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."

Riven's legs felt like lead, but he pushed forward, weaving through the crumbling underground passage. The walls bore scorch marks from previous clashes, and the distant echoes of combat told him that his allies were still fighting. He wiped the sweat and blood from his brow, his vision steadying as he focused on his next move.

He had just barely won his battle. But there was no time to celebrate—he needed to regroup.

As he sprinted through the dimly lit corridor, his mind replayed the fight. Every attack, every mistake. He wasn't fast enough. Wasn't strong enough. If he had hesitated for even a second longer, he'd be the one lying lifeless on that cold floor.

He clenched his fists. That couldn't happen again.

A loud crash up ahead snapped him back to reality.

Without thinking, Riven ducked behind a pillar, peering ahead. The hallway opened into a larger chamber where two figures clashed violently. Sparks flew as swords clashed against metal, and in the chaos, Riven recognized one of them immediately.

The leader of their group was engaged in battle against a masked enemy wielding twin axes. Despite Kai's overwhelming presence in battle, the masked fighter wasn't backing down. Each strike carried deadly precision, forcing Kai on the defensive.

Riven knew better than to charge in blindly. He scanned the environment, looking for an opening. That's when he noticed the second enemy, lurking in the shadows, ready to strike at Kai's blind spot.

He didn't have time to plan, didn't have time to hesitate. His body reacted before his mind did.

As the hidden attacker lunged forward, Riven intercepted, slashing his dagger toward the exposed torso. The enemy twisted just in time, but not fast enough to avoid the deep cut across his ribs.

A sharp cry echoed through the chamber as the masked enemy stumbled back. Kai, noticing the interference, seized the moment. With a single powerful strike, he sent the axe-wielding opponent crashing into the ground.

Riven panted, gripping his weapon tightly. "You looked like you needed some help."

Kai flicked the blood off his sword and smirked. "Took you long enough."

Before Riven could respond, the wounded enemy groaned and reached for a hidden weapon.

Riven didn't hesitate. He lunged forward, driving his knee into the enemy's face and knocking them out cold.

Kai nodded approvingly. "Not bad."

Riven barely heard him. His mind was still racing. He had acted on instinct—no second-guessing, no hesitation. Was this what it took to survive?

Kai clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Come on. The others are waiting."

Riven exhaled and nodded. This battle wasn't over yet.

And he still had a long way to go.

"The Weight of Survival"