The Forbidden Wing groaned violently as runes shattered one by one, stone cracking above them like thunder trapped inside walls.
Dust rained. Shadows pulsed.And Lina's flame burned bright gold—
Then black.
Her hands trembled, eyes locked on Kai.
"Kai… if my flame kills what I love…what happens if I love you?"
He froze.
Seren gasped, covering her mouth.
Reyon whispered to himself:"Oh. Oh GOOD. Let's confess life-threatening feelings during an active supernatural demolition. Perfect timing."
But Kai barely heard him.
Because Lina was staring at him like his answer might determine whether she breathes or breaks.
Kai opened his mouth—
The floor split open beneath them.
"MOVE!" Kai grabbed Lina as a beam collapsed behind them, fire and shadow colliding in violent bursts.
Seren coughed through dust."The Ninth Tear's energy— it's destabilizing the whole structure!"
Reyon pointed."Less explaining — MORE RUNNING!"
But the corridor sealed itself suddenly — a wall of black flame cutting off escape.
Kai moved in front of Lina instantly.
"No one touches her. Not prophecy. Not entity. Not fate."
But the flame behind him flickered—
In perfect sync with Lina's heartbeat.
She froze.
"Kai… my flame— it's reacting to you."
He turned, eyes widening.
Her flame leaned toward him.Reaching.
Calling.
As if he were its anchor.
Or its target.
Kai whispered, "It's sensing your feelings."
Lina swallowed hard.
"Then it's true.It's already chosen.It's pointing to you."
Her voice cracked.
"I don't want that. I don't want ANYTHING to hurt you—"
Kai stepped forward.
"Then let me stand with you, Lina."
"But I might destroy you!"
He smiled softly — but brokenly.
"You already could have destroyed me. Many times. You never did."
She shook her head.
"That was before the Ninth Tear."
"Lina."He cupped her cheek with trembling fingers."I don't care what the prophecy says. Your flame doesn't scare me."
"I scare me," she whispered."What if I love you? What if that makes everything worse?"
Kai froze.
The shadows pulsed.
The flame stilled.
Seren whispered:
"Oh no… the prophecy is waiting.It's listening."
Reyon muttered, "Prophecies really need hobbies."
But Kai didn't look away from Lina.
"Why would loving me make it worse?"
"Because!"Lina's voice broke."The flame locks on the heart — and my heart— SOMEHOW — points to you!"
Golden tears seeped from her eyes like molten emotion.
"I don't WANT that to be true. Because if I love you, the prophecy kills you!"
Kai shook his head."No. Fate doesn't decide that. YOU do."
"But you don't understand," she whispered, voice trembling."You're… you're important to me."
Kai inhaled sharply.
Lina didn't stop.
"You confuse me. You protect me. You drive me crazy. You make me feel— things I don't know how to handle."
His eyes widened—just barely.
"And when you're hurt — it feels like I can't breathe."
Her voice softened, bare and terrified.
"So if I love you… I lose you."
Kai stepped closer.
"And what if I love you?" he whispered back.
Her flame surged in panic.
"Don't say that— you can't— it'll seal the Tear—"
"I don't care."
"Kai, you don't understand—"
He interrupted gently:
"I made a vow once. And it broke me."His breath trembled."But loving you doesn't feel like a vow.It feels like a choice."
Lina's knees nearly gave way.
"Kai… you can't— if you choose me— the prophecy could—"
"It won't," he said firmly."Because fate may demand a sacrifice, but I won't let it be you.If something must break… then let it be me."
Lina grabbed his shirt, shaking.
"No. No, don't say that. I can't lose you."
His voice softened, breaking.
"You almost did."
She froze.
"What…?"
Kai looked away — the truth finally spilling out.
"That night in the ward.I didn't just save you."
She stared, breath trapped.
Kai whispered:
"I shielded you because… even then, before I knew you…my heart chose you."
Lina's world shattered open.
"You… what?"
Kai swallowed hard, eyes meeting hers.
"I chose you first."
Her flame exploded—
Bright gold.
Blinding.
And the Ninth Tear ignited over her heart.
Seren screamed:
"THE TEAR IS SEALING — BECAUSE OF HIS ANSWER—"
Reyon shielded his eyes."Oh great, love equals apocalypse, we're all doomed—"
Lina stumbled backward, horrified.
"No— NO— Kai, what have you done—?!"
The tear burned brighter.
The entity's voice echoed through the collapsing wing:
"THE HEART HAS SPOKEN."
Kai reached for Lina—
But the Ninth Tear surged between them, a barrier of gold and black flame.
"LINAA—!!"
"KAI—DON'T COME CLOSER— IT'S LOCKING ON YOU—!!"
The prophecy sigil fully awakened.
A final line seared into the air:
THE SEVENTH FLAME DESTROYS WHAT IT LOVES MOST.
Lina screamed.
Kai tried to reach her through the barrier—
And the chapter ends as the prophecy locks onto him.
To be Continued
© Kishtika., 2025
All rights reserved.