"Maybe we can start an alliance?" Altair whispered to William.
Tension crackled through the air, thick and suffocating. Altair, despite his friendly demeanor, was undeniably a competitor. William, though tempted by the offer, hesitated. Trusting anyone in this cutthroat exam felt like a recipe for disaster.
"We can discuss that near the end of the trial," Altair proposed, sensing William's hesitation, "if either of us needs a boost."
"Alright," William agreed, a flicker of caution still lingering in his eyes.
The silver rings they had been given pulsed with a faint light, their purpose more sinister than their plain appearance suggested.
Tholfnir explained their function, revealing their connection to one another and their ability to shift color based on the wearer's ranking.
