Sa’Saori’s warning settled into the chamber with the weight of caution, but the dueling floor gave its answer almost immediately. The moment the Magenta group drew back toward the southern edge, the crystal passage behind them sealed with a smooth curtain of pale light. It did not slam shut. It simply ceased to be an exit, as politely and absolutely as a door being locked by the room itself.

A low tone passed through the circular arena. The runes along the raised rings brightened in sequence, first at the center, then outward toward the alcoves and pylons. The four guardians did not react to spellcasting. They reacted to presence. Their heads turned toward the group as one, and a calm feminine voice, neither Roffimières nor anyone visible, sounded from the chamber walls.

[b]“Cohort Magenta. Combat evaluation initiated. Lethality restricted. Tactical adaptation permitted.”[/b]

The constructs moved.

Guardian One and Guardian Two stepped down from the northern ring in perfect mirrored motion, their arms unfolding into long, lacquered forearm blades of condensed light. They advanced along the central lane, not rushing, but covering ground with disciplined precision. Guardian Three and Guardian Four remained slightly behind them, spreading apart to either side of the runic center. The light channels beneath their feet flared as they moved, and thin geometric shields formed briefly around their torsos before fading into a faint protective shimmer.

The chamber’s layout became clearer now that it was awake. The outer walkway remained open, offering room to circle toward the alcoves. The crystal pylons along the edges hummed softly, their glow strengthening whenever a guardian passed near one. The central runic circle pulsed in regular intervals, as if marking the rhythm of the trial itself.

The guardians had not struck yet.

But the next exchange would begin with them in motion, closing the distance while their rear pair held the center.