As dusk settled over the forest, casting long shadows among the ancient trees, Astor found a secluded spot to begin his work. With a focused gaze and steady hands, he meticulously crafted sigils for his companions, utilizing the materials he had collected earlier and the essence cores of the striders. His movements were fluid and precise, each motion imbued with purpose and intent.

First, Astor set to work on crafting wooden swords, his fingers dancing over the surface of the wood as he channeled his elemental energy into the material. With each stroke, the wood seemed to come alive, taking on a newfound strength and resilience. Then, using a combination of intricate magical inscriptions and elemental manipulation, he etched the sigils into the surface of the swords, their intricate designs shimmering with latent power.

Next, Astor turned his attention to crafting axes, their sturdy wooden handles and razor-sharp blades gleaming in the fading light. With a deft touch, he imbued each axe with the essence of earth, infusing them with the solidity and strength of the earth element. The sigils, carefully etched into the surface of the axes, pulsed with energy, ready to unleash their power at a moment's notice.

Moving on to bows, Astor worked with practiced precision, shaping the wood into elegant curves and taut strings. With a whispered incantation, he infused each bow with the essence of air, granting them unparalleled speed and accuracy. The sigils, delicately woven into the fabric of the bows, hummed with potential, eager to unleash their deadly precision upon their targets.

Finally, Astor crafted gauntlets, their sturdy leather construction providing protection without sacrificing mobility. With a touch of fire elemental energy, he imbued each gauntlet with the fierce heat of the flames, ready to engulf anything that dared to oppose them. The sigils, emblazoned upon the surface of the gauntlets, glowed with an inner fire, promising strength and resilience to their wearer.

As dusk settled over the forest, casting long shadows among the ancient trees, Astor found a secluded spot to begin his work. With a focused gaze and steady hands, he meticulously crafted sigils for his companions, utilizing the materials he had collected earlier. His movements were fluid and precise, each motion imbued with purpose and intent.

As the evening deepened into night, Astor continued his work, crafting sigils for each of his companions. These sigils, while powerful, were of a lower rank, as they were created without the aid of his spirit animal. Nevertheless, they would still provide a significant boon in the trials to come.

With practiced ease, Astor fashioned sigil-imbued weapons and tools for each member of his team.

Astor meticulously designed unique weapons tailored to the specific attributes and preferences of each of his nine companions. With a keen understanding of their strengths and fighting styles, he crafted weapons that would amplify their abilities and grant them an edge in combat.

For Darian, whose fiery spirit burned bright, Astor fashioned a longsword wreathed in flames. The blade shimmered with an ethereal fire, its edge capable of cutting through even the toughest of defenses. With each swing, Darian would channel the power of fire, striking fear into the hearts of his enemies.

Drake, with his steadfast resolve and unwavering strength, received a massive hammer imbued with the essence of earth. The hammer's head, adorned with intricate runes, struck the ground with the force of a mountain, shattering anything in its path. With each blow, Drake would harness the power of the earth, crushing his foes beneath his mighty blows.

Lucien, nimble and quick-witted, was bestowed with a bow crafted from the essence of wind. Its sleek design and lightweight frame allowed for unparalleled accuracy and speed in battle. With each arrow loosed, Lucien would harness the power of the wind, striking swiftly and decisively from afar.

Quillon, whose purity of heart shone like a beacon in the darkness, received a staff infused with the radiant energy of light. The staff emitted a soft glow, illuminating the shadows and dispelling darkness wherever it went. With each strike, Quillon would unleash bursts of light, banishing evil and restoring hope to all who beheld it.

Elowen, master of stealth and subterfuge, was given a dagger capable of enhancing his smoke manipulation abilities. The dagger's blade, razor-sharp and sleek, could slice through the air with deadly precision. With each slash, Elowen would unleash billowing clouds of smoke, obscuring his movements and confounding his enemies.

Zeph, ever adaptable and resourceful, received a pair of knives infused with the fluidity of water. The knives, gleaming with a watery sheen, could slice through defenses with ease. With each strike, Zeph would harness the power of water, flowing like a river and striking with relentless efficiency.

Kael, with his keen senses and lightning-fast reflexes, was entrusted with a long spear imbued with the swiftness of the wind. The spear's tip, sharpened to a deadly point, could pierce through armor with ease. With each thrust, Kael would harness the power of the wind, darting in and out of combat with lightning speed.

Alars, whose compassion and empathy knew no bounds, received a whip crafted from the fluidity of water. The whip crackled with energy, its tendrils lashing out with the force of a raging storm. With each strike, Alars would harness the power of water, binding his enemies and guiding them towards redemption.

Fin, with his sharp intellect and keen insight, was granted a blade infused with the agility of the wind. The blade danced through the air with grace and precision, striking with deadly accuracy. With each slash, Fin would harness the power of the wind, cutting through obstacles with ease and precision.

The morning air was crisp and alive with anticipation as Astor positioned himself at the center of the group, his companions encircling him with eager anticipation. The forest around them seemed to hold its breath, as if in reverence to the momentous task about to unfold.

With a focused gaze, Astor drew forth the weapons he had forged, each one pulsating with elemental energy. The wooden swords, axes, bows, and gauntlets shimmered in the soft light, their surfaces rippling with power waiting to be unleashed.