If a Lion could speak, we wouldn’t understand

“Use the chains to force apart the flames,” Ryder spoke sharply.

The Guardian’s throat convulsed, and the fireball finally tore loose. It shrieked across the cavern, a sphere of white-hot fury that promised to erase everything in its path.

“Now, Ash!” Ryder roared inside me.

The chain blazed brighter, runes flaring along its length. Not one or two—but dozens, spilling open like constellations in the night sky. My pulse surged and they answered, light cascading down the links until the whole weapon was a river of fire in my grip.

I swung. The chain snapped outward with a sound like thunder. I didn’t even have to move; the chain extended its length as I thought. It was like breathing; it pierced the air as it collided with the incoming fireball.

The impact was cataclysmic. A storm of sparks and molten rain devoured the air, falling down on us. I thought about protecting the others by blocking and the chain recoiled, spiraling toward my arm, absorbing it.

Too late, I realized what that meant.

Pain, the excruciating kind, all over my arms and chest. The runes nearest my wrist crumbled to ash and the fire surged inward like a flood. The stench of scorched flesh hit my nose as my fingertips blistered and burned.

“Ash!” Ryder’s voice cut sharply through the pain. “I thought I told you…. not to pull fire inward. You don’t have the Magna reserves to stabilize it yet! You’ll roast yourself alive!”

Panting, I looked down at my right hand. Thankfully, the burning stopped at my two index fingers after that scolding from Ryder, seemingly stopping it. Through the haze I caught a glimpse of the chain still shimmering, alive with runes. I started counting them—one, two, three… ten… fifty… more than I could count. I thought Verra was the best at anchoring but Ryder definitely had her beat.

“There’s….there’s more,” I gasped, sweat stinging my eyes. “Someone can hold more than thirteen runes?”

Ryder’s chuckle and reply had a sting of pride.

“Of course. Who told you thirteen was the ceiling? But don’t get too excited…those runes are not yours to waste. They’re mine and only I can maximize their full potential.”

My heart pounded too hard to even think of a comeback to that. There was also the matter of the Guardian not relenting. Its flames built up again, a tidal wave waiting to break. My body complained with weakness—I couldn’t do this much longer. Either Ryder would take control, or I would collapse.

Both options equally bad.

Meanwhile, across the wreckage, Keiji sat like a broken blade. He was tasked with answering questions in my stead, tough luck, kid.

“Did you know about this?” Lira snarled, yanking at his battered armor.

“Calm down, Lira,” Verra wheezed leaning on the stone wall for support. She staggered forward, grabbing Keiji’s arm with trembling fingers. Her eyes, heavy with pain, slid to me—a faint smile of disbelief curling on her lips.

“So… this was the big secret. A gravedigger with rune weaponry.”

Keiji didn’t answer at first. Didn’t even look at her. His face was pale, glancing down at Dorran who lay on the ground, blood spilling from his sides.

“Ash is the one you should count on,” he muttered, eyes fixed on the floor. “Not me. I’m just a guy dressed in armor."

A sound broke the silence—rubble shifting, a cough wet with blood.

Dorran’s head stirred from the dust, blood streaking from his temple.

“Hey… careful,” Verra moved and attempted to heal him but her runes didn’t glow.

“Verra…” Dorran’s voice was weak. He pulled himself up and sat against the wall. “…save your strength for yourself. I am beyond healing.”

“No. No, you’re not. Don’t….don’t say that.” She attempted another desperate chant but nothing happened.

It was when Dorran turned that she stopped completely. His side was almost gone—ribs were shattered with little fragments hanging out like thorns. Flesh blackened and curled upward in a spiral, the wound turning a sickly purple rot.

“You see…even if you had enough Magna, it wouldn’t be enough,” he said.

Vera looked away, but attempted another chant anyway.

Lira gently placed a hand on her shoulder stopping her.

“There’s nothing you can do.”

Dorran chuckled, a soft sound that ended in a wince. “As blunt as always…I will miss that.”

“Stop with the doom and gloom,” Lira spoke softly. “That’s not you.”

“You’re right,” he whispered smiling through the blood “Well, my friends listen to my final words then. If I don’t make it… take me home. Let my family bury me.”

His eyes turned to Keiji, sharp with a strength death couldn’t steal.

“I need a favour from you.”

Keiji’s head jerked up, tears cutting clean lines on his face. “…I can’t...I already...”

“Just listen.” Dorran’s hand clutched Keiji’s sleeve with surprising force. “Ever since I was a boy, my family…we loved heroes. Worshipped them even. Long ago, our ancestors were rescued the first six heroes, it’s because of them I am alive today. That’s why I asked to be placed with you. So, I could protect one. It was my way of repaying the,.”

Keiji shook his head, voice breaking. “Dorran… I’m not….”

His blood bubbled at the corner of his lips, but he forced the words out.

“You are,.... and I failed to keep you safe. But if you waste.... my sacrifice by feeling sorry for yourself…I swear I’ll drag myself back and punch you in the face. If you let them die too…then everything.... was for nothing.” His eyes hardened, hotter than any flame. “So.... get up and rescue everyone. Be the one thing..... this world hasn’t seen in a long time… a hero worth following.”

Keiji’s system flared in his vision—notifications flashing like a heartbeat. His hands trembled, but he pressed them to the ground, pushing himself upright.

“…Dorran. I wasn’t strong enough. Not fast enough. What kind of hero is that?” His voice cracked like breaking glass

“Strength....isn’t never falling, Keiji. It’s standing back up….even when you know you’ll fall again.”

He stopped then spoke again. “What I mean is…”

“I got it, Dorran. Thank you…my friend.” Keiji stood up and picked up the hilt of his sword. He lifted his sword hilt, the broken weapon glowing faintly as if stirred by resolve. His stance steadied. His eyes sharpened.

“Getting up again, right?”

He turned to Lira.
“Do you still have Magna?”

She wiped her mouth, spat blood, and smirked thinly. “Enough to spare. Why?”

“I have a plan.”