The crystal-lit cavern pulsed with silent anticipation.
Kieran stood at the heart of the Hidden Crown's sanctum, cloaked in dark-gold robes laced with ancient sigils, his hand extended toward the air where the System's Interface hovered.
The girls stood in a semi-circle—kneeling, reverent, each holding their breath as they awaited his command.
"System," Kieran said quietly, "initiate Crown Armament Sequence."
[CROWN ARMAMENT: INITIATED]Forging unique-class items and synchronizing skill pathways... Match Found: User-linked companions: Crown Crest Bearers Permission granted: Bestowal of Legendary-Class Artifacts and Skills.
A golden ripple spread from Kieran's body, cascading over each girl as their System interfaces synced to his—shifting, molding… evolving.
"Today, your blades are forged," Kieran whispered. "Today, your destiny is armed."
Elira Virelle – The Spirit Threadmistress
Weapon:Whisperthorn Bow
An elegant silverwood bow embedded with spirit runes.
Generates arrows from ambient mana, adjustable for speed and element.
Threads of mana stretch from each fired arrow, creating traps and woven fields.
Skill Granted:Aether Veil – Spirit Cloak
Grants invisibility in motion and perfect mana suppression while aiming.
Can mark up to five targets for delayed impact.
She ran her hand over the bow with trembling fingers.
"It's… as if it was made from my own breath…"
"Because it was," Kieran said. "You are the loom that bends the battlefield."
Rhea Ashclaw – The Flameborn Fang
Weapon:Crimson Gauntlets – Ashfang
Heat-reactive gauntlets forged from volcanic dragonbone.
The more damage she takes, the more they burn—culminating in explosive strikes.
Skill Granted:Raging Wildheart
Every 5% HP lost increases damage output by 10%.
Enter "Primal Fury" state when HP falls below 30%.
She punched the ground playfully—leaving a crack.
"Oh yeah," she grinned, "these feel perfect."
"Then let them carry your fire through any storm."
Sylvie Mirelle – The Tide Whisperer
Item:Veil Orb – Droplet of the Deep
A floating orb of sea-blue light that follows her like a third eye.
Can store up to three illusion spells for instant deployment.
Skill Granted:Tide Echo
She can send a replica of herself through reflective surfaces.
Can manipulate 70% of water in a 15-meter radius.
She twirled her fingers, calling mist to dance.
"You've given me a tide to drown silence."
"And a whisper to command oceans."
Talia Gearwright – The Arcforge Maven
Item:Runeblade Corepack
A backpack-sized forge connected to an interdimensional toolkit.
Allows her to construct new gadgets and upgrade gear on the move.
Weapon:Gearclaw Vambraces
Transform into various tools: plasma saws, cannons, hammers.
Skill Granted:Synaptic Rebuild
Every item she sees can be scanned and rebuilt with modifications.
She practically squealed.
"I'm gonna explode so many things!"
"Just avoid exploding yourself, please."
Yui Nocthollow – The Shadow Whisper
Weapon:Moonfang Daggers
Blade forged from lunar ore; reflects no light.
Can teleport between shadows within 30 meters.
Skill Granted:Dream Snare
Traps a target in an illusion drawn from their worst fear for 5 seconds.
She held the daggers close.
"With these, I'll never be seen again."
"But they'll always remember the terror."
Mira Solvine – The Unbroken Shield
Item:Aegis Halo
A tiara-like artifact that projects a 10-meter barrier dome.
Skill Granted:Hearthold Sanctuary
Allies within her shield receive accelerated healing and status resistance.
She gazed into the gem at its center.
"I can… protect them, truly."
"You will be the home they never had."
Nyssa Thorne – The Wind Vortex
Weapon:Zephyr Talons
Armguards fitted with retractable wind blades.
Allows her to ride wind currents like a jetstream.
Skill Granted:Sky Rend
Dash through multiple targets in an arc of slicing air.
She whistled, wings flaring open.
"Finally, some proper altitude!"
"Rise high enough, Nyssa," Kieran said, "and even gods will look up."
Vell Ashmoor – The Boneflower
Item:Mourning Garden Ring
A ring that cultivates sentient skeletal flora for defense and surveillance.
Weapon:Bloomthorns
Bone petals that explode in necrotic pollen.
Skill Granted:Dread Petal Waltz
Her summoned skeletons now carry venomous aura fields.
She bowed.
"You give even my grave flowers meaning."
"Let your garden choke the world in bloom."
Kaelira "Kai" Drathwyn – The Crimson Reign
Weapon:Inferna Brand
A massive two-handed greatsword forged in molten mana.
Skill Granted:Molten Sovereign Mode
Temporarily gains magma wings, enhanced strength, and fiery regeneration.
She swung the blade once—it melted part of the stone floor.
"Damn. This is hot."
"So are you," Rhea muttered, to which Kai smirked. "In a deadly kind of way."
Luma Peony – The Radiant Bloom
Item:Lightbloom Wand
Grows a new magical flower every morning with a random supportive effect.
Skill Granted:Blessed Aura
Constantly emits a field of hope that slowly regenerates mana and morale.
She sniffled, touched beyond words.
"I'll… try not to cry too much."
"Cry as much as you want," Kieran said. "You water the roots of this Crown."
A Crown Reforged
The room was silent after the ritual.
Each girl stood with her gifts, staring down at the weight of it—not just the power, but the meaning.
They had all been forgotten, broken, betrayed by a world that tossed them aside.
But now?
They were chosen.
They were forged.
They were crowned.