*Chapter Five: Fire on the Bridge*
The night in Chiang Mai was alive with energy. Lanterns floated above the river, their glow reflected in the dark water like fireflies caught between worlds. Locals walked the *Nawarat Bridge*, releasing paper boats lit with candles—an offering for the spirits. It should have been peaceful.
But tonight, something was off.
Mark and Jun stood near the bridge's railing, eyes scanning the crowd. Their hands occasionally brushed, not by accident. The tension between them had grown more than either wanted to admit, and yet neither had dared to cross that fragile line.
Jun broke the silence. "The seal the spirit mentioned… it's here, isn't it?"
Mark nodded. "Hidden beneath the bridge. The city built over it. They didn't know what they were burying."
Jun's voice lowered. "And now it's waking up."
A scream shattered the night. The laughter and music stopped. People turned as a *torrent of black mist erupted* from the water, swirling upward like a cyclone. A dozen lanterns went out at once.
From the heart of the mist, *a creature rose*—spindly and spider-like, with dozens of eyes across a shifting mask. Its limbs were long and skeletal, its body made of writhing shadows.
People screamed and ran in every direction.
"Spirit beast," Mark said, drawing a blade inscribed with protective sigils. "An ancient one."
Jun raised both palms, already chanting. "It's feeding on fear."
Just as they prepared to attack, a voice called out sharply from behind.
"Duck!"
A *whip of crimson silk* slashed through the air, wrapping around one of the beast's limbs and yanking it sideways.
Mark turned. A tall figure approached — flamboyant, elegant, dressed in deep red and gold. His hair was styled flawlessly, and a fan of paper talismans was tucked into his sash.
"Who—?" Jun began.
The stranger gave a sly grin. "*Call me Dao. Professional exorcist. Drama enthusiast. Also: fabulous. You're welcome."*
He threw a talisman, which exploded into flame mid-air, forcing the creature to recoil.
"Finally," Lek called from across the bridge, sprinting toward them with Tawin close behind. "You guys start without us?"
Mark grunted. "Get civilians out!"
Dao clapped once. "Already done. You're welcome again."
Jun stepped beside Mark, his aura glowing faintly. "We'll seal the creature. You distract it."
Tawin leapt onto the railing, flipping over the beast's arm as it struck. "Easy for you to say!"
The battle erupted into chaos.
Dao summoned fire talismans, creating bursts of magical flame to blind the beast. Tawin slashed at the shadow limbs with deadly precision. Lek dodged and darted, drawing its attention.
Meanwhile, Jun and Mark descended beneath the bridge, where ancient symbols were barely visible under the supports.
"This is it," Jun said, touching the carved stones. "The seal is cracked."
"Can you fix it?" Mark asked.
Jun nodded. "But I'll need time. Hold it off."
Mark hesitated. "I'm not leaving you alone."
Jun gave a soft smile. "You're not. You're protecting me."
Mark's breath caught. Jun had said it so naturally, but it hit deep. He reached forward, brushing a bit of ash from Jun's cheek.
"Be careful," he whispered.
"I will. Come back in one piece."
Mark ran back into the fray above, joining Tawin and Lek.
The beast howled, slashing wildly. Dao danced just out of reach, laughing. "I do *not* get paid enough for this!"
"Wait—you're getting paid?!" Lek shouted, throwing a dagger that lodged itself in one of the eyes.
"Focus!" Mark yelled, slamming a burning talisman into the beast's chest. It screeched and stumbled backward.
Underground, Jun's voice echoed as he began the sealing chant. Symbols along the stone began to glow, slowly reconstructing the ancient sigil.
But the beast felt it.
It screamed and lunged toward the underside of the bridge.
Mark saw it too late. "No—JUN!"
Before it could reach, Dao flicked three talismans into the air. "No one touches the pretty one!"
The talismans detonated, forming a fiery wall between Jun and the creature.
Mark leapt through the flames, sword flashing. "Back off!"
He plunged the blade into the shadow's body. It let out an unearthly wail, collapsing backward.
Just then, Jun's chant reached its final word. A *pulse of white energy* erupted from the seal, sweeping upward.
The beast screamed one final time — then shattered into shards of black smoke and vanished into the wind.
Silence returned to the bridge. The lanterns, as if in reverence, began to float again.
Dao fanned himself dramatically. "I'm sweating in places I didn't know could sweat."
Tawin sheathed his blade. "We're lucky that didn't go worse."
Jun emerged from beneath the bridge, eyes tired but glowing with power. Mark was the first to meet him.
"You okay?" Mark asked.
Jun smiled, slightly breathless. "I am now."
Their eyes held. The danger was over, but the air between them was still charged.
Dao coughed pointedly. "Well, if you're going to make heart-eyes at each other, can I at least get a room to rent?"
Jun laughed softly. "Thank you, Dao."
Dao winked. "I like you. I'm staying."
Mark raised an eyebrow. "You're inviting yourself?"
Dao shrugged. "Would you rather face the next spirit invasion without me?"
Mark opened his mouth to argue — then closed it. He had a point.
As the team regrouped, Dao slipped in beside Jun, whispering loud enough for Mark to hear, "He's cute when he's protective. And that scar? Very romance novel."
Mark turned red. "I heard that."
Dao grinned. "I meant you to."
That night, as they walked away from the river, Jun brushed his fingers against Mark's again — and this time, Mark didn't pull away.
They didn't speak about it.
But something had shifted.
Between the lanterns and the shadows, *love had quietly stepped closer*.
To be continued