I had been training for hours, sweat dripping down my face, my muscles aching. But it wasn't the physical exhaustion that was getting to me—it was the constant pressure of trying to control the power that surged within me. Each time I thought I had a handle on it, it slipped away, like water through my fingers.

Marax stood a few feet away, watching me with that damn cocky grin of his. It irritated me more than I cared to admit. His smug expression only reminded me how little I knew about all of this—how I was just a human girl, fumbling through something that didn't belong to me.

"You're not focusing, Athena," Marax's voice cut through the silence, his tone annoyingly calm. "You've got to feel it, let the energy surround you. Stop thinking so much."

I clenched my fists, trying to keep my breathing steady. The power was there, just beneath my skin, thrumming with life. I could feel it, but it was so wild, so untamed. How was I supposed to control it?

I exhaled sharply, trying to clear my head. The room was quiet, save for the soft shuffle of my feet against the floor, but inside, everything was chaotic. The energy was like a storm in my chest, ready to burst at any moment.

"Focus, Athena," Marax repeated, stepping closer. "Don't let your thoughts scatter. You control it, or it controls you."

I shut my eyes, trying to push away the panic gnawing at me. But the power was still there, swirling and restless, and before I knew it, I felt a rush of heat.

Without warning, I thrust my hands out, trying to push the energy into something tangible. A blast of heat erupted from my palms, and suddenly, a fireball—bright orange and pulsing with dark energy—hovered between my hands.

The air around me seemed to vibrate as I stared at the fireball, my heart hammering in my chest. It was alive, crackling in the air, and as much as it terrified me, it felt... right. Like it belonged there.

Marax froze, his expression shifting from annoyance to something that could only be described as disbelief. "What the hell?" His voice was a low growl, but there was a hint of curiosity in it, too.

I looked down at the fireball, my hands trembling as I tried to keep it under control. "I didn't—how did I—?"

Marax took a cautious step closer, his eyes fixed on the ball of fire. He glanced back at me, then at the fire, clearly as confused as I was. "You're human. You shouldn't be able to do this. Only demons can form fire like that."

"I—I didn't mean to," I stammered, panic rising in my chest. "I didn't even know I could do that. What is it? What's happening?"

Marax's eyes were wide now, scanning me like I was some kind of puzzle he couldn't solve. "This... this is new. Very new."

The fireball flickered in front of me, its heat radiating off of it, and I felt the pull of it again. I could feel the power surging, almost begging to be released. But I wasn't sure how to control it, and the last thing I wanted was to destroy the whole damn studio.

"I didn't mean it," I said again, my voice shaky. "I don't know what's happening."

Marax's expression softened slightly, but there was still a trace of caution in his eyes. He took another step closer, his voice low. "It's okay. Just calm down. You need to focus. Let it go."

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my breath, but the fireball continued to pulse between my hands, as if it was alive, as if it was waiting for me to do something.

"What if I can't?" I whispered, the fear creeping into my voice. "What if I can't control it?"

Marax's gaze softened, the playful, cocky edge to his demeanor slipping away for just a moment. "You can. You just have to trust yourself."

I stood frozen, staring at the fireball hovering in front of me, my heart pounding in my chest as the warmth of the flames intensified. It was out of control—unpredictable, erratic. The fire flickered, pulsating with my panic, and my mind scrambled for any way to stop it. This wasn't supposed to happen. I'm just a human. Why was this happening to me?

"I can't," I choked out. "I don't know how to control this... I can't control it!"

The fireball shimmered, growing bigger as the panic in me escalated. My breathing came in quick bursts, my chest tight, and my hands trembling as I held onto the power that was now mine to command but so alien to me.

His eyes softened as he stepped closer, his gaze never leaving mine. There was no fear in his eyes—only a quiet understanding. "You're not just a human, Athena. You're more than that. You just need to trust yourself."

"But I don't know who I am anymore," I whispered, the words barely escaping my lips as a knot formed in my stomach. The fire seemed to respond, the flames stretching higher as if they could sense my inner turmoil. "This power—it's not mine. I don't know how to make it stop."

"You're Athena," he said, his voice hushed but firm. "That's enough. You just need to remember who you are. You can control it."

But I wasn't sure if I could. I wasn't sure about anything anymore. The power that I had barely begun to understand was pulling me in every direction. I didn't know what was real or what was happening to me.

Then, without warning, he stepped forward, closing the space between us. My breath caught in my throat as his hand reached up to gently touch my arm, grounding me in a way that felt both comforting and unfamiliar.

"Athena," he murmured, and for a moment, there was nothing but the intensity in his eyes, and the heat of the moment, pulling us together. I felt the electricity crackle in the air around us, the pressure of our proximity suffocating, and before I could second-guess it, he pulled me toward him, his lips crashing into mine.

The kiss was everything—desperate, intense, and completely overwhelming. The heat of his body pressed against mine, and I could feel the fire within me begin to settle. It was like he was anchoring me, pulling me from the edge of madness. But the moment only deepened, the connection between us growing more intense by the second. I could taste the intensity of his need, of his desire for me—of something more than just a fleeting moment.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

His hands moved, gripping my waist and pushing me back against the mirror, the cold glass pressing against my back as his lips became more urgent, more demanding. I gasped, my mind spinning as the kiss deepened, his tongue teasing and exploring, drawing out a response I hadn't expected, but couldn't resist.

I was lost in him—lost in the warmth of his touch and the fire between us. I could feel his heartbeat against mine, fast and wild, and the flames inside me began to settle, the fireball flickering out as my emotions took over. Everything else fell away until there was nothing but him and me, the entire world reduced to this moment.

I could taste him, feel him, and it was all I could do to hold on, to not get lost in it. But I wanted to. I wanted to get lost in this—forget about everything else for just a moment.

He pulled away for a fraction of a second, his eyes dark with desire, his chest heaving with each breath. "Athena..." he murmured, his voice rough and low.

I could feel the intensity of his gaze, like he was trying to decide whether to pull me even closer or to pull back. But before I could respond, the door crashed open, breaking the moment with a loud bang.

We both froze, and I felt the sudden sharp reality of the situation hit me. Marax stepped back immediately, a growl escaping him as his focus shifted to the intruders. Two demons stood in the doorway, their eyes glowing with an unsettling red hue.

"Athena," one of them said, his voice cold and demanding. "Satan wants you."

Marax didn't flinch. His posture was tense, but there was a fire in his eyes. "You're not taking her," he growled, his voice a low, menacing warning.

The demons stepped forward, not intimidated, but with something dark swirling in their eyes. The leader of the two snarled, "Then we'll have to deal with you first."

I took a step back, my pulse pounding in my ears. My mind was a whirlwind—Marax had been a storm of chaos and passion, but now I had to focus. These demons weren't here to play. I could feel the pull of my own power, the fire rising in my chest again, but I fought it. I wasn't ready to lose control, not in front of these demons.

But I wasn't alone. Marax's eyes never left the demons, his body poised and ready. Whatever happened next, I knew one thing for sure—I wasn't facing this alone. Marax didn't hesitate. The second the demons moved, he was on them. His movements were a blur—fluid, fast, and precise.

His hand shot out to grab the first demon by the throat, slamming him against the mirror with a sickening crunch. The demon's feet dangled in the air as Marax's grip tightened, his eyes glowing with the same ferocity that had been evident during our kiss.

"You're not taking her anywhere," Marax growled, his voice low and filled with a dangerous promise. His tone was commanding, as if he were the ruler of this place and everyone else was beneath him.

The demon's eyes flared with rage, and he struggled against Marax's hold, but it was futile. I could see the muscles in Marax's arm flexing as he held the demon in place with an effortless grace, clearly not worried about the fight.

Meanwhile, the second demon, who had been waiting for his opportunity, turned his attention to me. I froze for a moment, my pulse racing as I realized what he wanted.

He was coming straight for me, his intentions clear in his predatory steps. The air around him crackled with dark energy, and his eyes burned with the same red fury.

I stepped back instinctively, my body tense, as the familiar feeling of power surged within me. The fire that had been smoldering in my chest, waiting for a trigger, roared to life.

My heart beat wildly, my hands trembling as I focused on the demon in front of me. I didn't know how to control it, but I couldn't let him get any closer.

"Stay away from me," I hissed, my voice shaky but filled with determination. The fire in my chest responded, swirling up to my fingertips like a living thing. I thrust my hands out in front of me, palm facing the demon, and before I even realized it, a wave of heat exploded from my body, forming into a ball of fire.

The demon barely had time to react before the fireball slammed into his chest, sending him flying backward with a strangled cry. His body hit the ground hard, the air sizzling as the fire slowly dissipated into smoke. I stared in shock at my hands. I had actually done that.

I'd never used my power like that before. I couldn't believe it had worked, but at the same time, I could feel it deep inside me—a new strength, a dangerous one.

The demon I had hit was still writhing on the ground, but I knew it wouldn't be long before he recovered. I didn't have time to think about it; I had to keep my guard up.

I turned to Marax, who was still holding the other demon in place, but now his eyes flickered toward me. His lips curled into a slight smirk, his expression a mix of pride and amusement.

"Looks like you're getting the hang of this," he said, his voice steady despite the chaos around us.

I took a deep breath, still trying to calm the storm of adrenaline rushing through me. My heart was still pounding from the fight—and from everything that had just happened between Marax and me—but now wasn't the time to let my emotions take over. I needed to be focused.

The demon who had been knocked down was rising slowly, his face contorted with anger. He wasn't going to stay down for long.

Marax turned his attention back to the demon he'd been holding. He slammed the demon's head into the floor, a cruel grin spreading across his face. "You're done," he growled, before letting the demon collapse unconscious at his feet.

The second demon, now back on his feet, was glaring at me, his eyes narrowed in fury. I could feel his power building up again, but this time, I wasn't going to back down.

I clenched my fists, the heat inside me still swirling. I didn't know what I was capable of yet, but one thing was for sure—I wasn't going to let these demons take me without a fight.

I raised my hand once again, focusing all of my energy on the demon. The fire roared back to life, brighter and hotter than before. It formed into a sphere, spinning rapidly in my palm. The air around me crackled, and I could feel the power humming inside me, ready to be unleashed.

But before I could throw it, Marax stepped forward with a warning look in his eyes. "Don't waste your energy. He's mine," he said with a dangerous smile, flashing a look of pure dominance at the demon.

The demon growled, but before he could make a move, Marax was on him. His speed was unmatched, and within seconds, he had the demon pinned to the ground again, holding him down effortlessly.

"Go ahead, Athena. Take a breather," Marax called to me over his shoulder, his grin never fading. "I've got this under control."

I stood there for a moment, breathless, still trying to process what had just happened. The weight of the situation settled over me, but something else lingered beneath the surface—a feeling of empowerment I hadn't experienced before.

My powers, my abilities—they were only just starting to surface.

Just as I was catching my breath, trying to steady my racing heart, I felt a sudden heat behind me—too late to react. The searing pain ripped through my back like a hot knife.

My breath caught in my throat, and I screamed out as my body jerked forward, instinctively trying to escape the flames that seemed to be eating away at my skin.

The pain was unbearable. I spun around, trying to find the source, but all I could see was the flicker of a shadow moving fast. Another demon. His eyes glowed with fiery red malice, his body shrouded in dark, swirling smoke. His laughter echoed around the room like an eerie, distorted wind.

I stumbled back, but my feet slipped on the slick floor. The fire on my skin was spreading, burning with a sensation unlike anything I'd ever felt before—like it was inside me, tearing me apart from the inside out.

"ATHENA!" Marax's voice was a roar, and in the blink of an eye, he was in front of me, his hand gripping my arm tightly. "Don't panic," he said through gritted teeth, though I could hear the fury in his voice. "I've got you."

But I couldn't stop shaking. The fire... It wasn't going away. I could feel the heat still spreading down my arm, down my chest.

Before I could even process what was happening, Marax was already moving, his eyes glowing with that infernal rage. He threw himself at the demon, his dark wings spreading wide, the air around him thick with his anger.

His fist collided with the demon's face with a sickening crack, and the creature screeched in pain, retreating a few steps.

But the demon was fast. Faster than I could have anticipated. He lunged at Marax, aiming for his throat, but Marax blocked the attack and spun, slamming his elbow into the demon's ribs with a vicious snap.

The creature crumpled but recovered quickly. It was as though the fire itself was guiding its every move—there was no stopping it.

I was still burning, my body trembling with shock, when I felt another presence—a shift in the air. My vision blurred, but I knew it was more than just the heat. I could feel his power, overwhelming and chaotic.

It was then that I realized who was standing behind me—the demon who had started this nightmare.

The demon who had burned me.

He was towering over me now, his blackened skin covered in cracks that oozed molten fire. His red eyes glared down at me with a twisted sort of satisfaction, as if my pain were some kind of sport for him.

"You're lucky Marax got in the way," the demon sneered, his voice like gravel. "I was just starting to have fun with you."

My heart was pounding in my ears. I could barely breathe, let alone fight. The fire on my skin wasn't fading, and I felt weak. The demon's power was intoxicating, like it was suffocating me, taking every ounce of strength I had left.

But I wasn't going to go down that easily.

I clenched my fists, willing myself to do something. Anything.

"Not so fast," Marax's voice cut through the haze of fear and pain, and before I knew it, he was beside me again. His arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me close to him, shielding me from the demon's reach. His body was tense, vibrating with barely-contained energy.

"You'll have to get through me first," Marax snarled, his voice cold and dangerous. The air between us crackled as he unleashed his power, dark energy swirling around us like a storm. His wings flared wide, casting long shadows across the room.

The demon growled, stepping back slightly, but not without a final, lingering glance at me—full of malice. "This isn't over," he hissed before he disappeared into the shadows with a flash of fire.

I was left gasping for air, still feeling the burn, still reeling from the intensity of everything that had just happened. My skin felt like it was on fire, the pain still burning deep into my bones.

Marax turned to face me, his expression softer now, though still filled with that same quiet intensity. His hand gently cupped my cheek, as if making sure I was still here, still alive. "You're okay," he said quietly, his voice laced with concern.

I nodded, but the pain was still there, making it hard to focus. Then I could feel it, it was the same way I felt before falling into another vision.