Chapter 10: Depths of Dust

Torv "Ash" Kren charged down the tower's dark stairwell, the Core Ember blazing in his grip as raiders' howls chased through the Ashen Reach. His machete glowed crimson—Ash Runner Sense: Lv. 3, Ember Step flared—Core Unleash: Lv. 8 roared, strength surging wild, ash swirling thick around his glowing skin. His gray coat flapped, shredded and blood-streaked, flint-gray eyes cutting the gloom—Lysa stumbled behind—her scarred hand grasping air—voice cracking, "You're not you," green eyes dim with dread—stone walls pulsed red—sand crunched—air burned—Core's voice thundered—"Descend"—power swelled—machete blazed—stairs shook—sleds roared above—dogs snarled—raiders burst—fifteen strong—ember-axes swinging—Torv spun—Ember Step—leaped—machete slashed—dog split—blood sprayed—rider fell—spear clattered—speed snapped—lungs rasped—ash stung—raiders charged—Torv swung—machete flared—two chests opened—riders dropped—spears thrust—Torv dodged—hacked—throat split—five down—dogs lunged—Torv leaped—slashed mid-air—two crumpled—raiders roared—"Take him!"—axes swung—Torv parried—machete clashed—shock rang—raider reeled—slashed—arm fell—blood soaked—eight left—Lysa's fire flickered—weak—dagger flew—scorched a leg—raider stumbled—Torv hacked—skull cracked—seven down—raiders tightened—sleds roared—dogs snapped—Torv grabbed Lysa—ran—stairs dropped—Core pulsed—"Deeper"—power surged—machete blazed—dog lunged—Torv slashed—split—rider fell—six left—raiders shouted—spears arced—Torv dodged—Ember Step—sand smoked—hacked—chest split—five down—lead raider—broad—ember-axe swung—Torv parried—machete flared—axe snapped—raider staggered—Torv slashed—blood sprayed—four left—Core burned—"Below"—stairs ended—cavern yawned—stone pulsed—ember-glow flared—sand swirled—raiders rushed—Torv leaped—machete blazed—slashed—two fell—spears flew—Torv dodged—hacked—throat opened—two down—Lysa coughed—"It's… too much…"—Core pulsed—whisper boomed—"Here"—system flared—Core Unleash: Lv. 9—red light drowned—strength spiked—machete blazed wild—ash hardened—skin glowed brighter—raiders froze—Torv slashed—dog split—rider crumpled—last charged—axe swung—Torv parried—machete sank—raider hit the sand—silence struck—cavern rumbled—walls shifted—red glow pulsed—stone arch rose—ember-shard gleamed—Core burned—"Touch"—Torv's hand shook—power surged—Lysa grabbed him—"You'll die…"—cavern shook—sand sank—raiders' howls faded—new rumbles grew—deep—stone cracked—ember-storm raged—arch pulsed—Torv's chest burned—Core flared—"Take it"—Lysa's voice broke—"Stop…"—arch loomed—red light spiked—walls groaned—sand swirled—Torv's machete blazed—touch or run—raiders roared—sleds echoed—stone trembled—cavern sealed—arch called—choose or burn.