Ravian's voice slithered across the ruined chapel, smooth as poison.
"Did you really think you could walk away from me, Nyra?"
My nails dug into my palm until blood welled. Every part of me screamed to strike him, to erase that smug look from his face.
But it was Kai who moved first.
"Don't touch her," he growled, stepping between us.
Ravian's laugh was low, mocking. "Ah, the traitor knight pretending to play hero. How cute. Should I tell her, Kai? Should I reveal just how deep your betrayal runs?"
I didn't want to hear it. I didn't want any of it.
The veil in my hand suddenly pulsed with heat, a vibration crawling up my arm.
Celeste's eyes widened. "It's starting…" she whispered.
The floor beneath us cracked, black lines spreading like veins across stone. The chapel walls groaned, dust raining from the ceiling.
Ravian's smirk faltered for the first time.
"…Impossible."
I felt it then—raw, burning energy surging through my veins, as if every scar, every wound, every humiliation had been melted down into pure fire.
Kai turned toward me, his expression torn between awe and fear.
"Nyra—stop. You don't know what that power will do to you."
I raised my head slowly, meeting Ravian's eyes with a smile sharp enough to cut.
"For once… I don't care."
The air ignited. Flames roared from the cracks in the floor, devouring the pews, climbing the stone pillars. The chapel became an inferno, the fire bowing to no one but me.
Ravian stepped forward, his aura clashing against mine, dark and suffocating.
"You think fire will save you?" he sneered. "I'll break you again, Nyra. And this time, you'll beg me to finish it."
I lifted my hand, fire curling around my fingers like a crown.
"Try me."
The clash began—
Flame against shadow.
Pain against pain.
And in that blaze, I swore—this time, I wouldn't fall.
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⚡ End of Chapter 50 ⚡