The cold night air trembled as Ace stepped out of the shattered hall. Stone debris still lay scattered behind him, and the screams of nobles echoed faintly as guards rushed to evacuate the castle.
The man with blue glowing hands stopped a few steps away from Ace.
"So you're the one," the man said calmly, flexing his fingers as the glow intensified. "The boy everyone's afraid of."
Ace planted his feet. His back still burned where the knife had pierced him, but he forced himself to stand tall.
"I don't know who you are," Ace said, flames flickering faintly around his clenched fist, "but this ends here."
The man smiled.
"Good."
In an instant, he lunged forward, slamming a massive blue-formed fist into the ground. The impact cracked the stone courtyard, but Ace leaped aside, chanting—
"Flame Ball — forty percent."
The fire roared forward, faster and sharper than before. The blue-handed mage barely raised his arms in time, skidding backward as the flames exploded against his guard.
He stared at Ace, surprised.
"So young… yet this much control."
Ace didn't reply. He rushed in, combining speed and fire, forcing the mage on the defensive. Every strike Ace threw pushed the man back further, each clash lighting the night sky.
For the first time, the blue-handed mage frowned.
Suddenly, a sharp voice echoed from the shadows.
"Enough."
A second figure stepped forward—thin, calm, his eyes dull and empty. Strange markings glowed faintly on his neck.
Ace felt it instantly.
Something was wrong.
The man raised a single finger.
"Possession."
Behind Ace, a scream rang out.
Ace turned just in time to see the princess collapse to her knees, her body shaking uncontrollably. Her eyes rolled back, and when they opened again, they were lifeless.
"No—!" Ace shouted.
Her voice came out, but it wasn't hers.
"Forgive me," the possessed princess said softly, tears falling down her face, "I can't stop it."
Ace's heart sank.
The second mage smiled. "She was never meant to hurt you. Just… guide events."
Ace clenched his fists, flames trembling.
"You used her," he said, rage breaking through his voice.
The blue-handed mage stepped beside his companion. "Careful, boy. One wrong move, and she dies."
The night grew heavier.
But Ace didn't step back.