The sky was red. Not the romantic kind of red. The kind of red that warned you something was about to burn, or already had. The flames from the border of the Fire Kingdom licked the clouds like they were hungry. Kuina flew beside Mira, the wind slicing through their hair. They were quiet at first, eyes locked on the volcanic horizon.
Then, the system pinged.
NEW QUEST – REACH THE FLAMEHEART.REWARD: +500 LEVELS. MIRA'S DESIRE. NEW SKILL: FLAMEHEART.FAILURE: LEVEL RESET TO 0. GOOD LUCK. :)
Kuina froze in mid-air for a beat. "…Reset to zero?"She blinked. "Fucking dramatic today, huh?"
Mira smirked, arms crossed as she glided.Kuina turned her head toward her. "So... tell me. What the hell happened after you left? Why is your kingdom acting like a burning ex-boyfriend?"
Mira didn't laugh. Her voice was level. "My brother, Michael, wanted the throne. After our fight... with you... I had to go. He took advantage of that. Sat his ass on the seat and never got up."
"Damn." Kuina nodded slowly. "So what's it like now?"
"There are two options," Mira said. "Either total chaos. Or quiet tyranny. And with Michael... it's probably both. He's caring. But impulsive. Dangerous when he thinks he's right."
Kuina raised a brow. "Mira, I Like you. But you didn't have to leave everything for me. That's your home."
Mira glanced at her with a crooked smile. "I didn't leave for you. I left for me. With you and the girls... I feel like a different person. Back there? I was a monster."
Kuina looked straight ahead. "We were all monsters once."
Mira's voice turned sharp. "I was queen of them. Don't lump yourself in with me, babe."
They landed before the great fire gate, its surface breathing heat and casting embers into the air. Mira swallowed hard. Her fists clenched. She took a step forward.
Kuina's system buzzed again, privately.
"NEW OBJECTIVE: Resolve the conflict with Michael. Choose:
Kill him.
Make peace.Timer: 4 hours".
Only Kuina saw it. Mira didn't.
Kuina asked gently, "You ready?"Mira didn't meet her gaze. Just nodded coldly. "Yeah. Let's go."
With a single motion, Mira extended her arm and lit the sigil embedded in the gate. It cracked open, pouring firelight over them. They stepped through — and the system's timer began ticking down in Kuina's vision. Four hours. She rolled her eyes.
"Damn it, system. Always with the ultimatums."
MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE SAFEHOUSE…
Lika stood in the kitchen, a tiny white robe hugging her petite frame. She was stirring hot chocolate, humming softly. On the balcony, Piper lay with Mortis, her sassy unicorn partner, curled beside her.
Piper stretched. "Alright, Mortis. Let's move. We've got a temple to raid."
Mortis yawned. "You always wake me up for violence, never cuddles."
She smirked, brushing his mane. "You love it."
Piper stood and gazed at the sky. "The Forest of Victims is behind us, for now. Temple of Shadows is next. No one's here to stop me this time. Not even Molly."
Back inside, Lika peeked out, sipping her drink. She looked pale.
"Piper?" she called. "Where is everyone?"
Piper blinked. "Missions, babe. You know how it goes. Why are you here alone? Where's Kylie?"
Lika gave a small cough, looking down. "I don't know... I feel sick. It's weird. Just... don't leave me alone, okay?"
Piper hesitated. "Aww, Lika. You're cute. But I've got business."
Lika stepped closer, hot cocoa in hand. "Please... I'm worried. Can't you just stay until someone comes back?"
Piper sighed. Then she leaned in, held Lika's chin, and kissed her cheek, hard.
"Mwah. One kiss. But don't ask to come with me, alright?"
"Okay..." Lika whispered.
Piper climbed on Mortis's back.
"C'mon unicorn. Let's be legends."
Mortis grumbled, "I swear you're using me for clout."
They took off, fire trailing behind them.
Lika sat on the grass, alone now, cocoa untouched beside her. She looked up at the sky.
"Kuina... come back. Kylie... someone..."
BACK AT THE FIRE KINGDOM GATE…
Two towering guards stood stiff as statues.
"Halt. Who the hell are you?"
Mira stepped forward, voice sharp. "You don't recognize me, assholes?"
They glanced to the side. Her portrait still hung beside the gates — but with a slash across her name.
"Banned?" Mira whispered. "They banned me?"
She ignited in rage, body cloaked in flame. Her aura surged.
Kuina touched her shoulder. Instantly, the fire dimmed.
Mira turned, startled. "Kuina?"
"Let me."
Kuina unsheathed her pink sword and vanished.
A flash. Two heads rolled. Bodies fell.
Mira stared, shocked. "That was... a bit much."
Kuina shrugged. "I don't do lines. Let's go."
They pushed through the doors.
From across the long crimson hall, Michael sat on the throne, hair like golden fire, eyes glowing like a furnace.
"Mira?"
He stood fast. Then charged.
Before he reached her, Kuina appeared mid-air and dropkicked him in the jaw.
He crashed backward, blood on his lip.
"What the hell, Kuina?!" Mira barked.
Kuina crossed her arms. "Saving your ass."
"I don't need saving. I'm not weak!"
Kuina smirked. "Alright. Go on, then. Your kingdom."
Michael rose, wiping his mouth.
"My kingdom," he repeated. "You left it, Mira."
"I came back for a mission. Not to play house. You've got beef with me? Fine. But let's get it done."
"Oh, I've got more than beef. I've got receipts. You left this place a mess. I cleaned it. People smile now."
Mira snarled. "Bullshit."
Michael snapped. "Guards! Kill them!"
From the shadows, dozens of soldiers stormed the throne room.
Kuina tensed.
But Mira stepped forward.
"They're mine," she said.
Kuina blinked. "Oh... now we're talking."
MEANWHILE, ABOVE THE CLOUDS…
Piper soared over the valley on Mortis, scanning the land below.
"You ready for a brawl, pretty boy?"
"I was born for this... and your petting hand."
She grinned. "You kinky unicorn."
The temple loomed ahead.
Something old. Something cursed.
And Piper?
She was ready to break it open.
TO BE CONTINUED...