Kace and Collin climbed up the clock tower steps. They reached a hallway lined with small arched windows looking out over the city. Collin gently touched his hand against the window, peering down at the buildings cast in a warm, golden glow from the sunset. 

“I’ve not felt this way since I was very little.” Collin sighed peacefully. 

“And what feeling would that be exactly?” Kace inquired, leaning on the wall beside him. 

“It’s not quite happiness, it’s more than that. It’s like I am seeing the world anew.” Collin explained. “I haven’t had people close my heart like this in a long time.” 

Kace crossed his arm and looked down at the floor. 

“What is it?” Collin asked sweetly. 

“It is nothing,” Kace returned. 

Collin reached out, touching the corner of Kace’s mask, running his finger over the intricate grooves engraved on it. 

“I have also been feeling something else…” Collin said softly. 

“Else?” Kace repeated. 

“I can’t seem to put it into words,” Collin said, his hand falling off the mask and back to his side. 

“Maybe you could tell me…” Kace began, leaning in close. “...without your words.”

Collin gently closed his eyes and kissed him. He held the kiss a moment before shyly pulling away. 

“Does that get the point across?” Collin asked.

“Crystal.” Kace smiled. 

The door downstairs creaked open, echoing up the stairway. 

“That must be the Breven,” Collin said, hopping down the steps. When he reached the bottom, Breven was there, but he was unconscious on the floor. Standing above Breven was Ireth, Bella by his side.

“Found you~” Ireth teased. 

Collin ran back up the stairway and down the hall. 

"Kace! It’s Ireth, he’s back!” Collin yelled. “Hurry, teleport us out of here. We have to find the others-” 

Kace nodded, taking Collin’s hands into his own. Collin felt the world spin around him, disappearing in a blink of light. But when he opened his eyes, he was yet again face to face with Ireth. 

“Wh-What?” Collin stuttered.

“Aw, you’re as gullible as ever, Shared Soul.” Ireth chuckled, shaking his head. Kace let go of Collin’s hand and walked to Ireth’s side. 

“You…” Collin stared, dumbfounded. His face grew hot, and tears crept out from the corners of his eyes. Kace avoided his pained gaze, staring off toward the ceiling.

The rune on Collin's wrist burned a bright, fiery red. 

“Raz, do it. Now.” Collin ordered. 

“But Marques said it makes the curse worse!” Raz’s voice squeaked from the rune. 

“We don’t have a choice!” Collin yelled. The rune sparked, sending a wave of flame rippling across Collin’s body. A pair of wings and horns grew out from his figure. 

“I see the bonding has almost come to an end.” Ireth sighed. “But it won’t be the curse that kills you, that shall be done by my father's own hand.”

“What?” Kace said, his eyes growing wide beneath the shadow of his mask. “You said the King knew a way to reverse it-you told me that only the dragon would be killed.” he hissed. 

“What difference does it make?” Ireth asked. 

“This wasn’t a part of our deal.” Kace snarled. 

“There was no deal.” Ireth spat, rolling his eyes. “You were a pawn. I used you to gather intel on the Shared Soul, and now I have it. Your job here is done.”

“Then that means…” Kace began, dropping his head down to his chest. “...You never planned to remove the mark, did you?”

“I don’t even know how,” Ireth smirked. 

“HEY!” Collin roared, his voice distorted, monstrous. “My name is Razarith Ironhide, King of Beasts! Prepare to face my flame!” Collin leaped toward Ireth, swinging his clawed hand down toward him.

But as Collin charged, Bella suddenly appeared in front of Ireth. She put the flute to her lips and began to play a soothing, haunting melody. Collin swayed unsteadily on his feet until he eventually collapsed.

With the rest of his strength, Collin peered up at Kace. He watched as Kace attacked Ireth, teleporting behind him with his fists held up in the air. As Collin’s vision blurred, he saw flashes of light and figures moving frantically about. He heard an explosion followed by the playing of Bella’s flute, and finally, a body hitting the floor.