KRAVEN_x

In a world where the strong reign and the weak are left behind, Riven is nothing more than an afterthought—a boy overshadowed by his powerful allies, mocked for his insignificance. Yet, beneath his seemingly ordinary exterior lies a strength he dares not unleash.

When a devastating battle sends him plummeting into a forbidden land where no one survives, his allies mourn his death, believing their weakest link is gone forever. But Riven’s fall is only the beginning. Rescued by a mysterious figure, he endures a year of relentless training, forced to confront the truth about himself, his power, and the unseen forces shaping his destiny.

Now, when his friends stand on the brink of destruction, Riven returns—not as the weakling they once knew, but as a force beyond their comprehension. The world will soon learn that the boy they overlooked is the one who will burn through the shadows and reshape their fate.

But will his newfound strength be enough to stand against the unseen forces pulling the strings from the dark?

The battle for survival has begun. And in the end, only ashes will remain.

"Ashes of the Unseen."

The underground chamber smelled of rusted metal and scorched stone, the air thick with an unshakable tension. Riven stood at the center, his arms aching, his breath ragged. The echoes of his own heartbeat pulsed in his ears as he tightened his grip on his daggers. Across from him, a towering figure clad in reinforced armor cracked his knuckles.

"You're still standing? I'm almost impressed," the man sneered, his voice laced with mock amusement.

Riven didn't respond. Words wouldn't change the fact that his body was running on fumes. The last attack had nearly shattered his ribs, and he was barely holding himself together. His allies were elsewhere, fighting their own battles, leaving him to face this brute alone.

His opponent lunged forward. Riven's instincts screamed at him to move. He twisted his body, barely dodging a steel-clad fist that smashed into the ground, leaving a crater where he had stood a moment ago. Dust and debris shot up, obscuring his vision.

This was bad. He needed an opening.

Dashing backward, Riven focused his breathing. The weight of his daggers felt heavier than before, his arms trembling under their strain. He had never fought someone of this caliber alone before.

The brute grinned. "You're hesitating. You know you can't win, don't you?"

Riven ignored the taunt. He narrowed his eyes, analyzing every movement. The man was powerful, but his attacks were straightforward. If he could predict them—

The enemy charged again, this time swinging his massive gauntlet in a wide arc. Riven ducked, sliding underneath the strike, his dagger flashing in the dim light. He struck at the man's exposed side, but the blade barely scratched the thick armor.

The man laughed, grabbing Riven by the wrist. "Not fast enough."

Pain shot through Riven's arm as he was hurled across the chamber. He hit the ground hard, skidding to a stop against the cold stone wall. His vision blurred, but he forced himself to move. If he stayed down, he was dead.

His fingers found the hilt of his fallen dagger.

The brute approached, his heavy footsteps echoing. "This is over."

Riven exhaled sharply. He had only one shot at this. He feigned weakness, letting his body sag against the wall.

The moment the brute reached out, Riven struck.

In an instant, he twisted his body, slipping past the enemy's arm and driving his dagger into a gap between the armor plates at the neck.

A gurgled grunt escaped the man's lips as he staggered back. Blood spilled down his chest, and for the first time, his eyes showed fear.

Riven didn't give him a chance to recover. He leaped up, using the man's shoulder as a foothold, and drove his second dagger straight into his throat.

The brute collapsed with a heavy thud.

Riven exhaled, his entire body shaking. His hands were stained red, his breath uneven. He didn't have time to process what had just happened.

He turned toward the exit. The others were still fighting. He had to move.

Even if his body screamed at him to stop, he didn't have that luxury.

"Embers in the Dark"