The ground beneath Kuina's feet trembled. Lava hissed and surged in chaotic rivers around her, swallowing everything it touched. She stood frozen, eyes locked onto Namo, her blade still pulsing faintly. Her breath hitched. She had tried to summon the Flameheart, to end this in one devastating strike.
Nothing had happened.
Her hands clenched. She tried again. Silence. No surge. No fire. Just... nothing.
Namo lifted a hand, glowing with raw volcanic power, and fired another blast into the earth. Explosions tore through the landscape. Debris flew. The skies turned red.
Kuina gritted her teeth. "Why isn't it working?"
From above, the others had taken to the air, forced up by the heat and devastation. Kylie flew in looping patterns, dodging flames. Mortris growled, forming dark glyphs in the sky. Lika floated quietly, her eyes scanning for openings. And Moly hovered beside Kuina, struggling to keep steady.
Far off, inside the shattered temple, Clara and Mira's bodies moved in rhythm, locked in a sacred act of passion. Energy surged from them like liquid light. Mira's breath caught. A shiver passed through her.
"Clara... wait. Something's wrong," Mira said, pulling back slightly. "I can feel it. Namo's power... he's losing control. We have to help."
Clara placed a single finger over her lips. Her eyes gleamed. "Shhh. Relax, baby. Right now, it's just me and you. If we stop early, your healing won't complete. We need three more hours. That's how long it takes. Just let yourself love me, okay?"
Mira flushed. Her voice cracked with urgency. "I don't care! If Kuina and the others are in danger, I'm stopping this!"
She moved to rise, but Clara raised her hand. A sudden shimmer surrounded Mira, and she crashed into an invisible barrier. She stumbled back, stunned.
"Wha—what is this?"
Clara smiled gently. "I'm a healer. Half-angel. I won't let you die, Mira. Not when I can protect you. Let go. Just trust me. If things get worse, I'll act. I promise."
Mira stood in silence, torn between instinct and love. Her body still bare, her skin glowing from Clara's touch, she looked into her eyes. "Please... Clara... I'm scared."
Clara stepped forward and embraced her softly. A kiss landed on Mira's cheek.
"You're full of love, Mira. I adore that. Just a little longer. Come on."
She kissed her lips, slow and tender. Mira returned the kiss—then suddenly flipped her, pinning Clara against the invisible wall.
"Fine. You want love? I'll show you."
Her hands slid up Clara's sides, cupping her gently. She trailed kisses down her collarbone, her breasts, her stomach. Clara arched into her touch, moaning lightly.
Above the battlefield, Kylie charged. She summoned a golden staff and hurled herself toward Namo.
"You bastard! Take this!"
She swung.
Namo didn't flinch. With a single sweeping kick, he struck her out of the air.
"Pathetic."
Kylie hit the ground and rolled, groaning.
Moly fluttered to Kuina's side, her breathing shallow.
"Kuina, you have to finish him! Why isn't it working?!"
Kuina looked lost, sweat glistening on her brow. "I don't know. Mira's technique... the Flameheart... it's not activating. I'm doing everything I was told, but—"
She cursed. "I must be doing it wrong. Damn it!"
Moly stepped behind her, wrapping her arms around Kuina's waist in a soft hug. Her voice was almost a whisper.
"Kuina, you're special. I believe in you. Take what's left of my strength. I can't fight anymore. I'm spent."
Kuina turned sharply, eyes wide. She crouched, lifting Moly's face with trembling fingers.
"Moly—"
She kissed her. Without hesitation. A kiss gentle and real.
Moly gasped. Her first kiss. Her lips parted and her eyes fluttered open in shock.
"What... What was that? Why do I feel... healed?"
Kuina smiled. "Because I healed you, sweetheart. You don't need to give me anything. Just distract Namo. I'll handle the rest."
Moly blinked. A flush spread across her cheeks. "Okay. And just so you know... that kiss? Not bad. Not bad at all."
She flew off with renewed vigor.
Kuina stood, watching her go. She heard Mira's voice echo from memory: "You need total mastery over flame and absolute focus. Any mistake drains your strength."
Kuina's hands curled into fists. "I don't have mastery over fire... Damn it!"
Piper landed nearby, waves of water still radiating from her palms, trying to douse the lava. It wasn't enough.
Mortris attacked from the right. Kylie dove again. Lika sent sharp energy arcs. Moly weaved distraction patterns. But Namo laughed, dodging every strike. He struck back with brutal fists and burning blasts. They couldn't touch him.
Kuina fell to her knees.
"I'm losing everything. My blade is gone. My power's fading. Maybe... I'm not strong enough."
Then the system chimed in her head:
"Kiss Piper and receive the opposite of Flameheart. One-time bonus.😉"
Kuina stared up. "Seriously...? Are you messing with me right now?"
She leaped through the air.
"Piper!"
Piper paused mid-flight and turned. "Yes, my queen? You okay?"
Kuina didn't answer. She grabbed Piper's cheeks and kissed her lips. Soft. Deliberate. Their bodies glowed.
A surge of light enveloped Kuina.
"Aquaheart unlocked."
Kuina blinked, stunned. "I had to... Sorry."
Piper grinned. "Of course. That's my domain. Water control. But... this power isn't easy. Use it wrong, and the world floods. Only I can wield it properly. If the system gave it to you, then... maybe I'm meant to use it now."
Kuina hesitated. "System? Is that true?!"
A winky emoji appeared in her vision.
"You little—"
The lava surged. The battlefield quaked. Entire cliffs sank.
Namo screamed and unleashed a body eruption. The force sent everyone flying. Kylie barely caught herself. Lika clung to a ledge. Mortris held steady.
Moly cried out as her right leg touched the lava.
"Ahhh! It's like I stepped into the sun!"
Kuina shouted. "Piper! You have to try! I believe in you!"
Piper nodded. Her voice trembled.
"I didn't want to... but if you say so, I'll do it!"
Her clothes vanished. Water formed around her like living armor. Her body shimmered in radiant blue.
"This will drain me for years... but for you, Kuina—"
She screamed.
"AQUAHEART!"
From her hands erupted a colossal wave, ten times the height of the battlefield. A living tsunami.
Namo froze. Kylie's eyes widened. Lika gasped. Moly cheered. Kuina watched, proud.
Mortris yelled, rushing toward her. "Piper! You maniac! That'll kill your powers for a decade!"
Piper smiled faintly. "Princess of water doesn't lose power. I give. I don't break."
The tsunami surged.
Namo flew forward, desperate. Kuina appeared before him and wagged her finger.
"Nope."
She kicked him hard in the head. He flew back, dazed.
Kylie collapsed, her golden form fading.
"Ugh. Out of energy. Still hot though."
Namo roared. "NOOO!"
The earth shook violently.
The wave towered.
Kuina teleported, grabbing Kylie, Lika, and Moly.
Mortris shouted. "Hey! What about me?! I'm not chopped liver!"
She returned and pulled him out just in time.
They landed behind a rocky ridge, safe for now.
"Listen," Kuina said, panting. "We stay here. If this works, great. If not, we fight again. But I'm tired. Too tired."
Kylie pulled her into a gentle hug.
"Don't worry, beautiful. Piper's got this. Right? My gorgeous girlfriend?"
Lika blinked. "Girlfriend...?"
Mortris coughed. "Wait what."
Moly raised a brow. "Then why'd you kiss me, Kuina?"
Kuina smiled. "Kylie's my partner. But I love all of you. Even you, Mortris."
She winked.
"But Kylie... she's everything to me."
Kylie looked into her eyes.
"I love you, Kuina Tyorkin."
She kissed her deeply.
Lika turned red and ran forward, pulling them apart.
"I want to be with you too! Both of you! Please..."
As they spoke, the tsunami crashed down.
The sound was deafening. The light blinding.
A second later, Namo burst through the wave.
Then,
He stopped mid-air.
Clutched his chest.
Something was wrong.
To be continued...