Light exploded.
Blinding.
Colors swirling.
Everyone stepped back.
Shielding their eyes.
The armor pieces vibrated.
Humming.
The cracks glowed.
Gold light seeping through.
The scattered pieces flew.
Toward the chest.
CLANG.
CLANG CLANG CLANG.
All flying back.
Reforming.
The cracks sealed.
Not completely.
Still visible.
Golden lines now.
But solid.
The humming stopped.
Light faded.
The armor stood.
Complete.
Hovering in mid-air.
Then dropped.
THUD.
Hit the floor.
The gem in the center glowed softly.
On the chest piece—
Nine circular indentations.
Arranged in a pattern.
Three rows of three.
Alex's gem occupied the center spot.
Eight empty slots remained.
Silence.
Nobody moved.
Nobody breathed.
Master Feng's mouth hung open.
Beard trembling.
"That's... that's impossible."
He stepped closer.
Hands shaking.
"We tried everything. Everything!"
Touched the armor.
It was warm.
With full power.
