The Infernal Artisan’s keep was atop a rather large hill and with the force his ex-master had used to throw Flawless, he was now careening down at a rapid pace, the ever-smoldering coals that made up Infurnace were rapidly approaching. Flawless twisted his tails, reorienting himself as best he could in his stunned state, he of course failed miserably only barely avoiding smashing his head. He landed in an uncontrolled roll continuing further and further from the two battling behemoths.

Finally latching his tails into the coals he was able to slow down and come to a stop in a heap of coals and embers. Taking a while to regain his bearings he slowly stood and looked back at the castle, now more than a kilometer away… and actively exploding into chunks of either molten metal flowing in an odd manner or strange red mist interlaced with crimson strings.

Flawless’ mind was racing with hundreds of thoughts about his master, or ex-master, his name, what his master was talking about just before throwing him, and many more. Still clutching his grand odachi in two of his arms he slowly came to terms with what had just happened and resolutely turned to face the center of Infurnace and began his solemn march toward the Sanctuary of Malice.

The landscape of Infurnace made for a pore sightseeing adventure for it was almost entirely a flat field of not but burning coals, rarely would you even see a hill such as the one Lord Artisan had built his castle on, let alone trees, beasts, or natural wonders. But as he grew closer to the Sanctuary of Malice, his awe only increased for the Master of Malice. The Sanctuary of Malice stands as a monolithic testament to dark grandeur, dwarfing the Infernal Artisan’s castle a thousandfold. Its sprawling expanse stretches beyond the horizon, a labyrinthine complex of shadowed halls, towering spires, and foreboding courtyards, all shrouded in an aura of malevolent majesty.

The entrance to the sanctuary was a colossal gateway, carved from obsidian and adorned with intricate runes that pulse with a faint, eerie light. The gates themselves are a marvel of dark artistry, depicting scenes of ancient battles and torment, each figure rendered in exquisite, unsettling detail.

As Flawless grew closer an oppressive aura surrounded his entire being shaking him to his core, the runes pulsing more with each step he took, it was as if a weight were being pressed down on him. He grew heavier and heavier his feet slowly beginning to sink deeper into the coals at his taloned feet. As his knees grew weak and he was about to reach his limit the gates suddenly shuddered open, taking with it the fierce pressure.

A construct of molten stone walked out from the gates his domineering height causing dread in Flawless’ heart to blossom.

This is… one of Master Malice’s creations, Hells I hope he’s as friendly as his master.

Lord Malice had created the Molten Guards to be the first line of defender to keep his people safe from having to go and fight themselves. Unlike Lord Artisan who had imbued his powers into his disciples throughout his many years of existence, Lord Malice had imbued his powers into these guards, though few, they were all completely loyal to their master and would never leave his side. Lord Malice had all his power stored within these ancient walls whereas Lord Artisan gave his away and sent his disciples on their way, losing the power he gave in the process. Lord Painwright however never gave his power away keeping it all within his lithe frame.

Thinking about his own Lord Artisan fighting Lord Painwright sent a shiver of anger, fear, and apprehension for leaving his master to fight alone. However he would not allow Lord Artisan to fail in his goal, so he proceeded toward the lone Molten Guard, who had stopped in the middle of the slightly ajar gate.

“State your business.” was how the guard greeted him.

“I uhh… seek an audience with the Master of Malice?” Flawless asked tentatively.

“Refused. State your business.” was all he got in reply.

“What? But, but Lord Artisan sent me.”

The Molten Guard shivered slightly and suddenly a different voice was coming from it.

“Oh is that so, and how can you prove this?”

“I am his disciple, he’s tasked me with… with taking his title.”

“Hahaha get lost kid, who would believe a ridiculous lie like that.” with that the Molten guard turned to leave but suddenly seemed to have noticed something at the last second.

“Is that a damn Inurnal Gem in your chest!? Where did you get it? ANSWER ME!”

“This… This was Lord Artisan’s parting gift to me.”

“Ha again with these damned stories, whatever doesn’t matter where you got it, it belongs to Master Malice. Give it here.” The guard started to advance on Flawless intending on ripping the gem from his chest.

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Flawless’ eyes grew wide as he suddenly got into a defensive stance ready for whatever was to be thrown at him. The guard got within ten meters and suddenly lunged, while Flawless waited for him to get within his odachi’s range, and when he did the blade flashed from its sheath striking at the fast-approaching guard.

Though Flawless was no master of the sword it was the most familiar motion he knew, the move he had practiced millions of times before, it was his favorite move after all and the most effective at ending combat before it could get into a brawl of attrition, which he had no confidence or skill in, after all he hadn’t actual fought much, just tested the blades he made against practice dummies. The confidence he lacked in a real battle was made up for in his confidence in this single strike.

A split second after the guard entered his range he was suddenly on the other side of the guard who was now slowing to a stop and then suddenly split in half, the pieces falling in a heap. His satisfaction was short-lived however, as the Molten Guard began to congeal into a single piece again then began to stand.

“...Shit” was all he got out before a voice boomed over the walls, or more accurately from the walls themselves as the runes once again relit into a blinding brilliance.

“Who dares attack my home!?” in the next second there was a brutish figure similar in appearance to his own Master’s battle form, it was after all the Hellspawn it was based on. The Master of Malice had arrived in person.

“I’ll rend you limb from extra limb you little… Wait. Do I know you from somewhere?”

The Lord’s booming voice abruptly shifted to the one Flawless had heard back when he had met first him. Shivering from the previous arua the Master of Malice had exuded Flawless tried to reply.

“I-I… Yes s-s-sir, I am Lord Artisan’s most r-recent pupil.”

“Ah, then what in the Hells are you doing attacking my home?”

“I-I wasn’t my lord I was just trying to gain an audience with you when the guard tried to take this.” Flawless pointed to his gemstone.”

Recognition lit in the lord’s eyes as he asked, “Oh? And how did you come into possession of one of my Infernal Gems?”

“It, well that is… I think it’s actually a dagger. My master pulled infurnam dagger from his own chest and then he… he stabbed me with it, it’s been there since then my lord.”

“And could you tell me why he would giv you his Lordstone?”

“B-because he… gave his title to me?”

“You are saying he has decided to give up his title of Lord to a disciple, hm. I thought it would have taken him many more millennia to be ready to retire, very well then welcome Lord… uh wait what’s your name?”

“My master proclaimed me to be… Flawless, yes I am Flawless.”

“Incorrect you are Lord Flawless, come we must speak on why he has done this, I need the full story.”

Dwarfing both him and the Molten guard the Master of Malice strode into the gates at an astonishing pace. Quick so as to not fall behind Flawless followed behind beginning his short tale on the way.”

“Master Artisan invited me into a meeting with Lord Painwright just after giving me this, what was it? Lordstone? Anyway after that he brought me into the meeting where he said I would be taking his place in some kind of millennia trial, but before he could explain anymore the two began to fight. Before I could get swept up in their duel my master threw me from the window, from there I made my way straight here my lord”

“First drop the my lord stuff you are now a lord yourself so you must not bow to anyone or dare you sully the name of the lords. Second, why would they start fighting?

“My master wanted to take Lord Painwrights own title of lord. I think, but they also seemed to have a grudge against each other.”

“Hmm so his true goal was not to pass his title but to take Lord Painwright’s from him. A suicidal goal if he was just fighting on his own, then why would he try if he knew he would fail? No matter, for now let us speak of the millennia trial. It is a portal I have crafted that leads to the Hell Glacies, where we lords go to both test ourselves, and to bring back unique resources.” As he spoke they approached a Second Gate of the Sanctuary of Malice, leading to the inner walls, which was a formidable barrier of dark elegance.

Towering high and constructed from blackened steel, the gate was intricately wrought with interwoven patterns of serpents and thorns, their forms almost lifelike in their sinuous movements. At its center, a massive, demonic visage with glowing crimson eyes served as both a guardian and a warning to those who approached.

The gate was flanked by twin statues of infernal sentinels, each wielding a greatsword and standing in eternal vigilance. These statues, carved from a stone that seems to absorb the surrounding light, cast long, menacing shadows that dance eerily in the flickering torchlight. Above the Second Gate, an inscription in an ancient, infernal script read "Through Suffering, Power; Through Power, Dominion." This ominous proclamation served as both a warning and an invitation, hinting at the transformative trials that await within the inner sanctum of the Sanctuary of Malice.

Beyond the gate, the path to the inner walls was a narrow, winding passage flanked by jagged rocks and lined with torches that burned with an unnatural, ghostly flame. The air was heavy with the scent of brimstone, and the distant sounds of torment echoed faintly, a constant reminder of the sanctuary's dark purpose.

As they grew closer to the end of the passage Lord Malice spoke again.

“We are entering the ring of homes, we just came from the ring of battle it is not meant to have many in it, its mostly populated with my Molten Guard, however within these walls hundreds of thousands of dead and Hellspawn alike live.”

As he left the tunnel he felt different, he felt, good. The ever-present pain was not gone but severely reduced to a dull ache.

So the rumors were not entirely wrong after all what a marvelous feeling.

In Malice's embrace,

Dark towers pierce blood-red skies,

Whispers of dread rise.