The collision shook the entire corridor.
Flames and distortion clashed violently, cracking the floor beneath their feet. The air warped, pressure building with every exchange.
Kai pushed forward.
For once—
He wasn't reacting.
He was choosing.
Mira met him head-on, her flames tightening around her arms like living weapons.
"…you're finally trying," she said.
Kai didn't answer.
He moved.
Faster.
Cleaner.
He slipped past her next strike, stepping into her range—
And struck.
The impact forced her back a step.
Silence.
Just for a moment.
Mira's eyes narrowed.
"…good."
Then the flames surged.
Stronger than before.
Hotter.
Denser.
"…but not enough."
She raised her hand—
And the fire expanded outward.
A controlled explosion.
Kai reacted instantly, forcing his Echo to respond—
The world bent.
Time stretched—
Barely.
He moved through the heat, narrowly avoiding the blast.
"…I can't keep this up…"
The pressure inside him was rising again.
Too fast.
Too unstable.
Riven's voice echoed from the side.
"…control it."
Kai clenched his teeth.
"…I am—!"
The distortion flickered.
Mira noticed.
"…there it is…"
Her stance shifted.
"…that instability."
She rushed him again.
Faster than before.
Kai saw it—
But too late.
Her strike landed clean.
He was thrown back hard, crashing into the wall.
"…gh—!"
"…you're still fragile," she said.
Kai forced himself up.
"…I know…"
His breathing was uneven now.
His vision flickering slightly.
"…but I'm still standing."
Mira didn't hesitate.
"…then fall."
She moved again—
Full force.
Kai stepped forward to meet her—
And the pressure inside him surged past its limit.
"…not good…"
The distortion cracked.
Unstable.
Violent.
The air shattered around him—
And for a moment—
Everything froze.
Mira stopped mid-motion.
The flames paused.
The world… stuttered.
Kai's eyes widened.
"…what… was that…?"
Then—
It snapped back.
Hard.
Kai dropped to one knee.
"…I almost lost it…"
Mira watched him carefully now.
"…no…"
A pause.
"…you almost awakened it."
Kai looked up.
"…what?"
But before she could answer—
An alarm blared across Haven.
Sharp.
Urgent.
Everything stopped.
Riven's expression changed instantly.
"…this isn't a drill."