Panic spread like wildfire among the eatery's patrons as the Scale Shield elites stormed in, their presence commanding attention. Amid the confusion, David’s instincts kicked in. He gripped Aurora's hand tightly and, with precision, guided her through the chaotic scene. Together, they moved swiftly and silently, slipping unnoticed through the eatery kitchen's back exit.

The fading daylight cast long shadows as they emerged into the open, heading for the cover of the nearby woods. David knew their escape was only a temporary reprieve. The Scale Shield would pursue them, but leading the enemy into the woods was part of his plan.

He needed to keep the fight away from the crowded eatery to avoid endangering innocent lives. The dense forest offered them refuge, a place to regroup and prepare for the inevitable showdown if it came to that.

With Aurora clearly marked as the primary target, David positioned her closely behind him, acting as a shield between her and the looming threat. His body tensed with resolve, ready for whatever came next.

Aurora caught his eye for a fleeting moment, her lips curling slightly in amusement at his unwavering stance. But the moment passed, and her attention returned to scanning their surroundings, alert for any sign of their pursuers.

She had only asked for his help to find her brother, never expecting him to remain at her side, guarding her with such fierce determination. Their bond was still fresh, their connection barely formed, yet David chose to stand firm beside her when others might have abandoned her to face the danger alone.

Something about him stirred in her – a feeling she couldn’t quite name. But his steadfast commitment and protectiveness left a mark on her, deepening the admiration she found herself feeling toward him, even if she didn’t fully understand why.

The inevitable clash came swiftly as the Scale Shield elites closed in, their enhanced firearms locked onto David and Aurora with deadly precision. With no time to waste, David sprang into action, summoning the raw power of his brawler flame. His movements were fluid and fierce, his arms outstretched as he unleashed a barrage of scorching fire beams, each one tearing through the air toward their foes.

As expected, the elites' power-resistant tech suits absorbed much of the flame’s destructive energy, their defenses holding strong. But David’s fiery assault wasn’t just about burning – it carried sheer force.

The intensity of the blasts proved overwhelming, sending a wave of adversaries crashing in all directions, some thrown violently through the air.

Though their suits had spared them from the full brunt of the flames, they could not escape the relentless force behind each strike.

Furious, the remaining elites retaliated with a hail of gunfire, their shots aimed directly at David. But before he could react, Aurora leapt into action, her cyan sky flame igniting with fierce intensity. With a sharp, commanding yell, she summoned a swarm of fiery embers that swirled around them, forming a radiant shield of fireflies.

The flames spun rapidly, creating a barrier of dazzling light and heat, each ember a piece of her unique technique – the "Firefly Revolving Shield."

Under the protective embrace of the fiery barrier, every onslaught from the Scale Shield elites was effortlessly dispelled. David and Aurora stood in close proximity within the swirling shield of fireflies, intensely locking eyes with each other.

DAVID: "[Gets fascinated by Aurora's technique.] I should have known, you have reliable skills up your sleeve. I must admit that I am highly impressed."

AURORA: "[Feels adrenaline pulsating around her body.] Hmm, speaking of impression, let me show you something more exciting," Aurora replied with a wide and confident grin, determined to prove her power.

"Firebird: Eagle Assault!" She called out, her voice commanding as she invoked another technique from within the safety of her swirling shield. In an instant, a majestic fire eagle burst into existence, its wings ablaze with cyan flames as it soared gracefully above her. The creature circled once before she directed it toward the relentless Scale Shield elites, still firing their weapons at her and David.

(Humph. The Scale Shield’s tech might resist superhuman abilities, but their advanced weapons are no match for my defenses. They’re far from invincible. There are countless ways to dismantle opponents like these.) Aurora’s thoughts raced, her mind sharp and calculating as she planned her next move.

The fire eagle spouted out a massive breath of fire, leaving behind traces of burning cyan flames wherever it soared. Though its attacks weren’t strong enough to cause real damage to the tech-armored elites, the searing light and heat obstructed their vision, forcing them to break their attack formation.

Seizing this opportunity, David readied himself to make his move once more.

He exchanged a meaningful glance with Aurora, a silent understanding passing between them. Nodding in unison, they synchronized their actions. With determination, David emerged from the fireflies' protective shield, darting at the elites with an otherworldly swiftness. Once within range, he systematically dismantled them one by one, employing swift and precise melee prowess.

The woods became a battleground, torn apart by the relentless assault of the two teenage superhumans and the barrage of gunfire from the elites. Trees splintered, flames spread, and chaos reigned as the fight escalated, leaving destruction in their wake.

While David fought at the frontlines, Aurora continued her assault from a distance, her fire techniques blazing through the dense forest. She provided vital support, her control over the battlefield unwavering. But as the battle intensified, a new group of Scale Shield elites appeared from her flank, unleashing a fresh barrage of gunfire.

Aurora’s firefly shield shimmered with resilience, deflecting every bullet with ease. But the sudden onslaught tested her focus, causing a momentary lapse in control over her firebird on the far side of the battlefield where David battled.

The firebird, once a steadfast ally in David's fight, suddenly flickered and dissipated into the air, leaving him on his own. With the distracting flames gone, the Scale Shield elites seized the opportunity, regaining their footing and pressing their attack. Forced into a defensive stance, David had no choice but to retreat, evading their renewed assault.

He darted through the trees, skillfully weaving between the hail of bullets. His movements were fluid, almost balletic, as he leapt from branch to branch, his every step calculated. Finally, he settled atop a towering tree, hidden from sight, momentarily safe from the chaos below.

From his vantage point, David scanned the environment, his sharp eyes tracking the ongoing fight. His gaze fell on Aurora, still standing her ground despite the fresh wave of enemies. A flicker of relief passed through him, but it was tempered by concern as the battle raged on.

A frown etched across his face as he sized up the strength of the Scale Shield elites. (Damn annoying,) he muttered under his breath, frustration seeping into his words. These adversaries were proving to be far more resilient than anticipated – a challenge that wasn’t going away easily.

He begrudgingly admitted that dealing with the Scale Shield organization was proving more challenging than the Chaos Force. (Tsk! This is a real pain in the ass. The Spirit Mode wouldn't be effective against these cunts. Should I rely instead, on the power of the Six Parts of Destruction?) The internal struggle mirrored on David's face, torn between the urgency of defeating the Scale Shield and his aversion to unleashing the destructive might of the ominous seal.

For a moment, he wavered, his thoughts racing through the possible outcomes. But the answer came swiftly, resolute. (No! That’s a risk I can’t afford to take.) The thought of losing control, the potential harm he could cause to both himself and Aurora, weighed too heavily. Invoking that dangerous power could unleash chaos he wasn’t ready to face, especially in the thick of battle.

He pushed the temptation aside, his determination hardening. The Scale Shield elites might have their power-resistant suits, but without them, they were just as vulnerable as any other opponent. He knew he could exploit their reliance on technology.

With his decision clear, the doubt evaporated. David focused, his mind and body ready for the next move. He would face the battle head-on, unflinching, without the need for destructive force.

He anticipated the unsuspecting enemies' next move, executing a rapid descent from his hiding spot. With precision, he lunged at one of them, driving the enemy’s face into the ground with a brutal stomp. Before the others could react, David unleashed a flurry of rapid, calculated punches, incapacitating them one by one with a methodical efficiency.

Afterward, he turned his attention to aiding Aurora, who was still holding off the encroaching elites.

But then, disaster struck.

His focus shifted as a missile sliced through the air with deadly accuracy, heading straight for Aurora. The explosion hit with brutal force, obliterating the protective firefly shield she had conjured.

The impact sent shockwaves through the battlefield, hurling Aurora like a rag doll, her body colliding with a massive tree.

David’s heart dropped as he saw her body crumple to the ground, battered and bruised, amid the aftermath of the blast. The sudden shift in the battle cast a dark shadow over his efforts, and an urgent wave of protectiveness surged through him.

DAVID: "[Rushs to Aurora's side and cradles her in his arms.] Hey! Are you alright?" David expressed his worry, his voice panicky.

AURORA: "[Wince in agony and struggles to sit upright.] Argh! I'll be fine..... I guess. That was unexpectedly painful," her ragged breath was evident as she held onto David, her body slowly recovering slowly from the injuries sustained during the blast.

Cornered and outnumbered, the Scale Shield elites closed in, encircling David and Aurora with their weapons trained on the defenseless pair. The tension was evident as the metallic clicks of their guns echoed ominously through the air.

In response to the looming threat, David’s eyes blazed with fury, the flames within them burning brighter as he glared aggressively at the ring of adversaries.

ELITE SOLDIER: "Hey, western freaks! Don't resist further or you'll both be killed," One of the elites warned as they all moved cautiously, closer to David and Aurora's location.

DAVID: "[Calms himself.] Heh, I hate to be a bearer of bad news but I think that's unlikely to happen, mate. I'd rather worry first about my own safety if I were you." David replied with the sudden expression of a slight chuckle.

A flicker of confusion passed over the faces of the Scale Shield elites as they hesitated, exchanging bewildered glances, trying to make sense of David’s cryptic words.

'KABOOM!' A thunderous explosion erupted behind them, shattering their formation and sending them scrambling for cover. The blast was sudden, disorienting, and completely unexpected. Seizing the perfect moment, David didn’t hesitate. He darted forward, pulling Aurora to safety as chaos erupted around them.

As the Scale Shield elites struggled to regroup and understand the cause of the sudden explosion, they found themselves under a new relentless assault.

Rifle bullets and explosive grenades rained down on them as army patrol troops, led by Rim, emerged unexpectedly in the woods. The surprise attack caught the enemy off guard, leaving them with little resistance. They were swiftly taken out by the coordinated assault.