The air between them is electric, the tension so thick it feels like it could snap at any mont.
Ace’s flas flicker weakly around his hands as he steadies himself, his chest heaving with labored breaths.
Beside him, Kieran stands tall, his golden eyes locked on Lila, who radiates dark energy like a storm waiting to break.
Lila’s smirk returns, sharper and more sinister now.
She holds the anchor aloft, its runes pulsing with an eerie black light that casts grotesque shadows over her face. "You think you’ve won?" she sneers. "This is only the beginning."
Ace grits his teeth, his fingers twitching as he struggles to summon the strength to stand firm. "We’re not letting you hurt anyone anymore," he says, his voice shaking but resolute.
Kieran steps forward, his presence a steadying force. "You’ve lost, Lila. Let this end now."
Lila laughs, the sound chilling and filled with malice. "Lost? Do you really think you stand a chance against ?" She slams the base of the anchor into the ground, and a shockwave ripples outward.
The ground trembles, and the air grows heavy with magic.
The zombie-like wolves, still under her control, jerk unnaturally before charging toward Ace and Kieran with a feral intensity.
"Here they co!" Kieran growls, stepping into a defensive stance.
Ace barely has ti to react as the first wolf lunges at him.
He sidesteps, his flas flickering to life and wrapping around the creature’s limbs. The wolf howls, writhing against the fire that binds it.
"Kieran, they’re fast!" Ace calls out, his voice strained.
"I see them," Kieran replies, slamming a fist into the ground.
The impact sends a ripple of golden energy outward, forcing several wolves back. "But they’re not faster than us."
The two move as one, their synergy almost instinctual.
Ace’s flas lash out like whips, driving back the wolves that close in on them, while Kieran’s raw strength and precision keep them from being overwheld.
But for every wolf they repel, more seem to take their place, their eyes glowing with Lila’s dark magic.
Lila watches from the edge of the chaos, her smirk unwavering. "You’re only delaying the inevitable," she taunts, raising the anchor again.
The runes glow brighter, and the wolves’ movents grow more frenzied.
Ace’s arms ache, his flas dimming with each attack. "We can’t keep this up forever," he mutters, his gaze flicking to Kieran.
"We don’t have to," Kieran says, his voice steady despite the chaos. His eyes lock onto the anchor in Lila’s hands. "That thing is the source. If we destroy it, this ends."
Ace nods, his resolve hardening. "Then let’s finish this."
They push forward, cutting through the swarm of wolves with renewed determination.
Ace focuses his flas, channeling them into a narrow, searing beam that cuts a path toward Lila.
Kieran follows close behind, his movents a blur of speed and power.
Lila’s confidence wavers as they approach. She raises the anchor defensively, the runes flaring with dark energy. "Stay back!" she snarls, sending a pulse of magic toward them.
The wave of darkness slams into Ace and Kieran, sending them sprawling.
Ace gasps as the air is knocked from his lungs, but he forces himself back to his feet.
He clenches his fists, his flas reigniting despite the pain coursing through his body.
"Kieran, I can weaken it!" Ace shouts, his voice hoarse. "But I’ll need your help to destroy it!"
Kieran nods, his jaw set. "I’ve got you."
Ace steps forward, his hands outstretched as he channels his flas toward the anchor.
The blue fire collides with the dark energy, the two forces clashing violently.
Sparks and smoke fill the air, and Ace feels the strain as his power battles against Lila’s magic.
Kieran moves in, dodging the wolves that still try to protect their master.
He closes the distance, his golden aura flaring as he grabs hold of the anchor.
Lila’s eyes widen in shock as Kieran’s strength and Ace’s flas combine, overwhelming the dark magic.
"No!" Lila screams, her voice filled with desperation.
She tries to pull the anchor away, but it’s too late. The runes flicker and die, the dark energy dissipating in a burst of light.
The zombie-like wolves collapse to the ground, their glowing eyes dimming as they regain consciousness.
Confusion spreads across their faces as they look around, trying to piece together what happened.
Lila stumbles back, her hands clutching the now-powerless anchor.
Her eyes burn with hatred as she glares at Ace and Kieran. "You think you’ve won?" she hisses, her voice venomous. "This isn’t over."
Before they can stop her, Lila turns and vanishes into the shadows, her figure dissolving like smoke.
The clearing falls silent, save for the ragged breaths of the wolves and the faint crackle of Ace’s dying flas.
After a while,
One by one, the wolves begin to stir, their mories returning in fragnts.
Their gazes turn to Ace and Kieran, gratitude and awe shining in their eyes.
"You saved us," one of the alphas says, stepping forward. His voice trembles with emotion. "It’s like we were lost in so place that I can’t even explain."
Kieran nods, his expression somber. "You were never lost. You were taken. And we’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again."
The pack mbers begin to murmur their thanks, their voices blending into a chorus of praise for Kieran and Ace.
Ace, however, barely hears them.
His eyes scan the crowd until they land on a familiar figure erging from the back.
Xiao Jun.
Jun’s face is pale, his expression unreadable as he pushes through the crowd.
The wolves that had dragged him away now walk beside him, their movents hesitant, almost apologetic.
Ace steps forward, relief flooding through him. "Jun! You’re okay—"
But Jun doesn’t stop.
He doesn’t even look at Ace or Kieran as he brushes past them, his gaze fixed on the ground.
"Jun?" Ace calls after him, confusion tightening in his chest. He moves to follow, but Kieran places a hand on his shoulder.
"Give him space," Kieran says quietly.
Ace hesitates, his mind racing. "Why? What happened? Is he alright? I need to know he’s fine."
"He is fine!" Kieran snaps .
"I need to talk to him." Ace insists going after Xiao Jun.
Why is he acting like this? Ace has no idea about the kiss Kieran gave him in his unconscious state or the emotions that must have stirred in Jun.
As Jun disappears into the distance, Ace goes after him calling but Jun doesn’t even look back.
Did Lila’s powers do sothing to Jun?! He wonders.
But Lila’s powers completely died.
Though that doesn’t an their fight is over.
Lila escaped.
She still has the anchor, and though its power is gone, who knows what she might do with it?
Ace clenches his fists, his flas flickering faintly in response. This isn’t over—not by a long shot.
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