The gates of Emberhold thundered again.
A third impact cracked the ancient archways, sending splinters of obsidian stone flying. Kael and Lysara stood atop the inner parapet, wind swirling around them, the sky over the Ashen Wastes darkening with unnatural clouds.
> System Alert:
Cursed Incursion Detected – Cult of the Black Flame
Boss-Class Entity Present: Thorne of the Black Pyre
Combat Unavoidable.
Kael's grip tightened on his sword.
"Who is Thorne?"
Lysara's eyes didn't leave the gate. "He was my brother-in-arms. Now, he's a walking forge of hate. The Cult twisted him after Emberhold fell."
The gate exploded inward in a rush of flame and smoke.
And from the storm stepped a towering figure clad in armor still burning. Chains hung from his shoulders, and his greatsword dragged behind him, cutting molten furrows into the ground.
Thorne of the Black Pyre.
> "I see the torch still burns, Lysara. Did you trade your pride for another stray?"
Kael stepped forward, blade igniting with Soulflame. "Let's see if you still bleed."
---
Behind Thorne marched twenty cult warriors, their faces hidden by cracked porcelain masks. Some wielded cursed halberds, others conjured living flame with every gesture. The courtyard became a battlefield in seconds.
Kael and Lysara launched into motion.
Kael struck first—Soulbrand Slash cleaving through a cultist's shield, flames following in his wake. The System responded to his aggression:
> Combo Triggered: Soulflame Cascade
+5% Flame Energy recovered per kill for 60 seconds.
Lysara moved like a dancer of death—her sabre leaving blazing arcs, cutting through cultists in controlled, lethal sweeps. She fought not for vengeance, but for discipline—every motion a statement.
Still, they were outnumbered.
Kael dodged a cursed spear but took a gash across the shoulder.
He staggered—until a sudden barrage of throwing knives wreathed in lightning took down two cultists from above. A voice echoed from a ruined spire:
> "Looks like I got here in time to save your sorry hide, Flameborn!"
A figure vaulted down—lean, cocky, armored in scavenged steel and red sashes.
Bren the Bladeseeker.
He grinned, drawing twin sabres crackling with storm runes.
> New Ally Joined: Bren (Class: Stormblade Duelist)
Morally flexible. Deadly fast. Possibly insane.
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Friend of yours?"
Lysara rolled her eyes. "More like a persistent infection."
---
The battle raged.
Then everything stopped.
Because Thorne stepped into the fray.
And unleashed his power.
A wave of black fire exploded outward, searing stone, air, and flesh. Cultists didn't even flinch—they burned and laughed.
Kael stood his ground, cloak smoldering.
> Boss Battle Initiated: Thorne of the Black Pyre
Warning: Area hazard – Corrupted Flamefield. Prolonged exposure will degrade Soul Integrity.
Thorne raised his blade, and it spoke—a shrieking, chained voice bound to the steel.
"You bear the Flameborn's brand," Thorne growled, "but you're not worthy of the Ember Throne."
Kael met his charge.
Their blades collided with a crash of fire and steel that cracked the ground beneath them. Kael barely blocked a sweeping blow that sent him skidding back. Thorne was stronger—faster—but the System pulsed with adaptation.
> Auto-Sync Active: Learning Enemy Style… 17%
Flameborn Resilience Trait Triggered – Defense Temporarily Boosted
Kael grinned through blood.
"You hit like a dying god."
Then he activated Soulflame Resurgence—his blade erupting with white fire.
The duel roared on.
Elsewhere, Lysara and Bren carved a path to the inner sanctum, where a magical containment field shimmered over an unconscious girl.
Half-elf. Pale silver hair. Hands bound by arcane cuffs.
Lysara's breath caught. "Is that—?"
Bren nodded grimly. "Nyra. The Vale's Soul Witch. The cult wants her power to unseal something worse."
Lysara's eyes narrowed. "Then we take her before they do."
> New Character: Nyra of the Vale (Status: Injured, Unconscious)
Class: Soul Witch | Role: Healer / Forbidden Magic
Condition: Unknown magical contamination
They broke the field.
And the tide began to turn.
> Battle Status: 60% Cult Forces Defeated
Boss Health: 78%
Allies Active: Kael, Lysara, Bren (Nyra Incapacitated)
Kael stood, bloodied but burning brighter than ever.
Thorne laughed. "You're not done."
Kael raised his sword. "No. I'm just starting."