The ground beneath them shook violently, and a wave of fire burst from his body, expanding outward in a destructive ring. The police vehicles were engulfed, the flames roaring higher, consuming everything in their path.
"Get back!" Valentina shouted, pulling Sophia away from the searing heat.
Matthew grunted with effort, pushing his shield forward to deflect the worst of the inferno, but Ronan's power was overwhelming. "I can't hold him off much longer!"
Sophia's eyes filled with tears as she reached for Ronan one last time, her voice breaking. "Ronan! Please, don't do this! We can fix this! I love you!"
For a split second, the fire around them flickered, and Ronan's glowing eyes softened, just as they had before. His hands trembled, and the flames around him began to recede.
But then, from the smoke and chaos, a figure appeared—a man moving swiftly toward Ronan. Before anyone could react, a bright flash of silver gleamed through the air, and the figure lunged.
