10 Years Earlier…
The slums of Vordane were no place for a child. But Raze never considered himself a child. At ten years old, he had already learned to fight, steal, and survive. His parents were long dead—killed by mercenaries hired by a noble who saw them as "undesirable."
Raze had spent his days training under a man named Darius, a wandering fire mage who took him in. Darius was ruthless, pushing him to his limits daily.
"Power is everything, Raze. If you're weak, the world will crush you."
For years, Raze believed in that philosophy. He grew stronger, mastering fire magic beyond his years. By seventeen, he was strong enough to join the Crimson Fangs, the guild that protected the kingdom.
But then… Darius betrayed him.
On the night before his final guild trial, Raze discovered Darius had been working with a criminal syndicate all along. He was using Raze, molding him into a weapon for his own purposes.
When Raze confronted him, Darius only smirked. "You actually thought I cared? You were just a tool, boy. And now… you're in my way."
The battle was short but brutal. Fire against fire. Mentor against student. Raze won—but the victory felt hollow. As Darius burned, his final words haunted Raze. "One day… you'll be just like me."
Even now, years later, Raze couldn't escape that fear.
Present Day – The Guild Mission
"Focus, Raze." He snapped out of his memories as the Crimson Fangs squad approached their target—a ruined fortress where Ebon Requiem's assassins were hiding.
Raze adjusted his black-and-red cloak, his golden eyes burning with determination "Alright," he said, turning to the others. "Let's finish this job fast."
Kael smirked. "Try not to burn the whole place down this time." Lyra chuckled. "No promises, right?" Mira and Garrik remained silent, but their weapons were ready. They moved in.
They had no idea this mission would change everything.