"Time is running out, inheritor," Azkaban's voice grew more distant. "Remember, in the deepest part of the ruins, there is an ancient teleportation device. It will lead you to the other guardians."
With that final message, the mental space began to collapse, and Ace's consciousness was swiftly pulled back into the real world.
When he opened his eyes, he found that only a few seconds had passed. But the situation in reality had already become critical—the defensive barrier of guardian KS-7 was nearly shattered, a deep sword gash slashed diagonally from its right shoulder to its left waist, and large amounts of oil and coolant were gushing out.
"Life-form Ace... re... treat..." KS-7's voice had become intermittent. Its system was about to collapse.
Gandalf stood before the guardian, his longsword wrapped in even denser purple-black energy as he prepared to deliver the final blow. "Nothing can stop the will of the Void."
Anger and the power of awakening erupted within Ace at the same time. He felt the Flame Seed Stone on his chest shine with a dazzling blue light, as scorching energy surged through his entire body with even greater force. The energy conduits on the Flame Emperor Armor no longer flickered, but glowed steadily blue as the damaged armor actually began repairing itself.
"Gandalf!" Ace's voice carried an unprecedented majesty.
Gandalf turned around and stared at Ace's transformation in shock. "Impossible... How could you..."
Ace slowly rose to his feet. Blue True Flame poured from every part of his body, gathering in the air to form a colossal fire dragon that coiled around him. The fire dragon roared, intelligence gleaming in its eyes as though it truly possessed life.
"Emperor Flame Storm!" Ace thrust his right hand forward.
The fire dragon immediately dove toward Gandalf, opening its jaws