The alleyway was a battlefield, steam still rising as the rain continued to fall. The clash between Billy's lightning and Liam's fire had left the air thick with tension, but now, as the lightning died and Liam's flames flickered, the world seemed to pause. Billy stood frozen, his wide eyes staring in disbelief at his powerless hands, the jade bracelet on his wrist was now in William's wrist glowing faintly once more.
Liam collapsed onto one knee, his body finally giving in to the strain. His chest heaved, his once-raging flames now reduced to weak embers. The injuries he had sustained earlier had finally caught up to him, leaving him vulnerable. But his eyes—those defiant, fiery eyes—never left Billy.
