The mountain tunnels led them deep into the spine of Velmira — a dark, winding trail where old fires once burned, now long cold. For two days, they walked in silence, until the rock gave way to the warm red glow of forge fires in the distance.
They had arrived at Skarn's Hollow, a hidden enclave of smiths and warriors who owed no allegiance to any kingdom — only to the Code of Iron.
"My father mentioned this place," Kael whispered. "Said it was where the Ember King trained before he was king."
Thalia nodded. "Then it's fitting you come here now."
---
The Forge keeper
At the center of Skarn's Hollow stood a towering woman of dark skin and molten-red eyes, her arms wrapped in ash-stained leather, her hair streaked with iron-gray.
"I am Velka Ironsoul," she said. "And I don't train cowards."
Kael stood silent.
"You'll stay here one week," she told him. "No magic. No blades. Just forge, flame, and failure. If you break — you walk."
Kael glanced at Thalia. She nodded.
"Then let's begin."
---
Fire Without Flame
Each day, Velka pushed Kael past exhaustion.
He hauled ore. He stoked flames without magic. He beat iron until his hands bled. She broke his pride with silence and scorn — then built him back with purpose.
"You think power is born of fire," she growled. "But fire consumes. Iron endures."
At night, Kael dreamed of shadow and flame — but also of strength. He began to move with rhythm. He learned how steel bends only to patience.
Thalia watched in quiet approval. Lyss mostly stole food and challenged local kids to knife games.
By the end of the week, Velka set a lump of raw ember-steel on the anvil.
"Shape it," she said. "Let the metal speak."
Kael raised the hammer. With each strike, memories flashed — his father's voice, Emberreach burning, the Ash Blades hunting him.
And then… silence. Flow. Control.
When he was done, the metal was a curved blade, light as ash, dark as obsidian — glowing faintly with ember light.
Velka nodded. "You've earned your first weapon. Now earn your war."
----
The Test Beneath the Hollow
But Velka had one more trial. She led Kael to a deep cavern — a place called The Ember Hollow, where echoes whispered doubts, and the air shimmered with magic residue.
"This place draws your fears to life," Velka warned. "Go in alone. Emerge forged… or not at all."
Kael stepped inside.
---
Shadow Made Flesh
Inside, he faced visions:
Emberreach burning again — but this time he set the fire.
Thalia and Lyss lying at his feet, their eyes hollow.
A shadow version of himself, cloaked in fire and darkness, wearing the Ember Crown.
"You're not meant to be a king," the shadow hissed. "You're meant to burn."
Kael clenched his fists. The pendant flared at his neck — and he remembered Velka's words.
"Fire consumes. Iron endures."
He struck the shadow with his blade — and it shattered like glass.
---
Emerging Forged
When Kael emerged, Velka waited.
"You faced the worst of yourself… and didn't flinch," she said. "Then you are ready."
She handed him a blacksmith's band engraved with the sigil of Ironsoul. "The Hollow won't forget you."
Thalia smiled faintly. Lyss gave him a smirk and a slap on the back.
"So," Kael said, strapping on his blade. "Where to next?"
Thalia unrolled the ember map.
"To the sky," she said. "Where truth floats and falls like feathers."
---