The heavy star-iron door of the Vermilion Imperial Vault came to rest against its stone stops with a low, echoing thud.
Before the golden light from the inner treasury could spill across the threshold, four towering shadows detached themselves from the pillars inside.
They were Tier 6 star-iron vault-puppets. Each stood twelve feet tall, forged in the likeness of a four-armed imperial guardian. Awakened by the opening of the outer door, their ruby core-eyes flared with killing intent. Heavy halberds rose in their iron hands to slaughter anyone entering the royal reserve.
“Keep them quiet,” Sera Thorne ordered in a calm whisper. “Master Kaelen is right outside in his bathrobe.”
“Understood, Sister Sera,” twelve-year-old Mina Vance murmured. Her small fingers tightened around her winter jade staff.
“Three breaths,” Elder Sterling agreed. His thumb nudged the brass guard of his longsword.
Sera Thorne, Mina Vance, and Elder Sterling swept into the Vermilion Imperial Vault side by side.
Three Spirit Domain Early fields compressed into the vaulted hall at once. They sealed the air so not a single vibration could leak back toward the doorway.
