Michael's voice cracked as he spat his last words. "You'll regret this…"
Kuina didn't wait for him to finish. Her blade lit up and a blazing shot ripped from its core, piercing his shoulder. The impact spun him sideways and he crashed into the dirt, groaning in agony.
Namo noticed in the middle of his own fight. His eyes narrowed and he fired a beam of magic from his palm toward Kuina. She twisted aside, the shot sizzling past her cheek.
The system's voice echoed in Kuina's mind. Mission nearly complete. Please deal with Namo.
Kuina rolled her eyes. "Yeah, thanks for the tip…"
Across the battlefield, Mira hung weakly in Lika's arms, her breathing shallow and eyes dim. She looked disappointed, almost broken.
"It's for the best, Mira," Lika said softly. "I'm sorry, but he already lost control."
Mira's voice was barely a whisper. "I don't even know what to feel…"
Lika suddenly leaned in, planting a quick kiss on Mira's cheek. "Feel my love, not your loss."
Mira looked at her in quiet surprise. "Thanks… but it doesn't really help. I just… wanted to say something to him."
Kuina's voice cut across the chaos. "Clara! Heal Mira! Now!"
Molly remained unresponsive.
"Piper, Kylie, fall back! I'll finish Namo myself."
Piper ignored her completely, summoning another wave of water magic. Kylie hesitated but stepped back.
Namo smirked, catching Piper off guard. His fist slammed into her stomach, then his leg swept up in a sudden kick that sent her crashing to the ground.
"Let's see you get up now, loser," he laughed.
Mortis galloped to her side in panic.
Clara shook her head. "I'm not leaving Molly like this!"
Kuina's tone turned sharp, ice in her voice. "Now! No arguments! Trust me!"
Clara froze, startled by the command, then nodded reluctantly. Kylie crouched beside Mira. "I'm no healer, but I'll try to fix what I can."
Clara moved in, gripping Mira's shoulders. "Vanish!"
Light wrapped around Mira's body and she gasped, the weakness evaporating in an instant. She looked down at her hands, stunned by the sudden return of strength.
Clara gave her a sly grin, kissed her cheek, and then licked her lightly. "Meow. Come on, Mira, you're too sexy to be weak."
Mira stared at her oddly. "You're weird… but I like you." She blew a kiss into the air, then shot upward, eyes scanning the battlefield before deciding to drop toward Michael's body.
Kuina faced Namo head-on, her voice steady and cold. "Namo, here's a one-time offer. Take your filthy legs and get out of here. You have no business with me or my girls. You don't stand a chance."
Namo's grin widened. "Maybe Michael didn't stand a chance, but me? I could erase you all whenever I feel like it."
Kuina smirked from one side of her mouth. "Try me, idiot."
Her blade flared. "Dragon Form!"
Her armor shifted to gold, the sword blazing with radiant yellow fire. A dragon-like aura roared around her as her presence exploded in size and power.
Namo's expression flickered with surprise.
Kuina teleported in an instant. Her blade carved across his back, then his stomach, then his shoulder, then his chest. She moved like a golden hurricane, striking for his core.
The tip of her sword nearly pierced his abdomen before he summoned a shield in desperation. "Shadow Guard!"
He roared in pain, blood dripping from the fresh cuts.
Kuina tilted her head, unimpressed. "Boring. Hey, system! Why's my arsenal so damn weak?"
Defeat Namo to complete the mission and unlock the Flameheart.
Kuina growled. "You said killing Michael would do that!"
Emoji: 💋
She blinked, deadpan. "…What the fuck, bro…"
Her sword rose high. "Come forth, Yellow Dragon!"
The dragon emerged behind her in a blaze of divine gold, its roar shaking the air.
"Namo," Kuina said, her voice low and deadly, "time for you to die."
Namo chuckled. "Come on. I'm still just playing with you, stupid girl."
Down below, Kylie worked over Molly's still body, muttering under her breath. "Come on, Barbie, get up…"
Clara and Lika approached. "I'll help," Clara said.
"I'm in too," Lika added.
Piper, looking tired but restless, walked up with Mortis at her side. "I'm going back to help Kuina. Anyone coming?"
No one answered.
"Hey! Answer me!"
Lika smiled gently. "Let Kuina handle it. She told us not to interfere."
"You hypnotic idiot," Piper snapped. "Kuina needs backup. Forget it, I'll go myself. Come on, Mortis."
The unicorn hesitated. "I don't really have much strength left, Piper… maybe just let her—"
A flick of water slapped his ear. "Fine, coward. Remember this."
Meanwhile, Mira knelt beside Michael. Her voice was calm but sharp. "I'm not sorry I killed our parents. They deserved it. But I am sorry for being selfish to you and a terrible queen. The kingdom's gone, and even if it comes back, I won't sit on the throne again. Rest, little brother."
She closed his open eyes with her fingers, then launched into the air. "Too bad I can't use Flameheart… damn it."
Piper glanced at her with a faint smile. "At least you care."
Mira winked. "Come on, love, let's help her."
Kuina saw them moving in while her dragon poured flames over Namo's shield. "Get back, Piper! Don't interfere! It's dangerous! Mira, hurry here instead!"
Mira continued forward. Piper kept going too.
"I don't care, sweetheart! I'm coming to help you!"
"Piper, you bitch, get back down now! Mira, tell her!"
Namo took the opening and kicked Kuina in the face. Piper gasped.
"You… cursed at me? Kuina! You're my soulmate!"
She lunged, catching Kuina before she could hit the ground.
Namo smiled darkly. "Alright, enough warm-up. Bye-bye, dragon."
A blade of shadow magic flashed in his hand. With a single brutal slash, the golden dragon split in half.
Mira, Piper, and Kuina all froze in shock.
Kuina shoved herself upright, brushing Piper's hands away. "Piper, get down there. You tried, it didn't work. You can't handle Namo."
Piper smirked. "Don't underestimate me, babe. I haven't even used all my water power yet."
Kuina touched her cheek gently. The system chimed: Level up triggered by intimate moment.
Kuina kissed her hard and quick. "Do me a favor, alright? I care about you. Mira's better for backup here. Go help the others."
Piper flushed, kissed her back quickly. "Fine. Only because you're so damn sweet."
She descended.
Namo growled. "Stop kissing already!"
Level up +12
Mira teleported in, her heel smashing into Namo's neck, forcing him sideways.
Kuina's dragon form faded as the dragon's corpse dissolved behind her.
Mira placed a hand on her shoulder. "You killed my brother even after I begged you to stop… but I won't hold a grudge. Let's finish him together, babe."
Kuina smiled. "Glad you're here."
Namo crossed his arms, energy swirling between them. "Then try to stop this."
A crackling sphere of magic blasted toward the group below.
Kuina and Mira's eyes widened. "Kylie! Lika! Everyone, look out!"
Kuina leapt to intercept, but Namo teleported in front of her. "No. Just… no."
His punch smashed into her, then into Mira in a blur.
Clara's patience snapped. "Stop interrupting!"
Her kick slammed into the sphere, sending it high into the clouds. Her hair whipped upward, baring her chest for a split second.
Kylie called out, "What if we suck the poison out? I kiss her hot, you transfer the venom to my mouth, then I spit it out."
"Fine," Clara said. "But spit fast."
On the sidelines, Piper sat alone. Mortis trotted over. "Pipes, I don't like fighting with you."
A jet of water hit his face. "Go away, I need a minute."
"Please don't be all gloomy," he pouted.
"Never call me Pipes, idiot. Just… give me space."
Mortis sighed and walked away.
Kylie's lips locked with Molly's, Clara channeling healing magic into the transfer, but it was hard without Molly's love energy. Lika added hypnotic support, but it barely helped.
Across the field, Kuina staggered up alongside Mira. "He's too strong. Without the dragon, I'm way weaker."
Mira smiled faintly. "We'll figure it—"
Namo appeared behind her. The blue blade sank into her chest. Blood sprayed as her eyes went wide.
Kuina froze in horror.
Namo smiled like the devil. "One less piece of shit in the world."
Mira coughed blood, collapsing as life slipped away.
The system flashed: Intimacy reward with Mira removed. Mira status: eliminated.
Namo shrugged. "Wow. That was easy."
Kuina dropped her sword. "No… no, no, no… Mira!" She shook her, but her eyes were empty.
The others were still busy with Molly, unaware.
Namo's grin widened. "Your turn, Kuina."
Her hands trembled, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Mira… Mira! No!"
His boot crashed into her face, knocking her backward.
"Come on. Let it out. Give me everything, ginger slut."
Kuina's voice broke into a scream. "You bastard! I'll kill you! You won't see tomorrow! I'll rip you apart piece by piece! You will pay for this!"
Namo laughed. "Oh, I'm so scared."
To be continued