Chapter 4 — Stay Close to Me

The underground ruins trembled violently.

Dust rained from the ceiling while ancient symbols burned across the walls like living fire. The roar beneath the academy echoed again—

Closer this time.

Eden dropped to one knee, gasping painfully.

The glowing silver marks spreading across his skin pulsed brighter beneath his uniform.

It felt like something inside him was waking up.

Something ancient.

Something dangerous.

“Eden.”

Kael’s voice sounded sharper than usual.

Concerned.

Real.

Warm hands grabbed Eden’s shoulders immediately.

“Look at me.”

Eden forced his blurry vision upward.

Kael crouched in front of him, crimson eyes scanning the glowing symbols appearing along Eden’s neck.

For the first time since meeting him—

Kael looked shaken.

“What’s happening to me…?” Eden whispered.

Kael didn’t answer immediately.

Which terrified him more.

The academy hunters slowly stepped backward.

One of them muttered fearfully:

“…Those marks…”

Another tightened his weapon. “He’s connected to the seal.”

Eden looked confused. “What seal?”

Kael’s expression darkened.

Before anyone could answer—

CRACK.

The floor split open violently.

Dark energy exploded upward.

A massive claw burst from beneath the ruins.

Students screamed.

The hunters immediately attacked with magic spells, but the creature’s roar shattered several barriers instantly.

Eden’s heartbeat pounded violently.

The creature wasn’t fully visible yet—

Only enormous black scales and glowing silver eyes staring directly at him through the darkness below.

It knew him.

Somehow…

It recognized him.

“Retreat!” the hunters shouted.

Kael grabbed Eden’s wrist immediately.

“Move.”

The two ran through collapsing ruins while explosions echoed behind them. Fire magic illuminated the underground corridors as pieces of stone crashed around them.

Eden stumbled slightly.

Kael pulled him closer instantly.

“Careful.”

“You’re surprisingly nice during disasters,” Eden breathed.

“You bring disasters everywhere.”

Despite the situation, Eden almost laughed.

Almost.

Another roar shook the underground halls.

Suddenly, the corridor ahead collapsed completely.

Kael reacted instantly, shielding Eden against the wall as debris crashed around them.

The impact forced Eden directly against Kael’s chest.

Their bodies pressed tightly together.

Breathing uneven.

Too close.

Kael’s arm remained around his waist protectively.

For a second neither of them moved.

The firelight flickered softly across Kael’s face.

God.

He was unfairly beautiful.

Eden became painfully aware of how warm Kael felt.

How steady his heartbeat was compared to his own.

Then Kael looked down at him slowly.

“…You’re staring.”

Eden’s throat went dry.

“You’re very close.”

“You’re welcome.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Kael’s lips twitched slightly.

That tiny almost-smile somehow felt more dangerous than his flames.

The ruins trembled again.

Reality returned instantly.

Kael stepped back first.

“…We’re trapped for now.”

Eden looked around the destroyed corridor nervously.

“Great. I always wanted to die underground.”

“You’re dramatic.”

“I’m realistic.”

Kael sat against the wall calmly despite the chaos outside.

Eden stared at him.

“How are you this calm?”

Kael glanced toward him quietly.

“Because you’re still alive.”

The answer hit harder than it should have.

Silence filled the small ruined chamber afterward.

Heavy.

Warm.

Dangerous.

Outside, the creature’s roars echoed through the underground city.

But inside that tiny space—

Eden could only hear his own heartbeat.

Kael loosened his black uniform jacket after a moment, revealing faint burn scars across his collarbone and chest.

Eden blinked.

“You’re injured.”

“It’s nothing.”

“That looks very much like something.”

Eden moved closer instinctively.

Kael watched him carefully but didn’t stop him.

Silver mana glowed softly around Eden’s fingertips as he touched the burn near Kael’s shoulder.

The contact made Kael inhale sharply.

Eden froze.

“…Sorry.”

Kael grabbed his wrist gently before he could pull away.

“It’s fine.”

Their faces were suddenly too close again.

The silver glow from Eden’s magic reflected in Kael’s crimson eyes beautifully.

Neither looked away.

Eden’s pulse quickened.

Kael’s gaze slowly dropped toward his lips.

“Kael…”

“Tell me to stop.”

Eden should have.

Probably.

Instead, his fingers tightened slightly against Kael’s shirt.

That was enough.

Kael kissed him suddenly.

Slow at first.

Careful.

Like he was holding himself back.

Eden’s breath caught instantly.

Warm lips.

The faint taste of smoke and magic.

Kael’s hand sliding carefully against his waist.

Then Eden kissed him back.

And something inside Kael snapped.

The next kiss became deeper.

Hungrier.

Months of tension poured out all at once inside the dark underground ruins.

Kael pushed Eden gently against the cracked wall, one hand beside his head while flames flickered wildly around them.

Eden’s fingers tangled into Kael’s shirt instinctively.

Their magic reacted violently to their emotions.

Silver mana spiraled through the room while fire danced across the floor.

Kael buried his face briefly against Eden’s neck, breathing unevenly.

“…You have no idea what you do to me.”

Eden’s entire body burned hearing that voice so close to his ear.

Outside, monsters roared beneath the academy.

But for those few dangerous moments—

Nothing existed except the two of them.

...To Be Continue.........

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