Joshua_Kevwe

In a world where magic dictates destiny, your worth is determined by two things—Talent and Bloodline. Asvorn has neither. Branded as worthless from birth, he was abandoned by his parents and cast out of his village, left to survive on scraps and endure a life of scorn.

For twenty-two years, he lived on the outskirts of society, invisible, unloved. But when starvation and despair push him to his limit, he makes a choice—to leave his wretched life behind and seek a future in the capital of Vaelthorin.

Armed with nothing but sheer will and a makeshift weapon, he embarks on a journey riddled with danger, where even the weakest creatures could end his life. Yet, beneath his frail exterior, something stirs—something unseen, something forgotten.

Is he truly worthless? Or is there more to his fate than what the world has decided for him?

Asvorn’s journey has begun, and with it, the first embers of a fire long thought dead.

Ashes of the Worthless

A flash of steel.

Rian barely had time to react before Asvorn was on him.

Sparks exploded between their blades as they clashed, the force sending shockwaves through the chamber. The ground beneath them split apart, chunks of stone hovering in the air from the sheer intensity of their battle.

Rian's smirk had disappeared.

For the first time, his expression was one of genuine shock.

Then reappeared behind him.

A slash—so fast the air itself screamed.

Rian barely twisted in time, his dagger catching the attack, but the impact sent him flying, smashing through a ruined pillar.

Asvorn stood still, his body radiating power. His crimson eyes glowed, his sword humming with an ominous energy that felt unstable—as if something inside him was breaking free.

Kaisel, still coughing from Rian's earlier attack, stared in disbelief.

"Since when the hell was Asvorn THIS strong?"

Emma's obsessive gaze locked onto him, her breathing shaky.

Lyara, standing a few feet away, felt her chest tighten. She had never seen Asvorn like this—his movements were different, his presence overwhelming.

Rian emerged from the rubble, wiping a streak of blood from his lip.

Asvorn's eyes narrowed. "What?"

Rian cracked his neck, stretching his arms as if shaking off the damage. "I was starting to wonder what made you different." His eyes gleamed with something dangerous. "Looks like I finally found out."

He raised his dagger—and suddenly, the air around him twisted.

Kaisel's expression darkened. "That's… not normal."

The very space around Rian's body warped, shadows bending toward him like he was pulling something in.

Asvorn felt it instantly—a pull deep in his chest, as if something inside him was being awakened by force.

The labyrinth itself shook violently.

The massive guardian in the background, forgotten in their fight, suddenly froze. Its glowing eyes flickered.

Emma gasped. "It's… responding to him."

"You're not the only one with secrets, Asvorn."

Asvorn barely moved in time—

A dagger tore through his side.

Blood splattered across the ground.

But Asvorn didn't flinch.

Instead, he grabbed Rian's wrist mid-attack—and twisted.

A sickening crack echoed as Rian's wrist snapped backward.

Rian's grin finally disappeared.

Asvorn's voice was cold. "You talk too much."

With inhuman strength, he kicked Rian in the chest, sending him crashing through the chamber's stone wall.

The entire labyrinth rumbled, dust and stone raining down as the impact sent cracks spiderwebbing across the floor.

Lyara rushed forward, ignoring the danger. "Asvorn, you're hurt—"

"I'm fine." His voice was low, dangerous.

There was something different about him.

His usual sharp but controlled presence had become something darker.

Something hungry.

His aura swirled violently, almost as if it was alive.

Lyara clenched her fists. "No, you're not."

Emma, still staring at him, smiled softly. "He's changing," she whispered, her fingers twitching. "And it's beautiful."

Kaisel groaned. "Okay, crazy girl, let's not make this weird."

But before anyone could say more—

The guardian finally moved.

Its massive stone limbs creaked, the runes along its body flaring to life.

And slammed it down.

The impact tore through the ground, sending the entire party flying in different directions.

Asvorn landed hard, rolling to his feet just in time to see the guardian charging straight for him.

Rian, bloodied but smiling, stepped out of the rubble. "Ah, well, looks like our fun's not over yet."

He wiped his mouth and grinned.

"Let's see if you can survive this, hero."

The Shadow’s Awakening