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The morning sun cast long shadows across Crimson Drake's guild hall. Inside, tension simmered like molten lava. Seraphine had convened a clandestine meeting of officers—Riven, Baron Desmond, Captain Elandra, and her trusted aide-in-spy — to confront an issue that had grown too dangerous to ignore.
Seraphine's fingers tapped a map marked with rune-node locations. "Our spy confirms: the hermit's prophecy runes and the Codex go far beyond dungeon loot," she began. "We're meddling with ancient magic—magic even Vulkran wielded millennia ago."
Riven's eyes narrowed. "So what? That's why those runes were hidden."
Seraphine shook her head. "It's worse. These runes can amplify flame forces beyond control. If we attract the Council's attention—or worse, another shard-seeker—we could unleash calamity."
Baron Desmond's hand drummed on the table. "We should preemptively secure every known vein, disperse them under guild control."
Seraphine looked to Riven. "This isn't just guild business. It's political—and deadly."
Riven met her gaze steadily. "I trust AshenZero. He brought the tech. He'll guide us."
Seraphine's gaze flicked to the door: AshenZero stood just beyond, awaiting his summons. The room fell silent.
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A Confrontation in the Council Chamber
Early afternoon. The Crimson Drake delegation entered the Council Hall, a grand domed chamber of obsidian columns and glowing embers encased in resin. Noble and guild heads murmured as Seraphine advanced to the dais, clutching a rune shard.
She presented it with controlled calm. "The Crimson Drakes offer cooperation. These runes can rebuild the ashlands—if used properly."
A tutor of the Flamebound Council interjected, "Yet these were pulled from sealed veins. Extraction was forbidden for centuries."
Seraphine answered, "We submit to oversight. Guildcraft isn't outlawed, but hidden corruption is."
Another noble, Lady Meridia, narrowed her eyes. "Are you warning us... Flame can cleanse or destroy."
Seraphine met her gaze. "With guild experience and our guidance, it can heal."
The chamber trembled. Murmurs turned to gasps. The Council had voted—terms would be negotiated. No full clearance, but sanctioning oversight for Crimson Drake's operations. A triumph—or potentially a trap.
Riven and Seraphine shared a brief glance; victory felt precarious.
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AshenZero's Quiet Resolve
Later that evening, AshenZero found Riven atop the guild's ramparts facing the volcanic horizon. He approached silently.
Riven cleared his throat. "Council provisionally approved us. But Seraphine thinks we're playing with elemental fire." His voice held both relief and worry.
AshenZero gazed out at the smoldering peaks. "Let them talk. We know the risk. I just want time to do it right."
Riven hesitated. "I believe you. But Seraphine's right—someone else is watching." He handed AshenZero a rune-shard. "One of the mine nodes was claimed by unknown hands. Check it."
AshenZero accepted it without a word, eyes flickering with flame-born wisdom.
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An Intruder in the Darkness
Late into the night, AshenZero trekked to the newly discovered vein outside Emberspire. Under moonlight, he spotted faint magical tracks—footprints glowing with cold rune-light. Someone else had been there.
He followed deeper into the vein's caverns. Then, by the glow of phosphorescent magma, he saw them: two cloaked figures kneeling by a raw node, extracting rune-shards at double speed.
The intruders paused in sync, faces hidden. One stood. "You're not part of Crimson Drake."
AshenZero lifted his gauntlet. "You're trespassing."
The figure smiled, voice chillingly familiar: "Oh, we're more than impressed. We're funded." He threw back his hood to reveal a sharp-featured face—Lady Wynne Blackflame, legendary mercenary and notorious rune broker.
AshenZero's jaw clenched. The node pulsed ominously beside her.
"You don't get to greed-drain our veins," he said quietly. "They're not yours to sell."
She laughed softly. "My dear flame-heir, that's for me to decide. Ember factions are real; they pay well."
AshenZero focused. "You leave. Now."
Her grin widened. "The best don't beg. They conquer."
Smoke and rune-energy gathered at their feet. A final flicker of lightning and flame.
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Chapter 7 ends with treachery revealed—AshenZero's challenge becomes more than guild scheming; he's stepping into a shadow war. Meanwhile, Riven must decide how far he'll stand by his alloyed champion.
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