The entire Forgotten Forge trembled.
Dark crimson flames erupted from Astrax's body as the corrupted guardian charged forward.
Each step shattered the ancient stone floor.
The pressure alone was enough to suffocate ordinary hunters.
Renzo tightened his grip on Ogre Fang Katana.
Instinct screamed at him.
Danger.
Absolute danger.
This enemy was on an entirely different level.
Yet just as Astrax prepared to attack—
"STOP."
The voice echoed throughout the forge.
Calm.
Ancient.
Authoritative.
For the first time since Renzo had met him—
Vulcanos had spoken aloud.
Not within Renzo's mind.
Not as a whisper.
But directly into the world itself.
Everything froze.
Astrax halted.
The corrupted guardian's body trembled violently.
Its crimson eyes widened.
Even the molten rivers throughout the forge became still.
Silence descended upon the Forgotten Forge.
Astrax slowly looked around.
Its ruined voice trembled.
"...Sovereign?"
Renzo's eyes widened.
Golden flames slowly materialized beside him.
They gathered together, taking the form of a man.
Tall.
Broad-shouldered.
Long golden hair flowed behind him like living fire.
Ancient runes covered his black and gold armor.
His eyes resembled miniature stars.
The mere sight of him made the entire forge bow.
The furnaces roared.
The anvils hummed.
Even Ignis lowered himself onto one knee.
Renzo immediately understood.
This was not merely a projection.
This was Vulcanos.
The Star-Forge Sovereign.
In all his glory.
Kensei-Ryu spoke softly.
"...It's been a long time."
Vulcanos looked toward Astrax.
Sorrow filled his expression.
"Astrax."
The corrupted guardian trembled.
Dark flames surged wildly.
"YOU..."
Its voice cracked.
"YOU RETURNED."
Vulcanos remained silent for several moments.
Then he spoke.
"I never truly left."
Astrax roared.
The sound shook the entire forge.
"LIES!"
"YOU ABANDONED US!"
Dark flames exploded outward.
The guardian's emotions had become unstable.
Renzo could feel it.
Pain.
Betrayal.
Loneliness.
Vulcanos closed his eyes.
Then slowly began speaking.
"The Forgotten Forge was once the greatest sanctuary within my divine domain."
Images suddenly appeared around them.
Memories.
Ancient visions created from divine power.
Renzo watched in silence.
Thousands of giant guardians filled the forge.
Ignis.
Astrax.
And countless others.
They worked tirelessly beneath Vulcanos' guidance.
Forging weapons.
Armor.
Artifacts.
Entire worlds had once relied upon this place.
Vulcanos continued.
"Then came the Divine War."
The vision changed.
Darkness descended.
The heavens burned.
Gods fought.
Worlds shattered.
Entire stars exploded.
Renzo watched in stunned silence.
The scale was unimaginable.
Kensei-Ryu sighed.
"We lost."
Vulcanos nodded.
"The enemy was overwhelming."
The vision shifted once more.
The Forgotten Forge was under attack.
Monstrous creatures poured into the sanctuary.
The guardians fought bravely.
But they were losing.
One by one—
The giant constructs fell.
Ignis fought desperately.
Astrax fought beside him.
Together, the brothers held the line.
But eventually—
Even they could not stop the invasion.
Vulcanos appeared within the memory.
Wounded.
Exhausted.
Yet still fighting.
The Star-Forge Sovereign raised his hammer.
Then—
He shattered reality itself.
The entire Forgotten Forge disappeared.
Sealed away from existence.
Protected.
Hidden.
Abandoned.
The vision ended.
Silence returned.
Astrax stood motionless.
Dark flames flickered weakly around its body.
Vulcanos looked directly at the fallen guardian.
"I sealed this sanctuary to protect what remained."
"I believed all of you had perished."
Astrax's giant body trembled.
"...No."
Its voice had grown quieter.
"We survived."
The guardian lowered its shattered hammer.
"We waited."
"One year."
"Ten years."
"A hundred years."
Its crimson eyes dimmed.
"Then a thousand."
Dark energy leaked from the cracks in its armor.
"The forge grew silent."
"The flames faded."
"Everyone disappeared."
Only Astrax and Ignis had remained.
Brothers.
Guardians.
Waiting endlessly for a master who never returned.
Ignis lowered his head.
The ancient guardian remained silent.
Astrax looked toward Vulcanos.
Pain filled its ruined eyes.
"We thought..."
The giant paused.
"...we thought you abandoned us."
Vulcanos closed his eyes.
For the first time—
The god looked tired.
"I failed you."
The words echoed throughout the forge.
Astrax froze.
Even Renzo was shocked.
A god admitting failure.
Vulcanos slowly opened his eyes.
"But I have returned."
Golden flames appeared around Renzo.
Vulcanos looked toward his champion.
"Through him."
Renzo blinked.
"Me?"
The forge god nodded.
"You are my successor, Renzo."
"The one who will restore the Divine Forge."
Astrax slowly turned toward Renzo.
Its crimson eyes studied him.
The hatred within them weakened.
Slightly.
But only slightly.
Dark flames still covered its body.
Corruption had consumed too much.
Vulcanos spoke softly.
"Astrax."
"Will you place your trust in my successor?"
The corrupted guardian remained silent.
Seconds passed.
Then minutes.
Finally—
Astrax raised its shattered hammer.
Dark flames exploded around the giant once more.
"NO."
The entire forge shook violently.
"The corruption runs too deep."
Its voice was filled with sorrow.
"I cannot stop."
A system notification suddenly appeared.
Final Trial Updated
Objective:
Purify Astrax, Fallen Forge Guardian
Success Conditions:
Restore the Final Anvil.
Defeat or Purify Astrax.
Reward:
Inheritance of the Star-Forge Sovereign
Astrax slowly assumed a battle stance.
Dark flames engulfed its entire body.
Yet this time—
There was no hatred.
Only sadness.
"Prove yourself, Successor."
"Show me..."
The giant raised its shattered hammer.
"...that the Forge still has a future."
Ignis stepped forward.
Golden flames ignited around him.
Brother stood before brother once more.
But this time—
Not as enemies.
As guardians seeking salvation.
The final trial was about to begin.