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.
It's a monumental struggle, like trying to wrestle control from a storm, but he pushes harder, digging deeper into the well of energy inside him.
He visualizes the flames—not as a destructive force, but as a lifeline, a shield.
His hands tremble, his breathing shallow as he channels the power outward.
The heat rises, flickering at the edges of his consciousness, until finally, he feels it burst free.
Thin strands of blue flame creep out from his chest, swirling hesitantly before lashing forward like living ropes.
The flames slither through the air, twisting and curling as they snake toward Jun and Kieran.
The heat is intense, yet it doesn't burn.
Instead, it wraps around them in protective coils, flickering like a shield made of molten light.
Jun flinches instinctively, his eyes widening as the flames coil around him. "What the hell—?"
Kieran tenses, his golden eyes narrowing as he watches the fire weave its protective cocoon. "Ace… what are you up to?" His voice is steady, but there's a flicker of unease beneath the surface.
Ace doesn't answer.
He doesn't even open his eyes.
His entire being is focused on maintaining the flames, on ensuring they stay steady, strong, unbreakable.
When the last tendril of fire locks into place, he exhales shakily, relief flooding through him.
But there's no time to revel in the small victory.
The barrier looms ahead, an unyielding wall of darkness.
Ace turns his attention to it, his hands reaching out and pressing against its surface.
It feels solid, like stone—cold and unrelenting.
Ace grits his teeth, frustration bubbling up inside him.
He focuses harder, pushing more energy into his hands, willing the barrier to weaken.
Slowly, the unyielding surface begins to shift.
The stone-like wall softens, becoming pliable, almost like a thick balloon.
With every ounce of strength he has, Ace pushes harder, shaping the barrier, bending it to his will.
But it's taking everything he has, draining him to the brink.
His muscles tremble, his vision blurs, and his body feels like it's teetering on the edge of collapse.
Just as the darkness threatens to pull him under, a firm hand clasps his shoulder.
The touch burns against his skin—but not in pain. It's warmth, strength, a jolt of energy that courses through him like a tidal wave.
Kieran.
The moment Kieran touches him, Ace feels his power surge.
It's as though Kieran's presence ignites something deep within him, amplifying his flames tenfold.
Kieran's golden eyes glow brighter as he senses the shift.
He can feel the connection, the raw, untamed energy pouring out of Ace.
Ace doesn't have time to question it.
With Kieran's support, his flames roar to life, tearing through the barrier with a force that sends shockwaves through the clearing.
Lila's smirk falters.
For the first time, her confidence wavers, replaced by something darker—fear.
She raises the anchor in her hands, the runes glowing with frantic intensity as she pours more of her dark magic into the barrier.
But it's too late.
With one final push, Ace's flames shatter the wall, sending a blinding burst of light through the clearing.
The barrier crumbles, its dark tendrils dissipating like smoke.
Ace, Kieran, and Jun fall forward, landing hard on the ground.
Ace barely manages to lift his head before the exhaustion overtakes him. His vision dims, and his body collapses, utterly spent.
"Ace!" Kieran's voice is sharp, panicked.
He drops to his knees beside Ace, his hands hovering uncertainly over his limp form.
The flames around Ace have dimmed, flickering weakly as they cling to life.
Jun stands frozen, his gun in hand. His gaze flicks between Ace and the towering figure of Lila, who is already regaining her composure.
Lila's expression twists with rage.
She points a clawed finger at Jun, her voice ringing with command. "Take him."
The zombie-like wolves lurch forward, their movements jerky and unnatural.
They close in on Jun, their dead eyes locked on him. Jun points his gun at them ready to shoot.
"No!" Kieran snaps, his voice a growl as he turns to Jun. "Jun! Don't kill them! They're not in control. We can save them."
Jun hesitates, his grip on the gun tightening. But the wolves don't stop, and Jun's fear overrides Kieran's command. He raises the weapon, his hand trembling.
"Ace! Ace Goddamnit!"
Kieran trying everything without Ace responding in any way , new thought cuts through his mind.
He looks down at Ace, his eyes blazing with determination. If his touch ignited more energy in Ace , so maybe all they need is more contact to snap Ace awake.
Not like he is so sure of his new ideas.
Without thinking anymore, Kieran leans down, cupping Ace's face with trembling hands.
He presses his lips to Ace's, his movements desperate, almost instinctive.
His tongue brushes against Ace's lips, to his tongue, and the moment their connection deepens, Ace's body jerks.
The effect is immediate.
Ace's eyes snap open, his body trembling as the flames around him flare to life once more.
Kieran stumbles back, breathless, as Ace sits up, his expression dazed but alive.
Jun stares at them, his gun falling limp in his hands. His face is a storm of emotions—confusion, disbelief, and something else, something darker.
As if he can't believe what he just witnessed __ Kieran just kissed his boyfriend , right infront of him.
In Jun's shocked state .. to even act , the wolves grab him, dragging him backward. He doesn't resist, too stunned by what he just witnessed.
"Jun!" Kieran calls out, stepping toward him, but Lila moves faster.
The witch-wolf smirks, her claws glowing with dark energy as she steps toward Ace.
Ace rises unsteadily, his flames crackling around him like a second skin.
He glances at Kieran, and in that moment, their resolve solidifies.
They stand side by side, their eyes locking onto Lila with unspoken determination.
Together , ready to face her.