Torv "Ash" Kren stood before the tower's gaping door, the Core Ember blazing in his hand as howls sharpened across the Ashen Reach. His machete glowed crimson, ash swirling thick around him—Ash Runner Sense: Lv. 3, Ember Step hummed, heat sparking—Core Unleash: Lv. 5 pulsed, strength surging wild, skin glowing faint under his tattered gray coat. Lysa clung to his leg, her scarred hand trembling, voice cracking, "Don't go in," green eyes pleading through ash-streaked dread. The tower loomed—cracked stone pulsing red—sand smoked at its base, dunes still quaking from its rise. New riders roared closer—dozens—sleds grinding, ember-teeth flashing—Torv's gut twisted—enter or fight. He yanked Lysa up, "Move," voice bitten, shoving her toward the door—sand burst—howls neared—dogs charged—Torv leaped—Ember Step—landed—machete slashed—dog split—blood sprayed—rider fell—spear clattered—speed surged—lungs burned—ash stung. Riders fanned—twenty strong—sleds roared—Torv swung—machete blazed—two dogs down—riders dropped—spears arced—Lysa stumbled—her hand flared—fire-dagger flew—scorched a sled—rider burned—she gasped—fell—Core dimmed—Torv hacked—throat opened—rider crumpled—dogs circled—ten left—spears thrust—Torv dodged—Ember Step—sand smoked—slashed—dog fell—rider down—Core pulsed—whisper thundered—"In!"—power jolted—machete flared—riders tightened—Torv grabbed Lysa—ran—door loomed—sand sank—dogs lunged—Torv slashed—split a skull—rider reeled—Ember Step—he leaped—dragged her—crashed through—dark swallowed. Stone slammed—door sealed—howls muted—silence hit—red glow pulsed—tower's innards stretched—walls cracked—ember-light danced—Core burned—Torv's hand shook—Lysa coughed—"Where…"—voice weak—sand crunched underfoot—air thickened—ash swirled—Core's voice boomed—"Welcome"—power surged—system flared—Core Unleash: Lv. 6—red light flared—strength spiked—machete blazed hotter—ash hardened—Torv's skin glowed brighter—walls rumbled—Lysa grabbed him—"It's alive…"—stone shifted—floor cracked—ember-storm flared above—Torv's gut hummed—danger doubled—steps echoed—deep—raiders burst—ten—blades drawn—ember-axes glowing—lead roared—"Core's ours!"—Torv swung—machete clashed—shock rang—raider reeled—slashed—chest split—blood sprayed—two charged—Torv leaped—Ember Step—slashed mid-air—heads fell—Lysa's fire sparked—weak—dagger burned a leg—raider dropped—Torv hacked—throat opened—five down—raiders roared—axes swung—Torv dodged—machete flared—split an arm—raider fell—Core pulsed—"More"—power swelled—Torv slashed—two crumpled—axes clattered—last charged—Torv parried—machete sank—raider hit stone—silence fell—Lysa's breath rasped—"Too strong…"—Core burned—whisper grew—"Deeper"—tower shook—walls cracked—red light spiked—stone stairs sank—downward—Torv's chest heaved—raiders dead—new echoes rose—louder—sleds roared—outside—door trembled—Lysa's eyes widened—"They're breaking…"—Core flared—voice sharp—"Descend"—Torv's hand burned—power surged—machete blazed—tower pulled—stairs loomed—sleds slammed—stone groaned—cracks spread—Torv grabbed Lysa—ran—stairs dropped—dark rushed—raiders roared—door splintered—dogs howled—descend or die.