Zen followed the armored guards down a massive, spiralling obsidian staircase. The air grew colder with every step as they descended deep beneath the palace, leaving the warmth of the upper floors behind.
Aurelia was waiting at the bottom, standing proudly in front of a massive circular vault door covered in thousands of burning golden runes.
"You requested me at this hour?" Zen asked, walking up calmly to her with his hands casually resting in his pockets.
"I wanted to give you your engagement gift in private," Aurelia said with a warm smile. She waved her hand, and the heavy vault doors ground open with a deafening, metallic screech that shook the floor.
Inside, the room was blinding. It was filled with ancient, high-tier weapons, mountains of stamped gold coins, and glowing artefacts that could buy entire cities.
But Aurelia ignored all of the wealth and walked straight to a small, isolated glass pedestal sitting in the centre of the room.
