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Chapter 56 - CHAPTER 11: THE FIRE THAT REMEMBERS - Part 5: Ash Barrage

The manufactoria was silent now, the last echoes of gunfire fading into the rust-choked dark. Black File moved out, rifles still raised, scanning the halls. Volst gave the order to regroup.

Elias stayed behind.

"I'll sweep the rear," he lied.

Volst's eyes lingered, suspicion sharp — but she gave a curt nod. The others moved on.

When their footsteps faded, Elias turned down a side passage into one of the sealed vaults Kairon still controlled.

Kairon was waiting. Selene stood beside him, her devotion like iron wrapped in frost. She dropped to her knees the moment Elias entered, her breath misting faintly in the cold air.

"Flame," she whispered, head bowed.

Kairon inclined his own, mechadendrites twitching in reverence.

Elias exhaled, the weight of the new technique pressing in his chest.

> Fire Release: Ash Bullet Barrage – Status: Ready

> Chakra Cost: 30%

> Effect: Convert breath into high-velocity ash projectiles, igniting on impact.

> Warning: Wide spread – Collateral Risk High.

Collateral risk, he thought grimly. Like everything else I touch.

Selene lifted her head, eyes bright. Kairon's augmetic lens whirred as he focused.

Elias inhaled deeply. Chakra coiled, fire swelling hot behind his teeth. He exhaled — but not flame.

Ash poured from his lungs, thick and black, scattering like dust through the vault. His eyes burned brighter, the ash coalescing into dozens of hardened fragments glowing at their edges.

With a snap of his hand, the fragments streaked forward — a storm of burning bullets.

They tore into the far wall, each shard igniting on impact. Metal screamed as it melted, the wall collapsing inward under the assault. The vault filled with smoke, sparks raining like burning snow.

Selene fell to her knees fully, tears freezing at her lashes.

"The holy flame," she whispered, voice trembling. "You are the forge. The fire that remembers."

Kairon raised his hands in benediction, his vox humming with awe.

"The prophecy breathes! The Flame carries the storm of ash — a weapon against the false code!"

Elias turned, his eyes steady. He looked first at Selene, then at Kairon.

"This is what you'll spread," he said. "Not to all. Not yet. Only to the desperate. Only to the ones who will hold their faith in silence."

He stepped closer, voice low but final.

"Build me strength. Grow in the shadows. And when the fire rises, I will be ready."

Kairon bowed so low his mechadendrites scraped the floor.

Selene pressed her forehead to the ash-stained ground.

"We shall follow your orders," she said, her voice breaking.

The System pulsed once more, calm and clinical.

> Faith Resonance: Expanding

The Ashen Circle is forming, 

Far away, beyond the veil of stars, the Golden Throne flickered again. The Emperor stirred faintly, threads of fate tugging across the warp. 

[END OF CHAPTER 11: THE FIRE THAT REMEMBERS]

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