The Infernal Gate groaned shut behind Kael as he stepped into a realm where the very air shimmered with oppressive heat. Blistering winds tore through the scorched expanse before him, carrying embers that danced like vengeful spirits. This was the Trial of Flame and Blood—the third of the Six Inheritance Trials of the Ember Sovereign.
The Protocol pinged in his mind.
[Trial Three: Inheritance of the Ember Sovereign]Objective: Survive the Trial of Flame and Blood.Duration: Undefined.Success Condition: Endure the Infernal Baptism and claim the Ember Sovereign's Core Flame.Failure Condition: Death.
Kael narrowed his eyes. Around him, colossal pillars of molten rock jutted from the ground like ancient fangs. In the distance, a towering volcano rumbled ominously. Lava flowed in fiery rivers, cutting through the cracked earth. At the base of the volcano, a gate of obsidian flame pulsed in rhythm with Kael's heartbeat.
Suddenly, the ground shook.
From beneath the scorched terrain emerged creatures formed of magma and cinders—Infernal Wyrmlings, Level 100. They hissed, their eyes glowing like molten rubies.
Kael didn't hesitate.
"Ascension Protocol: Combat Overlay – Stage Three, Activate."
[You have activated: Ember Sovereign's Trial Combat Protocol]+150% Fire Resistance+40% Movement Speed in volcanic terrain+30% Fire Affinity Skills Damage Boost
Flame wrapped around his limbs like loyal hounds. The first Wyrmling lunged. Kael met it with a spinning kick, activating his newly acquired skill:
[Skill Unlocked: Solar Fang Strike – LV 1]Effect: Launch a fire-aspected, crescent-shaped strike that pierces targets and ignites them for 10 seconds.
The strike cleaved through two wyrmlings, leaving their cores shattered.
But the victory was short-lived. A roar erupted from the volcano itself.
From within the lava emerged a serpentine beast—Flame Leviathan Z'Rakkal, Level 130. Its body was a fusion of obsidian scales and liquid fire. With a swing of its tail, it hurled a wave of molten rock toward Kael.
"Barrier of Aetherite!" Kael shouted, forming a hexagonal shield of light.
The wave slammed into the barrier. It cracked but held. Kael slid back several feet, boots skidding on obsidian ground.
Then Z'Rakkal opened its maw and exhaled a beam of concentrated plasma.
The Protocol pinged again.
[DANGER: Flame Leviathan's Plasma Breath incoming!]Recommended Action: Evasion Protocol Zeta or Ember Phantom Dodge]
Kael activated Ember Phantom Dodge, splitting into three afterimages that zipped in divergent directions. The beam vaporized the central clone, narrowly missing Kael himself.
"Time to end this."
Kael sprinted toward the Leviathan, dodging geysers of flame and cascading boulders. As he moved, he channeled all his heat affinity into his palm, summoning the skill he had barely unlocked:
[Skill: Sovereign Flame Brand – LV 1 (Unique)]Effect: Compress all available flame energy into a sigil that, when branded onto an enemy, amplifies all incoming fire damage by 200% for 10 seconds.
He leapt.
Midair, Kael twisted and slammed his flaming palm into the Leviathan's crown.
The sigil exploded in a sunburst of fire, searing the beast.
"Now—Solar Fang Barrage!"
Blade-like arcs of flame sliced into the creature's exposed chest. Roaring in fury, Z'Rakkal reared back—but Kael was already beneath it, hand pressed to the glowing pulse under its ribcage.
"Core Extraction: Ember Sovereign Protocol – Initiate!"
[You have successfully extracted: Core Flame of the Ember Sovereign]Your fire-based abilities will undergo permanent evolution.
Z'Rakkal let out a final scream before disintegrating into ash and molten slag.
Silence fell over the realm.
The obsidian gate at the volcano's base shimmered. From it emerged a flickering silhouette—the last memory of the Ember Sovereign himself. A towering, armored figure wreathed in endless fire.
"You have passed my Trial," the Sovereign intoned. "Take this flame, and may it forge your destiny."
A sphere of pure crimson flame hovered before Kael. As he reached for it, the Protocol updated.
[Flame Authority Acquired: Ember Sovereign Core – Tier 1 Integration Complete]Effects Gained:
Flame Immunity (Up to Tier III Spells)
Passive Regeneration in Heat-Rich Environments
Access to Sovereign-Class Fire Spells (Locked: Requires Tier 2 Sync)
Kael felt the fire enter his veins. Unlike the raw, aggressive inferno of before, this flame was refined—controlled. It didn't seek destruction. It demanded purpose.
As the realm began to fade, the Sovereign's voice echoed one final time.
"Rise, Flamebearer. The frost of the Northern Lords shall challenge you next."
Back in the Protocol Hub, Kael collapsed to his knees as the trial zone vanished. His skin steamed, yet his heart burned with renewed vigor.
Ira ran over, eyes wide. "Kael! You... you did it?"
Kael looked up, grin forming. "Third trial. Passed."
Elara stepped forward, her brow furrowed. "The next trial is the Frostbound Descent. None have survived it in the last 400 years. You'll be walking into a realm that even the sun can't touch."
Kael stood, firelight dancing in his irises. "Then I'll carry the sun with me."
Ira smirked. "Classic."
From behind, a new figure entered the hub. Dressed in ice-woven robes and crowned in aurora steel, a messenger from the Frostborn Court knelt before Kael.
"Flamebearer of the South. The Lords of the North have acknowledged your right. The Trial of Absolute Frost awaits. We depart in three days."
Kael's gaze hardened. The Protocol was pushing him ever forward. But now, he welcomed the push.
Because he wasn't just chasing power anymore.
He was building the strength to change the fate of entire realms.