied.

I unclenched my hand as I laid eyes on the two artifacts I'd acquired from the inside of the keystone.

I turned to look at the remnant for answers and with a calm expression he spoke.

“These two artifacts possess items which will be beneficial for you on your journey ahead, as far as I think.” Vetustima raised a hand, and one of the artifacts lifted into the air from my palm and floated toward Mordian.

“There is one for both of you. And please, go ahead and try them on. See if they sit.” The cheerful uncle said with a curve of his lips.