Chapter 6: Tower’s Pull

Torv "Ash" Kren stood over Krax's corpse, machete blazing crimson in his grip, the Core Ember pulsing in his hand as new howls echoed across the Ashen Reach. Blood soaked the sand—Krax's spiked armor cracked—his sled smoked, skulls still. Two thousand miles thrummed in Torv's gut, Ash Runner Sense: Lv. 3, Ember Step, heat coiling—Core Unleash: Lv. 3 surged, strength tripled, skin faintly glowing under ash. His gray coat hung in tatters, blood crusting his side, flint-gray eyes narrowing at the cracked tower rising from the dunes—ember-glow pulsing in its stones. Lysa knelt beside him—scarred hand trembling—her voice weak, "You're gone," green eyes wide with dread. Dozens of riders crested the horizon—sleds rigged, spears high—new threat doubled—Core whispered, "More west." Torv's chest heaved—2,000 shards or more—danger loomed. "Up," he growled—voice clipped—yanking Lysa—sand swirled—tower pulled, a hum in his bones. Riders charged—twenty strong—dogs snarled, ember-teeth red—Torv leaped—Ember Step—sand smoked—landed—machete slashed—dog split—+100 miles—rider fell—spear clattered—+200 miles. Lysa staggered—Core dim—her cough rasped—"Too much…"—Torv's hand burned—power swelled—machete flared—slashed—two dogs down—+400 miles—riders dropped—+600 miles. Spears flew—Torv dodged—sand burst—hacked a throat—+700 miles—speed surged—lungs ached—ash stung. Riders fanned—sleds roared—Torv leaped—Ember Step—slashed mid-air—dog crumpled—+800 miles—rider thrust—spear grazed—blood trickled—+900 miles. Tower pulsed—red light flared—dunes shook—Core's voice cut—"Closer"—Torv ran—Lysa stumbled—riders tightened—ten left—spears arced—Torv swung—machete bit—+1,000 miles—dog fell—rider down—+1,100 miles. Lysa's hand flared—weak—fire-dagger flew—scorched a sled—rider burned—+1,200 miles—she dropped—gasping—"It's… calling." Torv's gut twisted—tower loomed—cracks glowed—sand sank—riders shouted—"Core's his!"—sleds charged—Torv leaped—Ember Step—sand flared—hacked—+1,300 miles—dog split—rider fell—+1,400 miles. Core burned—whisper grew—"Enter"—power jolted—system flared—Core Unleash: Lv. 4—red light spiked—sand hardened—machete pulsed—Torv's strength quadrupled—skin glowed brighter—ash swirled thick—riders roared—spears flew—Torv slashed—two dogs down—+1,600 miles—riders fell—+1,800 miles. Tower's pull sharpened—dunes cracked—Lysa crawled—"Don't…"—Torv's hand shook—Core flared—red drowned—machete blazed—riders charged—six left—Torv leaped—slashed—dog split—+1,900 miles—spear grazed—+2,000 miles. Lead rider—tall, hooded—shouted—"Take it!"—sled roared—spear thrust—Torv parried—machete clashed—shock rang—+2,100 miles—rider reeled—Torv hacked—arm fell—+2,200 miles. Tower rumbled—sand split—door yawned—ember-glow pulsed—Core thundered—"Now!"—Torv's chest burned—Lysa grabbed his leg—"You'll… lose…"—riders closed—four dogs—spears high—Torv leaped—Ember Step—landed—slashed—dog fell—+2,300 miles—rider down—+2,400 miles. Hooded rider charged—spear arced—Torv dodged—machete bit—sled cracked—rider tumbled—+2,500 miles—Core flared—tower's door pulsed—sand smoked—Lysa's voice broke—"Stop!"—Torv's hand burned—power surged—system chimed—Core Unleash: Lv. 5—red light drowned—dunes shattered—strength quintupled—machete blazed wild—ash stormed—riders froze—two left—Torv slashed—dogs split—+2,700 miles—riders fell—+2,900 miles. Tower loomed—door wide—Core roared—"Enter!"—Torv's skin glowed—ash swirled—Lysa's cry faded—riders went—sand stilled—ember-storm raged—tower pulled—Core burned—new howls rose—closer—dozens more—Torv's miles hit 3,000—door beckoned—enter or fight.