The ruins of a forgotten forge lay buried beneath a mountain of rusted steel and shattered stone, a place where the air hung heavy with the scent of molten metal and ancient magic.
Kael stood in the center of the clearing, the Ego Knife gleaming black in his hand, his flame blood simmering beneath his skin.
Before him, a towering golem stirred—a construct of cracked stone and glowing blue runes, its eyes burning with a cold, unyielding light.
The golem moved with the weight of centuries, each step shaking the ground. It was a remnant of the Precursor Wars, designed to crush anything in its path.
Kael's heart pounded, but his voice was steady.
"Come."
The golem charged, smashing a fist down where Kael had stood moments before.
Kael dodged, flames licking the air as he ignited a trail behind him. With a quick strike, the Ego Knife cut into the golem's rocky armor, sparks flying.
But the stone was relentless, regenerating beneath the blade's edge.
The battle became a dance of fire and stone, Kael pushing his limits—using bursts of Hel Fuel flames to melt joints and crack the runes that powered the golem.
Each blow tested his control, his endurance, and his will.
Finally, with a fierce cry, Kael poured every ember of flame into one strike. The Ego Knife glowed red-hot, slicing through the golem's core.
The construct shuddered, then collapsed into a heap of smoldering stone.
Breathless but victorious, Kael stood over the broken giant, feeling the fire within him burn stronger, fiercer.
This was no longer training.
This was survival.
And soon, it would be war.