WARRIOR OF LIBERATION

"There is no magic deeper than choice. And no chain heavier than a broken vow."

— Engraving above the Gate of Zone IV

📍 Location: Zone IV – The Ember Crucible

The tunnel opened into a vast chamber—half temple, half furnace.

Columns of molten light twisted through the air like liquid fire.

Metal tables were scattered with burning scrolls, branding tools, and… shackles.

Dozens of them.

Some still warm.

Mina whispered, "This isn't a forge…"

Sei finished it:

"It's a prison."

A sound echoed across the chamber—

Not footsteps.

Hammer strikes.

CLANG.

CLANG.

CLANG.

Then a voice.

Low. Calm. Cold.

"Another Flamebearer."

From the shadows, a man stepped into view.

His face was hidden behind a smooth metal mask etched with glowing runes.

Chains hung from his robes like armor. In one hand, he held a massive blacksmith's hammer.

Name: MAELDROS, THE OATHFORGER

Level: 28 — Corrupted Forgebinder

Class: Chainwright of the Empire (Exile)

Status: Soulbound to the Empire | Manipulates Flame Contracts | Specializes in Binding Liberators through Oaths

Mina stepped forward. "He's the one corrupting the Forge."

Sei nodded slowly. "The system said oathcore activity…"

Maeldros raised his hand, and fire surged from the forge pits behind him.

Dozens of chained spirits rose—burning, hollow-eyed, wearing broken armor.

"These are the ones who promised freedom… and failed."

System Warning:

Oathforger ability detected: Soul Pact Zone – Any spoken promise becomes binding while in range.

Recommended: Do not speak direct oaths or guarantees.

Sei narrowed his eyes.

"Those souls—are they still alive?"

"Not alive," Maeldros said. "But not free either."

He raised his hammer.

"Join them."

🔥 BATTLE BEGINS: Heir of Embers & Mina vs. The Oathforger & Soulbound Legion 🔥

Maeldros slammed the hammer down—

A ripple of fire spread across the floor.

Chains burst from beneath, snatching at Sei and Mina's feet.

Sei leapt back, flames roaring from his limbs.

Mina blocked with a Flame Pulse, protecting both of them.

The soulbound legion advanced.

Sei met them head-on.

He ducked, weaved, and struck—Chain Breaker activating mid-motion.

CRACK!

One soul's shackle shattered, and the figure vanished in a burst of white flame.

Liberation: 1 Soul Freed

+1 Soul Energy | +2% System Sync

But Maeldros didn't slow.

He raised a burning scroll.

"By the hammer of my oath, I bind you!"

A sigil shot toward Mina—too fast.

Sei shouted:

"I swear she won't fall!"

Instantly, the air froze.

The sigil changed course.

And locked around Sei's wrist instead.

FLAME OATH: ACTIVATED

"I swear she won't fall" — If Mina's HP drops below 30%, the caster suffers soul damage.

Breaking this oath will cause system disruption and permanent skill lock.

Mina stared in shock.

"Sei… you—"

He smiled bitterly.

"Reflex."

Then he turned to Maeldros.

"I don't need a system to protect her. I need fire."

He unleashed Flamebrand.

His arms ignited. Ember tattoos glowed like liquid light across his skin.

He roared—and charged.

System Trait Engaged: Flame Vein → Upgrading to Ember Blood…

Success! Your soulfire is now resistant to external binds.

Chain abilities weakened by 25% against you.

Sei spun, blasted through two soulbound warriors, and threw a flaming punch at Maeldros.

CLANG!!

The hammer met his fist—shockwaves shattered nearby pillars.

Maeldros staggered back, eyes wide behind the mask.

"You're evolving too fast."

Sei's eyes blazed.

"No. I'm just not fighting alone anymore."

Behind him, Mina raised both hands.

"Soul-Link: Ignite!"

Her fire fused with his.

Their auras merged.

And together—they punched through the last soulbound warrior's core.

🔥 Final Chain Broken.

Liberation Surge!

+10 Soul Energy | +1 Flame Core Fragment | +Passive Bonus Unlocked: Soul-Synced Will (Lv. 1)

Maeldros fell to one knee.

His forge hissed.

Chains cracked.

And his mask… split down the middle.

Beneath it—

A human face.

Tired. Scarred. Tear-streaked.

"I only ever wanted to free them…"

Sei stepped forward.

"And the Empire turned you into their jailor."

Maeldros looked up.

"You can finish what I failed to start."

His body crumbled into light.

Liberation Complete.

Forged Flame Contract Transferred: Core Slot – Empty

New Skill Unlocked: Oathfire – Create temporary flame contracts with allies. Bind their strength to yours for 30 seconds.

Mina exhaled slowly.

"That… was close."

Sei nodded.

Then looked at his hand—still marked by the vow he spoke.

He hadn't broken it.

But it still burned.

Far ahead, a door of black soulsteel glowed.

A whisper called to them both.

The next zone. The true forge heart.

And behind them… something watched.

Chains tightening again.

TO BE CONTINUED…

🔥 Chapter 15 Tease: Crown of Fire, Crown of Ash

The door to the true First Flame opens. But what Sei finds inside is not just a forge… it's a throne — and a choice that could break his system… or crown him something far more dangerous.