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

The ground shook violently as the guardian roared, its massive frame pulsing with an ancient energy. The entire chamber rumbled, cracks spreading through the stone walls as if the labyrinth itself was alive, reacting to their presence.

Asvorn barely had time to recover before the guardian's colossal arm swung toward him—

He leapt back, dodging by a hair's breadth as the impact shattered the ground, sending massive stone chunks flying.

Kaisel landed beside him, breathing heavily. "Alright… this thing is officially a problem."

Lyara's eyes darted between them. "We need a plan—"

But before she could finish, the guardian moved again.

The enormous being rushed forward, far faster than its size should allow. The sheer force of its charge created a shockwave, sending dust and debris exploding outward.

Emma raised her staff, her voice sharp. "Barrier—!"

A golden light flared around them just in time—

The guardian's fist smashed into the barrier, the impact splintering the ground beneath them. Emma gasped, her knees buckling as she tried to hold the spell together.

Kaisel's jaw tightened. "Then let's even the odds."

With a flick of his hand, he vanished.

A streak of crimson light tore through the guardian's arm. Kaisel reappeared behind it, his blade humming with energy.

The guardian staggered back, its arm now cracking apart, but it didn't stop.

Instead, the broken pieces of stone floated back into place, fusing together as if time itself was reversing.

Lyara cursed. "It's regenerating?!"

Asvorn exhaled slowly, eyes locked onto the enemy. "No. It's adapting."

The labyrinth wasn't just some ancient ruin.

Rian, watching from the side, chuckled darkly. "Well, this is entertaining."

Asvorn ignored him. He had bigger problems.

His eyes flickered to Lyara. "Can you find a weakness?"

She hesitated, then nodded sharply. "I'll try."

Closing her eyes, she placed a hand on the ground, channeling her magic through the labyrinth itself.

The moment she did—her breath hitched.

A vision flashed before her.

Dark corridors. Twisting tunnels. And at the center of it all—

Her eyes snapped open. "Asvorn! Its power is coming from the core deep inside its body—if we break it, it won't regenerate!"

Asvorn's grip tightened on his sword. "Then we break it."

Kaisel landed beside him, wiping blood from his lip. "Easier said than done."

The guardian roared, its glowing eyes locking onto them.

A low hum filled the air. The runes across its body flared brighter, and the entire chamber darkened as the guardian gathered a massive surge of energy.

A blast of pure destruction erupted.

The wave of energy rushed toward them, tearing apart everything in its path.

Asvorn moved first.

He grabbed Lyara and Emma, shoving them aside just as the blast hit.

The shockwave ripped through the chamber, sending Asvorn flying straight into a stone wall.

Blood splattered from his mouth as he hit the ground hard.

Lyara screamed, rushing toward him—

He gritted his teeth, pushing himself up. His entire body ached, but he forced himself to stand.

Kaisel landed beside him, panting. "Well, that sucked."

Asvorn wiped the blood from his lip. "Yeah."

His eyes burned as he raised his sword.

The Guardian’s Wrath