The ruins smelled of ash and blood.
Riven stood over the corpses of the three wolves he had just slain, their bodies already dissolving into fragments. His knife dripped black ichor, and the faint sparks of fire around his hand guttered weakly, threatening to vanish entirely.
At first, he felt exhilarated. The thrill of Devour still hummed through his veins, the rush of stolen flame pulsing hot inside his chest.
But then the hunger came.
It struck without warning.
His knees buckled.
A searing pain ripped through his body, like his blood had turned into molten iron. His vision blurred, dark spots dancing before his eyes. His veins glowed faintly, burning crimson against his pale skin.
Riven gritted his teeth, staggering, his chest heaving violently. What… is this…?
The fire spark inside him pulsed like a wild beast straining against its cage. It wanted out. It wanted more. His mark flared, throbbing like an open wound.
The Devour was eating him alive.
He fell to one knee, clutching his chest, coughing blood onto the stone.
"Well, well…"
Her voice cut through the haze. Smooth, mocking, velvet wrapped around flame.
Seraphina stepped into view, emerald eyes glowing faintly in the fog. She looked down at him with a curious smirk, one hand resting casually on her hip, her crimson hair spilling over her shoulders like fire.
"Seems the little Devourer is paying the price."
Riven growled, forcing himself upright despite the fire tearing him apart. His muscles screamed, his lungs burned, but he refused to fall. His cold eyes met hers.
"I don't… break that easy."
Blood dripped from his lips as he said it.
Seraphina tilted her head, amused. "Stubborn. Good. But foolish."
She crouched down beside him, her curves brushing against his arm as she leaned closer. He could feel the heat radiating from her body, a warmth far more controlled than the chaotic blaze tearing through him.
"You've stolen fragments you can't control. Devour gives, but it also takes." Her emerald gaze sharpened, piercing. "And if you keep feeding recklessly… it will hollow you out. Piece by piece. Until there's nothing left but hunger."
Her voice dropped lower, sultry yet sharp. "Do you want that, boy? To become nothing but a starving beast in human skin?"
Riven's breathing was ragged. His vision swam. But his smirk — faint, bloody — still held.
"If that's the price… then I'll pay it. Power is worth it."
Seraphina stared at him for a long moment. Then her lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile.
"Oh, darling… you're either going to burn the world, or burn yourself first."
She placed her palm against his chest.
Heat surged into him, but it wasn't wild like his stolen spark. It was steady, disciplined, controlled. Her fire.
The burning inside him dulled, the wild spark settling slightly under her presence. His breathing steadied, the pain receding enough for him to stay conscious.
Riven blinked, his vision clearing. He met her gaze — those emerald eyes glowing like twin flames.
"You…" His voice was hoarse. "What did you—"
"Don't flatter yourself." She pulled her hand back, standing gracefully. "I only balanced the spark. You're still weak. Still raw. If you try to take too much too soon, Devour will eat you alive."
Her eyes narrowed, playful but sharp. "But… if you survive it… if you master it…"
She leaned down slightly, her lips close to his ear, her voice a whisper that sent a shiver down even his hardened spine. "…you'll be unstoppable."
Riven wiped the blood from his mouth, forcing himself to his feet. His body trembled, but his eyes were steady, cold, unyielding.
"I don't need balance. I just need to keep fighting."
Seraphina's laughter rang out, low and rich. "Oh, you're deliciously reckless." She flicked a strand of crimson hair over her shoulder, her curves shifting with the motion. "Fine then. Burn yourself if you like. I'll enjoy watching either way."
Her smirk deepened. "But… something tells me you'll survive. You're too stubborn not to."
The ground shook.
From deeper in the fog, a guttural roar echoed — louder, heavier than the wolves. The air vibrated with its approach.
Seraphina's eyes gleamed. "Ah. The Gate grows restless." She licked her lips slightly, her voice dripping with amusement. "Let's see if my little Devourer can handle something bigger."
Riven tightened his grip on his knife, the hunger already stirring again despite the pain. His stolen flame flickered weakly at his fingertips. His body screamed at him to stop.
But he stepped forward anyway, cold eyes locked on the fog.
"Then let it come."
Seraphina's smile widened, emerald eyes alight with fire.
"Oh, this will be fun."