I barely had time to react as Elias lunged toward me, his body engulfed in blue flames. His eyes glowed with an unnatural light—no longer human, but vessels for the spiritual fire consuming him from within.
"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" he screamed again, his voice distorted and hollow.
I dodged his first strike, feeling the heat sear past my face. The spectators scattered in panic, their shouts echoing through the Great Hall.
"Elias, stop!" I shouted. "The fire is controlling you!"
But reason couldn't reach him now. The Blue Spirit Fire had taken over, turning him into a living weapon.
His second attack caught me off guard. His flaming fist connected with my shoulder, and white-hot pain exploded through my body. I stumbled backward, clutching my burned flesh.
"Knight!" Sofia Carrera called out from the edge of the hall. "Don't let him touch you again!"
