The curse drove the colossal Lava Dragon, Dreger, into a frenzy. As large as a castle, it lashed out indiscriminately, sowing disaster with every step. Merely moving caused trees and grass to wither, the earth itself igniting in flames.
Children ran in panic. Some summoned water-element beasts to fire streams against it; the attacks barely scratched its scales. The giant beast raged, swinging its molten blades and smashing everything in sight castle gates, benches, the dueling grounds all reduced to ruin. And yet, it could not pierce the impregnable barrier of the Black Dragon Castle.
Ray stepped forward, facing the berserk behemoth with unshaken resolve. He drew forth the Ancient Orca from his bag.
"Water Barrier."
Ulga's body was enveloped in a sphere of water, then it collapsed upon the raging dragon, slamming Dreger down into the earth with a thunderous crash that shook the ground.
"Take care of Karua, Jason," Ray commanded without turning.
"Don't order me around! I'm not your servant, damn you, Ray!" Jason barked, but even as he spat venom, he summoned his Ice Serpent to shield himself and Karua from the blistering heat waves.
Aria arrived astride her unicorn Seren. She said nothing only nodded, signaling Jason to lift the dying Karua onto her mount's back. The dark-haired boy clutched the Phoenix Tear vial to his chest, writhing in agony.
Aria's pale gaze lingered on Ray, filled with quiet worry. Then she cast shimmering buffs upon him, golden motes of starlight drifting around Ulga's massive form.
"Ray. If you need me, call." Her voice was calm. The brown-haired boy merely nodded once, eyes fixed forward. With that, Aria carried Jason and Karua to safety.
Now, the ancient whale pressed down upon the lava dragon. Supreme heat clashed against supreme water, steam hissing into thick clouds. Dreger roared in torment beneath the crushing weight.
"We… have to calm it down," Ray thought. He knew Ulga's water and weight could overwhelm Dreger's flames but his heart sought to save a friend, not slay him.
But before he could think further, the Lava Dragon bellowed again. Its body and scales blazed, heat so intense Ulga's water barrier boiled into scalding steam. Trapped beneath the whale, Dreger still swung its molten swords in desperation, trying to stab upward.
Ulga's HP dwindled. Yet with Aria's buffs and his watery barrier, the whale endured. Its wounds mended as quickly as they were made. Ray remained steady.
The berserk dragon was subdued. What remained was to break Karua's curse. Ray summoned Nixie, the phoenix, whose scarlet wings spread in brilliance.
"We have to destroy that cursed bracelet," he said.
While Ulga pinned Dreger, Ray struck at the shackles on its ankles with sacred fire.
The Lava Dragon screamed in agony—Karua's cry echoed with it. From afar, students watched, breath held, waiting to see if Ray could succeed.
But the more Ray attacked, the worse Karua's suffering became. The cursed bracelet did not falter; every blow's damage was redirected into master and beast alike.
Ray's face paled, sweat dripping. His heart ached, tears threatening to fall. The curse could not be undone. Every strike of his only deepened Karua's torment.
"Everyone, wait!" Ray shouted toward the onlookers. "Don't kill Dreger! If you do, Karua will die too! Give me time just a moment!"
Leaving Ulga to pin the dragon in the square, Ray rushed back. Aria and Jason were at Karua's side, both stricken with fear.
Karua convulsed on the ground, screaming, his body twisting under the curse.
"I used every potion I had, damn it! But the pain just keeps coming back!" Jason snapped, pacing anxiously.
"It's the curse," Aria said, steadying her voice as she cradled Karua. "We can only end it at the source."
Ray knelt to help restrain his friend. "I tried destroying the cursed item. But it only transferred the damage straight into him… I don't know what else to do… except…" His eyes fell on the Phoenix Tear vial clutched tightly to Karua's chest.
Karua, trembling, forced himself to focus. The curse circle crept near completion at his neck. As Ray reached for the vial, Karua jerked away, clutching it tighter.
"Ray… no. I won't. Everything I've done—arghhh—I won't let it be in vain!" His entire body shook. Ray felt the chilling cold of his hand as he tried to pry the vial free.
"You'll die if you don't!" Ray shouted, desperate.
Karua squeezed his eyes shut, pouring the last of his strength into holding the vial. Blood and tears mingled on his face.
"I don't care… let me die. It's what I deserve, after what I did to you. I'm sorry, Ray. Next time… next time, I want to be your friend."
And with that, he called forth the one more precious than himself.
"…Sister…"
Ray froze, eyes wet. Aria pressed fingers to her eyes, holding back sobs. Jason fled, unable to watch.
Karua's bag opened.
A frail maid, thin as a shadow, emerged. She collapsed beside her dying brother. Her own body, too, was marred by the black curse, her mana corroded, her life slipping away.
"Take this… Sister," Karua whispered, smiling faintly as his form flickered. "Thank you… for helping me escape that house… for bringing me here… for letting me meet good people. That alone… was enough."
With trembling hands, he offered the Phoenix Tear to Kana. She coughed blood, her sorrowful eyes fixed on him.
Her skeletal fingers accepted the vial. With Aria's help, she struggled upright, stroking Karua's hair gently.
"I told you, Karua… give up on me. Live your life. Just once, live as an ordinary boy play with your friends, be happy. Don't thank me… This is the life you deserve."
Her tender smile, fragile as glass, was the last gift she gave. Then she poured the Phoenix Tear upon him without hesitation.
"No… no, no, no!" The curse mark at Karua's neck dissolved. His body restored, he sprang up to clutch his sister. She coughed blood into his shoulder, her body growing colder, fading fast.
Her life would end here.
Aria sobbed into her hands. Ray bit back tears, choking.
"You can't do this, Sister!" Karua wailed, his tears soaking her dress.
Kana smiled weakly, stroking his head one last time.
"I worked… so hard… for you to live. You can't just throw yourself away for me!" he screamed.
She hushed him softly. "I'm your sister. It's my duty to protect you."
Karua wept like a child, all shadows of menace gone.
Then Nixie, the phoenix, shed tears of its own. Clear, luminous drops fell from its eyes.
Ray saw. He rushed forward, cupping them in his hands, and dripped the phoenix's tears upon Kana.
The black curse melted away. Her frail body healed, color returning to her cheeks.
Karua stared, stunned.
"She's safe now," Ray said through tears. "I told you—I won't let you bear this alone."
Karua broke down again, sobbing harder as Ray embraced him. Aria wrapped her arms around them too, her tears falling freely.
The four of them held each other close—Ray, Aria, Kana, and Karua.
An embrace of warmth.
An embrace that melted hearts.
An embrace of friendship, and love.
…
…
…