The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting long, golden streaks through the trees. Jack stood near the edge of the Pool of Purity, the water now calm and reflecting the world like a polished mirror. The pieces of his armor lay in neat piles beside him, the intricate craftsmanship of each one a testament to his hard work and determination. Today was the day he would wear it for the first time.

  He began with the Greaves, pulling them on over his legs. The leather was cool and slightly stiff at first, but it quickly molded to his form as he buckled them tight. The weight was manageable, and he could already feel the resilience of the material working in tandem with his own strength. The pieces weren’t just functional; they were a symbol of his growth, a testament to the battles he’d survived and those yet to come.

  Next came the Tassets, which slid easily into place around his waist, secured with strong but supple straps. The antler fragments along the edges caught the light, giving the armor a menacing edge. The plating felt solid, protecting his vital areas while leaving enough mobility for his legs to move freely.

  The Pauldrons were next. Jack hefted them onto his shoulders, the jagged antler ridges resting proudly against his frame. They were heavy, but not overly so, and the enchantments in the material seemed to give them a life of their own, adjusting to his every movement. With a satisfying click, he fastened them in place, feeling the full weight of the armor settle around him.

  Then the Earthblood Vambraces slid on over his forearms, the smooth surface cool against his skin.

  He donned the Chestplate after that, its weight pulling him into a grounded stance as he fastened the straps across his back. The soul gem embedded in the center of the chestplate glowed faintly with the lingering essence of the Earthborn Ursine, its presence a quiet comfort. He felt the power radiating from it, knowing that it would heal him in moments of dire need, as if the armor itself was an extension of his will to survive.

  Finally, the helm. The antlered crest slid into place, the helmet fitting snugly around his head and offering an imposing visage. He could feel the weight of it resting on his skull, and for a brief moment, he imagined what his enemies might see when they looked at him now—an armored warrior, forged from the hide of a beast, ready for battle.

  With the last strap fastened, Jack took a step back and looked at his reflection in the Pool of Purity. The armor gleamed in the soft light, the deep red of the Sanguine Stag antlers contrasting against the dark brown of the Earthblood Ursine hide. He flexed his arms, testing the range of movement. The armor didn’t feel cumbersome, but it was powerful, a silent promise of protection and strength. It was a part of him now, and he felt more connected to it than ever before.

  A soft, familiar growl broke his reverie. Jack turned, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of his spear, but his body relaxed as soon as he saw Goldeyes stepping out from the underbrush.

  The wolf approached slowly, his golden eyes flicking over Jack’s new armor with a mixture of curiosity and approval. He sniffed the air and padded closer, his large paws silent against the earth. Goldeyes circled around Jack, taking in the full sight of him, the way the armor shifted with his movements. The wolf’s gaze lingered on the antlered crest of the helmet, and Jack chuckled, kneeling to let the wolf get a closer look.

  Goldeyes tilted his head, his expression one of silent understanding, as if the armor spoke to him on a level Jack couldn’t quite reach. The wolf let out a low, approving growl, then nudged Jack’s leg with his snout, as if to say, This is good.

  Jack smiled, rubbing the wolf’s fur behind his ears. “Glad you approve, old friend. You’ll be right there with me when the time comes.”

  Goldeyes gave a small huff, his tail wagging slightly before he nuzzled Jack’s side affectionately. It was clear the wolf was satisfied, and Jack stood tall once again, the weight of his armor feeling less heavy with the presence of his loyal companion by his side.

  The weight of the armor felt reassuring now that Jack had had time to adjust to its presence on his body. He flexed his arms, testing the movement, feeling the tightness of the straps and the steady hum of magic coursing through the earthborn gem in his chestplate. The armor wasn’t just a layer of protection—it was a part of him now. It felt more like a challenge, a companion, something that would demand Jack’s full strength and focus when the time came to wield it properly.

  But before he could truly call it his own, Jack knew he needed to test it. The only way to understand the full potential of this new gear was to push it to its limits. And what better way to test it than in the heart of the forest, where the fiercest creatures roamed?

  Jack turned to Goldeyes, who was still trotting alongside him, his white fur making him stand out in the shadows of the forest. The wolf’s pace slowed as he caught Jack’s gaze, his sharp eyes flashing with curiosity.

  “Goldeyes,” Jack said, lowering his voice slightly. “I need your help.”

  Goldeyes’s ears perked up, and his tail flicked with uncertainty, but he said nothing. Jack could feel the wolf’s reluctance through their bond, the weight of the silent communication passing between them. Goldeyes was smart. He knew what Jack was asking for—a dangerous hunt into the deepest part of the forest, where the strongest creatures could be found.

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  Jack crouched down beside Goldeyes, resting a hand on the wolf’s fur. “I’m not asking you to fight with me. Just help me find the strongest creature you can sense in the woods. I need to see what this armor can really do.”

  Goldeyes growled lowly, a rumbling sound that seemed to vibrate through the ground. He took a step back, looking up at Jack with narrowed eyes, almost as if weighing the decision. After a long pause, the wolf huffed in resignation and nodded, though the hesitation still lingered in his movements.

  Sure about this? Know of cave where big lizard lives. Strong predator. Really want me to lead you there?Goldeyes’s thoughts pressed into Jack’s mind, a gentle push of concern wrapped in the wolf’s raw instinct.

  Jack smiled faintly, standing up straight. “I have to be. I’ve worked too hard to not know what this armor’s capable of. I trust you, Goldeyes. Just help me find it, and I’ll handle the rest.”

  Goldeyes gave a low growl, but then his ears flattened, and with a sigh that seemed almost human, he turned and began to lead the way. Jack followed close behind, his steps light and swift as the two made their way deeper into the forest, heading for the unknown.

  The trees grew thicker, and the shadows deeper as they ventured farther from the camp. The air became dense with the scent of moss and earth, the sounds of distant wildlife muffled by the canopy above. The atmosphere shifted, the world growing quieter as if the forest itself was holding its breath. Jack’s senses sharpened in the silence, the weight of the armor now more apparent, the connection between him and the earth beneath his feet steady and strong.

  Goldeyes led him on, his movements quick and calculated as he wove through the underbrush. Jack trusted the wolf’s instincts—Goldeyes had led them through danger before, and he wouldn’t steer Jack wrong now. But still, a part of him felt the tension building in his chest. What were they heading toward? What creature would Goldeyes deem strong enough for this test?

  The armor felt heavier with each passing step as Jack followed Goldeyes deeper into the forest. The wolf moved silently ahead of him, his tail low and his ears flicked back, but his senses were sharp, the flicker of tension between them undeniable. Goldeyes wasn’t simply uneasy; he was cautious. They were getting close.

  Jack could feel it too—the air had shifted. It was thicker now, more oppressive, as though the very atmosphere had turned stale and putrid. The smell of earth and moss was overwhelmed by something much darker, more unsettling. Jack’s pulse quickened in response, his grip tightening on the spear that now felt heavier in his hand, as if it, too, recognized the growing danger.

  Goldeyes had stopped now, his body poised and rigid, his nose twitching slightly as his sharp gaze flicked between the trees ahead. Jack slowed his pace, matching the wolf’s caution.

  The clearing ahead of them was thick with shadows, the canopy above a tangle of branches that blocked most of the light. The ground was uneven, covered in jagged rocks and thick clumps of moss.Jack saw the cave ahead but before he could say anything, Goldeyes seemed to scent something because he slowed his pace and cocked his head.

  The white wolf let out a low growl, his tail stiffening as he inched forward. Jack felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise. His fingers flexed around the spear’s shaft as the pressure built.

  If it wasn’t for Goldeyes, abruptly turning his head to the right, he might not have spotted it. As he moved to follow his friends gaze, a strange, shuddering breath escaped from Jack’s lips as he caught a glimpse of movement at the edge of his vision. The shadows shifted—no, it wasn’t the shadows. Something was there.

  Seeming to sense its camouflage had failed, the beast emerged from the darkened underbrush slowly, its movements deliberate and unsettlingly quiet. Jack’s eyes widened as he took in the creature before him. It was a stocky, eight-legged reptile, its crimson scales glistening faintly in the dim light. A row of spiny bone structures jutted from its back and ran the length of its body. Its ghostly scarlet eyes gleamed, locked onto Jack’s form with a malevolent intelligence.

  [Crimson Basilisk

  Rarity: Rare

  Level: 19

  Health: 9,460/9,460

  Mana: 0/0

  Stamina: 6,200/6,200

  Skills: Acidic Bite, Frenzied Lunge, Deathcoil Snap

  Abilities: Wounding Gaze, Blood Frenzy, Camouflage

  Description: A stocky, eight-legged reptilian predator with crimson scales and a bony ridge of spines running down its back. Its glowing red eyes carry a supernatural curse capable of draining the vitality of its prey. Born from the deep caverns of the earth, the Crimson Basilisk prefers ambush tactics, blending seamlessly into its surroundings before striking with acid-laced fangs. Once it smells blood, it enters a violent frenzy, fighting without fear or restraint until either it or its prey is dead.]

  The creature move slowly, its claws clicking against the ground, and a low growl rumbled from deep in its chest. It was big—easily six feet in length, its thick body rippling with power. The crimson basilisk’s nostrils flared, and Jack’s stomach churned as the scent of fresh blood reached him, the air thick with its promise.

  Not another blood beast. The Stag wasn’t enough?

  Goldeyes stood a few paces ahead, his body low to the ground, every muscle taught with the desire to protect his companion. The wolf’s growl was barely audible, a subtle warning that this was not a fight he was eager to join.

  Jack’s gaze never left the basilisk’s, his mind racing as he considered his options. He could feel the weight of the armor now, its cold, almost unnatural comfort. The protection it offered was encouraging, but he wasn’t foolish enough to think that meant this creature could be taken lightly.

  The basilisk’s gaze locked onto him, its red eyes glowing brighter as it drew closer. The air around it seemed to ripple, the sense of danger growing stronger. Jack could feel the magic surging through his armor, his breath steadying as he raised the spear.

  He would need to rely on everything—his agility, his quick thinking, and the strength of the armor. This was the true test. The gem in his chestplate hummed, its power ready to bolster him in a way he hadn’t fully experienced yet. Jack held firm, raising his spear and positioning himself between his Companion and the approaching creature.

  Goldeyes was watching carefully now, waiting for Jack’s signal.

  “Stay back,” Jack murmured, his voice firm. “This one’s mine.”