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 chamber trembled as the monstrous entity roared, its voice shaking the very foundation of the labyrinth. Dark energy pulsed from its form, twisting the air around it. The beast wasn't just powerful—it was a nightmare given shape, something that shouldn't exist.

Asvorn wiped the blood from his lips, his mind racing. This wasn't a normal battle.

If they didn't end it fast, the creature would evolve beyond anything they could handle.

"Everyone, focus!" His voice cut through the chaos. "We don't have time to hesitate!"

Kaisel darted forward first, his blade glowing with energy. He leaped into the air, twisting mid-flight to slash at the beast's head.

His sword connected—but the creature barely flinched.

Instead, its flesh rippled like liquid, absorbing the impact before lashing out with a tendril.

Kaisel's eyes widened.

He barely managed to block as he was sent flying across the chamber.

"Asvorn!" Lyara called out, her hands blazing with fire. She unleashed a massive inferno, aiming for the creature's legs.

The flames engulfed it—but instead of burning, the beast absorbed the fire.

The temperature in the chamber dropped instantly.

The monster's body darkened, its form shifting—adapting to the attack.

"Damn it!" Lyara cursed, realizing the problem too late. It was learning.

Emma gritted her teeth, gripping her staff. "It's reacting to whatever we throw at it… What do we do?"

Asvorn's mind raced. If it could absorb attacks, they needed to overwhelm it all at once.

They needed to outthink it.

His gaze flickered to the environment—the ruins, the unstable magic in the air, the cracks in the ground.

There had to be something they could use.

"Emma," he called out. "Try using the labyrinth's energy against it!"

Emma's eyes widened. Of course!

This place was ancient, filled with dormant magic—if she could tap into it, maybe she could turn the battlefield in their favor.

She slammed her staff into the ground, her voice rising in a chant.

The chamber responded.

Rumbling. Shifting. Awakening.

The monster snarled, sensing the change, and lunged for her.

"As if I'd let you!" Kaisel roared, intercepting the beast mid-charge. He struck with all his might, forcing the creature back just long enough for Emma to finish her spell.

The ground glowed.

Ancient symbols appeared beneath their feet, the labyrinth's magic rushing through the air.

The chamber turned against the monster.

Spikes erupted from the walls, chains of energy wrapped around its limbs, and gravity itself warped, crushing it under its own weight.

The monster howled in fury, its body struggling to adapt. It couldn't counter this—it wasn't an attack. It was the labyrinth itself fighting back.

Asvorn's eyes sharpened.

"NOW! BEFORE IT BREAKS FREE!"

Lyara, Kaisel, and Asvorn rushed in together, weapons raised.

Their final chance.

A Battle Beyond Limits