The relic disk burned faintly in Kael's pack, humming with strange energy—like it wanted to guide them. The moment they stepped outside the Pathforge guild hall, it pulsed again. Not in warning… but in direction.
A new mark appeared on their map: Ashveil Ridge—a place Veilgrove villagers avoided. Said to be cursed by fire spirits, abandoned long ago after the Flamebound Temple collapsed in on itself.
"Perfect place to hide another relic," Kael muttered.
Riven nodded. "Let's see if the next key is hiding in the ashes."
Ashveil Ridge – Temple Ruins
The air thickened as they approached. The ground was scorched, old embers still glowing under the stone paths. The Temple of the Flickering Flame had become part of the earth—half-collapsed, wrapped in melted roots and glowing runes.
Inside, the heat was unbearable. Lava trickled along the cracked floor, and elemental spirits danced in the air—flame wisps, blazing drakes, and molten guardians.
[Molten Warden – Lv. 28]
Health: 15,800
Threat: Orange – Highly Aggressive
They had to fight through waves of fiery creatures, all while solving environmental puzzles:
• Riven shot arrows through enchanted braziers to light sequences in the right order
• Kael used reflective crystals to direct beams of fire and unlock sealed gates
Each challenge got them deeper—and the heat grew stronger.
At the core of the temple, they found it:
A brazier surrounded by four chained fire spirits.
To unlock the relic, the spirits had to be freed—but each one was guarding its flame, and fused together into a final boss:
[Infernal Chimera – Lv. 29 – Mini Boss]
Health: 22,300
Threat: Red – Elemental Hybrid
Abilities: Meteor Bloom, Flame Spiral, Fragment Burn
The fight was brutal. The chimera would split into flame spirits mid-battle, forcing Kael and Riven to adapt constantly. Kael used both swords to spin into a whirlwind that pushed the fire back, while Riven launched piercing shots from high ground—dodging meteor storms the whole time.
At the end, Kael's dual blade absorbed the final spark—and the chains shattered.
In the brazier, the second relic rose: a burning shard of crystallized light, warm and pulsing like a heartbeat.
[Relic 2/5 Acquired – Flameheart Shard]
World Gate Progress: 40%
New Coordinates Unlocked: Temple of Frozen Echoes
Riven wiped sweat from her face. "So… we're chasing temples now?"
Kael smirked, holding up the burning shard. "We're chasing our way home."