"Only those who forge themselves in fire may wield fire without fear."— Inscription above the entrance to Floor 45
The gate to Floor 45 opened like a scream held too long.
The moment Kael stepped through, the world shifted—heat crashed into him like a tide. It wasn't just warmth. It was will. It wanted to burn.
The floor stretched into a cavern forged of blacksteel and molten light. Chains hung from the ceiling, each ending in a glowing ember shaped like a memory. Above, a great anvil hovered in the air, spinning slowly.
A voice boomed—not a person, but the floor itself.
"You have entered the Forgemind Crucible."
"Within, your mind becomes metal. Your past becomes flame. And your body is the hammer."
Trial Objective: Forge a Weapon of Self. Then Use It.
Tirien whistled low. "Dramatic. Even for this place."
Kael didn't answer. Something about the floor tugged at him—not just with challenge, but with... curiosity.
Trial Phase I – Forge Your Will
The ground cracked, and Kael stood alone. Tirien vanished into mist.
He was in a circle of heat and silence, surrounded by dozens of memories flickering in the air—each a moment of failure.
The day he first obeyed the cult.
The day he left someone behind to escape.
The day he stood still while another child screamed.
Each ember pulsed, waiting.
The system whispered:
Select three memories. Heat them. Reforge them.
Kael gritted his teeth.
He chose:
His First Obedience – when he followed the Veil-Mother's command to punish a traitor child.
His First Escape – the moment he fled and left another behind to die.
The Day He Lied to Survive – when he betrayed another orphan to win a spot in the cult's trials.
He placed the three embers on the hovering anvil.
The air screamed as a hammer appeared in his hand—made of his current self. Will. Guilt. Resolve.
He struck.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The embers fused—melting, screaming, twisting.
Then they shaped themselves into a blade.
Weapon Gained: Blade of the Forged Will
A weapon born from purified guilt and resolved trauma.
Deals +20% damage to enemies who have caused mental or emotional harm.
Scales with Willpower and Clarity.
Can cut through illusions and fear-based effects.
Kael's hands trembled as he lifted the sword.
Then the second phase began.
Trial Phase II – Wield What You've Forged
Shadows rose from the molten floor.
They wore Kael's face—but twisted. Smirking. Mocking. Wielding cult-blades and speaking in the Veil-Mother's voice.
"You think you've changed," they hissed.
"But you still dream of running."
Kael stood tall.
"I don't dream of running. I remember why I did."
And he fought.
The blade hummed with heat. It didn't burn the enemies—it unmade them. As if the shadows couldn't exist once the truth had been spoken aloud.
One by one, the shadows fell.
Until only one remained—Kael, as he could have been.
A full cultist. Tall, robed, wearing the Mark of the Blooming Veil as a crown.
It raised its blade. "You left us."
Kael gripped his sword. "You're damn right I did."
Their blades clashed. Metal. Memory. Rage. Regret.
In the end, Kael drove the Forged Blade through the shadow's chest.
Tower Notification:
Trial Complete – Forgemind Crucible
+400 XP
+Unique Weapon Acquired: Blade of the Forged Will
+Stat Increase: Willpower +2, Clarity +1
+Mental Fortitude Reinforced – Fear effects reduced by 25%
The blade is now bound to your soul. It can only be reforged upon personal failure.
Tirien reappeared nearby, leaning on a pillar.
"That took longer than usual."
Kael chuckled—weakly. "Forging a soul isn't quick."
They moved on. The exit gate opened slowly, revealing a shimmering staircase of obsidian.
As they stepped through, Tirien asked: "What would've happened if you couldn't forge it?"
Kael looked back once.
"Then maybe I wasn't meant to climb."