The sky cracked open like a divine wound.
Through the churning clouds descended the Clanscourge Beast—a thing from between realities. Its form defied logic. Bones twisted like rope. Mouths blinked. Eyes screamed. Every movement left streaks in the air, as if time itself didn't want to record its existence.
Ashwan stood at the burning edge of the gulch, facing it alone. The Vel spear in his hand pulsed with holy heat, its red-gold flames no longer just fire, but will—the will to resist.
> "Ashwan," came Ruvana's voice again, sharp with panic. "This isn't a battle you're supposed to fight alone!"
"Exactly," he muttered. "Which is why I'll end it before anyone else has to."
He inhaled slowly.
Then closed his eyes.
And let the Agniyan Flame surge.
---
Deep within his soulspace, a vast chamber of ember-lit nothingness opened. There, standing atop a throne of scorched stone, was the spirit bound to him—Agniyan, the Flame Guardian of Dharma.
A towering figure of golden fire and iron tattoos, Agniyan opened one eye and growled, "You summon me, boy. You're not ready for the Ignition Path."
"I don't care," Ashwan said. "That thing will burn the Veil if I don't stop it."
Agniyan leaned forward. "You would offer your body for a fragment of my flame?"
"I offer my karma," Ashwan whispered. "Take it. Burn it. Just let me stand long enough."
Agniyan grinned. "So be it."
And from the spirit's chest bloomed a shard of the Dharma Flame, which pierced through Ashwan's astral self like a spear.
The pain was immeasurable.
But in the real world, Ashwan opened his eyes, and they were no longer blue—but a blinding white-gold, like molten suns.
---
The Clanscourge Beast roared, and the sound tore through the burning gulch like a hurricane. Ruvana's archers were blown from the skies. Even the fortress trembled under the pressure of its existence.
But Ashwan charged.
His body blurred—flames wrapping around his limbs, turning him into a streak of light across the scorched ground.
The beast swung its four massive arms, each ending in bone cleavers the size of watchtowers. One strike could shatter mountains.
Ashwan didn't dodge. He deflected—the Vel spear spun once, and divine flame erased the trajectory of the blow.
A concept, not just a strike.
"Agniyin Nadai… Niram Pirivu." (Flame's Step… Split the Form.)
The spear ignited in sacred mantras, and Ashwan pierced through the monster's upper ribcage.
Bones cracked. Blood made of voidlight sprayed. But the beast didn't fall—it laughed.
Seven mouths opened.
And from each one, it screamed a curse.
"Your flame is a spark, mortal! I am the extinction that eats worlds!"
Ashwan grimaced. His spiritual body was beginning to rupture. Flames leaked from his joints. His life force burned like an open torch.
But he held the Vel tighter.
Because behind him was the gate.
And beyond the gate… Yalapuri. The last sanctuary of humankind.
He couldn't let the beast through.
Not while he still breathed.
---
From the fortress wall, Ruvana watched in awe and horror. "He's killing himself," she whispered. "That's a burn-through state. He's using more flame than his body can hold…"
One of the young soldiers beside her gasped, "He's just one man—how is he holding back a Clanscourge alone?"
Ruvana clenched her fists. "Because he's not 'just one man'..."
She looked at the inferno blazing below.
"He's the Keeper of the Veil."
---
Ashwan gritted his teeth and launched upward, flames propelling him into the air like a comet. The beast opened all seven mouths to swallow him whole.
And Ashwan whispered:
> "Agniyin Vettai… The Fire Hunt Ends."
He plunged the Vel through the creature's skull, twisting the spear as the Dharma Flame surged through every crack of the monster's body.
The entire gulch lit up as the Clanscourge Beast exploded, not in blood, but in light.
---
Silence returned.
Ashwan fell to one knee, breathing hard. His armor was melted. Skin burned. Hair scorched.
But the gate… was safe.
A soft voice echoed in his soul.
> "One karma repaid. Many more remain."
— Agniyan