Torv "Ash" Kren dragged Lysa down the tower's stone stairs, the Core Ember blazing in his grip as the door above splintered under sleds' roars. His machete glowed crimson—Ash Runner Sense: Lv. 3, Ember Step sparked—Core Unleash: Lv. 6 pulsed, strength blazing, ash swirling tight around his glowing skin. His gray coat flapped, torn and blood-crusted, flint-gray eyes piercing the dark—Lysa stumbled—her scarred hand clutching his arm—voice hoarse, "They're through," green eyes darting up—stone groaned—cracks spread—dogs howled—raiders shouted—Torv shoved her—"Down," voice clipped—stairs dropped—dark thickened—Core's red glow lit jagged walls—ember-light pulsed—air turned heavy—ash stung his lungs—Core's voice boomed—"Deeper"—power surged—machete flared—stairs shook—sleds crashed—stone shattered—raiders poured—twenty strong—ember-axes glowing—dogs snarling—Torv spun—Ember Step—leaped up—machete slashed—dog split—blood sprayed—rider fell—spear clattered—speed surged—Lysa's fire flickered—weak—dagger burned a leg—raider dropped—Torv hacked—throat opened—three down—raiders roared—axes swung—Torv dodged—machete blazed—chest split—raider crumpled—dogs lunged—Torv leaped—slashed mid-air—two fell—riders charged—spears thrust—Torv parried—machete sank—rider hit stairs—five gone—Core pulsed—"Faster"—power swelled—Torv slashed—axes clattered—three crumpled—raiders tightened—ten left—Torv grabbed Lysa—ran—stairs sank—dogs snapped—Ember Step—sand smoked—machete flared—dog split—rider down—raiders roared—"Core's ours!"—Torv swung—machete clashed—shock rang—raider reeled—slashed—arm fell—blood soaked—Lysa coughed—"Too many…"—Core burned—whisper grew—"Below"—stairs ended—chamber yawned—stone walls pulsed red—ember-glow flared—sand crunched—air hummed—raiders rushed—eight strong—Torv leaped—machete blazed—slashed—two fell—spears flew—Torv dodged—hacked—throat opened—five left—Lysa's fire sparked—dagger scorched—raider burned—Torv slashed—chest split—three down—raiders roared—lead charged—ember-axe swung—Torv parried—machete flared—axe snapped—raider staggered—Torv hacked—blood sprayed—two left—Core pulsed—"Here"—system flared—Core Unleash: Lv. 7—red light drowned—strength spiked—machete blazed wild—ash hardened—Torv's skin glowed brighter—raiders froze—Torv slashed—two split—silence hit—Lysa's breath rasped—"It's… alive…"—chamber rumbled—walls shifted—red glow pulsed—stone slab rose—altar—ember-shard massive—Core burned—whisper thundered—"Touch"—Torv's hand shook—power surged—Lysa grabbed him—"Don't…"—chamber shook—sand sank—raiders' howls faded—new echoes rose—deep—stone cracked—ember-storm raged—altar pulsed—Torv's chest burned—Core flared—"Take it"—Lysa's voice broke—"You'll break…"—altar loomed—red light spiked—walls groaned—sand swirled—Torv's machete blazed—touch or flee—raiders roared—dogs snarled—stairs trembled—chamber sealed—altar called—choose or fall.