The moment the overload warning activated, the unstable balance holding Hell University together began to fail completely, because whatever temporary control Zein Shoin had over the core was no longer enough to contain the damage spreading through the structure above them, and throughout the underground chamber, massive fractures began tearing through the walls while the core pulsed faster and brighter with every passing second, like it was reaching a breaking point that could no longer be delayed.
"…it's accelerating," Zein said.
"I noticed," Ace Craige replied.
The ground shook violently beneath them.
Dust and debris crashed from above.
"…if this keeps going," Zein continued,"…the entire university is coming down."
Ace's jaw tightened.
"…then we stop it now," he said.
Zein looked at the core.
"…there's only one way," she said quietly.
Ace immediately looked at her.
"No," he said.
"You don't even know what I'm going to say," she replied.
"I know enough," he answered.
Zein exhaled slowly.
"…the core needs a permanent seal," she said.
Ace's expression darkened further.
"And that means you," he said.
Zein didn't deny it.
"…yes."
Another violent tremor hit.
Part of the ceiling collapsed nearby.
Students screaming echoed faintly from somewhere above.
"…we're running out of time," Zein said.
Ace stepped directly in front of her.
"You're not sacrificing yourself," he said coldly.
"…it's not sacrifice," she replied.
"It is if you don't come back," he snapped.
Zein froze slightly at the sharpness in his voice.
"…people are going to die," she whispered.
Ace's eyes locked onto hers.
"And what do you think happens to me if you disappear?" he asked.
The question hit harder than she expected.
Zein looked away briefly.
"…Ace—"
"No," he interrupted again,"…I'm done pretending this is only your burden."
The core pulsed violently—
Strong enough to throw both of them off balance.
Ace caught her before she hit the ground.
"…you okay?" he asked immediately.
Zein nodded quickly.
"…yes."
Ace didn't let go right away.
And for one quiet second—
Neither of them moved.
Then another explosion shook the chamber.
Reality crashed back instantly.
"…we need to move," Ace said.
Zein looked toward the unstable core again.
"…I remember something else," she said suddenly.
Ace frowned.
"What?" he asked.
Zein's expression slowly changed.
"…there was another failsafe," she said.
Ace's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…what kind of failsafe?" he asked.
Zein looked at him carefully.
"…a dual stabilization system," she said.
Silence.
Ace understood immediately.
"…two people," he said.
Zein nodded slowly.
"…the core was never meant to be controlled alone."
The realization settled heavily between them.
"…you're not serious," Ace said quietly.
Zein stepped closer to the core.
"…if both stabilizers reconnect at the same time," she said,"…the energy can be sealed permanently."
Ace's expression sharpened.
"…and who's the second stabilizer?" he asked.
Zein looked at him directly.
The answer came softly—
But clearly.
"…you."