Chapter 5: Unleashed

Orv "Ash" Kren stood, machete glowing faintly in his grip, the Core Ember pulsing hot as Krax's pack charged through the Ashen Reach. Four sled dogs snarled, ember teeth flashing red, riders thrusting spears—sand smoked under their rush. A thousand miles surged in Torv's gut, Ash Runner Sense: Lv. 3, Ember Step, heat licking his boots—Core Bind: Lv. 1 thrummed, strength coiling tight. His gray coat hung shredded, blood seeping from his back, ash stinging his flint-gray eyes. Lysa slumped beside him—her scarred hand black, fire gone—gasping, "Unleash it," as the Core's voice roared in his skull, "Now!" Krax's sled loomed—spiked armor black—ember-axe raised, skulls rattling. Four spears gleamed—Torv's breath hitched—unleash or die. He clenched the Core—heat seared—power snapped—system flared—Core Unleash: Lv. 1—red light erupted, ash swirled wild, dunes quaked—strength doubled, machete blazed crimson. Dogs lunged—Torv leaped—Ember Step—sand burst—slashed—two heads fell—+200 miles—riders dropped—spears clattered—+400 miles. Krax roared—"Mine!"—axe swung—Torv parried—blades clashed—shock rocked his arm—sand sprayed—Core pulsed—+500 miles. Speed surged—lungs burned—ash clogged—Torv spun—hacked a dog—+600 miles—its rider thrust—spear grazed his side—blood dripped—+700 miles. Lysa coughed—pushing up—Core dimmed in Torv's hand—her eyes flickered—"You… did it." Krax's grin split—axe arced—Torv dodged—Ember Step—sand smoked—blade split earth—missed—Torv slashed—armor sparked—Krax grunted—unhurt—sled roared—dogs circled—two left—riders armed—Torv's miles hit 800. Core's voice shifted—"More"—power swelled—machete flared—Torv leaped—slashed—dog split—+900 miles—rider fell—spear flew—Torv ducked—+1,000 miles. Krax's axe swung—wide—Torv rolled—sand flared—Core pulsed—red light spiked—system chimed—Core Unleash: Lv. 2—ash hardened—skin toughened—blows dulled—Krax's next swing grazed—Torv stood—barely bled—+1,100 miles. "Two thousand—go," he growled—Lysa staggered—Krax bellowed—"Bound's mine!"—sled charged—Torv grabbed her—ran—Ember Step—sand blurred—dogs snapped—+1,200 miles. Dunes rumbled—ember-storm blazed—Krax's pack tightened—Torv's chest heaved—Core burned—whisper grew—"All mine"—Lysa's gasp cut—"No…"—her hand reached—Core flared—Torv's grip slipped—red light flared wild—sand sank—Krax's axe rose—dogs lunged—Torv leaped—Ember Step—landed—machete swung—dog fell—+1,300 miles—rider down—+1,400 miles. Krax's sled roared—axe cleaved—Torv dodged—sand smoked—Core's voice thundered—"Take all!"—power surged—Torv's skin glowed faint—ash swirled thick—Krax's grin faded—"What—" Torv slashed—machete bit armor—cracked—Krax reeled—blood seeped—+1,500 miles. Lysa crawled—Core pulsed—her voice broke—"Stop it…"—Torv's hand burned—system flared—Core Unleash: Lv. 3—red light drowned—dunes cracked—sand hardened—Torv's strength tripled—machete blazed—Krax's axe swung—Torv caught it—blade snapped—warlord staggered—dogs charged—Torv slashed—two fell—+1,700 miles—riders dropped—+1,900 miles. Krax roared—unarmed—sled rocked—Torv leaped—machete sank—armor split—blood sprayed—+2,000 miles—Krax hit sand—still—Core pulsed—whisper soft—"More west." Torv's chest heaved—ash swirled—Lysa stared—eyes wide—"You're… gone." Dunes shook—sand split—a tower rose—cracked—ember-glow pulsed—Krax's sled smoked—Torv's hand burned—Core flared—new howls—distant—riders crested—dozens—Torv's miles thrummed—2,000 shards or more—Lysa's breath caught—tower loomed—danger doubled.