The rooftop burned beneath Aubrey's feet. The fight with the Talons had shaken the block, but the real storm was only now breaking loose. From the fissure below, the glow of molten light pulsed like a heartbeat, spilling out into the night sky, painting everything in a furious red.
Wind howled, carrying ash and embers through the city. Sirens blared in the distance, though Aubrey knew none of them would arrive in time—or dare approach. This wasn't just a street fight anymore. This was war territory.
Aubrey's lungs burned, each breath laced with smoke. His Bloodfire stirred inside him, restless, hungry, clawing at his veins to be unleashed. He clenched his fists, forcing control. If he lost it here, the whole block would vanish in flames.
Then came the sound. A tearing, screeching roar that split the night in half. Aubrey turned sharply, and his heart stuttered. Rising from the broken fissure was not just another Ashborn. This thing was colossal.
Its frame towered above the rooftops, black stone flesh etched with molten rivers of light. Horns curled backward like obsidian blades, and its maw opened with a growl that rattled glass across the skyline.
Aubrey froze. For the first time, he wondered if even the Bloodfire wasn't enough.
"Move!"
The shout snapped him back. Varric's voice, raw with urgency, cut through the chaos. From a rooftop across the gap, Varric raised his arm, a silver-glowing weapon in hand—something between a bow and a blade. Energy hissed across the rooftop as the weapon came alive.
"I told you not to fight alone!" Varric yelled. "Now fight with me!"
The giant Ashborn's molten eyes locked onto Aubrey. With a ground-shaking leap, it landed on the rooftop, stone claws carving through tar and steel like paper. Aubrey dodged, rolling across the grit of gravel as the claws gouged out a crater where he'd been.
Heat blistered the air. The rooftop tilted under the sheer force of its weight. Aubrey staggered, caught himself, and finally stopped holding back.
His veins erupted with red light. Bloodfire coursed through his arms, his skin shimmering with fiery veins. Flames burst from his fists as he launched himself forward. He struck the beast's chest with a fiery punch, the explosion lighting the skyline in crimson. The impact drove the monster back a step, but it roared and swung, claws slamming into Aubrey's side with enough force to shatter concrete.
The world spun. He crashed into a ventilation unit, metal crumpling like foil. Pain tore through his ribs, but adrenaline drowned it out. He couldn't stop now.
"Up, Aubrey! NOW!" Varric shouted, loosing a silver arrow of pure energy. It slammed into the beast's shoulder, exploding in shards of light that burned its molten veins. The creature howled, thrashing wildly, knocking chunks of rooftop into the street below.
The city screamed back. People were running now, headlights swerving as cars crashed into each other in the streets. The skyline was alive with chaos, and Aubrey realized this fight wasn't just for him. If he fell here, the city would too.
He rose, teeth bloodied, fire spilling from his arms like living blades. He and Varric locked eyes across the chaos, an unspoken agreement sparking between them.
They charged—one in fire, the other in silver light.
The rooftop battle exploded in fury. Aubrey ducked under the monster's claw, slicing across its molten ribs with a crimson arc that splashed fire and smoke. Varric vaulted onto its arm, driving his glowing blade-bow into its flesh, releasing another burst of light. The creature reeled, staggering backward, crushing air-conditioning units and pipes underfoot.
But it didn't fall. Its roar sent shockwaves through the city, shattering windows three blocks away.
Aubrey gasped for air, his chest heaving, his fire dimming for a split second. And in that pause, he felt it—the presence. Watching.
On a rooftop further back, cloaked figures stood in silence. Not moving, not helping. Observing. Their silhouettes flickered against the burning skyline.
"Varric," Aubrey shouted, ducking under another claw. "We're not alone."
"I know," Varric snarled, yanking his weapon free as another blast of silver light tore into the beast's side. "Fight first. Worry later."
The monster lunged again. Aubrey felt the Bloodfire answer, raw and furious, flooding through him like molten wrath. He leapt high, higher than he thought possible, flames trailing like wings as he soared above the Ashborn's head.
"Fall!"
His fist, burning brighter than it ever had, slammed into the monster's skull. The explosion rocked the block, fire swallowing the rooftop.
The creature crashed backward, a titan falling, crushing half the building as it plummeted into the street below. Concrete split, fire and smoke rising in its wake.
Aubrey landed hard, knees buckling, chest screaming with pain. He barely managed to stay upright. His fists still burned, but his strength was slipping.
The beast was down—but not gone. Its molten veins still pulsed faintly, twitching like it would rise again.
And then…
From the smoke, one of the cloaked figures stepped forward. Slowly, deliberately. Their voice carried across the chaos, soft but cutting:
"You've awakened it… just as we feared."
Aubrey's blood ran cold. His fire flared in defiance, even as exhaustion pulled at him.
"Who the hell are you?" he rasped.
The figure tilted their head, hood glowing faintly in the firelight.
"Your enemy. Or your only chance."
The city burned around them, and Aubrey knew this was no longer just about survival. This was the beginning of something far bigger—something that had been waiting for him all along.