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

Dust filled the air. The walls trembled, cracks spreading like veins through the stone. The labyrinth itself seemed to breathe, reacting to the battle's chaos.

Asvorn wiped the blood trickling down his chin, his body aching from the impact. But his eyes—they were sharper than ever.

Kaisel landed beside him, gripping his blade. "We need a way to get to that core, and fast."

Lyara, still shaken, clenched her fists. "If we don't, this thing will keep regenerating. It's only a matter of time before we can't keep up."

The guardian loomed above them, its cracked body mending itself, glowing veins of energy pulsing through its massive frame. Its eyes burned with hatred, fixating on them like they were intruders in its sacred domain.

The force of its step sent shockwaves through the chamber, the sheer pressure enough to make the ground tremble beneath their feet.

Asvorn exhaled. No fear. No hesitation.

They had one goal—destroy the core.

His gaze flickered to Emma, who was clutching her staff tightly, her face pale. "Emma, can you suppress its magic?"

She swallowed hard. "I—I can try. But not for long."

The guardian roared, raising its massive arm to strike.

But this time, they were ready.

Emma's eyes flashed gold.

"Chains of Divine Suppression!"

Golden chains erupted from the ground, latching onto the guardian's limbs.

The behemoth froze, struggling as the divine magic constricted its movements. The radiant glow seemed to burn into its body, sending pulses of holy energy disrupting its regeneration.

He vanished, his body turning into a blur of speed—

A streak of crimson carved through the guardian's leg, forcing it to stumble.

His blade ignited with raw power, and with a single step, he launched himself straight toward the monster's chest.

Her magic flared to life, wind and fire intertwining around her.

"Piercing Tempest!"

She hurled a concentrated spear of wind, striking the guardian's shoulder—its rocky armor cracked, revealing the pulsating core buried within.

Asvorn saw his opening.

With all his strength, he plunged his sword into the exposed core.

For a moment, time froze.

The guardian's body jerked violently, its massive form convulsing as if it was trying to resist.

A deafening explosion of energy erupted.

A pulse of light ripped through the chamber, forcing everyone back as the guardian let out a final, earth-shaking roar.

The cracks in its body spread like wildfire, and then—

Fragments of stone and ancient magic scattered through the air, dissolving into golden dust. The oppressive aura that had weighed on them vanished, and for the first time since entering this chamber—

There was silence.

Asvorn let out a slow breath, lowering his sword. His body ached, his arms felt like lead, but they had done it.

Kaisel sat down heavily, rubbing his sore shoulder. "Well… that was hell."

Emma dropped to her knees, exhausted but relieved. "I can't believe it… we won."

Lyara exhaled, brushing back her sweat-drenched hair. "Barely."

Asvorn turned his gaze toward the center of the ruined chamber.

Where the guardian once stood, a single stone tablet rested on the ground, pulsating with faint energy.

But a voice broke the silence.

Rian Dusk stood at the edge of the battlefield, completely unharmed.

His usual smirk was still there, but his eyes held something different this time. Something calculated.

Asvorn's grip tightened on his sword.

Something was very wrong.

Breaking the Guardian