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 shook violently, the walls pulsing with an unnatural energy. The beast roared, its massive form thrashing against the glowing chains that held it in place.

The labyrinth's magic was working—for now.

But Asvorn could feel it. The restraints wouldn't last long.

"We need to end this before it adapts again!" Asvorn called out, his eyes locked on the beast's writhing form.

Kaisel cracked his knuckles, his sword pulsing with energy. "Then let's go all in."

Lyara took a deep breath, gripping her staff tightly. Her magic flared around her, casting eerie shadows against the trembling walls.

Emma, still connected to the labyrinth's energy, trembled as raw power flowed through her. Her breath came out in short bursts, but she nodded. She could handle it.

They had no time to hesitate.

The final strike had to be now.

The beast let out a furious, bone-rattling screech, its body shifting. Its form was changing again.

The once-dark mass of shifting tendrils began to take on a more solid form—muscular limbs, sharp spines emerging along its back.

It was evolving, adapting to the chains that held it.

Asvorn's grip tightened on his sword. "We have one chance before it fully transforms."

Lyara's eyes burned with determination. "Then we give it everything we've got."

Emma's hands slammed into the ground.

A pulse of power rushed through the chamber.

The labyrinth responded—walls twisting, spikes erupting from the floor, massive stone pillars slamming down toward the beast.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The sheer force of the labyrinth's wrath pinned the creature down, forcing its body into an unnatural position.

Its roar of defiance shook the air, but Asvorn didn't give it time to react.

Kaisel moved first, his sword glowing with raw energy. He dashed forward, his body blurring with speed, and delivered a devastating slash across the beast's chest.

Dark energy erupted from the wound, but the monster refused to fall.

Lyara followed up, flames exploding from her staff as she unleashed a fiery barrage at its exposed weak point.

The fire engulfed the creature, forcing it to screech in agony.

But it wasn't enough.

The beast began to break free.

The chains snapped one by one, and the air grew heavy with its rage.

Emma's vision blurred, the sheer weight of the labyrinth's energy nearly crushing her. "I— I can't hold it much longer!"

Asvorn clenched his teeth. This was it.

One final strike.

He closed his eyes for a brief second, inhaling deeply. The weight of the battle, the months of training, the countless fights before this—all of it led to this moment.

His eyes snapped open, glowing with newfound resolve.

He raised his sword. Magic surged through his veins. The blade responded, shining with an overwhelming radiance.

This attack would end it.

He vanished from sight.

A blinding flash.

The glow in Asvorn's sword dimmed as he landed gracefully, his back turned to the monster.

The creature shuddered violently, a massive gash splitting across its entire body.

A low, strangled howl escaped its throat.

The chamber fell into silence.

Kaisel dropped to one knee, exhaling heavily. "That was insane..."

Lyara fell back, breathing hard. "Tell me about it."

Emma, still trembling, released her connection to the labyrinth. The room around them settled, the magic fading.

Asvorn let out a slow breath, looking at the lifeless beast before them.

This wasn't the end.

The Labyrinth’s Wrath