🔥 Chapter 7 — The Lieutenant's Wrath
Kael's feet dug into the rocky ground as the Harrowed Lieutenant advanced, each step sending tremors through the ridge. Its blackened armor pulsed with violet energy, veins of shadow weaving across its body like living cracks. Every swing of its massive weapon created shockwaves that threatened to throw Kael off his feet.
Rhyne intercepted the first strike, sparks and shards of stone flying. "Kael! You must control the Ember's flow! Let it guide, not just burn!"
Kael closed his eyes briefly, taking a deep breath. The Ember inside him flared in response, coiling along his arms and chest like a storm contained within flesh. This time, he didn't push the fire forward. He became the Ember—its energy moving in perfect harmony with his movements.
The Lieutenant swung again. Kael sidestepped, letting his fire trail the attack. Flames lashed out, wrapping around the Lieutenant's weapon, destabilizing its grip. The creature hissed, staggering slightly as the Ember struck its armored core.
Rhyne cut through the Lieutenant's exposed joint, silver sigils flaring as the creature stumbled further. Kael seized the moment, thrusting a concentrated pillar of blue fire directly at the pulsing core in its chest. The energy struck true. The Lieutenant shrieked, a horrifying sound like metal tearing, as its shadowed armor cracked and smoke erupted from its chest.
But it wasn't over. The Lieutenant lashed out wildly, knocking Kael backward. Emberfire surged uncontrollably, almost consuming him. He felt heat and energy exploding in every nerve. Panic rose—but he remembered the memory from Volume 1, the echoing warning: "Become the Ember, not its master."
Kael focused. The fire calmed, flowing with him instead of against him. With a final roar, he unleashed a spiraling torrent of blue flame, striking the Lieutenant's core again. This time, the armor shattered completely, collapsing into smoldering shards that fell into the pass below.
Rhyne wiped sweat from his brow. "Incredible… you've done it."
Kael sank to one knee, panting, the Ember flickering gently along his arms. Above them, the northern sky rippled as if acknowledging the victory—but the pulse from the Harrowed King's crack remained, darker and more insistent than ever.
Rhyne's eyes hardened. "The Lieutenant was only the first. The King's generals are still moving. And one of them is already closer than we think."
Kael clenched his fists, fire glowing brighter. "Then we go find them first."