The battle raged on until the stars began to fade.
Ace fought without rest—dodging, countering, burning through exhaustion. Every time the blue-handed mage struck, Ace answered harder, faster. His control sharpened with every exchange.
The blue glow dimmed.
The possession mage narrowed his eyes. "This isn't normal."
Ace skidded to a halt, breathing heavily, flames dancing around his arms like living chains.
"You won't touch her again," Ace said. "I swear it."
The possession mage tried to tighten his spell.
Nothing happened.
He staggered back in shock.
"Tch… his will is interfering."
Ace didn't give them time to recover.
He surged forward, landing a direct blow that sent the blue-handed mage crashing into the castle wall. Stone crumbled as the man dropped to one knee, coughing.
For the first time, both mages looked at Ace—not as prey, but as a threat.
The eastern sky began to glow.
Morning.
The possession mage exhaled slowly. "We won't win this."
The blue-handed mage laughed weakly. "At this rate… he'll surpass us."
They exchanged a glance.
The possession spell broke.
The princess collapsed, free at last. Ace caught her before she hit the ground, gently setting her aside.
When he looked back up—
They were already retreating.
"Remember this, Ace," the possession mage called as they vanished into the distance. "You've stepped into a war you don't understand."
Silence returned.
Ace stood there as the sun rose, exhausted, wounded, but standing.
He had won.
Not because he was stronger—
But because he refused to fall.