The Gray Realm trembled like doomsday.
The collision between the soul-scorching phoenix and the shadowy black flames the heavens and earth, their embers swirling outward like a gale.
Elea's body grew translucent under the impact of the Soul-Scorching Ring, as if she were being devoured by flames. Her fingertips, faintly transparent from overburning, still clung tightly to Lucian's chest.
"Lucian…" Her voice was faint, yet laced with tender willingness to drown, "if this is the end, I wish to turn to ash with you."
Lucian gritted his teeth, clutching her close, growling: "No, Elea! I won't let you burn out!"
The Shadow Inheritor watched them, its gaze cold and mocking: "The soul-scorching fire… is nothing but a phantom of desire. The closer you grow, the fiercer the flames, the shorter your lives will be."
It spread its arms, and black flames condensed into massive chains, descending from the void to coil tightly around the soul-scorching phoenix. The phoenix shrieked, its flames trembling violently, and Elea's body jolted, her moan fracturing.
Her body teetered on the edge of collapse, pleasure and pain merging into one. Tears slid down her cheeks, yet she whispered stubbornly: "Lucian… don't stop… I'd rather burn to nothing than let Him succeed."
Lucian's eyes turned blood-red, a fire surging in his chest. He bent to kiss her trembling lips, his voice a low growl amid blazing desire and fury: "Then let me bear it!"
His hand slammed against Elea's heart, and the soul-scorching flames reversed course, surging from his body into her soul.
Elea gasped, tears spilling, her voice trembling: "What are you doing—no! You'll burn to ashes!"
Lucian's breath was ragged and heavy, yet he smiled fiercely: "If there's a price, I'll pay it for you!"
Pressed close together, the soul-scorching pact shifted in that moment. The pain and pleasure of flame spilled from Lucian; cracks spread across his body, blood mingling with fire. Elea sobbed, powerless to stop it.
The Shadow Inheritor's gaze finally flickered: "He would… use his own body as a furnace… to bear her soul-scorching fire?"
The Gray Realm split apart, and the soul-scorching phoenix, empowered by Lucian's sacrifice, swelled several times over. Blazing flames shattered the black fire chains, soaring into the sky.
Elea was consumed by the heat, clinging to Lucian through blurry tears, her moans tangled with sobs: "Don't leave me… please…"
With his last strength, Lucian whispered in her ear: "Remember… you are my sovereign. Burn or not, I will be in your arms."
Flames exploded with a roar, painting the Gray Realm crimson.
The Shadow Inheritor staggered back, fear flickering across its face for the first time.
Elea's cries echoed through the sea of fire, woven with desire, despair, and oath.