"Let's finish this."
Renzo's voice echoed throughout the shattered sanctuary.
Without another word, he sprinted toward the distant Final Anvil.
The massive structure stood at the deepest part of the Forgotten Forge.
Ancient.
Majestic.
And completely ruined.
Dark corruption covered its surface.
Cracks ran through its entire body.
The sacred flames that once burned within it had long since died.
But now—
There was a path.
A path bought with Astrax's life.
Renzo would not waste it.
Above him, Vulcanos and Corvus continued their battle.
Golden flames clashed against endless darkness.
The heavens themselves seemed to scream.
BOOOOOOM!
A shockwave shook the entire forge.
Huge chunks of stone crashed from the ceiling.
Renzo narrowly avoided a falling pillar.
Kensei-Ryu spoke urgently.
"Move faster!"
Renzo increased his speed.
The Final Anvil grew closer.
Fifty meters.
Forty.
Thirty.
Then—
The air suddenly froze.
A terrifying pressure descended upon the forge.
Renzo instinctively stopped.
Slowly—
He looked upward.
Corvus stared directly at him.
Every one of its countless crimson eyes had locked onto him.
The Devourer of Divine Flames smiled.
"I WILL NOT ALLOW IT."
Darkness exploded.
Thousands of black chains shot toward Renzo.
Fast.
Far too fast.
Before they could reach him—
CLANG!
A gigantic hammer intercepted them.
Ignis.
The guardian stood before Renzo.
Golden flames erupted from his body.
Though damaged and cracked, the ancient guardian still stood proudly.
"GO, MASTER."
Ignis swung his hammer.
The black chains shattered.
Renzo hesitated.
"Ignis—"
The guardian turned slightly.
"ASTRAX GAVE HIS LIFE FOR THIS MOMENT."
Golden flames intensified.
"DO NOT LET HIS SACRIFICE BE IN VAIN."
Renzo nodded.
Then he ran.
Ten meters.
Five meters.
Finally—
He reached the Final Anvil.
Up close, it was enormous.
Nearly six meters tall.
Ancient runes covered its surface.
Unlike the previous anvils, this one radiated overwhelming divine power.
Even in its damaged state.
Renzo slowly placed his hand upon it.
Immediately—
Countless whispers entered his mind.
"Heart of the Forge."
"Source of Creation."
"Sanctuary Core."
"Restoration Required."
A blue system window appeared.
Final Ancient Anvil
Status: Critically Damaged
Restoration Requirements:
✓ First Ancient Anvil Restored
✓ Second Trial Cleared
✓ Divine Flame
✓ Divine Artifact: Starbreaker
✓ Divine Core
Renzo froze.
"Divine Core?"
Vulcanos immediately answered.
"Astrax's Eternal Core."
Renzo looked toward the glowing crystal inside his inventory.
The final gift left behind by the fallen guardian.
Kensei-Ryu sighed softly.
"He planned this from the beginning."
Renzo slowly removed the core.
The moment it appeared—
The entire forge reacted.
Golden flames ignited across every furnace.
Ancient machinery awakened.
The Final Anvil trembled.
Astrax's Eternal Core floated into the air.
Golden light surrounded it.
Vulcanos spoke quietly.
"Begin."
Renzo activated Divine Forge.
Golden flames erupted around him.
For the first time since obtaining the skill—
Renzo released everything.
Divine Forge.
Forge Flame Manipulation.
Starbreaker.
All three powers resonated.
The sanctuary itself answered.
The molten rivers rose into the sky.
Countless fragments of divine metal floated toward Renzo.
Ancient runes illuminated the entire chamber.
The restoration had begun.
But the moment it did—
Corvus roared.
The Devourer immediately understood what was happening.
"NO!"
The ancient entity abandoned Vulcanos.
Darkness exploded throughout the forge.
Corvus descended.
Directly toward Renzo.
Vulcanos' expression changed.
"IGNIS!"
The guardian moved instantly.
Golden flames erupted.
Ignis intercepted Corvus.
The two titans collided.
BOOOOOOOOM!
The impact shattered half the forge.
Ignis roared.
Corvus laughed.
The guardian was powerful.
But against an entity that had devoured gods—
He was losing.
Cracks rapidly spread across Ignis' body.
Still—
He refused to move.
Refused to retreat.
Because behind him—
Renzo continued forging.
Sweat covered Renzo's face.
The restoration consumed enormous amounts of mana.
His entire body trembled.
Yet he continued.
Astrax's Eternal Core slowly melted.
Not into liquid.
But into pure golden flame.
The flame entered the Final Anvil.
The entire sanctuary shook.
Progress appeared.
Final Anvil Restoration
Progress: 12%
Corvus roared.
Dark spears filled the sky.
Hundreds descended toward Renzo.
Vulcanos raised his hand.
Golden stars appeared.
The spears shattered.
Progress increased.
Final Anvil Restoration
Progress: 28%
Ignis lost another arm.
The guardian staggered.
Still—
He stood.
Progress continued.
Final Anvil Restoration
Progress: 47%
Renzo gritted his teeth.
His mana was nearly gone.
His vision blurred.
Yet he continued forging.
Because he remembered Astrax.
Because he remembered his promise.
Because this forge deserved to live again.
Golden flames erupted.
The Final Anvil glowed brilliantly.
Final Anvil Restoration
Progress: 73%
Corvus screamed.
The ancient entity could feel it.
The sanctuary was awakening.
The inheritance was returning.
And for the first time—
The Devourer felt fear.
Renzo placed both hands upon the anvil.
Then shouted.
"DIVINE FORGE!"
Golden light exploded across the entire Forgotten Forge.
The final restoration entered its last stage.
And somewhere deep within the sanctuary—
Something ancient began awakening.