As his fist stitched itself back together, with a little help from Second Wind, Leo tried to store the giant Cinder Hound in his ring.

Maybe this time it'll work.

Cinder Hound corpse cannot be stored

It didn’t make any sense.

He could store a plethora of ants in his ring, pile it up until it was full, but when he tried it on any of the dungeon mobs it just told him he couldn’t.

The dungeon mobs inside the Beast Pens tended to just kind of… melt when they died. So without a bowl or maybe a really big syringe, it wouldn’t be worth trying. He hadn’t asked Cecelia about it because why would he?

It could be due to how the dungeon worked, restricting people from taking the corpses out. Or it could be that he needed a better storage device other than his Common rarity ring.

Could even be that one needed a certain profession for it. Something to ask Ron about.

The pair walked, not together, hand in hand, but close by. Ellie was recuperating as usual in his soul-space. It was safer that way, and she seemed to enjoy it.

The halls felt empty as they walked, barely changing throughout. Leo was about to suggest they speed up. That thought died on his tongue as they turned a corner.

A long, open hall with molten channels that ran along each side. There were large forge-like structures embedded in the walls, humming with a low heat. Periodic bursts of red hot flame washed across the floor or through gaps from below the platform they found themselves on.

They took a cautious step inside and felt the overwhelming heat. Flame jets started sweeping across the room in intervals. It felt reminiscent of the Trial Tower with how clearly puzzle-like this was.

“Looks like it changes every time, but there’s a pattern,” Leo said.

“Mm.” Cain grunted.

“Careful not to singe your fur too badly,” Leo taunted.

“How’s your hand?” Cain walked forward. Leo clicked his tongue, refusing to let his mouth tug into a smirk.

The moment Cain dropped down from the platform, his foot touching the first panel, a large gate crashed down, sealing them inside.

Leo wasn’t… entirely worried. This was completely normal, and kind of predictable if he was honest. He’d keep Ellie inside his soul-space for this one. The flames might not do much to her as a dragon, but he couldn’t be sure. Wasn’t worth the risk.

“Guess we gotta cross. You got the pattern down?” Leo asked.

“Almost,” Cain replied.

The jets came in intervals of about seven seconds. Each time they did, a few panels would be open. Looking closer, there seemed to be safe zones that were never ignited. Those were sporadically placed with no clear reason. Other than to be safe, he guessed.

“On the next one,” Leo said.

Three, two, one.

“Go!”

They leapt to the first zone as the flames died down. A second later the flames rushed up around them. The heat was sweltering. Flames licked at their skin. Cain pushed into Leo, bumping him on the small panel as they struggled for room.

“Watch it!” Leo said, but saw Cain was struggling.

Guess the big bad wolf… cat? Didn’t like fire.

Good to know.

The flames died down and Leo dashed for the next panel without hesitation. Cain followed after a beat, but was clearly apprehensive. Leo watched, slowly letting the timer in his head tick down. Cain may not make it…

He could make sure of it.

Not like this.

Cain made it in time, stepping onto the platform, breath coming harshly despite the easy movement.

“Five more seconds,” Leo said, not looking at Cain.

The flames died once more, and Leo dashed out, making it to the first safe zone. Cain managed to follow this time, keeping his nerve.

When he got to the safe zone, he sat down, head in his hands in a moment of vulnerability Leo hadn’t seen so far.

“Do you hate fire or something?” Leo asked, no snark in his tone.

Cain’s eyes locked on him, daring him to ask again. Leo just let it go. It wasn’t worth trying to speak to this guy, even if he was curious.

“We can rest for a bit, then we go again.”

Cain seemed to have no intention of moving just yet. Leo thought about leaving him behind but didn’t. It might require everyone that was in the hall to be at the exit, so he’d rather not double back and have to carry him there if he was going to falter.

The walls began creaking after a minute or so of resting. A feeling that had Cain’s head upright in the way Leo knew meant danger. Whatever danger sense skill he had was more advanced than his own Nerveflash.

Small cracks started forming on the forges in the walls. Metal chipped, steel bent. The sounds blasted over the roar of the intermittent flames. The metal morphed until it looked like a body.

He only got glimpses as he tried to peer through the flames that reached higher than he could spot. Leo jumped, a Cloak of Wind appearing as he drifted down slowly. The forge grew tall. Then it grew legs.

It pulled a giant hammer from its back. His head swivelled to look at the other one. It pulled something similar.

“Guess it did feel a bit too easy, but this is a bit much.”

Forge Knight - Level ??

Their levels were so high that he couldn’t even tell what it was. Some kind of certainty that people can’t take days to complete it? If those things got to them they’d be toast.

“We gotta move!” Leo yelled. “Whatever shtick you have with fire needs to get shoved deep down in that furry body of yours. Collapse later.”

They ran off as soon as the fire died down, thankfully remembering the path.

The knights walked slowly, each foot cracking the floor beneath them under the weight. They towered above, almost reaching the height of the wall.

Leo realised that the knights only moved when the flames died down. A sigh of relief escaped his lips. As long as they kept moving they would make it with ease.

Panel after panel was reached in sequence, but the knights were gaining on them.

“We need to skip panels. Full speed—now!” Leo instructed as they both activated buffs of some sort. Leo’s Lightning Drive spun into motion.

The flames came down once more and they ran with all they had. Leo was much quicker in a short sprint, even with Cain’s level advantage. They cleared two panels by the skin of their teeth, flames erupting just as Cain’s foot touched down.

Now over halfway, the knights started moving when the flames were active, crunching through panels without hesitation

“Oh for fu–” Leo dashed out, clearing as many as he could, uncaring about leaving Cain behind. He had to try and stop it somehow.

His Nerveflash told him to duck suddenly as he ran. A giant spear passed over his head and embedded itself into one of the panels. It broke into a bunch of pieces, completely destroying the flame jets.

Another flash told him to jump, but he was a bit slow to react—even with Lightning Drive active. Spark Dash warped him from danger, but he had to move away from the platform.

Suddenly unsure of his direction, Leo had to move quickly to get to the broken platform.

There was barely any time left. Leo Spark Dashed as soon as he was in range, but he was a half a step too far away, falling forward as the fire scorched his legs. He clenched his teeth in agony, activating Second Wind as he brought his hands together. A brief healing surge helped the worst of the damage but he could barely move them.

Why did they have to suddenly throw spears? What the fuck was that?! Leo cursed internally.

He was on a broken panel, surrounded by flames. He had no idea where Cain was, and the knights were closing in. Also apparently launching ranged attacks. He’d have made it in just a few more flame rotations if not for them.

The flames died down once more, but he couldn’t tell which was the safe one. His thoughts were jumbled, mind on fire as the pain in his legs rattled him.

He tried standing. It was a no go, the pain was too much, muscles all but charcoal.

They were healing, which was a relief, but not even remotely quick enough to get him to safety before the knights crushed him. That was if they didn’t throw another spear first.

His head hit the floor, flat on his back. He needed a plan, but for the life of him he couldn’t think of one.

Cain had won.

Leo’s hand came down hard on the floor hard enough to shake the broken panel.

No fucking way.

He screamed as he forced his legs to move, earth mana surging through them.

Stone-like patterns began spreading over his burned flesh. The skin didn’t mend, it tightened, hardening. The earth mana began layering itself into his bones and muscles. It reinforced them enough to stand up, albeit barely.

It was like putting on an exoskeleton to help him walk.

Stoneskin (Common)

Upgraded to:

Reinforced Stoneskin (Uncommon)

Standing with a grimace, Leo stepped forward on his panel. He could walk.

But only barely. He needed to be able to run.

He was so determined on moving when the flames came down that he didn’t notice Cain coming up from behind him. He hefted Leo onto his back and dashed forward, body coated in fur.

“What are you doing?!” Leo exclaimed.

Cain said nothing. He just continued to run from panel to panel. Leo didn’t ask to be put down as it was tantamount to suicide. But he really didn’t understand. There was nothing in it for Cain to let him live here.

Cain made it to the end, dumping Leo on the ground as the flames stopped and the hall cleared. The Forge knights dissipated into ash.

“You die when I say you die,” Cain said in his gruff bestial voice.

Leo actually felt a bit shaken at the realisation.

He’s not done with me. He thinks I’m prey he hasn’t finished yet.

The thought angered Leo but he couldn’t say anything.

Cain had saved his fucking life.

Leo stared at the stone ceiling, jaw tight. The heat still clung to his healing skin, the smell of burned cloth and hair stuck in his nose. He could still feel the flames on his legs. The moment they gave out beneath him. One more rotation and the knights would have crushed him flat.

He’d been ready for Cain to leave him there. Maybe even push him off the panel himself. That would have made sense. Hell, he’d thought about doing the same thing.

That would have fit everything he’d seen of the man so far.

Instead, he’d just picked him up and run. No hesitation, no words, no look back. Like carrying a sack of grain across a field.

Leo flexed his fingers against the stone. The thought sat heavy in his chest. He didn’t like it. Didn’t like the feeling of owing someone like Cain, of having that moment hanging between them.

But the truth was simple.

If Cain hadn’t moved, he’d be ash on the floor right now. Or just squashed meat.

Leo just closed his eyes as Ellie appeared on top of him. She was clearly irritated, but he scratched her in that good way and she started melting.

Ellie had wanted to emerge when Leo was on his last legs, but he had stopped her. He couldn’t bear seeing her die to the flames because of him. Watch her struggle as she tried to pull him away to safety.

Even if he did let her, he couldn’t guide her to the right panel when he didn’t know which one it was.

He took this moment to try and distract himself from the mixed feelings he was experiencing. By looking at his newly upgraded skill:

Reinforced Stoneskin (Uncommon)
Your control over earth-aspected mana deepens, allowing you to actively reinforce your body beyond passive durability. Skin, muscle and bone can be hardened into dense, stone-like structure, reducing incoming damage and stabilising injuries.
This active reinforcement enhances your natural resilience, letting you endure punishment that would normally cripple your movement.
Scales with Toughness
Cooldown: 30 Seconds

The skill had come at a great time, but it wasn’t enough to save him. Not entirely. The effect had not lasted as long as he’d hoped either, fading as Cain carried him between platforms.

His thoughts churned, emotions tangled and heavy.

Ellie sensed it. She blew a cold breath into his face, frosting his eyelashes.

Leo laughed despite himself.

“Stop it, Ellie, I get it!” Leo said between laughs, lifting the little dragon and tossing her into the air. She glided back down and landed on his chest, tail flicking in delight.

“Children,” Cain spat. “You treat this like a game. You and your pet will die.”

It was the most he’d heard him say at once.

And every word made his blood boil.

Leo’s smile faded. The air in the room grew heavy, his aura rolling outward in a slow, crushing wave. Even lying on the floor, he felt the pressure build, sharp and electric beneath his skin.

Cain’s eyes snapped to him, hatchets drawn.

Leo didn’t move, didn’t try to stand. He just held Cain’s gaze, something cold and storm-like settling behind his rainbow irises.

“Say whatever you want about me,” Leo said quietly. “Tell me you’re going to kill me. Try. I don’t care if you saved my life.”

Ellie shifted against his chest, sensing the change.

“But if you threaten her…”

The pressure in the room deepened, like the moment before a lightning strike. The taste of ozone cutting through the heat.

“Then I don’t care what happens to me.”

His voice dropped to a low, certain growl.

“You die. Slowly.”

Silence descended, even with the low hum of the bastion and whatever it held inside.

Leo retracted his aura, forcing himself to stand as his Stoneskin reinforced his legs once more. He walked right up to Cain.

“Understood?”

Cain didn't step back. He didn’t raise his hatchets either. He just stared at Leo, jaw tight, bestial eyes burning with restrained violence.

For a moment it looked like he might swing anyway.

Instead, his lip curled.

“You talk too much.”

He lowered the hatchets slightly, though his grip didn’t loosen.

“Finish the dungeon.”

He turned toward the deeper halls of the bastion, past the gate that was open before them

“Then we’ll see.”