The Forgotten Forge was collapsing.
Ancient pillars shattered.
Molten rivers surged violently.
Cracks spread across the cavern ceiling as the battle between Vulcanos and Corvus tore reality itself apart.
Golden flames clashed against endless darkness.
Each collision sent devastating shockwaves throughout the sanctuary.
Renzo gritted his teeth.
This battle was far beyond him.
Yet he had no choice.
He had to restore the Final Anvil.
Everything depended on it.
But standing between him and the anvil—
Were five hundred Corrupted Wraiths.
The monstrous creatures charged.
A tide of darkness swept across the forge.
Kensei-Ryu spoke grimly.
"That's too many."
Renzo nodded.
Even with Ignis beside him, breaking through such a force would be nearly impossible.
Then—
A giant hand rested on Renzo's shoulder.
He looked up.
Astrax stood beside him.
The corrupted guardian's crimson eyes had become clearer.
The purification had weakened the corruption.
But not enough.
Dark cracks still covered most of his body.
Astrax looked toward the distant Final Anvil.
Then toward the approaching horde.
Finally, he looked at Renzo.
"Successor."
Renzo frowned.
"What is it?"
Astrax remained silent for several moments.
Then he spoke.
"There is not enough time."
Another shockwave erupted overhead.
Corvus laughed as it exchanged attacks with Vulcanos.
"WATCH YOUR SANCTUARY FALL ONCE MORE!"
The entire forge shook.
Huge sections of the ceiling collapsed.
Astrax looked upward.
His expression remained calm.
"I understand now."
Ignis stepped beside his brother.
Golden flames flickered sadly within his eyes.
"...Brother."
Astrax nodded.
"The Sovereign never abandoned us."
Ignis lowered his head.
"No."
"He never did."
Astrax slowly looked around the Forgotten Forge.
The place he had protected for thousands of years.
The place he had called home.
The place he had nearly destroyed.
"Then I still have a duty."
Renzo suddenly felt uneasy.
"Astrax..."
The giant turned toward him.
For the first time—
Astrax smiled.
"Successor."
"Please."
"Restore the forge."
Renzo's eyes widened.
"No."
Astrax slowly raised his shattered hammer.
Dark flames and golden flames erupted around his body simultaneously.
The two opposing energies began merging.
Violently.
Unnaturally.
Kensei-Ryu immediately realized what was happening.
"Wait."
"No."
"ASTRAX!"
Ignis roared.
But Astrax simply shook his head.
"The corruption cannot be completely removed."
Dark flames leaked from his body.
"Eventually..."
"It will consume me again."
Astrax looked at his brother.
"Therefore, I shall fulfill my final duty."
Ignis stepped forward.
But Astrax stopped him.
"Brother."
Their eyes met.
Thousands of years of memories passed silently between them.
Then Astrax spoke.
"Thank you."
Ignis froze.
Golden tears of molten metal slowly fell from the guardian's eyes.
"...Do not leave me again."
Astrax smiled sadly.
"We will meet again."
Then—
The giant turned.
And charged.
Straight toward the army of Corrupted Wraiths.
Corvus noticed immediately.
The ancient entity laughed.
"FOOLISH CREATION."
Astrax ignored it.
The giant raised his broken hammer high.
Golden and crimson flames completely engulfed his body.
The energy continued rising.
Higher.
Higher.
The entire forge began trembling.
Renzo's eyes widened.
"He's going to—"
Vulcanos' voice echoed softly.
"...Yes."
Astrax looked back one final time.
Toward Ignis.
Toward Renzo.
Toward the Forgotten Forge.
Then he smiled.
"FOR THE FORGE!"
The giant slammed his hammer into the ground.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Light swallowed the world.
Golden flames erupted.
Crimson flames followed.
The two forces merged into a massive pillar of pure energy that pierced the heavens.
The explosion consumed everything.
Hundreds of Corrupted Wraiths disappeared instantly.
The very fabric of corruption surrounding the forge was torn apart.
Even Corvus roared in pain.
"IMPOSSIBLE!"
The shockwave spread throughout the entire sanctuary.
When the light finally faded—
Silence remained.
The battlefield was gone.
The entire army of Corrupted Wraiths had vanished.
A massive path now stretched directly toward the Final Anvil.
But Astrax...
Was gone.
Nothing remained.
Not even ashes.
Only a single object rested upon the shattered ground.
A broken piece of Astrax's hammer.
Ignis slowly walked toward it.
The giant knelt.
Carefully.
Gently.
He picked up the fragment.
Then lowered his head.
The entire Forgotten Forge mourned.
The furnaces dimmed.
The molten rivers slowed.
Even Vulcanos remained silent.
A system notification appeared.
Astrax, Fallen Forge Guardian
Status: Deceased
Purification Complete
Unique Material Obtained
Astrax's Eternal Core
Rank: Divine
Renzo stared at the battlefield.
His fists clenched.
This wasn't his first time witnessing sacrifice.
But it still hurt.
Kensei-Ryu spoke quietly.
"He entrusted everything to you."
Renzo nodded slowly.
Then he looked toward the distant Final Anvil.
The path was clear.
Astrax had given his life for this opportunity.
Renzo would not waste it.
He slowly unsheathed Ogre Fang Katana.
Golden flames erupted around him.
His eyes sharpened.
"Let's finish this."
Far above—
Corvus roared in fury.
The ancient entity had lost one of its vessels.
And now—
Its hatred was directed entirely at Renzo.
The final trial had entered its last stage.