---
Morning light streamed into the main hall of the Crimson Drake Guildhouse, warming polished wood and casting shifting shadows along the rune-etched walls. Today, however, the atmosphere was tense — like a forge on the verge of explosion.
Riven stood at the central round table, the newly crafted Rune-Shield displayed before him. Across from him sat Lady Seraphine, stern-faced and calculating; beside her sat two other officers: Baron Desmond, an old war strategist, and Captain Elandra, head of security. The air was thick with expectation.
Seraphine fixed her gaze on the shield. "Word of its power is spreading," she said, voice low and even. "Crimson Drake is no longer operating in secrecy. Other guilds, profiteers, and even noble houses will come sniffing — and if they find out where the dark ore comes from… we'll be overrun."
Riven leaned forward. "Which is why we move fast. Forge more runes, arm and upgrade our guild. Then, use our strength to negotiate dominance — or at least respect."
Baron Desmond rubbed his chin. "You're aiming too high. We should sell small batches first — recoup costs, fund upgrades."
Seraphine scoffed. "Which means we admit to mining illegal nodes… and open ourselves to sanctions. You and I both know the Council forbids rune extraction without oversight."
Riven shut his eyes. He could see it: guild guards dragged off for violating territorial laws, public outcry against the Crimson Drake's "heat crimes," even other guilds sabotaging the operation.
He looked at AshenZero standing silently off to the side, arms crossed. AshenZero's presence alone unsettled everyone — Seraphine more than the rest.
Breaking the pause, AshenZero spoke for the first time in the meeting: "Laws change when they don't make sense. Molten-Core Runes are a new alchemy. If we lead, others will follow. If we hesitate… we die."
Seraphine stared. "Is that your philosophy? Cold and opportunistic?"
AshenZero shrugged. "Survival's opportunistic."
Riven raised a hand. "Enough. No more trading opinions. Here's what we'll do: we'll expand production in secrecy. You, Seraphine, oversee internal security. Elandra, you oversee supply chains. Baron Desmond, manage diplomatic outreach — quietly, to nobles who might fund expansion. AshenZero, you lead rune excavation and forging."
They all nodded, but tension remained cut deep.
---
Later that day
Seraphine stepped from the meeting hall and tapped Riven on the shoulder. "We need to talk," she whispered.
They walked down a torch-lit corridor.
"It's about AshenZero," she began. "He's not a guild player. We can't fully trust his motivation."
"He's delivering results," Riven replied evenly.
She shook her head. "Results today could mask betrayal tomorrow. If he controls the source… once this is public, he might walk away with it all. Or collapse the foundation."
Riven paused, watching her carefully. Seraphine's face softened. "I'm only thinking of the guild."
He sighed. "So am I. But for once, let's give him a chance. Monitor him — discreetly. No alarm, no confrontation. If he steps wrong… we'll act."
Seraphine nodded, though her hesitation lingered.
---
That evening
Under the moon's glow, AshenZero slipped from the guildhouse unnoticed. He walked to the city's edge and onto a narrow trail leading to an abandoned mine site — one of the few rumored to contain dormant rune-veins.
He paused at the entrance, placing his palm against the stone. He whispered: "I'm doing this for them."
Within the mine, flickers of rune-light glimmered off hidden deposits. AshenZero extracted two veins carefully, pocketing them. He lingered to test the walls: stability intact, wards suppressed.
When he left, a cloaked figure watched him from above. A shadow on a ridge — silent, alert.
---
Chapter 5 ends with newfound purpose and unseen tension: AshenZero is gaining trust — but Seraphine is quietly wary, and a mysterious observer is monitoring every step.
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