The mountains loomed before Ashen Wu like silent sentinels, their jagged peaks piercing the night sky. A cold wind howled through the valley, carrying the scent of earth and decay. Despite the chill, his body burned from within, the embers of the Ashen Codex pulsing in his veins.
The old man had vanished after their encounter, leaving behind only cryptic words:
"Seek the Ruins of the Ash Lord. There, your true path begins."
Ashen didn't know who this Ash Lord was, but one thing was certain—his survival depended on reaching those ruins and unlocking the next step of his cultivation.
A Journey into Darkness
The journey was brutal. With no supplies or shelter, Ashen relied on his instincts, foraging what little food he could find. The gray flames within him provided warmth, but each time he called upon them, his body ached as if he were burning from the inside.
He quickly realized the old man was right—this power was consuming him.
But he had no intention of stopping.
Two days passed before he finally reached the base of an enormous ravine, hidden deep within the mountains. Carved into the rock was a massive stone gate, weathered by time, its surface covered in ancient symbols of fire and destruction.
His pulse quickened. This is it.
As he stepped forward, the air shifted. A deep, guttural growl echoed through the canyon.
Ashen froze.
Emerging from the darkness was a beast unlike any he had ever seen—a Cinderfang Wolf, its body wreathed in black flames, eyes burning like molten embers.
A guardian.
First Battle: Trial by Fire
The wolf snarled and lunged, fire trailing in its wake. Ashen barely dodged, rolling across the cracked earth. His body screamed in protest, but he forced himself to rise, gray embers sparking from his fingertips.
I have no weapon…
But he did have fire.
The Cinderfang Wolf attacked again, its fangs snapping inches from his throat. Without thinking, Ashen thrust his palm forward, and the gray flames erupted from his hand, colliding with the wolf's black fire.
The two flames clashed violently, but something unexpected happened.
The wolf's fire began to wither, devoured by Ashen's.
My flames… are stronger?
Realization struck him. The Ashen Codex didn't just grant him fire—it consumed other flames, feeding off them like an unquenchable hunger.
The wolf howled in agony as its own flames weakened. Seizing the moment, Ashen charged, slamming his fist into its skull.
A burst of embers filled the air. The beast staggered—then collapsed into a pile of fading cinders.
Ashen stood there, chest heaving, as the last remnants of the wolf's fire were absorbed into his body. His gray flames flickered brighter, stronger.
He had won.
But instead of relief, a terrifying thought crossed his mind.
How much of myself am I losing every time I consume fire?
Shaking off his doubts, he turned toward the stone gate.
The path forward was open.
With renewed determination, Ashen Wu stepped into the Ruins of the Ash Lord—unaware that the true trial was only just beginning.