Zane raised his hand, sealing the dark training chamber. "Your last trial," he announced, his voice ringing across the cavern, "is simple in words but not in deed."
He looked at the three of them in turn. "Any one of you must touch Atlas once. Only one touch. If you succeed, the victor alone will earn a gift worthy of a King—an armor forged in the Elemental Forge."
Alaric paled. "One touch? That's all?"
Atlas stepped into the center, his expression unreadable, black hair falling across his bright blue eyes flecked with gold. "That's all."
Serena swallowed, brushing her long silky hair behind her ear. "He's not going to go easy."
"I know," Clara muttered, flexing her fingers. Her green eyes glimmered with determination.
Zane's gaze shifted to Atlas. "Show them. No mercy."
And the chamber fell into tense silence.
"Begin."
Alaric launched first, electricity crackling down his arms. "Hey, Atlas—catch me if you can!"
Thunderstrike. He flung a blinding arc of lightning, filling the chamber with blue glare.
Atlas didn't even move. He lifted one hand. Defence Element: Aegis Shield. A golden barrier shimmered into place, drinking in the lightning like it was nothing.
Serena came from the side, Water Blades swirling around her in silver arcs. She slashed down, water hissing against the shield.
But Atlas flicked his wrist. Water Element: Tsunami Surge. A roaring wall of water erupted, sweeping her backward across the chamber. She tumbled over the slick stones, gasping.
Clara threw out her hands, Thorn Grasp exploding from the floor in a forest of reaching vines. But the vines froze mid-surge—literally.
Ice Element: AbsoluteZero.
A sheet of white frost spread instantly, locking her attack in perfect, glistening stillness. She staggered back, clutching her arms as the air turned bitter cold.
Alaric charged in again, dodging past the frozen vines. Atlas was ready. He lifted his hand. Fire Element: Infernal Twin Dragons.
Twin streams of fire shot forward in coiling spirals. Alaric skidded to a halt, eyes wide. "Nope!" He dove to the side as the fire crashed past, heat searing his back.
Serena staggered up, soaked and shivering. "We can't get close—he's too fast—"
"Spread out!" Clara shouted. "We'll flank him!"
Alaric raised a sparking fist. "Fine—but if I get incinerated, I'm haunting you!"
They split apart, circling Atlas. His gaze tracked them calmly, like a predator watching prey.
Serena closed her eyes, steadying her breath. Water Element: Aqua Mirage. Dozens of shimmering illusions burst into existence—reflections of herself darting in all directions.
Atlas raised a brow. "Interesting."
He extended his hand. Lightning Element: Storm Cage.
Electricity cracked down from the ceiling, creating a grid of lightning that vaporized half the illusions at once. The real Serena stumbled back, her eyes wide with awe.
Alaric lunged from behind, thinking he saw an opening. "Got you—!"
Time Element: Chrono Slip.
Atlas vanished. For a breath, it was like he had never been there.
He reappeared behind Alaric, voice soft. "Not yet."
Alaric let out a yelp and fell forward onto his hands and knees, heart hammering. "I hate when he does that!"
Clara crouched low, her chest rising and falling. He's not even tired.
She pressed her hand over her thudding heart. Then I'll have to be clever.
Serena regrouped near her, hair plastered to her face. "He's everywhere."
"I know," Clara whispered, studying Atlas's stance. But he's also human. He has habits. He tracks the obvious threats first.
Serena straightened, determination in her almond-shaped hazel eyes. "So we'll be the distraction."
Alaric limped over, lightning still flickering across his hands. "I can be a distraction. It's what I'm best at."
Serena and Alaric launched together. Tidal Wave.Thunderstrike. The chamber erupted in blinding flashes and torrents of water.
Atlas met them calmly, raising both hands.
Ice Element: Crystal Spire. Spikes of glittering ice erupted upward, splitting the wave into harmless rivulets.
Fire Element: Infernal Twin Dragons. Fire twisted around the spikes, vaporizing the water into a rolling fog.
Gravity Element: Gravity Well. The air crushed down, pinning them both to the floor.
Clara felt her chance.
Atlas turned to fully face Serena and Alaric—just for a second.
That second was all Clara needed.
She didn't summon a vine or a blade. She simply ran—bare feet slapping across wet stone—low and fast like a sprinter. Her small frame made her almost invisible in the drifting fog.
She closed the last meter in silence, heart slamming in her throat.
She threw herself forward—arms wrapping around Atlas's waist before he could fully turn.
The fog cleared. Serena and Alaric gaped.
Atlas looked down, startled. "…Clara?"
She drew back just enough to look up, grinning breathlessly. "Tag."
Zane's deep laugh filled the training ground. "Unexpected. But valid."
He nodded once. "Clara Wells…you have earned the Elemental Armor."
Serena sank to her knees. "I can't believe you did it."
Alaric dropped onto his back, panting. "She just…hugged him."
"I knew," Clara said, still catching her breath, "that he wouldn't hurt me if I got close. You two were perfect distractions."
Atlas touched her shoulder lightly. "Well done."
Her cheeks turned pink. "Thank you."
Serena folded her arms, trying not to pout. "I wanted the armor too."
Alaric sighed. "Me too. I'm going to be the only one without fancy clothes."
Clara smiled at them sheepishly. "You two did all the work. I just…cheated."
Atlas looked around at them all, expression softer than usual. "It wasn't cheating. It was recognising your strengths."
He glanced down at her. "And knowing when to trust your instincts."