A thin crack spread across Guardian Zero's crystal armor.
He looked down in disbelief.
"No..."
"That shouldn't be possible."
Elder Song lowered his wooden staff.
"I didn't crack your armor."
"I cracked your conviction."
The words hit harder than any weapon.
Guardian Zero remained silent.
Nathan stepped beside his master.
The old man looked weaker than before.
His soul had become almost transparent.
The crystal chains binding him pulsed with blue light, trying to pull him back into the Core.
"Master..."
"You need to return."
Elder Song smiled.
"I will."
"But first..."
He looked at Guardian Zero.
"...this child still needs one final lesson."
Guardian Zero laughed bitterly.
"Child?"
"I've existed longer than entire civilizations."
Elder Song nodded.
"And yet..."
"You still haven't grown."
The laughter stopped.
For the first time since appearing, Guardian Zero looked genuinely angry.
"You know nothing about me."
"I know enough."
