This is the beginning of Ryzen's epic journey as the Last Sentinel, a warrior fighting against the collapse of a world on the edge of oblivion.

Chapter 4: The Shadow of the Warlord

Weeks had passed since Ryzen's victory over Ezriel in the depths of the Necropolis. The victory had not brought peace—it had brought uncertainty. The forbidden power he had unleashed left a mark, and the whispers of dark energy still echoed in his mind. Yet, there was no time for hesitation. The wasteland was teeming with new dangers, and among them, a name was being spoken in fear: Raegon, the Warlord of Ashes.

Raegon was more than just a ruthless leader. He was a conqueror, uniting the most savage factions under his banner. From the northern deserts to the crumbling skyscrapers of the Eastern Kingdoms, Raegon was known for his brutality and cunning. But what made him truly dangerous was his rumored connection to the dark technology buried beneath the wasteland. The same energy that had corrupted Ezriel was now in Raegon's grasp, and Ryzen knew he had to stop him before he plunged the world into total ruin.

The Burning Plains

Ryzen moved swiftly across the scorched land known as the Burning Plains, a region ravaged by endless firestorms and volcanic eruptions. His destination was Raegon's stronghold—an ancient fortress built into the side of a dormant volcano. The Warlord had established his base there, and it was said to be impenetrable.

As he traveled, Ryzen was not alone. Word of his battle against the Nomads and his defeat of Ezriel had spread, and small groups of survivors had begun to see him as a symbol of resistance. Among them was Kael, a skilled archer with a deep knowledge of the wastelands, and Lyra, a former engineer turned fighter, who carried with her knowledge of the old-world tech.

"Are you sure about this?" Kael asked, walking beside Ryzen, his bow slung over his shoulder. "Raegon's not like the others. He's different."

Ryzen didn't respond at first. His crimson eyes were fixed on the horizon, where the sky glowed orange from the fires that never died.

"I know," Ryzen said finally, his voice low. "But if we don't stop him now, there won't be anything left to protect."

Infiltration

The journey to Raegon's fortress took several days. The closer they got, the more the air became thick with ash, and the ground trembled with the rumblings of the dormant volcano. From a distance, the fortress was a looming black silhouette, its towers shrouded in smoke, illuminated by the glow of the molten lava flowing below.

At nightfall, Ryzen and his team made their move. Scaling the cliffs leading to the fortress required precision, but with Kael's silent agility and Lyra's tech skills, they bypassed the outer defenses. The fortress was heavily guarded, but they knew Raegon would be in the Forge Room, deep within the heart of the stronghold. That's where he kept the source of his power.

As they slipped through the shadows, the weight of the coming battle pressed down on Ryzen. He could feel the dark energy pulling him toward the fortress, as if it were calling to him. Sundrake hummed at his side, the blade sensing the growing danger.

They reached the entrance of the Forge Room, its heavy steel doors glowing with heat from within. Ryzen gave Kael and Lyra a nod. This was his fight now.