Dawn seared the Grasslands, iron-grass glinting like sharpened teeth—smoke curling thick from Kivuli Forges as hammers rang relentless. Heat shimmered off blackened walls, scales of Echo Beasts humming fury, while molten rivers pulsed crimson beneath anvils. Kairo and Tano marched vault-deep with Zalia, her armored stride clanking command—iron gauntlet heavy on Kairo's wrist, runes etched against void flickering faintly.
Kairo's silver flecks throbbed, nearby shadows stirring, vines quivering against the forge's unyielding pulse. Tano drummed restless, grinning wide but thunder-eyes flicking doubt. "Beatless, let's melt this shadow-beast! Bet my drums out-clang their hammers!" Kairo smirked, deflecting: "Loudmouth, you'll wake the Iron Rhino!" Zalia's dry laugh cut smoke: "Ha! Save breath. Iron tests soul."
The Deep Forge loomed—a cavern of soot and steam, walls lined with chains pulsing black veins, each link whispering Mbweha's snarl. At center, a molten altar glowed, its heat warping air. Zalia halted, obsidian eyes locking Kairo's—stare-iron-stare: "Stand there. Face the chain again. Iron will break or bind." Tano bristled protective: "I'm right here, Beatless!" Drums tapped urgent.
As the tension thickened, Zalia paused, her gauntleted hand rising to her face. For the first time, she lifted her iron mask—revealing sharp features softened by scars, eyes deep with unspoken loss. Kairo's observant gaze caught the flicker of vulnerability, his playful side itching to lighten the air, while Tano's jaw dropped. "Beatless!" Tano whooped mid-shock—"Didn't expect that! She's gorgeous—bet you're jealous now, vine-kid!" Kairo chuckled, eyes dancing with mischief: "Jealous? I'd trade vines for that glare any day!" Zalia's lip twitched, a rare hint of warmth beneath her severity, before she masked it with a stern nod.
Kairo stepped forward, vine-band grounding—breathe-root-breathe—palm pressing the chain. Silver surged—EXPLODE—visions crashing: Mbweha's jaws gaping void, Azar's voice coiling— "Embrace silence, echo of Nuru…" Claws ripped through his mind—emerald-gold veins spidering black, feral eyes blazing. Knees buckled, growl tearing free. The shadow beast within roared back, Nuru's fury twisted with corruption, clawing for control.
Tano lunged— "Hold on!"—Drum Barrage blasting shockwaves—BOOM-pulse-BOOM—snapping Kairo's trance. Zalia struck fast, hammer slamming the altar—CLANG—releasing anti-void runes in a blinding flare. Kairo gasped, Silent Verse muting the pull—black veins receding, but silver flecks danced wilder, shadows lingering.
Panting, Kairo rasped: "It's… stronger." Zalia nodded grave: "Mbweha feeds on doubt. Iron holds—now forge your will." Tano shoulder-bumped fierce: "We'll beat it, Beatless! Thunder and vines!" Kairo gripped the gauntlet, emerald-gold flaring—syncing with Tano's rhythm. Together, they chanted, pushing back the shadow.
The altar pulsed, molten iron rising, shaping a blade etched with their harmony. Zalia guided Kairo's hands, hammer striking—each blow purging black veins. Tano's drums roared support until the blade gleamed pure, silver tamed to golden edge. The shadow beast subsided, a whisper now—fading away.
By forge-fire, Tano tapped a proud, but quiet hit: "Saw you fight… thought I'd lose you." Kairo deflected gentle: "Lose me? You'd miss my jokes!" Tano laughed, gripping Kairo's wrist: "Together, yeah?" Zalia clanked approval: "Iron bends to will. Shadows retreat." Yet in the glow, dunes pulsed distant—patience brewing.