The battlefield was chaos. Lava hissed in broken rivers, the earth split open as if the planet itself was shattering under the weight of war. Ash filled the air and black smoke strangled every breath.
Namo stood at the center, clutching his chest. His once godlike figure of molten stone and fire flickered, unstable, unraveling. His volcanic aura cracked and dissolved, spilling sparks into the choking air. His voice came out in a broken whisper, his lips trembling.
"What... is happening to me? No... not now. Has my expiration finally come?"
His body twitched. His knees buckled. His flame-wrapped form faltered as the shape of his divine body began to vanish. The tyrant of fire, the lord of destruction, was weakening.
From above, Piper's sharp cry split through the roar of chaos."Then take this, you bastard! Namo! This tsunami is for you!"
Her hands moved with the force of desperation. Blue radiance flared from her body, water shimmering like armor across her naked frame. The colossal tsunami she had conjured earlier surged forward with renewed fury. It towered higher than mountains, blotting out the horizon, a living wall of death.
The sight froze Namo. For the first time in centuries he looked truly afraid. He raised his hands, glowing faintly with volcanic power, and tried to stop the surge. He pushed against the wall of water, forcing the last of his power to resist. For a heartbeat, he seemed to hold it. Fire clashed against water, earth cracked beneath the strain, and the sky itself screamed.
But his strength faltered.
"No!" Namo roared, blood spilling from his lips. "I will not... die here!"
The wave broke through. It slammed into him with unstoppable power. His body was hurled into the earth like a ragdoll, crashing hard, shattering bone and cracking stone. His divine aura shattered with him. The explosion of impact sent dust spiraling into the air.
Piper's body trembled. Her radiant water armor flickered and vanished. She fell to her knees, drenched in sweat, gasping for air.
"I... I can't hold it anymore," she cried out, her voice hoarse and desperate. "I can't control the wave! Kuina! Mortris! Somebody, help me!"
From the barrier of shadows where he had been watching, Mortris's eyes widened. He leapt into the air, wings spreading wide as he flew toward her."Hold on, Pipers! I'm coming for you!"
He landed just behind her, glyphs glowing across his arms. A dark beam erupted from his palms, striking into the base of the wave, trying to slow its descent. His teeth clenched from the strain.
Kuina spun around, eyes burning with determination."Kylie, Lika, Moly! Stay here and guard each other! I have to get to Piper!"
But before she could fly, Lika caught her wrist. Her usually calm eyes flared with urgency."Kuina, stop! Your power is nearly gone. Aquaheart may have chosen you but you cannot control it yet. If you push yourself now, you'll collapse completely."
Kuina managed a soft smile. Her body shook but her spirit remained unbroken."I'll do what I can, Lika. Thank you for trusting me."
She looked at Kylie, her voice lower, serious."Keep them safe, my love. Watch Moly for me."
Kylie smirked, though her eyes betrayed worry. She leaned in, lips brushing Kuina's cheek."Mwah. Of course, sweetheart. Go save Piper before she drowns us all."
Moly winked playfully, raising her hand in encouragement.
Kuina shot into the sky, fire streaking in her wake. "Piper! Hold on!"
Piper's arms shook violently. Her voice cracked as she forced the towering wave downward, redirecting it toward the rivers of lava. "At least... I have to drown the fire..."
With one last scream she forced the water into the earth. The lava hissed as oceans smothered it, steam exploding upward. The ground quaked, the battlefield torn between fire and flood.
Then Piper collapsed, her body naked and limp as her power vanished.
"Damn it!" Kuina caught her midair, pulling her into her arms. She pressed her forehead against Piper's, whispering fiercely. "Stay alive. I'll heal you later, I swear. Just hold on."
She laid her gently on the broken ground.
Mortris landed beside them, his wings folding. He placed a hand on Kuina's shoulder."I'll guard her, ginger. You deal with what's left."
Kuina's fists clenched. The world around her shook as the uncontrolled tsunami raged without Piper's command.
Her fury burst out."System! Be useful for once! Tell me how to stop this chaos!"
No response.
Her teeth ground together. "Answer me! Now!"
Finally the system's playful, detached voice echoed in her skull."The chaos will not end until Namo is destroyed completely. He is the source. Please finish him."
Kuina's eyes snapped toward the ruins. And there he was.
Namo, battered and broken, lay sprawled across cracked stone. His breaths came shallow, his body convulsing, but he was alive. Barely.
She soared toward him, her aura blazing weakly but enough to reach him.
He coughed blood, laughing bitterly as tears streaked down his face."So... this is how it ends? After all I fought for... I fall here."
Kuina landed before him, her expression sharp and merciless."If you had chosen another path, perhaps I would have spared you. But you only brought destruction. Your fate is death."
Namo chuckled, blood on his lips."I failed. I failed to return men the stage they lost. You women... you conquered us, crushed us with power. Ortus rules above us all, but you... you might be worse. You are the real conqueror."
Kuina's voice cut like a blade."You're pathetic. Misogynistic. I defended myself and the women you tried to erase. You sought vengeance. They wanted peace. I don't know who Ortus truly is, but I will find her and I will learn. What I will never do is forgive you."
Namo's lips curled faintly, his eyes dimming."You're strong. Stronger than Ortus maybe. But remember... the gods wait in the shadows. They want to conquer. She holds them back. Without her... they will come for you."
His body spasmed violently. He coughed again, voice breaking."One last thing... James is there. In the Realm of the Gods..."
Kuina froze. The name pierced her heart. But only for a moment.
Her eyes narrowed. "Enough."
She raised her hand, energy gathering in her palm. A blazing sphere formed. She thrust it forward.
The blast tore through his skull. His body erupted into fragments, exploding into ash and molten shards. Namo, the tyrant of fire, was gone.
The system chimed with a triumphant note."Congratulations! You have unlocked a new ability: Crisis Storm. Take a deep breath and release it with all your strength. This will end the chaos completely."
Kuina inhaled deeply, her chest burning. She lifted both arms and unleashed.
The Crisis Storm erupted outward. Energy burst like a supernova, spreading in waves of pure divine light. The water dispersed, the lava cooled, the shattered earth knitted back together.
Above, the others shielded their eyes from the overwhelming brilliance.
When the dust cleared, silence ruled. The battlefield was still. The chaos was gone.
Kuina collapsed to her knees. Her body trembled, sweat dripping down her face. Her lips parted and she whispered, "I... I won."
From above, Kylie, Lika, and Moly descended with Mortris carrying Piper on his back.
Kylie rushed to Kuina, grabbing her hands and pulling her upright."You did it! That was insane. Sexy, brutal, perfect. You're amazing."
Moly clapped excitedly. "You're incredible!"
Mortris lowered Piper gently. "Less applause, more healing. She's still out cold."
Kuina's voice shook. "I'm... empty. I can't heal her. Kylie?"
Kylie shook her head. "No magic here."
"Lika?"
"I'm awful at healing."
"Moly?"
"I fight, I don't heal!"
They turned to Mortris. He threw his hands up. "Are you all idiots? Then what? Oh wait. Clara and Mira! They're still in the temple. Let's go!"
Kuina nodded weakly. "Yes. But... the Fire Kingdom..."
Kylie laughed bitterly, pointing at the wasteland of ash."There's nothing left, babe. Just dust. Mira will understand. The war is over."
The system chimed again."Level up! Five hundred thousand levels gained. New powers unlocked: Aquaheart, Crisis Storm, Form of the Gods, Armor of the Gods, Axe of the Gods. Next mission: complete intimacy quest with Mira. Afterward, proceed to the Realm of the Gods. Rest period: forty-eight hours."
Divine energy surged through Kuina. A white axe descended from the sky into her hand. A glowing pink-white armor enveloped her body. Her level now stood at six hundred thousand.
She gasped, trembling. "I... I've become something else. Divine... half goddess..."
Moly whispered in awe. "You're a goddess now, Kuina. At least half a goddess."
Kylie's eyes gleamed with hungry admiration. "Hotter than ever, babe. And I didn't think that was possible."
Lika clapped slowly, overwhelmed.
Mortris groaned. "Great. Goddess. Incredible. Now let's get Piper to Clara already."
They soared toward the temple.
Inside, Clara and Mira were finishing their ritual. Their bodies glowed faintly as Clara kissed Mira softly before pulling back with a grin."That's it, darling. You're alive again. Delicious, too." She licked Mira's cheek.
Mira smiled faintly. "Thank you, my mischievous cat. Now return my clothes. We need to see the others."
The group arrived. Mira turned, her eyes meeting Kuina's. Both froze. Both broke into tears.
They ran into each other's arms.
"Mira..." Kuina whispered, her voice breaking. "My Mira. I'm so sorry. I failed you. Never again. Never."
Mira sobbed into her shoulder. "I love you, Kuina. I always have." She kissed her softly on the lips, still trembling.
Kuina pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. Tears streamed down her face. "I love you too. I should have said it long ago. You're precious to me. I will never let you die again."
The words silenced the room. Every member of the harem looked on. Kylie only smiled knowingly, her eyes shining with pride.
Mira clung to Kuina, crying harder. "Finally... finally you said it. I waited so long."
Kuina stroked her hair, holding her close. "I'll never let you go."
The others joined, embracing Mira one by one. Clara stood back, grinning as she watched. "Well, aren't you all adorable."
Kuina turned and hugged Clara too. "Thank you, Clara. You saved me once. Now you saved Mira. I owe you."
Clara purred with delight. "Of course, darling. Always here for you."
Piper stirred faintly. Kuina rushed to her. "Piper, are you alright?"
"Yes..." she whispered weakly. "Just tired."
Mortris knelt beside her, smirking. "Pat my head to celebrate your survival."
She flicked his forehead. He yelped. She smirked. "Idiot."
The room erupted with laughter. Relief filled them all.
Kuina turned to Kylie. "Are you alright, love?"
Kylie smiled warmly. "Of course. Just letting it all sink in. You and Mira deserved that moment. We're open. I love her too. And I love you."
Kuina tilted her head. "You're not jealous?"
Kylie blushed faintly. "Of course not! ... maybe a little. But it's fine."
Mira wrapped her arms around Kuina from behind. "Come with me, Kuina. Just us. I want to be alone with you."
Kylie waved with a grin. "Go on, you two. We'll give you space."
The others left. Only Kuina and Mira remained.
Mira's eyes glistened. "Kuina... let's make up for lost time."
Kuina kissed her deeply, lifting her into her arms.
Far above, in the Realm of the Gods, Ortus raised a glass of champagne, her lips curling into a cruel smile."The time has come. I'll be waiting for you, girls."
To be continued.