The Hall of Aegis felt colder the morning Zane declared they were ready for Phase Two.
He waited for them in the centre of the training floor, the torches around him flickering blue.
Alaric stopped in the doorway. "Why do I feel like he's about to murder us?"
Zane's mouth curled in a smile that was not reassuring. "Because you're perceptive."
Atlas folded his arms. "Be ready. This is different."
Zane raised a hand. A rune circle flared to life beneath their feet—so bright it hurt to look at. The air thickened with power.
"This is the Crucible," he said calmly. "A trial of mind, body, and Element. You will endure it…or you will break."
Serena swallowed. "And if we…break?"
Zane tilted his head. "Then you die."
Alaric flinched. "He's kidding, right?"
Atlas didn't answer.
Without warning, walls of elemental energy erupted around them: searing fire, lashing water, crackling lightning, thorned vines.
Each of them was forced to stand in the midst of their opposite element.
Serena was surrounded by flame. She gasped as heat pressed against her skin.
"You must learn to focus," Zane called. "Feel your Element shelter you."
She closed her eyes, sweat trickling down her neck. Slowly, a thin sphere of water formed around her, shielding her from the fire.
Clara shivered inside a storm of frost. Green light flickered at her fingertips—then died.
"I can't," she whispered.
"Yes, you can," Atlas called firmly. "Again!"
Vines sprouted, curled around her shoulders. She felt warmth in her chest, steadier this time. I am Nature, she thought. Not ice.
Her shield held.
Alaric's lightning dome kept sparking his hair straight up. "I look like a deranged porcupine!" he yelled.
Atlas almost smiled. "Concentrate, Alaric."
After hours, all of them emerged shaking but alive. Zane nodded once.
"Not bad," he said. "Again tomorrow."
Day after day, the Crucible tested them. Zane conjured illusions of Mirages—more real than any before.
Serena faced three at once. Her hands trembled. The illusions lunged—
"Serena!" Atlas shouted.
Her fear shattered. Water exploded in a crashing wave, hurling the illusions back. She gasped, chest heaving. Atlas ran to steady her, his hand curling around her waist.
"You did it," he murmured.
Her hazel eyes shone, fierce and bright. "Only because you were here."
Between sessions, they collapsed in the corner together—bruised, exhausted, and laughing.
One night, Clara flopped onto the flagstones, hair plastered to her face. "I swear I'm going to wake up tomorrow as a houseplant."
Serena giggled, leaning back on her elbows. "At least you'd be low maintenance."
Alaric sprawled beside them. "I'd water you."
She kicked his leg lightly. "Gee, thanks."
Atlas stood apart, studying them with that rare, almost-smile he saved for these quiet moments.
After two weeks, Zane announced their next trial.
"You will fight each other," he said, "to learn your strengths—and your weaknesses."
Serena faced Clara first. Vines and water crashed in the center of the chamber. Serena was faster; Clara was more stubborn. In the end, Serena's Aqua Chains pinned Clara's arms.
Clara panted, laughing. "Fine—you win."
Alaric sparred Atlas. Lightning met Time.
Every time Alaric tried to land a hit, Atlas blurred out of reach, though the strain in his face showed the cost of slowing time. When the duel ended, Atlas looked away, breath ragged.
"You should…rest," Alaric said quietly. For once, no jokes.
Atlas shook his head. "I'm fine."
Serena touched his arm. "It takes from you, doesn't it? The Time power."
He didn't deny it.
That night, after everyone else had fallen asleep, Serena found Atlas sitting alone on the edge of the training floor, his silver pendant glinting in the dim light.
"You're pushing yourself too hard," she said gently.
"I have to," he murmured.
She knelt beside him. "And what happens if you're gone? What happens to us?"
Atlas finally looked up, his eyes too bright. "Then you survive. That's all that matters."
"Not to me," she whispered.
For a moment, the darkness fell away, and they kissed—soft, aching, necessary.
By the third week, their Elements evolved.
Serena discovered Water Blades, shimmering arcs that could cut through steel. Clara's vines grew stronger—she learned Thorn Armor, wrapping herself in living protection.
Alaric finally mastered Lightning Spear—though the first time he summoned it, he singed his eyebrows. "I'm fine," he insisted, batting at the smoke. "Just…a cosmetic setback."
Clara collapsed laughing. Even Atlas cracked a smile.
In their spare hours, Zane taught them about the Shop in detail—how to barter, how to invest Black Will, how to find hidden artifacts.
Serena bought a bracelet that amplified her control. Clara traded for seeds that could sprout into defensive barriers. Alaric ogled a Lightning-infused sword but decided to wait.
Atlas said nothing of what he was searching for, but sometimes he stared at the list of items as if weighing something dangerous.
At the end of the month, Zane stood before them one last time.
"You've survived what most would not," he said simply. "Remember that."
Clara straightened. "We will."
Serena slipped her hand into Atlas's. "Together."
Alaric clapped a hand on Atlas's shoulder. "So…when do we get to kick some Mirage ass?"
Atlas met each of their eyes, feeling something almost like hope.
"Soon," he said.