The sky darkened as Kei raced across the shattered landscape, her heart pounding in her chest. The wind whipped around her, cold and biting, but she barely noticed it. All she could feel was the growing heat—the unmistakable presence of Teri's power. His flames were spreading, scorching everything in their path, and she had to stop it before it consumed him completely.

As she approached the source of the fire, the air grew heavy with tension. The once-clear horizon was now filled with a thick, smoky haze, the sky tinged orange by the furious inferno that raged ahead. Kei's breath caught in her throat as she saw the silhouette of Teri standing at the center of it all, surrounded by swirling flames.

"Teri!" Kei called out, but her voice was swallowed by the roaring fire. She pushed forward, her body trembling with a mix of fear and determination. She knew what was happening—Teri's power had grown beyond his control, fueled by the emotional pain he had been keeping hidden for so long. If she didn't reach him, the fire would consume not only him but everything around him.

Kei's aura flared as she transformed into her Shivering Tempest form once more. Her icy power surged, creating a protective barrier around her as she stepped into the heart of the inferno. The flames lashed out at her, but they couldn't penetrate the freezing winds that swirled around her like a shield.

"Teri, stop!" Kei shouted, her voice finally cutting through the flames. "I'm here! You don't have to do this!"

Teri's head jerked up, his eyes glowing a dangerous, fiery red. His entire body was wreathed in flames, his once-familiar features now distorted by the raw power radiating from him. He looked at Kei, but there was no recognition in his gaze—only fury, pain, and desperation.

"Stay back!" Teri growled, his voice deep and distorted by the power coursing through him. "I can't control it! I don't want to hurt you!"

Kei's heart clenched at the sound of his voice. She could feel the turmoil inside him, the war raging between his desire to protect her and the uncontrollable force threatening to tear him apart. But she couldn't turn away, not now.

"You're not going to hurt me," Kei said firmly, stepping closer. "I know you, Teri. You're stronger than this. You don't have to let the fire control you."

Teri's flames flared wildly, the ground beneath him cracking and burning as his power surged. He shook his head, his eyes wide with fear. "It's too late! I can't stop it!"

Kei's icy aura intensified as she took another step forward, her heart aching at the sight of him like this. She could see how much he was suffering, how much he was fighting to hold back the flames that threatened to consume him. But she wasn't going to let him face this alone.

"No, Teri. It's not too late. You're not alone anymore," Kei said, her voice softer now, filled with the love she had been holding onto for so long. "I'm here. Let me help you."

Teri's eyes flickered, a moment of clarity breaking through the storm of fire inside him. But the flames roared back with a vengeance, threatening to drown out that spark of hope.

Kei knew she had to act quickly. She raised her hands, her icy power surging as she summoned a massive blizzard around them. Snow and ice swirled through the air, the temperature plummeting as she fought to contain the flames. The fire lashed out, burning hotter and more fiercely than ever, but Kei didn't back down. She poured everything she had into the storm, pushing her power to its limits.

"I won't let you burn yourself away, Teri!" she shouted, her voice steady despite the chaos around her. "You're stronger than this fire. We're stronger than this."

For a moment, Teri's flames seemed to hesitate, flickering as if uncertain. Kei took a deep breath, stepping even closer to him despite the searing heat. She could feel the intensity of the fire, but her determination didn't waver.

"Remember who you are, Teri," she said, her voice softer now, almost a whisper. "Remember us. You don't have to be afraid anymore."

Teri's eyes locked onto hers, and for the first time, she saw the man she loved breaking through the chaos. The flames around him dimmed, and for a split second, the raging inferno stilled.

But then, a violent surge of power erupted from Teri, sending a shockwave through the air that knocked Kei back. The flames roared back to life, hotter and more destructive than ever. Teri cried out in pain, clutching his head as the fire spiraled out of control.

Kei's heart raced. She was running out of time.

Without a second thought, Kei summoned every ounce of her strength, her Shivering Tempest form glowing brighter than ever. She closed her eyes, focusing on the bond she shared with Teri—the love that had always connected them. She poured that love into her power, letting it guide her as she reached out to him through the flames.

"Teri!" Kei called out, her voice filled with raw emotion. "Come back to me!"

In that moment, something shifted. The flames flickered, hesitating as if responding to her call. Teri's body trembled, and for the first time since the fire had overtaken him, he looked at her—not with fear or rage, but with something else. Something real.

"Kei..." he whispered, his voice barely audible over the roaring flames.

Kei's heart soared, and she stepped forward once more, reaching out her hand. "I'm here, Teri. I've always been here."

Teri's flames began to dim, the fire around him receding as he struggled to regain control. His eyes softened, the fiery red glow fading as he reached out toward Kei's outstretched hand.

But just as their fingers were about to touch, the ground beneath them shook violently. A dark, oppressive energy filled the air, and Kei's blood ran cold.

The Storm Guardian had arrived.

Next time on The Showdown: Last part – Episode 19: Shadows of the Storm

With Teri on the brink of regaining control, the sudden arrival of the Storm Guardian throws everything into chaos. Kei must now face the Guardian's overwhelming power while trying to save Teri from his inner demons. Can she protect the man she loves while battling the ultimate enemy?

Find out in The Showdown: Last part – Episode 19: Shadows of the Storm.