The sky above the Kingdom of Ash was a swirl of orange and crimson. Volcanoes bubbled in the distance. Rivers of magma coiled like serpents through a land scorched by endless flame.
Kuina crash-landed in the center of it all.
Boom.
Dust flew up. Her bare feet dug into the black soil. She cracked her neck, eyes glowing pink. "System," she growled. "Where the hell am I?"
DING. Welcome to the Kingdom of Ash. Target: Mira, Queen of Flame. Current Level: 93.
She narrowed her eyes. "Another one?"
The air shifted.
Above, high in the sky, Kylie hovered silently, arms folded, eyes gleaming with wicked interest. She whispered to herself, "Let's see how you handle this one, baby girl."
From the flames, Mira appeared.
Tall. Barefoot. Wrapped in a sheer cloak of enchanted white cloth that somehow survived the fire. Long crimson curls spilled down her back, and two flaming swords floated behind her like wings.
"Who dares enter my realm with such arrogance?" Mira's voice echoed like thunder.
Kuina stepped forward, her sword humming in her hand.
"Mmm. You're hot," Kuina smirked.
Mira blinked. "Excuse me?"
"I said—" Kuina vanished in a blink. Reappeared behind Mira. "You're hot."
CLANG! Mira spun and blocked the strike with one of her flaming swords, fire crackling between them.
The battle ignited.
Steel and flame. Heat and motion. Kuina darted in and out, flipping over lava streams, using her Cloth Control skill to yank Mira's cloak mid-dodge. It slipped off her shoulder.
Mira hissed. "Cute trick."
She sent a wave of fire at Kuina, who countered with a burst of pink energy from her sword. The flames split apart, revealing Mira mid-charge.
Their blades met again. Sparks exploded. The heat could melt metal.
"I like your fighting style," Kuina panted.
"I hate yours," Mira spat.
Kuina laughed, blood dripping down her arm. "Bet you'll moan it later."
"You wish."
Mira's foot slammed into Kuina's chest, sending her flying into a blackened pillar. Kuina grunted, wiped her mouth, and stood.
"Fine. No more teasing."
Suddenly, she activated Cloth Control. Mira's wraps vanished.
In a flash, Mira stood completely nude, her body glowing with inner fire, unfazed.
"Oh? That's all?" she said calmly. "You think I care about modesty in my own kingdom?"
Kuina froze a moment — not out of shame, but admiration.
"Damn," she whispered.
Then she charged again.
What followed was a storm. Bodies clashed, flames curled around skin, sweat mixed with blood. Kuina flipped over Mira, slammed her into lava rocks, Mira countered with fireballs and smacks of scorching heat.
But as the battle dragged, the heat shifted.
The tension turned… sensual.
Hands grabbed hips. Skin touched skin. Their breathing changed.
"You're strong," Mira admitted, pinned beneath Kuina.
"And you're beautiful," Kuina replied, inches from her lips.
They stared.
Then — the system interrupted.
DING. New Mission: Subdue Mira. Engage in sexual union. Reward: +50 Levels. New Power: Resurrection.
Kuina blinked.
Mira did too. "What…?"
Kuina's eyes gleamed.
"I wasn't planning to go easy on you…" she whispered, lowering her lips.
Their mouths met, a soft, stunned kiss.
Mira's eyes wide. Her body trembled.
"What kind of quest… is this?"
Kuina smirked. "The one where you lose in more ways than one."
TO BE CONTINUED.