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The morning following the forge's breakthroughs was electric with anticipation. Workbenches gleamed, and rune-forged equipment lined every rack in the Crimson Drake guild hall. Word of the runes had already started to ripple through the city—whispers of radiant, self-healing armor and tools impervious to intense heat.
At the foot of the Flamevault's main entrance, Riven stood with AshenZero beneath a vaulted arch of volcanic stone. A slim party of seasoned adventurers—chosen for their strength and discretion—formed a loose circle around them. Riven cleared his throat.
"To test the might of the Molten-Core Runes, and confirm their legendary potential, we will undertake a full assault on Vulkran's Flamevault today," he announced.
Murmurs of excitement and fear threaded through the group. Among them was Lora Emberwind, a renowned fire-mage; Thane Ironclad, a veteran tank; and Mira Swiftfoot, an agile archer. Each of their armors glowed faintly with rune filaments.
AshenZero stepped forward. "There's no better crucible than the boss's own dungeon. If the runes work, we'll bring back proof." His voice was calm, measured—energizing more than imposing.
Riven nodded to his lieutenants. They moved in formation, stepping into the rush of heated air beyond the portal.
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Descent into the Vault
Flamevault's corridors twisted like veins of glowing magma, walls slick with molten runoff. The party pressed on, guided by Lora's magical lantern that burned blue-white even in volcanic heat.
Lava flowed like liquid iron through channels carved centuries ago. Heatproof Rune-Bracers kept their arms functional, and Thane's shield—etched with runic filaments—absorbed splashes of molten droplets.
Mira's arrows flew, taking out magma spiders clinging to cracks overhead. Their weapons, forged with rune-core tech, resisted the heat—none cracked or deformed.
At each junction, runic totems stood guard. AshenZero traced his fingers over their surfaces—these were ward-casters, relics the Vulkran cult left behind. He hummed a low melody, somewhere between chant and code.
Riven asked quietly, "Are these yours?"
"Salvaged," AshenZero replied. "They can be reprogrammed to react to heat pulses. They'll mislead Vulkran's sensors."
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First Trial: The Lava Chamber
The hallway opened into a great domed chamber. At its center, a pool of lava roiled, heat melting the stone floor around it. Flame-tendrils erupted from cracks, like living embers.
Without pause, the party advanced.
Riven led with shield raised. As the group crossed, the lava surged in geysers—jetting fire. But the runic totems at the edges glowed. The flame spouts spattered away from the marked path, guided by ash-coded pulses.
"Brilliant," Riven said.
Thane nodded, face stern. "These totems saved us."
They reached the far arch, breathing easy for the first time.
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Second Trial: The Fire Drake
Beyond the Lava Chamber lay a cavern encrusted with glowing crystals. A low growl echoed—and from the ceiling descended a Fire Drake, scales ignited with searing heat.
It lashed at Riven with flaming jaws. The party sprang into action.
Lora launched freezing mana into the beast's throat. The drake roared and lunged at Mira, but she back-flipped and fired a volley of rune-tipped arrows that stunned its wings.
Thane shield-charged, using his rune-inlaid armor to withstand the heat, and swung a molten-veined mace that staggered the creature. AshenZero approached and struck the cavern wall with his pickaxe, extracting fresh rune-ore and infusing his hammer. Sparks flew as molten veins spread through its surface.
With a roar, he struck the drake amidships. The hammer's glow flared, magma seeping into the beast's scales—sealing them tight.
The drake roared, collapsing in a mollified heap. The team paused, breaths ragged.
Riven looked at AshenZero in awe. "You controlled the fight."
AshenZero nodded briefly, wiping sweat from his brow. "Ritual of Flame: channel core surges into beast to quell it."
Mira grinned. "We're going to make legend."
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The Boss Antechamber
They stepped forward to the final gate, decorated with dragon skulls and inferno wards. A massive sealbanded door blocked their path. AshenZero tapped the runic hammer three times. The totem reagents pulsed—and the golden runes in his gauntlet glowed in response.
The seal shattered with a thunderous crack.
Riven slammed the door open.
Inside lay the legendary battle arena: the Molten Heart Chamber—its floor scarred by dried lava, and in the center, a massive throne made of blackened stone. All was quiet—too quiet.
They had passed the Trial of Flame.
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