Sunset bled rust across the Grasslands, endless seas of iron-grass swaying like hammered blades—smoke plumes rising from distant forges that belched molten rhythm. Air tasted of charred metal and sweat, wind carrying hammer-song as Shade Mistress Zalia led Kairo and Tano east from Heartstone, her armored stride clanking command. Brothers synced behind—vine-band and wrist-drums defiant after two days' march, shadow-born whispers fading.
Kairo's silver flecks pulsed sharper, sensing Mbweha's twisted echo. Tano drummed restless— his banter masking doubt: "Ironlands! Bet their 'rhythm' is just banging headaches, Beatless!" Zalia clanked dry: "Hammers sing truer than thunder."
Orphaned at eight by dune raiders, descendant of Simu's first Forgebound—who stood with Simu, the Echo Beast known as the Iron Rhino, against Azar's ancient siege—Zalia had forged her first blade from their shattered chains—her Forge Aura carrying the Rhino's unyielding heartbeat.
Kairo grinned, deflecting: "Better than granny's lightning naps!" Tano barked—"HA"—eyes scanning wary.
Kivuli Forges loomed at dusk—a fortress of blackened iron rising from grassland heart, walls forged from Echo Beast scales humming latent fury. Anvils thundered ceaseless—warriors in soot-streaked armor sparred with molten blades—CLASH-melt-CLASH—iron-runes glowing crimson.
No soft vines. No thunder dances. Iron Will—Aura bent metal to unbreakable edge. Zalia halted at gates, obsidian eyes piercing smoke: "Home. Shadow-chains wait in Deep Forge. Mbweha's mark tests your beast." Tano bristled protective: "He ain't alone!" Zalia's lip quirked: "Thunder follows. Good. Iron needs spark."
Inside, forge-heat blasted—Zalia leading to Trial Vault, chamber lined with chained relics pulsing black veins. "Touch the chain," she commanded Kairo, eyes unblinking. "Feel the beast within." Kairo approached, vine-band grounding— his palm pressing iron link etched with hyena snarls.
Silver exploded—SURGE—visions crashing: Mbweha's shadow-form lunging, jaws dripping void, Azar's whisper coiling: "Join the silence, child... echo of Nuru..." Kairo gasped, knees buckling—emerald-gold veins spidering black. Claws itched in palms, growl rising.
Beast Within teased—Nuru's lost fury twisting with Mbweha's corruption, silver flecks blazing feral eyes.
Tano yanked him back: "Beatless! Fight it!" Drums pounded urgent—Storm Roar blasting Kairo's ears, snapping trance. Kairo roared back, Silent Verse muting chain's pull—SHHH-cut-SHHH—black veins receding.
He panted, eyes wild: "It's... me. But twisted." Zalia nodded grave: "Mbweha mirrors your Nuru-bond. Unchecked, it devours. Tomorrow—Deep Forge unmakes it." Tano shoulder-bumped fierce: "We got this, Loud... I mean Beatless. Thunder beats beasts!"
Night fell in forge-glow. By anvil-fire, tapped soft, voice dropping: "Saw your eyes change... scared me." Kairo deflected playful, masking fear: "Scared? You screamed like granny's lightning!" Tano laughed, but gripped wrist: "Together, yeah? No silence wins."
Kairo nodded, vine syncing drum—tap-root-tap. Zalia clanked quietly: "Iron holds what thunder sparks." Yet in sleep, dreams growled—silver claws scratching soul.
Dawn broke, hammers rising. Zalia tossed Kairo iron gauntlet etched with anti-void runes: "Deep Forge awaits. Face the beast—or become it." Tano drummed war-ready—BOOM-charge-BOOM: "Ironlands! Let's clang some shadows!" The brothers marched vault-deep with Zalia, heat building.
And within Kairo, his aura stirred—patient, rising.