As the smoke cleared, Ryan's grin widened, despite the searing pain in his hand.
The barrier he had hastily erected lay in shattered fragments of energy around him, a testament to the raw power of their mysterious attacker.
He flexed his fingers, noting the angry red burns with a mixture of curiosity and excitement.
"Well now," he chuckled, his voice carrying a hint of adrenaline-fueled enthusiasm, "that's quite the warm welcome. I don't suppose you'd care to introduce yourself before we continue this little dance?"
The hooded figure remained silent, flames dancing around their form.
Migi tensed beside Ryan, her eyes narrowing as she studied their attacker.
There was something hauntingly familiar about those flames, a memory tickling at the edges of her mind.
Jun, less cautious and more protective, took a defensive stance. "Your Majesty, allow me to—"
But before she could finish her sentence, the mysterious attacker moved.
