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ATM Rewrite: B3 — 31. Burning Heart
🕑 Added 2025-05-15 22:38:22 +0000 UTCPoV:
1. Aiden (Our Uncertain Firebird!)
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The morning sunlight filtered through the window of Aiden’s dorm room, casting warm patterns across the polished wooden floor. He ran a hand through his blonde hair, feathery locks catching the light with hints of red and gold, an unusually hollow feeling swirling inside his chest.
“You good, Aiden? You’re seriously leaving already?” drawled his roommate, a treant named Sycamore whose bark-like skin had sprouted fresh green leaves overnight; the sweet scent was like cinnamon buns in the morning. “You have that look on your face that says ‘I’ve got the weight of the world on my shoulders.’ Bro, the tournament doesn’t start for another hour or two.”
Aiden shrugged, adjusting the collar of his crimson jacket and giving him a small smile in passing. “Do you ever feel like you’re never doing enough?”
“I’m a tree. I can work while just lounging in the sun. Take it easy man. Don’t take things so seriously,” he room to move toward the door in their fairly spacious greenhouse-themed space. “Enjoy the weather.”
“Haha. Good point. But sometimes you have to look at the darker clouds to get perspective. Anyway, I thought I’d check on a few things first.”
“Sure it has nothing to do with a certain copper-haired vulpes?” Sycamore’s wooden features creaked into a teasing smile. “You know, if trees could blush, I’d be giving you a run for your money right now. Some dryads think me and my buddies are crazy, thinking vulpes are hot when they play pranks, literally setting us on fire, but hey, that Sora girl seems…different.”
“Very funny,” Aiden snorted, feeling heat rise to his cheeks despite himself. “Sora does have a certain aura about her… Maybe focus on your own love life, though? Or are you too busy trying to make those nymphs from Water Domain jealous because they seem pretty interested in your, uh, growth potential.”
Sycamore let out a sound like wind through branches—his version of laughter. “Just be careful at that tournament. Word is Professor Jin’s been acting strange lately. A friend of mine that went to a vulpes class with Sora overheard her talking with her sister. She’s more focused. And trust me, if she’s like the dragons at the academy, a focused dragon is something to worry about.”
Aiden nodded, more serious now as he reflected on the state Jin had left Eric in—so dominating that he even tried appealing to Sora for help.
Jin’s a Founder dragon, a Second Generation, like Mia, if probably the youngest of her kind, does that matter as much when they share their mother’s memories? She knew how to act in front of Nilly, the literal First Generation Founder of the Cats. She knew the end result of Eyia trying to engage Ylva… Something changed in the grand board Mia plays on that she noticed.
“…You have no idea. If you’re called into the fight, good luck buddy.”
“Well, I’d say don’t get yourself incinerated but I think you’re one of the few creatures that that doesn’t matter much to,” he slowly chortled. “Some of us like having you around. You bring a…positive vibe to the dorm. Don’t lose that, bud. We have enough weeping willows here,” he sighed, rolling his eyes and looking at the wall, where soft weeping could be heard.
“I’ll do my best to not disappoint.”
With a final wave, Aiden ducked out into the hallway, spotting the slow-moving male trees complimenting their growth through the night, be it leaves, branches, or new bark patterns. It was a good place but the culture did somewhat leave responsibility as an afterthought.
His hands found their way into his pockets as he made his way through the intricate passageways of the ent male dormitory. It was ironic that he, a firebird, had been placed with the ents. His mind didn’t linger on that for long, though—it was on Kari’s unexplained absence after her confrontation with Diane.
Aiden’s stomach churned with thoughts he never used to have until Sora came into the picture, for better and for worse.
I was hoping Kari would come and talk to me…but maybe that was naive. She’s trying to stand on her own and heal. Sora is far better at reaching her than I can as her adopted brother… In fact, does she even really see me as her brother still? he thought, absently ruffling the hair at the back of his head.
Why do I feel like I’m at a stand-still? As he emerged into the main courtyard, the early morning air was crisp and filled with excited chatter about Jin’s tournament from the ents bathing in the shining fruit of the Realm Tree. Eric’s off with the Foundation, doing who knows what. And me… Where does that leave me?
That’s just what Sora and Kari need, another complication in an already complicated situation. No, this is my burden to sort through. This isn’t on them. It’s on myself.
He left the green-house-like dorm area into a more general walkway. Students of various magical races hurried past, many heading toward the arena in the distance. Aiden took his time, deliberately choosing a longer route that would take him past the female dormitories.
His colorful irises darted between groups of various creatures, some mixed, most sticking to their own race or species. My whole world was defined by tempering Aiden’s vision of bringing the world to order and protecting those who needed it. But when I’m left to my own devices and that responsibility isn’t on my shoulders…where do I go?
He smiled at a nervous pixie who passed, making her face turn bright red before darting away with a nervous squeak. Despite that, his gut told him it was the right decision for her future—his natural attribute of influencing causality.
I used to just operate on autopilot, but since learning how to better feel the tug of better outcomes… Why is it something I’m not proud of if it helps people? Intent? Before, I just did what felt right, but that lead to…more controversial decisions than I’d like to admit…
He was halfway to the female vulpes dorm district when a voice called out behind him.
“Aiden! Wait up!”
He turned to see Lila, a five-tailed vulpes whose golden-orange fur seemed to glow in the morning light. She bounded toward him with obvious enthusiasm, her tails swishing in a way that any male fox would find deliberately enticing. Aiden suppressed a sigh.
“Lila,” he greeted with a polite smile. “Heading to the tournament?”
“Eventually. There’s still a lot of time.” She fell into step beside him, her shoulder occasionally brushing against his arm—it was on purpose, he knew the tactic. “But I wanted to catch you first. I got that information you asked about—about Aelion.”
Aiden’s interest sharpened. “Oh? What did you find?”
Lila’s eyes gleamed, clearly pleased to have his attention. It felt dirty since he knew what she expected, but had no plans to reciprocate, not that he hadn’t already politely articulated his position. She just seemed to take that as a challenge and if she was helpful enough he’d change his mind.
“He’s definitely the black sheep among the fae nobility. Talented, though—ridiculously talented. My friend in Illusion Arts says he mastered basically the whole course in two days.”
“That’s…unusual for a typical fae,” Aiden commented, his brow furrowing slightly, “but isn’t he adopted by the High King?”
“Right? Oh, you do know that part. But it’s not just illusions. He picks up everything effortlessly—combat, healing, elemental manipulation. He’s only been here for a few weeks and he’s already surpassing students who have been here for decades. A few professors adore him. Most of the staff, though, not so much. He goes into class, absorbs their knowledge and moves on like they weren’t even worth their time. The other fae boys? They hate him.”
Lila leaned closer to where they were touching shoulders, her hot breath pressing against his ear with her low voice. “The isolation doesn’t seem to bother him, though, and he turns away all the girls interested in him…like a certain firebird I know. And just like you, Sora seems to have caught his eye, which makes the other vulpes girls feel like we’re left by the wayside. He’s got that whole mysterious, tattooed outsider thing going on, which is hot.”
Aiden nodded, subtly creating a bit more space between them. “Lila, you know that isn’t going to work on me. I’ve already said I’m seventeen and you’re over five hundred. And what about interests?”
“Oh, don’t punish me for going after what I want. And don’t project human cultural drivel onto me, sir,” Lila continued, apparently undeterred as she latched onto his arm with a grin. “Reward me for my work! Now, what’s really interesting is where he goes when he thinks no one's watching.”
Unable to get away without getting more physical at this point, Aiden felt it wasn’t worth the effort and scene, which only seemed to encourage the fox.
“Mira—she’s a wind sprite, nothing escapes her—says she’s seen him heading into the older sections of Avalon Academy. You know, the ruins that are supposedly off-limits? Places like that are his hangout. And sometimes near the boundary areas where the wards are thinnest. Do you think he has a secret affair with a professor? Now that would be a scandal!”
That got Aiden’s attention and he internally had to admire her blunt willingness to go after what she wanted, even if it was uncomfortable to him. “The areas near the Shadow Pits?”
Lila nodded eagerly, holding him against her side as they walked and looking particularly pleased with herself. “Exactly. Sketchy places that most students avoid. He spends hours there alone. Also…she said he’s been collecting her fur.”
“What?” Aiden’s gaze darted to the aggressive fox woman’s twinkling eyes, knowing this would get a reaction out of him. “Why? When?”
“How should I know? I’m only reporting what I’ve learned. He shows up to classes just after Sora leaves and briefly takes the place she sat and collects what small pieces of fur she sheds. If she was smart, she’d gather them herself and use them as a card, but she’s young and naive…innocent.”
She pulled him closer once more, her tails curling in on the opposite side to close him in. “So, now that I’ve helped you…maybe you can reward me and we could spend some time together after the tournament? It’s only fair, right? You’re worried about my feelings, aren’t you? I know this beautiful grove where—”
“Thanks for the information, Lila, and we can work out the details to that, uh, date, later,” Aiden cut in, gently removing her hand and pulling away. He glanced toward the shift in districts as they entered the vulpes’ home territory. “But I should really get going. I need to check on something in the dorms.”
Disappointment flashed across her face before she gracefully moved away, holding her hands at her front with a sly, pouty smile. “Sora, I'm guessing? Very well, keep playing hard to get, but don’t forget those words… It’s a date.”
Aiden chose not to respond to that, instead offering a friendly smile. “I really appreciate your help, though. Yes, I promise to spend some one-on-one time with you. I owe you one—just not, ah…”
“Fine, fine,” she said, waving a hand dismissively. “Go run to your mysterious fox friend with my full jealous approval. I’ve had my fill with the looks the other girls gave me on our way here with you tucked snuggly against my side. I will take this exchange as a victory! Don’t say I never did anything for you,” she finished with a wink, twisting her hips dramatically and departing with waving tails.
Aiden couldn’t help but release the pent-up tension in a long stream of air as the provocative fox woman let him go. Yeah, vulpes can be…tricky to handle. I guess that’s one of many ways Sora stands out compared to the general population of fox women… But collecting her fur? There are so many reasons a fae would do that, almost all of them bad.
He continued toward the female dormitories, his mind attempting to process this new information about Aelion without returning to Lila’s games. Nothing concrete, really, but the pattern was troubling. Why would the High King’s adopted son be sneaking around the academy’s boundaries and ruins? Academic interest? Potentially, but there had to be more to it. After all, Sora first met him in a forbidden forest, talking to its spirit guardian.
Before long, he found himself at the entrance to Sora’s dormitory building. Unlike the female residents who could teleport directly to their rooms, male visitors had to enter through the formal entrance and request visitation.
A stern-looking dryad sat at the reception desk, her wooden fingers tapping an impatient rhythm. Once again, reminding him of the strange duality of some of the positions. As he understood it, there was a certain…unspoken war between the two female factions.
“Aiden, the Founder firebird,” he introduced himself. “I was hoping to check if Kari’s in? I’m concerned about her.”
The dryad's eyebrows—made of small, delicate leaves—rose slightly. “One moment.”
She disappeared through a doorway behind the desk, leaving Aiden to shift his weight from one foot to the other, rubbing the back of his neck as he waited. After several minutes, she returned with a ledger.
“According to our records, Fenris Founder Kari did…not return to the dormitory last night. It hasn’t been the first time. I’m afraid I don’t know where she is.”
Aiden frowned. “Isn’t there a strict curfew? Shouldn’t that have triggered some kind of alert? What does that mean? Is The Darkness involved? I’m…not following.”
The dryad’s expression remained neutral, but Aiden caught a flicker of discomfort in her eyes. “I received explicit instructions from my supervisor that Founders are exempt from such reporting requirements. The staff was told not to file any absence reports for them.”
“Who gave those instructions?” Aiden pressed.
“My apologies, but I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to discuss administrative decisions. It is general policy.” Her tone made it clear the conversation was over. “Will there be anything else?”
Mouth becoming a line, he considered pressing the issue, but reconsidered it after a moment’s thought.
I don’t want to tip off anyone that I might be snooping, especially as a boy in a girl’s dorm. The policy itself is probably related to that, but this is something totally different. This isn’t dorm rules, this is edict straight from the High King and High Queen. That means it’s either administrative staff at the academy or the royalty themselves…but that doesn’t make sense, considering Elder Rosewood’s strict speech at the start of the semester.
Aiden shook his head, thanking her before turning to leave. As he walked the winding path toward the tournament grounds, his mind churned with questions.
The Grand Chancellor? Maybe this is even done at a smaller level and the obscurity is helping to hide it from the higher administration… Then again, it could be Jin herself…or Mia?
Exiting to look up at the solar fruit high in the sky, Aiden forced a laugh and shook his head. How much pressure are you under, Sora? She’s handling it, though. There are so many powerful entities manipulating things behind the scenes for their own ends.
In direct contrast, a pang of guilt twisted in his chest as he considered his own role in that pressure. He looked down at his hand, a sad crease moving his brow.
If I didn’t draw us into your realm… Into your life, Sora, would things be different for you? Three years of hell from Kari’s bullying… Three whole years of life marring pain and isolation. And yet…
Aiden ran a hand through his hair again, breathing out the reflective reality of what had happened, grappling with conflicting emotions.
And yet Kari’s grown so much because of you, Sora. My family’s whole world fell apart, and through this connection to you, my whole family has been transformed. So much good has come from what started as harm…and how much of that was due to me? The good…and the bad.
Emotionally, he was grateful for the changes that had reshaped all their lives. But ethically, how could he reconcile that gratitude with the suffering Sora had endured? The contradiction twisted inside him like a living serpent.
“Idiot,” he whispered, stuffing his hands in his pockets and proceeding toward the teleportation gate. “Don’t transplant your feelings onto her… Sora doesn’t seem to see it like that at all. She really is so…pure.”
The memory of Wendy’s blunt question resurfaced: “Do you…like Sora. And you know what I mean.”
A small smile touched his lips as he recalled the tanuki girl’s awkward, determined green eyes, so like Sora’s. So protective of her sister, despite—or perhaps because of—her own complicated history. Adopted into Sora’s family, transformed into something between tanuki and vulpes Founder, seemingly even squirrel.
What would Alva think about all of this… What weird events that seem impossible that surround Sora. Turning a human into a quasi Founder? What would the other Founders think? View it as a threat? Did…Wendy view me as a threat?
Aiden felt his shoulders tense as he looked internally, the pressure building in his chest.
Do I have true feelings for Sora?
The physical attraction was undeniable—she was stunningly beautiful, with that copper hair and those expressive eyes. But he knew better than even Lila how captivating Sora could be, and she truly was threatened by the much younger redhead. For good reason. Vulpes Founders naturally drew people to them, releasing an aura that captured minds. Their foundational magic created an aura of allure that bent even the fabric of reality to their whim, often without them even realizing it.
Yes, Sora’s desire magic acts in some ways like my causality manipulation…but does that even matter? Aiden kicked absently at a stone in his path. Sora as a person—her personality, her soul—that’s what’s truly beautiful.
Her compassion, her determination, her willingness to see the best in others even when they’ve shown her their worst… Like Kari. She has a spot in her heart for those who have been victimized, but would that have happened without Kari? Does it matter? The fact is, Sora is who she is…which is unlike any person, much less girl, I’ve met, mortal and immortal.
Aiden found himself absently tugging at the collar of his jacket, a nervous habit he thought he’d outgrown. However, one question gnawed at his soul.
Is it fair to Sora, though? Our lies are already entangled in dangerous political and cosmic conflicts. Would pursuing something more than friendship just complicate her already fragile life further? After all…we have eternity. Immortality means there’s no rush, no urgency.
He shook his head with a sad sigh. I suppose I can thank Lila for reminding me of that. Maybe the kindest thing I can do for Sora right now is to simplify her life, not complicate it.
With that thought, Aiden refocused on his immediate concern: gathering more definitive information about Aelion. The fae boy’s mysterious behavior, combined with his unusual talents and apparent interest in Sora, warranted investigation. If anything than to allow Sora more room to put her attention on things in her immediate circle, like his broken and healing little sister.
His fingers tingled with sudden warmth, and he glanced down to see faint ripples of rainbow energy shimmer across his skin—not flames, exactly, but something more fundamental. The phenomenon lasted only seconds before fading. Aiden flexed his hand, watching as the air around his fingertips distorted slightly with spiritual heat.
Not magic. Never magic. What flowed through his existence was something foundational, like Sora’s own power. It was woven into the fabric of his being at a level beyond what most creatures could comprehend. Even omniversal structures were mere buildings atop the foundation of what he truly was… Not that he particularly understood how to properly tap into that like Jin seemed to be able to.
At seventeen, he wasn’t a child by firebird standards, he was a newborn. These momentary flares happened when his emotions intensified—concern for Kari, thoughts of Sora, anticipation of the tournament ahead. Each time, he felt something vast stirring beneath the surface of his consciousness, like a sleeping leviathan rolling over in the depths.
Aiden exhaled slowly, letting the warmth recede. One day, he’d understand it all. He’d understand if his mere existence was a curse or blessing to those around him.
While I’m having existential and moral crises, Sora is blazing a path forward, trying not to burn out. I need to meet her and figure out how I can lighten her burden… I need to find my own place in life without being defined by everyone else… Hah. What a contradiction. Or is it? I need to ground myself in my own vision. Not Sora’s…but that doesn’t mean it has to diverge from her own path.
By the time Aiden reached the tournament arena, the stands were already filling with spectators. The massive structure pulsed with contained magical energy, floating platforms shifting in mesmerizing patterns above the central stage.
He scanned the crowd for familiar faces but saw no sign of Sora or the others. His brow furrowed with renewed concern for Kari. While he knew she was more than capable of taking care of herself, her unexplained absence after confronting Diane troubled him.
“You really aren’t a wolf, brother. I could practically smell your spirit oozing out concern… I’m good.”
A smile spread across Aiden’s lips as he turned to find Kari standing behind him, showing off her ears, swaying tail, and wild, thick black hair.
Her posture was different—straight-backed with a quiet confidence that hadn’t been there before. But it was her eyes that caught his attention, amber irises gleaming with newfound clarity and purpose.
Sora, I don’t know what you did… Maybe just accept her as your friend, but thank you.
“Playing the rebel, huh?” he asked, not missing the ‘brother’ part that helped ease the stress assaulting his chest. “I heard you didn’t go back to the dormitory last night. I’m shocked Sora didn’t call the national guard, or should we call it the fairy guard?”
Kari’s lips curved into a slight smile. “There’s that charm that has the vulpes clinging to you. I can smell that five-tailed woman all over you. Trust, Sora will.”
He restrained a wince, having utterly forgotten about the scent part. No wonder Lila took it as a victory. “Be honest, how bad is it. I’ve never met a more aggressive woman than her, and she’s like thirty times my age. And someone’s deflecting from my question. Nice distraction and attempt, though,” he complimented.
“Pfft. Bite me.” She glanced around the area, her gaze sharp and assessing before flipping her loose locks behind her shoulders. “I needed space to think. To prepare. There’s…something I need to talk to you about later. Maybe I should have told you sooner, but I’m figuring shit out… Sorry in advance.”
Aiden’s brow furrowed as her ears flicked back, averting eye-contact, and showing guilt he hadn’t seen for three years. “Hey, you’ve been dealing with a lot, sis. I’m here for you, even if you think I’m just the family pet or Eric’s ‘yes-man.’ I’m here when you need me,” he whispered, opening his arms with a laugh. “I know you’re publicly not a hugger. I don’t want to ruin your reputation, but…”
“Oh, shut up.” She begrudgingly moved in before swiftly backing away, her nose wrinkling before eyeing him again. “And yeah, no, it’s bad. I’m not touching you with that musk hanging off you like a wet shower. Think high school girl perfume—heavy.”
“Oof. So I’m unhuggable like this? Ouch! Anything I can do? I don’t even know how scent works.”
“Don’t even try. I’d just blame her. Sora would buy it,” Kari muttered, taking another step back before looking around again. “So…he’s coming today, you know. Eric. I told Diane to bring him.”
Aiden’s cheer dampened, studying his sister’s sharp gaze yet relaxed posture. Ironically, you’re giving Eric exactly what he wants, Kari… He just went about doing it the wrong way. Whatever Sora did, she turned you into a phoenix, rising from the ashes of your old shell.
“I figured that might be the case after seeing you talk with Diane,” Aiden muttered, tension coiling in his shoulders. “You look good… Strong.”
“Yeah, well, we’ll see.” That wasn’t a lack of confidence; there was no hesitation in her voice. “I spent the night by a lake in the forbidden forest. There’s…something there, Aiden—something beneath the water that… Mmgm. I need to know I’m strong enough before I talk about it. I have to prove it to myself… You don’t have to understand. You’re probably going to be pissed with me,” she growled, ears lying flat again.
Aiden frowned. “Kari, I trust you. I’m not Eric. We may not have been the closest growing up, but whatever it is, we’re family.”
“…Yeah.” Kari’s gaze slowly rose to meet him directly. “I know I’m an asshole. I’m total shit…but you’ve always tried to be in my court. Thanks.”
Aiden ran a hand through his hair, that familiar warmth prickling beneath his skin as the colorful light ignited. He held up his fist for her to bump. “No feathers. No powers. Just one-on-one. Alpha to Alpha… I’m in your corner.”
Kari shorted and met his knuckles before adjusting her tank top. “Don’t think I’ll need help and try to intervene, like usual.”
He held up his hands but before he could respond, a sudden hush fell over the crowd as a figure appeared hovering above the arena. A figure appeared hovering above the stage, followed by a wave of supercharged force that sent his tongue to the roof of his mouth—Jin.
The dragon floated effortlessly, her small frame belying the immense power she commanded. Today, she wore elaborate traditional Korean attire, rich fabrics embroidered with golden dragons that seemed to move with a life of their own. Her image was magically projected in the air above her, giving everyone in the audience a clear view.
“Welcome to day two of our tournament,” Jin’s amplified voice echoed through the arena, her usual bored tone replaced with something more purposeful. Kari’s gaze narrowed as she turned to listen, their conversation dropped. “I promise you, today will be…unforgettable.”
A chill ran down Aiden’s spine at her next words.
“After all, I’m not entirely sure there will be a tomorrow to continue our tournament.”
Murmurs of alarm rippled through the crowd. Jin’s golden eyes gleamed with something that might have been amusement—or anticipation.
Aiden felt a chill despite the warmth emanating from his core. From the moment of her appearance, something colossal was shifting in the background. It seemed every move the dragon made had a massive effect on the future.
What do you know that none of us are in on?
Something fundamental was changing. The careful balance that beings like Mia maintained was tilting, and Jin was deliberately accelerating that change—a woman with the First Dragon’s knowledge, even if fragmented, could surpass what Mia knew.
Only something personal would motivate her like this. But that was the problem, she was a total enigma. What did someone who could get anything in this multiverse want? And that made her infinitely more dangerous than any enemy trying to influence Sora…because no one was as blunt or explicit as this woman right now.
“Now, without further tedious explanations,” she continued, ignoring the unease she’d created, “let’s begin with our first match.”
She raised a hand, and holographic numbers appeared over the heads of various attendees throughout the arena. Aiden felt a strange weight settle on his head, and looking up, he saw the number three hovering above him. His image immediately broadcast to the audience. He wasn’t alone.
Across the arena, another number—four—appeared above a tall, tattooed figure with sun-kissed skin, deep green eyes, and wild black hair: Aelion.
Aiden’s vision narrowed as he locked eyes with the fae prince across the distance. Jin’s intentions suddenly seemed crystal clear—this wasn't random selection. She had deliberately pitted them against each other.
She must know I’m investigating him… What does she gain out of this?
“Contestants one through six,” Jin called out, her voice cutting through Aiden’s thoughts, “take your positions. It’s time to see if time is a thief and can’t be won…”
With that ominous declaration, Aiden caught Kari’s gaze.
“You good?”
“Hah. Turning it around on me?” Cracking his neck, a small smile and the heat of anticipation lit in his chest. “I guess a direct approach is the best way after all. Yeah, I’m good.”
“At least you won’t have to explain to Sora the smell…unless she sees the scent as aura on the field,” Kari reasoned, tilting her head with a smirk.
“Wow. Thanks… Wish me luck.”
“Do I need to?”
“Naa.”
Striding forward, he made his way toward the arena floor. Something monumental was about to happen, something that would shift the balance of everything they thought they knew… And that was okay.
Aiden felt his inner fire respond to the challenge as Aelion teleported onto the stage in dramatic fashion. Both of them didn’t even glance at the other six contestants.
He would need to be careful. In a normal tournament match, he would hold back, showing only enough power to win without revealing his true capabilities. But something about this moment, this man…irritated him.
Aelion was an unknown entity—talented beyond reason, secretive, and somehow connected to the Shadow Pits. And Jin had deliberately pitted them against each other, knowing his own power over the fundamental aspect of causality, not on a universal level, no at a much, much greater level. Which meant she expected…what?
A revelation? A confrontation that went beyond physical combat? Theory didn’t matter right now. Right now, perhaps for the first time, he wanted to win a fight for the sake of winning. He’d need to unpack that later. Sora was watching.
Aiden vanished in a flash of rainbow flames, materialized across from the fae, his glowing eyes narrowing as he studied his opponent.
The fae prince stood with casual grace, seemingly unconcerned about the coming battle. But there was something in his posture, in the way his jade eyes tracked Aiden’s movements, that suggested caution.
With that, Jin appeared between them all, slowly touching down onto the platform and glancing between them with a vicious grin. “I’d use every trick, boys… You’re missing the bigger picture.”
She spread her arms and spun in a circle, looking at each of them. “Who are you all facing?”
Aelion’s brow furrowed at the same time Aiden’s did.
She can’t mean…
“Surprise!” Jin snapped her fingers and unbelievable spiritual pressure compressed atop them, adjusted to each of them with such precision it was absurd. “I’m bored. Show me what you have for the first minute…then you can try to kill each other. Well, if you’re all still alive. Haha. Begin!”
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