At dawn, Alexios leaves Ithaca by the eastern road, the red-marked map secured beneath his bindings. Penelope rides beside him, while Tyranos’s wife and Marek remain behind to await news.
The Ashen Pass rises beyond the salt flats, a black scar between smoking cliffs. Old watchfires crown the heights, their embers glowing beneath a sky the color of iron.
Penelope
His route is clear so far. But every mark beyond this pass was carved after the oath broke, not before it.
Charcoal arrows appear on the stones, each crossed by a hammer sigil. Near the first watchfire, Alexios finds a splinter of Flamewrath lodged in the ash, its metal still warm.
Penelope
He fought here, or wanted someone to believe he did. The trail continues upward, but the pass remembers a struggle.
A low tremor rolls through the ravine. Above them, a solitary figure, a young adult man with a lean build, wind-burned skin, and cropped black hair, stands beside the highest watchfire, cloaked in soot and leaning upon a massive hammer.
Penelope
Alexios, that is Flamewrath. Whoever holds it has seen us. Decide how you will approach the man who carried your broken oath into these mountains.
+ New Item Acquired
Red-marked map
“have your daggers at hand penelope. i march up towards the one who carries flamewrath”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +0)
Alexios
Penelope, have your daggers at hand. I am going to speak with the one carrying Flamewrath.
Penelope
They are ready. I will stay close, Alexios, but I will not draw unless the truth gives us reason.
Penelope slips both daggers free and follows at his flank. Alexios marches up the ash-black path, darkened bindings holding his wounded shoulder close, while Flamewrath’s bearer watches from above.
Loose stones skitter beneath Alexios’s steady advance. The hammer-bearer does not retreat or raise his weapon; smoke curls around his soot-stained cloak as the distance closes.
Alexios reaches the highest watchfire and stands before the young man. Flamewrath rests across the stranger’s shoulder, its head scarred and glowing faintly in the embers.
The Hammer-Bearer
You came carrying his map, his oath, and the wound he left behind. I wondered whether you would climb here seeking Tyranos, or judgment.
Penelope
The hammer answers to him, but he speaks like someone who has guarded Tyranos’s last road. Let Alexios choose the truth first.
“how is that you lift that hammer, only one can wield it and you aren't that one”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled -2)
Alexios
How is it that you lift that hammer? Only one can wield Flamewrath, and you are not that one.
The hammer-bearer lowers Flamewrath from his shoulder and plants its head beside the watchfire. The embers flare, but the weapon does not answer him.
The Hammer-Bearer
I do not wield it. Tyranos gave me permission to carry it, and the hammer tolerates my hands only because I bear it toward the one rightful wielder.
The Hammer-Bearer
He is alive beneath the western watchtower, wounded and waiting. He sent me to test whether you sought his return, or merely forgiveness for yourself.
He extends Flamewrath across the ash. The weapon settles into Alexios’s grasp without resistance, its ancient fire recognizing the oath-bound bearer while his bindings keep his injured shoulder close.
The Hammer-Bearer
Take it to Tyranos. But before him, speak Cindera’s name and your betrayal plainly. If you soften that truth, I will tell his family you broke your oath again.
Penelope
Then we have the answer, the hammer, and a living road to Tyranos. Alexios, this truth will cost you, but it can still bring him home.
− Story Quest Removed
Bring Tyranos home
+ New Item Acquired
Flamewrath