Hezekiah held his stump tightly; each nerve was kicking his body, tempting him to forfeit his last bit of composure.

  This is what I get for being too considerate. I should've incinerated the creature from the very beginning—to hell with everyone else. Now look what it cost me. No... it was a mistake to let her live. I knew better than to do this.

  Sally's hands were trembling, a sickening twist settling upon seeing his severed hand. She had never seen such an agonizing look in someone's eyes, yet he still showed no intention of giving in. Is this the right thing to do? But he's the one that brought Daddy back, right?

  Despite her uncertainty in Hezekiah, the other two didn't look more trustworthy. But one thing was clear—she didn't want him to die.

  Although there were many things that concerned her, if he was truly that evil, why show concern about her father's wound and bring him back to her with the strange power he has?

  He said we can't understand why things turned out this way, and wished none of this happened.

  None of this sat right with her, but what could she do? Even her father wasn't saying anything, but the sweat on his palms was vocal enough.

  She exhaled a shaky breath, her heart rumbling as she wrestled the thoughts within herself, softening her grip around her father's hand.

  I could still fire a laser from my other hand, but achieving anything with that is wishful thinking.

  The familiar heat kissed his palm. All it takes is a mere thought for the flames to take over and consume everything, but not even Hezekiah was sure if Ayona would have a countermeasure against it. But it's also true she's not aware of the flame's full potential.

  A full-force surprise attack would probably be enough.

  "Sally, get back here!" Reed demanded, chasing after her as soon as she broke free from his grasp.

  Ayona tilted her head toward the running girl, puzzled. A red translucent wall erected from the ground, severing Reed and Sally to a section of their own.

  Ayona blew her fingertips as Sally scanned the wall in a confused manner.

  "Is it a genetic trait to be attracted to death?"

  Sally repetitively banged on the wall. "Stop! He doesn't deserve to die! Everyone deserves to be heard!" Her face was pressed against the surface like she was trying to force her way through.

  Reed snatched her off the ground, covering her mouth. She tried to pry his grip open, her squirming getting her nowhere.

  Did she just try to save me? Where was that bravery before? Hezekiah wished he could laugh, but time itself wouldn't find it funny.

  "Deceiving children now, are we? Were you planning to do to her what you did to my brother?" The blades sharply twisted, aiming directly at him.

  "I thought I made myself clear." He gave one final look to Sally and Reed, clenching his teeth as the former still struggled to get a word in. "He's not my problem. F*ck you and your made-up narrative."

  Dezira's jaw slacked. If Ayona didn't shoot him a stern look, she would've assumed she misheard him.

  Is he mad? Does he not realize he's about to die?

  Dezira flashed back to when Ayona subtly threatened to kill her. Her eyes were enough to pierce, like she was praying for a reason to scuff her life. The more she thought on it, the more it irritated her.

  Although she isn't on Hezekiah's side, it does feel a bit nice to see Ayona's pissed look.

  Whatever his reasons are, serves you right. For all I know, maybe your brother deserves this.

  "If he is responsible for this, Ayona, wouldn't it be better to keep him alive? Maybe he can turn him back," Dezira quickly suggested, somewhat drawing close to them.

  "After I spill his intestines, I'm sure he'll be more than happy to tell us. What a good idea."

  "As if." Flames burst from the pen, engulfing Hezekiah. Ayona quickly fired the weapons, but they dissipated immediately. The space was boiling. Ayona tensed her expression. The flames rapidly approached her, ready to devour.

  Ayona soured. The heat alone began gnawing through her skin. Even the blood wall was quickly being consumed away.

  "So in the end, he chose himself," the creature spoke, carrying a hint of displeasure. His spilled blood quickly evaporated as his flesh began to tear.

  Ayona extended her arms, releasing a frosty mist against the incoming flames, her Energy reserves almost emptying as soon as contact was made. The chaotic heat dimly dropped as the two forces fought for dominance.

  Stolen story; please report.

  Blood trailed down her face as her skin continued to melt while the cold air limited the flame’s fury.

  "Why can't I put these flames out!? I'll die at this rate!"

  The blood wall shielding Reed and Sally was weakening. The scorching heat was bleeding its way through, swallowing the cool air.

  Dezira wailed in agony, her soft skin reddening from the heat alone. The only saving grace being Ayona's ice frost. Even though she was the furthest, it didn't prevent her from peeling.

  Ayona diverted her mist towards the blood wall and her brother. A spray of ice and blood jetted forth, solidifying the wall. Along with replenishing her brother's blood with her own while keeping him cool. Another part of the mist diverged to protect Dezira as well.

  Sweat marched down. Her reserves were dwindling by the second, tightening her insides as they neared exhaustion.

  The ceiling began to crumble. Debris shattered against the floor as some were consumed by the flame itself.

  Light-headedness was creeping in. The strain of keeping the rampant flames at bay was more taxing than it already was—more than it should be. Even her own regeneration was going into overdrive.

  How is he still going? Doesn't this bastard have a limit? This won't work, we'll all die if this continues. Something has to give.

  "This confirms you're nothing more than a murderer! You have no concern for the innocent at all!" She called out.

  "Speak for yourself!" Hezekiah fired back, wiping the sweat from his neck. He used the flames plenty of times before, but never for this long. He could tell fatigue was kicking in, though it was slight.

  No one has ever survived this long against it. I was sure this would've immediately killed her. Should I have tried writing another rule while she was distracted? Damn, but for me to do that, I'll have to retract the flames.

  Ayona's icy mist was now being drowned out, urging her to decide.

  She glanced at the father-and-daughter duo, who were already suffering burns—but nowhere near the level on their side. Dezira clung to the end of a table, occasionally groaning with meek whispers.

  "Stubborn older sister," a voice whispered, clasping its arm while its wounds healed.

  "Ventice!? Please tell me you're fine!" Ayona demanded.

  "Why ask about me—" His axe materialized in his hand. "—when you should worry about yourself."

  Dezira saw Ventice raising his axe, widening her eyes as he was about to strike Ayona.

  "Forget this!" Dezira burst into a full sprint toward the hallway. She never considered herself to be bright, but she's not suicidal. If that girl stops for a second it's over for all of them. "What the hell was I thinking getting involved with these freaks!?"

  "Are you insane!? Drop that!" Ayona desperately shouted. Don't make me do it!"

  Ventice smiled. "Maybe, that's what I want." He swung the weapon, but before any contact was made—his entire being was minced into pieces.

  Shreds of flesh flew in the air. Ayona's face was stricken as his blood rained against the floor.

  "Did I just..." She instinctively lowered her hands, the frost attack was quickly consumed, no longer keeping the raging flames in check. The temperature ascended as the flames pursued their target.

  The flames completely consumed the barrier that contained Reed and Sally.

  Ayona heard their piercing screams—their cries ramped in intensity as seconds drew by, jolting her back to reality. "Shit! Get it together, Ayona!" Ventice's blood gasified, slithering into her like a tube. Her Abna Energy was gradually replenishing.

  But before she continued combating the flames, they were dissipating before her eyes. Did he finally exhaust his Abna Energy? she wondered, easing the tension in her hands.

  A red beam fired through its disintegration, piercing squarely through her heart.

  Blood trailed out her lips as her sight briefly darkened. "What...? How?" Her recently absorbed power was already being used to preserve her heart.

  She collapsed to her knee. Her chest froze before she coughed on the floor, staining the tiles with the blood she recently consumed.

  "How'd you like that?" a voice approached her. He scribbled in the air. A red light shined on a desk where Dezira once stood. "It would be great if you were dead. I somewhat hoped that was the reason for the barrier's collapse."

  "Don't you dare—" Ayona froze. What... what's going on!?

  Ayona's blood wall immediately shattered afterward. A sudden emptiness consumed her, like something important was just snatched away, leaving a void behind.

  "Don't get me wrong." Hezekiah looked past where Ayona's blood wall once stood. Two people were ravaged with burns, one of them crying while the other showed no signs of movement. "I'm not entirely heartless, like you."

  "Thoughtless mutt!" Ayona shot up at him. She attempted to summon her sword, but she felt no connection to it. "What!?"

  A heavy force struck her chin. Her eyes settled as she found herself on the floor. "Wha—what did you do to me!!?" Something didn't feel right—none of it did. Her power, her movements, her overflowing vitality... she couldn't make sense of it, like this body wasn't her own. Entirely foreign.

  Hezekiah shook his remaining hand. "Don't bother. Those days are over for you."

  "Answer me!"

  "And bleed to death while I explain everything? I'll pass." Hezekiah held out his palm; a red ball of energy amassed in his hand. "Don't be too disheartened. I doubt the creatures here are picky about their food—much like yourself."

  An uncomfortable sensation lumped in Ayona's throat. A familiar—yet distant—emotion, something she forgot she possessed. Her heart drummed, overworking itself more than it already was, even to its death. A weak smile tugged her lips.

  How often did she consider her prey's final moments? Sure, she knew they were scared. But it's one thing to be afraid, but it's another when you know that's there's nothing you can do against it. And your completely left to their whims. Now it's my turn huh? This really sucks.

  Weakness cleaved deeper into her bones. The embrace of darkness was pulling her in. She wasn't ready to go. She didn't want to know what lies on the other side. But that's a battle that can't be won. Nevertheless, there's something she can't let slide.

  "Take what you said back about me," she muttered.

  "And what would that be?"

  "I'm heartless? What a sickening lie. You nearly killed a family and Dezira. They're only alive because of me. If it wasn't for them, you would've died in a second."

  Hezekiah stood in silence, observing her fragile state.

  "And look where it got you. That's why I'm still standing. So fine, you're not heartless—just a fool."

  And with that, the laser penetrated through Ayona's skull, sending her to the embrace.