Rise of The Guardians 2: Just Like Fire

Chapter 25: Jack

I don't think I'd ever realised the sheer power of fire before; the absolute chaos, yet the ability for amazing, deadly precision. Watching Aria in battle mode was not something I had ever had the privilege of before. She never stayed in one place, constantly on the move. As I watched, her steps seemed to fall into a pattern –straight towards Kronos.

I didn't think about it, in fact, I was mildly surprised to find myself at her side in a few strides, protecting her back as several shadowy apparitions, realising she was by far the biggest threat, advanced in her blind spot.

"I know what you're trying to do." I called to her over the sounds of battle.

"Well you should know by now that you can't stop me."

"Wouldn't dream of it. You're much too stubborn."

"I'm glad to know you have some sense. Although it does seem as though I'm not as mysterious and unpredictable as I thought." She joked.

Fighting back to back, we slowly circled our way towards Kronos, who was presiding over the battle in rather the same way as a conductor would over an orchestra.

"You can't protect me in there Jack." Aria said as we approached the empty circle surrounding Kronos.

"Watch me." I replied, gritting my teeth as I iced a clawed phantom that had grabbed my staff.

"There's a time and a place for foolish chivalry, Jack, and this is neither. You come with me and we both die. It's as simple as that."

"How can you be so sure?" I asked, shocked to my core. I had never imagined Aria being so ... warrior-like, and at surprised me badly to hear how casually she talked of dying. How resigned she was.

She didn't respond.

"Aria, I'm not the kind of person to let others fight my battles for me, I won't allow someone to die when I could have done something very simple to save them. You came to the Pole to help us, but this isn't your fight."

She spun to face me, her eyes glinting dangerously in the light of the wicked flames that had sprung up around the two of us. "Simple? You think any of this is simple? When did I ever tell you that this was your fight? It has always been mine. I merely had to make sure that if I failed, there was still some hope left."

"That's beside the point. You did involve us, and now I'm just as tangled in this as you are. Why can't you see that I'm worried for you, that I really care about you?"

She stared at me. Just stared, with those beautiful, gemstone eyes. Then she closed the distance between us and her lips were on mine.

I've kissed before, but nothing, nothing like this. Aria's lips sent warmth shooting through my body. I felt energised, whole, and alive.

If I could have, I would have held on to this moment forever, but far too soon, Aria pulled away, leaving me paralysed, staring at her.

She put a hand on my face, warm as sun kissed sand. "Not bad, Romeo." She murmured.

Then she was gone, turning nimbly and escaping the circle of fire, leaving me behind.