The celebration at the gates hadn't lasted long.
No sooner had Kael and Riven stepped through the obsidian archway, than the skies darkened—and a sound like tearing metal split the air. A roar, long and guttural, echoed over the city. The ground rumbled. Forges dimmed.
And then they saw it.
A dragon. Not colossal, but still huge. Its scales shimmered with fractured magma, and smoke poured from its ribs like it had been torn from the core of the world. Its wings didn't flap—they burned, dragging across the sky like tearing cloth.
[ALERT – TIER II EMERGENCY QUEST]
"Ashen Requiem: Defend Emberpoint"
Boss: Volkran the Embermaw – Dragon / Level 13 (Status: RED)
Objective: Repel the assault on Emberpoint, push back the dragon, and restore the city's central forge-core.
Lena met them near the plaza. Smoke already filled the streets. Alarms rang.
"This is the true reason I brought you here," she said, panting. "Volkran was once a guardian of Emberpoint, bonded to the city's Heartforge. But when the Dragon King rose… something twisted him."
"Can we stop him?" Kael asked, gripping his blades.
Lena looked at both of them. "You're the only ones who can."
The Battle for Emberpoint
They fought street to street—Riven launching volleys from above broken walls, Kael carving through corrupted fire elementals with new upgraded blades. Emberpoint's defenders were scattered, overwhelmed. The dragon circled overhead like a living storm.
Volkran landed hard near the Heartforge Spire, molten claws cracking stone.
[BOSS FIGHT: VOLKRAN THE EMBERMAW – Lvl 13]
HP: 3,500
Weakness: Frost, Precision Strikes
Phases: 3
Phase 1: The Waking Flame
Volkran's fire breath scorched the square—Riven rolled between broken pillars and marked weak points. Kael baited the dragon in, dodging talons, striking at exposed joints. It roared, smashing a wagon, scattering lava.
Phase 2: The Molten Fury
Volkran's wings ignited. Lava meteors fell from above.
Riven: "Focus fire! I've got frost traps!"
Kael: "Lena! Drop the sigil!"
Lena threw down an ancient Runestone of Cooling, and Riven loosed her Frosttipped Arrows into the dragon's throat.
Critical Hit – Volkran staggered!
Kael activated Lunar Fang Combo, striking upward along the dragon's chest. Volkran reeled.
Phase 3: The Corebreak
Volkran's fire dimmed—but now it burned black. The final stage. The city's Heartforge surged in the background, trying to stabilize.
"Finish it before it takes Emberpoint with it!" Lena yelled.
Kael and Riven launched their final moves—Dual Finisher: "Ashbreaker Spiral", a new combo unlocked mid-fight.
Volkran screeched, collapsed—its body crumbling into shards of obsidian and ash.
[BOSS DEFEATED – VOLKRAN THE EMBERMAW]
+500 EXP
+Epic Drop: Volkran's Fang (Weapon Core)
+Restored Peace to Emberpoint
+City Access Unlocked: Forgespire, Emberpoint Guild Hall, Ember Archives
Kael: Level 14
Riven: Level 14
Emberpoint Reborn
Over the next few days, the city repaired. Forges re-lit. Citizens returned from hiding.
Lena met them on the high terrace overlooking the flame sea.
"You didn't just save Emberpoint," she said, "you reminded it what strength looks like."
She handed them each a Guild Sigil—burned into shimmering crystal.
[RANK UNLOCKED: Tier II Guild Members – Emberpoint]
New Benefits:
– Access to Tier II Quests
– Custom Weapon Upgrades via Forgespire
– One Free Pass to explore The Rift Beneath (Tier II Dungeon)
– New Title: "Ashbreaker"
Kael turned to Riven. "We're getting closer."
Riven grinned. "Yeah. One dragon down. One Dragon King to go."