---
The walls around the Whispering Maw trembled with molten seepage as AshenZero—now Vulkran's Heir—stood face-to-face with Riven and his knights. The cavern's heat intensified, reflecting off the newly formed gauntlet on AshenZero's hand.
Riven's knights hesitated, unsure whether to attack the glowing newcomer or defend their master. AshenZero's flame-forged hammer pulsed with power, its surface etched in runic glyphs.
Riven broke the silence. "You use that relic to defy me? Betrayal forgives nothing."
AshenZero narrowed his eyes. "It's not betrayal if you tricked me into doing the hard work." He hefted the hammer. "Let me show you what happens when you misuse my power."
Without warning, Riven lunged forward, blade drawn. AshenZero swung once—light exploded, Riven caught the strike and his armor cracked. Steam hissed as metal fractured.
A tense standoff ensued. Riven's squad advanced, swords raised. AshenZero raised the hammer, rune-light blazing.
"Hold!" Riven's voice cracked through the noise. The knights paused instantaneously. He looked between his men and the powerful figure before him.
AshenZero sighed and lowered the hammer. Flames faded. "You saw what that rune can do. But guess what? That wall you fortified with gates and wards? Its foundation is already compromised."
At AshenZero's words, the cavern shook again. A fissure opened in the floor, molten rock bubbling up. Even the knights took a few steps back.
AshenZero pointed at the molten vein. "I triggered a magma locator. I can mine ore—Molten-Core Rune, heat-forged mineral that we can all use." He pried the ore from the wall with a swing of his pickaxe.
Riven's eyes flicked with interest. "You came here not just for power, but… materials?"
AshenZero held up the glowing ore shard. It pulsed with molten light. "This shard amplifies heat resistance and auto-repairs armor. It weakened Vulkran's presence when I disturbed its formative vein."
A murmur ran through Riven's knights. They recognized the potential immediately.
Riven sheathed his sword slowly and faced AshenZero. "Teach us your method. Join Crimson Drake—officially."
AshenZero studied him. "Fine. But two conditions: absolute secrecy from other guilds, and no tribute or taxes from the runes."
Riven nodded, surprised. "You'll have it."
AshenZero nodded once. "You start by forging this rune into equipment. See for yourself."
Riven stepped forward and examined the rune. In that fleeting moment, an unspoken alliance formed between them—one based on mutual benefit, tempered by caution.
As they left the cavern, AshenZero carried the rune shard. Riven watched him from behind, unease in his gaze. But unlike the greed-fueled snare he'd laid earlier, this alliance felt… real.
Outside, the sun was setting over Meras's volcanic peaks. Together, they pushed forward.
---