Snowfall gently swept across the ancient ruins of Rith Kaldur. The once-great stronghold now sat buried in frost and silence. Its gates groaned as Ryan and his companions approached.
Nael pulled his fur cloak tighter. "Are you sure this is the place, brother?"
Ryan nodded, eyes sharp and focused. "This is where the relic lies. The Emberstone. We find it, we find another piece of the truth."
Zafir, playful as ever, tapped the icy wall with his dagger. "Creepy place. If a demon owl jumps out, I'm stabbing first, asking later."
Lunir, still quiet, eyes distant as if sensing something deeper, whispered, "This place is… awake."
---
Layer One – Frozen Wraiths
Inside the ruins, cold mist crawled along the floor. Shadows flickered between columns. Then came the shriek — not of a beast, but something older.
Ryan drew his sword. "Get ready!"
From the mist rose three Frozen Wraiths, thin as wind but sharp as blades. They attacked with ghostly speed.
Nael channeled wind around his hands, blasting one back.
Zafir danced around another, slicing with precision. "These things don't bleed, huh?!"
Lunir hesitated… then, seeing Ryan nearly overwhelmed, roared and sent a burst of energy from his palm, knocking the final Wraith into a wall. For a moment, his eyes glowed faintly white.
Ryan turned to him. "What was that?"
Lunir blinked, confused. "I… I don't know."
---
Layer Two – The Memory Gate
Deeper inside, the group reached a narrow hallway leading to a glowing arch of light.
"I feel… heavy," Nael said.
One by one, they passed through. Visions wrapped around them — personal, painful, powerful.
Nael saw their mother, smiling… then burning.
Zafir saw himself failing to save someone.
Lunir saw nothing. Only silence and whispers.
Ryan stood in darkness. Two figures stood over a cradle. One turned — his face unseen — and said, "He will change the flame." Then, "Ryan'el…"
---
The Emberstone
They emerged shaken but stronger, standing before a chamber glowing red and gold. In its center hovered the Emberstone, pulsing with warmth.
Ryan stepped forward, hand outstretched.
As his fingers touched the relic—
BOOM!
A tremor rocked the chamber.
Ashbone Revenant emerged — a towering skeletal warrior, its body lit with ember veins and molten bone. It roared, swinging a great blade.
Boss Battle Begins
Ryan clashed blades, flames igniting around his sword.
Nael provided air blasts to divert the creature's blows.
Zafir targeted joints and weak spots.
Lunir stood frozen again… until Ryan shouted, "Lunir! Your fear is not your fate!"
Lunir screamed, a new energy exploding from him. The Ashbone staggered, and Ryan charged—
"Now!"
His sword lit completely in red flame, forming a symbol in the air before striking down the creature.
The Revenant collapsed, its flames fading into Ryan's chest.
---
Aftermath
The Emberstone dimmed, its essence absorbed. But a memory burned in Ryan's mind:
A voice… "Ryan'el… your father was not of this world."
As the ruin collapsed, they escaped through the east tunnel.
---
Back in Eldreth, the old man they helped smiled with distant eyes. "The Emberstone accepted you… Ryan'el. You carry more than fire. You carry destiny."
Ryan clenched his fists. "Who am I?"
No answer. Only wind.
---
End Scene – New Opportunity
Later, in the town center, a figure awaited them — armored in silver and red, cloak marked with the sigil of a flame-wreathed hawk.
"I am Marshal Revahn," he said. "I've heard of your feat. The Ashbone Revenant was real. And only Initiates no more..."
He tossed them each a badge.
"You're Guardians now. Let's see if you survive the next storm."