Ace keeps his eyes shut, blocking out the chaos around him.
The oppressive darkness of the barrier presses against his senses like a dense fog, suffocating and impenetrable.
His breaths come faster, his body trembling under the strain.
The thought of opening the chaos field gnaws at him, but his instincts scream against it.
Jun and Kieran—he can't risk leaving them unprotected. Anything could happen to him once he opens it , then what would happen to both of them?!
What if I could protect them first? The thought pierces through the whirlwind of fear clouding his mind.
His grip on his powers is still shaky, but Marsel's words echo in his head: The flames will do anything, as long as it aligns with their purpose. Protecting them—must be aligning with his mission now. It has to be.
Ace shifts his focus inward, forcing his mind to quiet.
