The sun shimmered gently over the shoreline, casting gold ripples across the water. Kylie and Lika walked side by side along the beach promenade, the wind teasing at their hair. Both wore striking black lipstick, their presence impossible to ignore.
Lika bit her lip and glanced at Kylie. "I don't really feel comfortable with this lipstick," she said softly, her fingers brushing against her mouth.
Kylie giggled. "Why not, babe? I wear it all the time and I don't complain. It's sexy, it's feminine, it's everything. Just be natural with yourself."
They reached a small beachside bar tucked between palms and rocks. Lika blinked. "Wow, I didn't even know we had a beach here. I was stuck in Titarius for way too long."
Kylie wrapped an arm around her. "Oh sweetie, you have no idea how happy I am that you're here now, with me."
They took a seat by the window, the sea breeze brushing against their cheeks. Moments later, the bartender approached.
"Can I get you ladies something to drink?"
Kylie turned and froze. "Molly?"
The glass in Molly's hand slipped and shattered on the floor. "Kylie? Lika?"
Lika's eyes widened. "Wait, what are you doing here?"
Kylie laughed. "You working part-time in a beach bar now? What's going on?"
Molly sighed. "Yeah… I'm not exactly proud of it. Sometimes I just want to escape the whole fast-fighter lifestyle, you know? Feel like a normal person."
Kylie stood up suddenly. "Molly, forget all that. You, me, and Lika, we're going to the beach right now!"
"What?" Molly blinked.
Kylie didn't wait. With a flick of her fingers, she summoned her wings and floated gently inside the bar. A man stormed out from the kitchen.
"Hey! No floating in here!"
Kylie pointed at him and fired a soft glamour spell from her fingertip. The man slumped to the floor, snoring.
"Shhh, go to sleep."
She reached for Molly's hand and lifted her up. "Let's go."
"But, I have customers," Molly protested weakly.
Kylie grabbed a bottle of champagne from behind the counter. "Bar's closed."
The three of them stepped out, the bar's CLOSED sign flapping in the wind. A few patrons gathered at the door, confused.
Kylie turned around, shouting, "Quiet! You're just regular people. I'm a witch. If you don't want to end your night in a grave, get lost."
She turned to Lika. "Show them who's boss."
Lika hesitated. "O-okay…"
Her eyes glowed faintly, and she released a subtle hypnotic pulse. The crowd instantly turned around and wandered off, completely docile.
Molly crossed her arms. "I didn't ask for you to do that, by the way."
Kylie grinned. "Oh shut up, Barbie Girl. Let's go."
When they arrived at the water's edge, Kylie snapped her fingers. Her dress vanished, revealing a sizzling black bikini. She folded her wings inward and struck a pose.
"So? How do I look, babes?"
Molly's jaw dropped. Lika blushed and looked away.
Then, with a mischievous flick, Kylie made Lika's dress disappear too. Lika gasped, now in a glowing blue bikini.
"Don't you dare do that to me," Molly warned.
Kylie raised a brow. "Then why haven't you used your super speed to escape, hmm? Deep down, you want to be with us."
Molly scowled. "Kylie, you're such a flirt. What are you even trying to achieve?"
The smirk dropped from Kylie's face. "And you, Barbie, are so asexual it drives me nuts."
She snapped again. Molly's outfit vanished. Now she stood in a delicate pink bikini, her petite body exposed. She yelped, covering herself with her hands.
"Hey! What did you do? I don't like dressing like this."
Lika stepped forward, unsure. "Um… Kylie, maybe you shouldn't do that without asking…"
Kylie just laughed. Then, without hesitation, her own bikini vanished completely. She lay on the sand in full nude glory, stretching luxuriously. With another spell, she covered both girls in sunscreen.
"Come on, babes. My back and butt aren't going to protect themselves."
Lika and Molly both froze, dropping the sunscreen bottles. They stared at each other in disbelief.
"Kylie! Put something on!" Molly shouted. "Your whole ass is out!"
Kylie rolled over. "Fine. I'll lie like this, with my boobs out."
"That's the same thing, you idiot!" Molly shrieked.
Lika, cheeks burning, picked up the bottle and knelt beside Kylie. "Kylie… I'll rub it on."
Kylie smiled warmly, stroking her cheek. "Good choice, sweetie. Feel what a goddess's body is like."
She kissed Lika gently on the cheek. Lika began to rub the sunscreen into her back, moving slowly, carefully.
Molly watched, unsure what to feel. Her body refused to move. Lika turned slightly, whispered something under her breath, and cast a faint hypnotic charm.
"Come help me."
Molly's eyes flickered, then she stepped forward, dazed. She knelt beside Kylie and rubbed the lotion onto her hips and lower back.
Kylie moaned softly. "Yes… Lika, get the cheeks a bit. Molly, use both hands."
Suddenly, the trance broke. Molly blinked, horrified. "What! Why am I… rubbing her butt? Kylie, did you do something to me?"
Kylie grinned. "Oh no, darling. That was all Lika."
Lika turned red. "I-I didn't mean to!"
Molly slapped Lika across the face. "Don't ever do that again! I just touched her ass without consent!"
Lika touched her cheek and looked down.
Kylie sat up, still completely nude. She slapped Molly across the face. "Don't you ever treat her like that. We came to have fun. So what, you touched a beautiful woman's ass? Is that a crime now?"
Molly snapped. "Go screw yourself, Kylie! You don't know me, you don't know my past! I don't want to touch women without love or commitment. That's not who I am!"
Kylie's voice lowered. "That's why you've never been in a relationship. You're cold. Anti-sex. Apologize to Lika now."
Molly looked at Lika. "I'm sorry."
She turned to Kylie. "But you? Don't come near me again."
Then she vanished in a flash, still wearing the pink bikini. A second later, she returned.
"Give me my clothes back!"
Kylie rolled her eyes, cast a charm, and threw the clothes at her. "Here, your ugly little outfit. Bye."
Molly disappeared.
Kylie turned to Lika, brushed her cheek. "Are you okay? That wasn't fair to you."
She kissed her again. Lika blushed. "Maybe you were a bit aggressive, Kylie?"
Kylie summoned her bikini again. "Nope. She deserved it. But you? You're fun."
She flicked her fingers again. Lika's bikini disappeared.
"Your turn to lie down."
Lika squeaked, "Hey!"
Kylie winked. "Let's get you all oiled up."
Meanwhile, in the Fire Kingdom
Boom.
The earth cracked. Smoke twisted into the sky.
Mira stood still, eyes glowing, her body radiating crimson and gold heat.
Kuina watched from the side, paralyzed by awe.
Michael rushed forward, swinging with fury. Mira didn't move.
His punch connected. She didn't flinch.
Michael screamed. "What are you made of? Rock?"
Mira grinned. "No, baby brother. Just better than you."
She slammed her fist into his gut. A rib cracked. Blood spilled from his mouth as he flew backwards.
Kuina watched, frozen. The system rang in her head.
"Only you can kill him. If Mira kills him, mission fails. One hour remains. Failure equals death."
Kuina dropped her sword. "I've had enough. System, shut the hell up!"
Her aura exploded, hot pink burning into black. She shouted.
"Mira, stop! This isn't your decision, it's mine!"
Mira turned, half-smile, half-madness. "Sorry, Kuina. Not this time."
Michael lay in a pool of his own blood. Mira kicked him again. Punched. Again. Again.
"Half an hour remains," the system warned.
Kuina gritted her teeth. "I said STOP!"
She lunged forward and kicked Mira square in the back. Mira stumbled, shocked.
"I didn't want to do this," Kuina panted, sword raised, "but I'll die if I don't make the call!"
Mira laughed, eyes dark. "So come stop me."
But before Kuina could move again—
Slash.
A yellow axe drove into her stomach.
She gasped. Her sword dropped.
Both Mira and Michael froze.
Kuina coughed blood. A clone of Michael stood behind her, grinning, blood dripping from his hands.
"That axe? You bleed until death."
He pulled it out. Slash. Another wound.
Kuina collapsed.
"I… lost?" she whispered.
Mira's eyes widened. "Kuina?"
Michael stood barely, gasping. "Now you'll suffer, Mira."
Mira stared at Kuina's lifeless body.
"No… no… no…"
The system chimed.
"Mission failed. Kuina: deceased."
Back on the beach
Kylie and Lika held champagne glasses, still sitting on the sand.
Suddenly, the system alert flashed in front of them.
They both dropped their drinks.
In the temple
Piper gasped. "No! Mortis, we have to go!"
Clara appeared beside her. "I'm coming with you."
They soared into the sky, Mortis flapping hard, Clara flying alongside.
Back on the beach
Kylie restored their clothes with a spell. Lika began to cry.
"What happened to her, Kylie?"
Kylie stared ahead, voice cold. "No questions. Let's go."
They flew off.
Back in the Fire Kingdom
Mira stood in silence, the heat around her turning violent. Her eyes twitched. Her whole body trembled.
Then she screamed.
"KUUUUUUIIIIIINAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Purple and orange fire erupted from her body. The sky darkened.
Michael grinned, barely standing. "Now you're mad."
Mira's voice dropped to ice. "You… will… pay."
To be continued.