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 and Lirian sprinted through the back alleys, their footsteps barely making a sound against the damp pavement. The city lights flickered in the distance, casting long shadows as they moved. Behind them, the warehouse was swarming with armed reinforcements, their shouts cutting through the night.

Lirian glanced over at Riven, a grin still playing on his lips. "You really know how to stir up trouble."

Riven didn't respond. His shoulder throbbed where the bullet had grazed him, but he pushed the pain aside. They needed to disappear before more enemies arrived.

They ducked into a narrow alley, slipping behind a stack of rusted crates. Riven pressed his back against the cold metal, slowing his breathing as he listened. Footsteps rushed past the alley entrance, but none stopped.

Lirian crouched beside him, whispering, "So, what's on that drive you took from Torsen?"

Riven pulled the small encrypted device from his pocket, running a thumb over its surface. "I don't know yet. But if Torsen had it, it's important."

Lirian stretched his arms. "Great. That means more people will want to kill us for it."

They waited until the streets fell silent before slipping back into the night.

They arrived at a safe house on the outskirts of the city—a small, abandoned apartment complex that had seen better days. The walls were cracked, the windows boarded up, but it was secure.

Inside, dim candlelight flickered against the peeling wallpaper. A figure sat on a worn-out couch, waiting for them.

A woman with sharp eyes and dark brown hair tied back in a low ponytail. Her gaze immediately landed on Riven's injured shoulder. "You got shot?"

"Just grazed," Riven muttered, setting the drive on the table.

The woman—Seren—sighed, standing and grabbing a first-aid kit. "Sit."

Riven hesitated but obeyed. As she cleaned the wound, he turned to Lirian. "You never told me why you were at the warehouse."

Lirian smirked. "I was bored. Thought I'd check in on you."

Seren rolled her eyes. "You fight for fun, but you can't take anything seriously."

Lirian stretched. "Hey, I take fighting seriously."

Riven ignored their bickering, his mind on the drive. "Can you decrypt this?" he asked Seren.

She nodded, taking the device. "It'll take a few hours."

Riven exhaled. That meant waiting.

Lirian flopped onto the couch. "Might as well get some rest. Who knows what kind of mess we'll be in tomorrow?"

Riven leaned back against the chair, his mind still racing.

He had a feeling that whatever was on that drive… was only going to lead them deeper into the unknown.

"A Faint Light in the Distance"