The Fire Kingdom shook.
Dozens of armored soldiers sprinted toward Kuina and Mira, their boots hammering against the scorched earth, their war cries echoing in the volcanic air.
Mira didn't flinch.
Her eyes glowed bright blue. Then, snap, red. A burning red, the kind that licked your soul.
The moment her pupils turned, the air around them crackled. Then came the explosion of silence.
Every soldier froze mid-stride.
Their weapons clattered to the ground. Screams erupted — but no one moved. Their bodies were trapped, locked in a paralyzing inferno of invisible heat.
Their skin began to sizzle.
One soldier's glove ignited. Another's leg buckled and caught fire. They couldn't even fall. The magic held them up like puppets. Burning puppets.
And Mira? She just watched.
Her body didn't move an inch. No hand gesture. No incantation. Just her eyes — her Flameheart.
One by one, the soldiers disintegrated into ash.
Gone.
Like they never existed.
Kuina stood beside her in stunned silence.
"What the hell… How did you do that?"
Mira answered calmly. "That was Flameheart magic."
Kuina exhaled slowly, half-laughing. "That might be the coolest thing I've seen so far. Damn."
Mira didn't smile. "It requires total control over fire. Absolute focus. It drains your energy, even without moving a muscle."
Kuina nodded, impressed — and just a bit intimidated.
From across the lava-lit floor, Michael walked forward slowly, his eyes cold as stone.
"Mira," he said, "you just proved me right."
He didn't shout. He didn't flinch.
"You're a monster," he said. "You used a forbidden spell. One you banned. You burned your own soldiers. What the hell happened to you?"
Mira started to smile. Then came the laugh. A slow, crackling giggle that built like a firestorm. It erupted from her chest like molten lava.
Kuina watched, bewildered. One brow raised.
Mira's laugh echoed through the throne room — wild, unhinged, beautiful.
When it stopped, Mira looked Michael straight in the eyes.
"You're absolutely right," she said. "I'm a monster. A sexy one. And I know exactly what I'm doing."
Michael blinked. "What was that laugh? You sounded like the actual devil."
Kuina checked the system interface. A countdown hovered in her vision: 3 hours, 30 minutes left.
She turned to Mira.
"It's time to resolve the conflict," she said. "What's your choice?"
Mira cracked her neck, smiled with fire in her gaze.
"I'm gonna show my baby brother who the real grown-up is."
Meanwhile, above the jungles outside the Temple of Shadows…
Piper flew in on Mortis, her sassy unicorn partner, his purple mane blazing in the wind.
The temple below was massive. Black. Ancient. Covered in writhing vines and shadowy mist.
Piper grinned. "Mortis. Fire the opener."
"You got it, bitch," Mortis said, eyes lighting up.
A beam of concentrated black laser erupted from his horn. It struck the temple gates with a booming crack, shaking the surrounding forest. The massive door, the size of a skyscraper, blasted open.
Piper pointed. "Let's move, dumbass."
They walked inside, bathed in flickering torchlight. Bats flew over their heads.
Mortis blasted one out of the air, caught it in his mouth, and bit down.
He chewed. Then gagged.
"Ugh! It tastes like cow shit. But like, cow shit on a Wednesday."
Piper raised an eyebrow. "What's the difference between Wednesday's cow shit and Tuesday's?"
"Oh, huge. Tuesday's is—"
"Don't answer that," she snapped. "From now on, no more eating crap. Got it?"
"Bitch, I won't stop. It nourishes my chakras."
Suddenly, a yellow energy shimmered in front of them.
A figure landed softly.
She stood barefoot, long blonde hair flowing, glowing yellow eyes locked onto them.
She was completely naked.
A single leaf covered her lower half. Her long hair barely concealed her chest. Her curves? Sculpted like art.
Piper froze. "Who... are you?"
Mortis whistled. "She looks dumb as hell, but sexy as sin."
The girl smiled sweetly. "Hi strangers! I'm Clara. The host of this temple. And you are?"
Piper's jaw dropped. "Why... are you dressed like Eve from the Bible?"
Clara giggled. "Wow. So direct. But first — names please! Okay-dokey?"
Piper coughed. "I'm Janet. This is Poppis."
Clara tilted her head. "You're not a very good liar. Try again."
"I swear—"
"She's Piper. I'm Mortis," the unicorn snapped. "Come on Piper, what the hell is Poppis? Are you drunk?"
Piper scratched her head. "Heh... got caught."
Clara laughed. "You two are adorable. Now... why are you here? Got an invitation?"
Mortis narrowed his eyes. "Is this a hotel? We're here on a mission we can't tell you about, Miss Nude-for-no-reason."
Clara beamed. "Oh, I'm naked because I'm allergic to clothes. Cursed by a rude wizard. But I'm proud of my body. So I use leaves. And confidence."
Piper snorted. "Honestly... I kinda wish I had that curse."
Clara chuckled. "You don't. It's... itchy sometimes. Anyway. You're not passing until I know why you're here."
Mortis flew forward, horn blazing. "Try and stop me!"
He slammed into an invisible wall and got launched backward.
"Ow! You bitch! What was that?"
"Hah. Angel Barrier. No one gets past unless I say so," Clara said sweetly.
Piper's smirk dropped.
Back at the safehouse…
Lika lay curled on the grass, fast asleep.
Kylie sat on her. Literally. Legs crossed, smirking.
"Morning, Lika," she said sweetly.
Lika gasped, blushing. "Kylie?! Why are you... on top of me?!"
"Because you're comfy, maybe?" Kylie winked. "Nah, I wanted to wake you in style."
She stood and pulled out her black lipstick, applying it in the mirror.
"So, Lika... wanna hang out? Everyone else is busy. Just us. Maybe we call Molly too, the weird one."
Lika murmured, "I think... Molly's kinda cute."
Kylie turned, puckered her lips, and blew an air kiss.
"How's the lipstick?"
Lika blushed. "It's... really pretty."
Kylie walked over. "Come on. Try some. Time to look sexy. You're always bare-faced, girl. Lipstick is everything."
Lika hesitated. "I don't really like black. Maybe... blue? Or pink gloss?"
Kylie's smile faded.
"You don't like black?" she asked, mock-hurt. "So you don't like how I look?"
Lika panicked. "No! I didn't mean!"
Kylie covered her face and faked tears. "You've broken me... I'm hideous now... hideous..."
Lika inched forward. "Kylie... what can I do to make it up to you?"
Kylie peeked through her fingers. "Put on the damn lipstick."
Lika sighed. "Fine... but just for today."
She applied it slowly. Carefully.
A minute passed.
Kylie grinned. "You look just like me. Only paler. Let's go!"
Back in the Fire Kingdom...
Michael charged.
Mira met him head-on.
Their fists clashed. Fire erupted. Wind howled.
Below, Kuina watched from the throne steps.
"Oh no. Guess I'm just an audience now."
Suddenly, her system flashed.
ASSIST MIRA.DO NOT IGNORE.NONCOMPLIANCE PENALTY: -500 LEVELS
Kuina's eyes widened. "What the hell?! You little bastard system!"
She drew her sword. Leapt forward.
But as she came near,
Mira turned.
A ball of fire shot from her palm, striking Kuina midair.
She crashed to the ground.
Mira's voice was calm. "Sorry, Kuina. This fight... is mine."
TO BE CONTINUED...