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 emergency tunnel was dark, the air damp with the scent of rust and old machinery. Riven led the way, his breathing steady despite the weight of the previous encounter. His hand remained on his dagger, his instincts still sharp from the battle with the masked man.

Seren's fingers danced over her tablet. "This tunnel should lead us out of the facility's security zone. Once we reach the maintenance hatch, we're clear."

Lirian exhaled, rubbing his ribs where he'd been kicked. "That guy is seriously annoying. Who the hell is he?"

Riven didn't answer. The masked man's words echoed in his head. You're starting to awaken.

He clenched his fists. What did that even mean?

The tunnel stretched ahead, illuminated only by dim, flickering lights along the walls. Their footsteps echoed, the silence between them thick with unspoken thoughts.

Seren suddenly stopped, staring at her screen. "Wait… something's wrong."

Seren's face paled. "This tunnel isn't abandoned. It's monitored."

Before he could finish, red warning lights flashed above them. A loud mechanical clank echoed through the tunnel, and steel barricades slammed down at both ends, trapping them inside.

"Well, well," a voice sneered. "You really thought you could just walk out of here?"

Riven recognized that voice. Torsen.

Lirian swore under his breath. "So much for an easy escape."

Seren frantically worked on her tablet. "I can override the lockdown, but I need time!"

Riven drew his dagger. "Then we buy you time."

A distant clanking sound grew louder. Then, out of the shadows, automated security droids marched forward—sleek, humanoid machines with rifles attached to their arms. Their red eyes locked onto the group.

"Eliminate the intruders," Torsen's voice ordered.

Riven moved first. With a burst of speed, he dodged to the side as a hail of gunfire erupted. Sparks flew as bullets ricocheted off the metal walls.

Lirian flipped behind cover, drawing his own firearm and returning fire. His bullets struck the droids, but their armor was too strong. "Damn it! These things are built like tanks!"

Riven didn't hesitate. He launched forward, using his dagger to carve through the joints of the nearest droid. With a sharp slice, he severed its arm, causing it to spark and malfunction.

"Riven! Behind you!" Seren shouted.

He twisted just in time to avoid another droid's strike. With a precise move, he drove his dagger into its core, watching as its red eyes flickered before shutting down.

Lirian grabbed a discarded droid rifle and fired at the remaining machines, slowing them down. "Seren! Tell me you're almost done!"

Riven slashed through another droid, but more kept coming. The tunnel was turning into a war zone.

The barricades released with a heavy thunk, and the hatch at the end of the tunnel slid open.

They sprinted for the exit as the remaining droids recalibrated their targeting systems. Bullets whizzed past, but they didn't stop.

Lirian was the last one through. He tossed a grenade behind him and smirked. "Enjoy that, you tin cans."

The explosion shook the tunnel just as the hatch sealed behind them.

"Into the Underground"