Chapter 3 — The General of Embers
Karl's first night in the citadel passed without dreams.
Only silence.
When he awoke, the runes above his bed had changed. The word "BEGIN" was gone. In its place, one line now pulsed with slow fire:
> "Forge or Fade."
A quiet chime echoed in the air, and the wall split open—not like a door, but like stone deciding to let him through. A winding corridor unfolded, lit by hovering ember-lanterns. It led Kael to a massive chamber glowing with heat.
Sparks danced through the air.
Molten metal hissed in channels carved into the floor.
And at the center, shirtless, hammering a blade the size of a horse, stood a giant of a man with one arm—his other replaced by a rune-bound prosthetic of molten steel that moved like flesh.
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Mentor Profile: General Rhazien Varkas — "The Emberblade"
Basic Info
Name: Rhazien Varkas
Title: The Emberblade, Flameforged General of the Third War
Race: Human (Flameforged variant)
Age: Unknown, but appears late 40s
Height: 6'9"
Dominant Arm: Left (original); Right (Flameforged arc-metal prosthetic)
Weapon of Choice: Ashbringer, a living fire-greatsword that reshapes in battle
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Backstory
Once led the Flamefront Legion during the Monarch Wars.
Was left for dead on the Ashlands battlefield, survived by fusing his soul to a rune of unquenchable fire.
Retreated to the Citadel after the betrayal of the Crowned Betrayer.
Trains only one student every hundred years—each has died.
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Personality
Gruff, direct, brutally honest
Believes pain is the only true teacher
Speaks with his hands more than his mouth
Deeply loyal to Aethros, though questions his hope in Karl
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Skills & Specialties
Combat Mastery: Heavy weapons, endurance, fire-augmented strength
Magical Focus: Flamebinding, Ember Runes, Soul-Forging
Forging Abilities: Can craft weapons bonded to the wielder's essence
Training Style: Harsh drills, real battle scenarios, demands absolute focus
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Quote
> "You're not special yet, boy. You're still coal. But I'll teach you how to burn so hot the stars weep."
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Role in Karl's Journey
First combat and discipline instructor
Awakens Karl's dormant reflexes through survival-based training
Teaches Karl that strength is not just about magic—it's about resolve
Forges Karl's first weapon: a shifting ember-dagger bound to his soul
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Back to the Story…
Karl barely dodged the first hammer swing. It wasn't aimed to kill—but it wasn't far off.
"Lesson one," Rhazien growled, hammer slamming beside Karl's head. "If your enemy's bigger, don't stand there like a question."
Karl scrambled back, eyes wide.
"You're training me?" he asked.
"No. I'm breaking you. What's left—that I'll train."
The next week was a blur of heat, bruises, blood, and fire. Karl learned to stand even when his legs shook. To strike even when the fear choked him. To scream only when it made his fire stronger.
By the end of the week, he stood in front of the forge, burned, exhausted, but still standing.
Rhazien nodded for the first time.
"You didn't die. That's step one."
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