The silver flame sank into Astro's chest where the black fire burned.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then both fires screamed.
Silver and black colliding. Hope meeting corruption. Light fighting darkness in a battle that had no physical form but shook the air itself.
Astro's body convulsed, back arching. His mouth opened but no sound came out. Just silent agony as two opposing forces tried to occupy the same space.
The black fire spread faster, trying to consume the silver flame before it could take root.
But the silver flame was manifested hope. Physical. Real. Made from collective memory and stubborn refusal and love that chose connection over safety.
It couldn't be consumed like abstract feeling. Couldn't be drained like optimism. It had weight. Substance. Purpose.
The two fires spiraled around each other, creating patterns across Astro's chest that looked like galaxies being born and dying simultaneously.
"Is it working?" Kael asked, watching with horrified fascination.
