Kael dusted off the armor with a few gentle swipes, watching as layers of grime and neglect lifted to reveal the dark, glimmering surface beneath. The armor had a jet-black sheen, sleek and shadowy, with a leather and chainmail mix that caught the dim light of the shop. The wolf engraved on the left shoulder-guard stared back at him, fierce and predatory, its intricately detailed snout raised as if ready to strike.
At first glance, Kael had been sure the old tailor was trying to scam him. The pile of clothes had looked like nothing but a junk heap, covered in dust and neglect. But now, after picking through it, Kael's opinion was beginning to shift. While the majority of the items were indeed rags, hidden among them were pieces of high quality—gems buried beneath rubble. And this armor set was one of those hidden treasures, Kael was certain of it.
The armor had a practicality to it, lightweight yet clearly durable. The leather was thick, and the chainmail underneath would provide ample protection without weighing him down. Even the black robe attached to it was woven from a sturdy material that could double as a weather shield. Kael wasn't sure why it had been left to collect dust in a forgotten corner, but there was no denying its craftsmanship. Every detail, from the way the chainmail was interwoven to the sharp etchings on the wolf emblem, showed care and precision.
He turned to the tailor, still uncertain.
"Is this… for sale?"
The old man, whose permanently grumpy expression made him hard to read, gave Kael a sideways glance and then eyed the armor thoughtfully.
"Aye, it's for sale," he grunted.
"Was wonderin' if anyone'd ever find it back there. Thought it was long gone."
Kael blinked. "Why? I mean, this looks like… well, high quality."
The old man's eyes twinkled slightly at Kael's statement, but his expression remained neutral.
"Aye, it's decent. Been sittin' there for years. Guess it's your lucky day, boy. Go on, try it on."
Kael hesitated for a moment but then nodded, gripping the armor and heading toward the changing rooms. He could feel the weight of the tailor's gaze on his back as he stepped into the narrow booth and closed the curtain behind him.
Inside the changing room, Kael slipped off his old, tattered clothes and began carefully putting on the armor. It fit more snugly than he expected, almost as if it had been tailored for him specifically. The leather straps around the chest were easy to adjust, and the chainmail moved with surprising flexibility. Even the vambraces clicked into place without any issues.
He pulled on the robe last, letting it drape over his shoulders. The fabric felt heavy yet comfortable, providing warmth without restricting his movements. As he adjusted the hood, he caught his reflection in the small, cracked mirror on the wall.
He looked… different. More formidable. For the first time since awakening in the Tower, he didn't look like prey. There was strength in his appearance now—perhaps not in skill, but at least in presence. The armor made him feel like he could survive whatever came next.
After a final adjustment of the vambraces, Kael stepped out of the changing room. The old man was waiting for him, arms crossed, his wrinkled face scrutinizing every detail of the armor. Kael shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.
"Well? How do I look?" Kael asked, trying to sound confident, though a part of him was still nervous. The tailor's opinion, for some reason, felt important.
The old man's lips curled into a grin—a rare expression, given his usual scowl.
"Like you're ready to die."
Kael grimaced at the response but quickly realized the tailor's dark sense of humor. A chuckle escaped him as he adjusted the vambraces once more.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."
The tailor shrugged, his grin fading as quickly as it had appeared.
"The world's a dangerous place, kid. Doesn't matter how good the armor is, or how sharp the blade. What matters is the one wearing it. Armor just buys you time, not safety."
Kael nodded thoughtfully.
"I'll take what I can get."
The old man motioned toward the mirror by the counter, where Kael could see himself from head to toe. The armor clung to his body like a second skin, providing protection without hindering his movements. The wolf emblem on his shoulder seemed almost alive, catching the light in a way that made it stand out against the black leather.
"It fits better than I expected," Kael admitted, still surprised by how well the armor suited him.
The tailor grunted in approval.
"Aye, good craftsmanship. That set's been through its fair share of battles. Came into my shop after a Fatewalker passed through years ago. He was too banged up to continue wearing it, but it was still in good condition, so I kept it."
Kael looked down at the armor, imagining the Fatewalker who had worn it before him. What kind of battles had they fought? What kind of enemies had they faced? He could feel the weight of history in the armor now, a connection to a past he would never fully understand.
"How much for it?" Kael asked, already bracing himself for a steep price.
The tailor scratched his chin, considering.
"Normally, I'd charge a fortune for something like that. But… you've got that lost-puppy look about you. I'm not runnin' a charity, but I can't let you walk out with somethin' useless. So… how much you got?"
Kael's heart sank. He didn't have much—just the small amount of coins Elowen had given him. He fumbled in his pouch and pulled out the few pieces he had, feeling embarrassed as he placed them on the counter.
The tailor eyed the coins, then gave a low, gravelly chuckle.
"Well, I'm not gettin' rich off this sale, that's for sure." He swept some of the coins into his palm and shoved them into his pocket.
"But you can take it. Seems like you need it more than most. Just try not to die in it, yeah? Bad for business if people start thinkin' my armor's cursed."
Kael's relief was palpable. He grinned, genuinely grateful.
"Thanks. I'll do my best."
The old man waved him off.
"Don't thank me yet. You've got a long road ahead of you."
Kael stood there for a moment, still holding the vambrace, adjusting the straps, unsure of what to do next. The armor felt good—almost too good to be real. He could feel the leather and chainmail resting comfortably against his skin, but there was something more, something just beyond his grasp. A nagging sensation that made him feel as though the armor wasn't quite his yet.
The tailor, noticing Kael's hesitation, raised an eyebrow.
"Well?" he growled.
"Aren't you going to attune to your armor?"
Kael blinked, confused.
"Attune to what now?"
The old man shook his head in disbelief, muttering under his breath.
"Ah, by the gods, another clueless pup. You really don't know anything, do you?" He stepped forward, gesturing toward the armor.
"Even regular items can be stored in your Soul Chamber. You just need to attune to them—imbue a bit of your essence into the item, and the Tower will take care of the rest. Simple as that."
Kael's eyes widened in surprise.
"Wait, I can do that?"
The old man nodded impatiently.
"Yes, boy. Go on, try it. Just focus your essence on the armor, as if you were spreading it out."
Kael took a deep breath, feeling his heart race slightly as he concentrated. He had done something similar before he felt like, with his sword and belt, but this time felt different. Slowly, he extended his hand over the armor, willing a small portion of his essence to flow into it. At first, nothing happened. But then, just as he was about to stop, he felt a sudden warmth spread from his core, flowing into the armor.
A familiar voice echoed in his mind, the Tower's voice resounding in his ears:
[You have attuned an item.]
[Congratulations, Challenger Kael. You have received a boon.]
Kael's breath caught in his throat, his heart pounding in his chest. He stared down at the armor, feeling the weight of it settle into his very being. The connection was made, and for the first time, he realized that this armor was more than just a piece of gear.
It was his.
Kael grinned to himself, thinking wryly,
"Well, that's not something I expected… can't wait to see what else this thing can do."