Outside the arena, in a drifting place beyond the noise of the crowd, Lisia, Piper, and Mortis stand together, while Kuina's conversation with James takes place elsewhere.
Piper fidgets, her voice shaky.
"Mortis… I… I really want you to be happy, but don't you think this is kind of out of nowhere? You've been my unicorn for so many years, and now you suddenly want to change? Isn't it enough that you've been hiding the fact you can shapeshift into a human? That's not enough for you?!"
Mortis's face tightens with frustration.
"So a unicorn can't change his mind? Come on, Piper. Accept it already. I'm done being your pet."
He pauses, and his voice softens just a bit.
"Please don't get it wrong. You're my friend. Literally, you're my best friend. You always will be. But we can still be the same... even when I'm human."
Piper lowers her head, her shoulders trembling. Lisia gently places her hand on Piper's shoulder.
"My granddaughter… enough. Listen to Mortis. Let him have this."
She looks to Mortis and smiles warmly.
"When I cast the spell, his power will shift. He'll still be able to become a unicorn, but without the time restrictions. He'll be able to switch between forms whenever he wants. I'm just unlocking the half-hour limitation, that's all. Understand?"
Tears begin to fall from Piper's eyes.
"You don't understand… I've lived with him for so many years. We were in the Forest of Sacrifice, we killed men and criminals together, we did everything… until Namo killed us. Kuina revived us. And then… we followed her. So much has changed since then… and now I see my Mortis changing."
Mortis steps closer, gently lowers his head, letting his unicorn horn press softly against her arm.
"Give me one last pet… I deserve that. Before I change myself… forgive me, Piper. I hope you'll understand one day."
Piper strokes his head slowly, tears still running down her cheeks.
Lisia smiles, her eyes glowing with magic.
"Stay just like that, Mortis."
She hovers slightly above the ground and raises both hands. Her voice rings like soft thunder.
"Reverse Changing Form!"
The magic circles spin around them. Piper stumbles back slightly, stunned.
After a long minute…
Mortis begins to change.
His body stretches upward. Hair grows long, golden and curly. His form becomes muscular. His clothes morph into torn yellow fabric. A shining unicorn horn remains on his forehead. His eyes glow white like burning light.
Lisia lands back on the ground, panting slightly.
"Wow, that took a bit of energy. But I'm happy I could grant your wish, Mortis."
Piper rubs the back of her head awkwardly.
"Hehe... I'm happy for you, Mortis…"
Mortis walks slowly toward her. He's taller now. He gently wraps his arms around her, trembling as he pulls her close.
"Piper… I've waited years to hug you like this… my bestie."
Piper is speechless.
"Mortis… wow… your hug... it feels so real. From a human... I've never been hugged like this by a man before."
She hugs him back, closing her eyes through the tears.
"I'll try to get used to this… bestie…"
Lisia watches them, smiling.
"Now that everything's good… are you still thinking about reviving Eileen?"
Mortis looks at her seriously.
"Eileen… I wish we could. But Kuina's too busy with bullshit. She's not going to deal with this now."
Piper ends the hug, wiping her face.
"It's okay. I'll ask her when things calm down. Kuina has her own problems to work out. And as much as I love my sister… she died from a cursed illness… and it might be hard to bring her back."
Lisia nods.
"I'll return, Piper. Mortis. We'll talk again. I'm heading back to my kingdom, but if you ever talk to Kuina and maybe decide to revive Eileen... let me know. And of course… I'm sorry. For all the years you didn't know me."
She vanishes into thin air.
Mortis turns to Piper with a soft smile.
"So… what now?"
Piper chuckles faintly.
"Let's go visit the Forest of Sacrifice. Reminisce a little."
"Sounds good. Let's go."
He lifts her gently off the ground. Piper blushes.
"Hey! Only Kuina is allowed to carry me like that!"
"And also your bestie…"
They fly off into the sky.
At the abandoned church
Molly stares at her mother.
"Mom… why are you here? What's going on?"
Kyla looks around nervously.
"I… I'm here in the church. It's kind of abandoned, but peaceful. Quiet."
Clara steps forward.
"Molly's mom, you're speaking very harshly toward your daughter. You can't just say it's wrong or unacceptable for girls to kiss. In the end, that's our choice."
"No! I don't agree! There's order! There's religion! There are rules about two females sleeping together… and Molly, I didn't know you were… umm… into girls."
Molly's eyes turn cold.
"Neither did I. But today I know. I'm in love. I love girls. I love my friends. I found an amazing group of people. And with all due respect, Mom… our paths split here. Again."
Lika smiles proudly. Clara too.
Prestic crosses his arms.
Kyla looks humiliated, ashamed.
"My daughter… I… I really want to fix things…"
Molly snaps.
"There's nothing to fix! So many years passed… things changed… we're just not built to keep contact. Sorry."
Kyla suddenly lunges forward in desperation.
"No! You won't leave me again! No! Not this time!"
Molly catches her mother's fist effortlessly, twists it aside, and slaps her hard to the ground.
Kyla falls, sobbing.
Clara stops smiling.
"Molly, babe… that's enough. You made your point."
Prestic places a hand on Molly's shoulder.
"Come on. You and I need to talk. And I owe you an apology too."
Molly stays cold.
"Okay. Whatever."
Clara, Lika, Molly and Prestic turn to leave. Kyla lies on the floor, weeping.
Molly glances back once, her voice hollow.
"Sayonara, Mom. And this time… for good."
A few minutes later
A bright flash. Aritho appears.
"Hey Lika! Or all the cuties here!"
Lika blushes.
"H-hi Aritho…"
Clara smiles and bows.
"Hey there, cutie."
Prestic rolls his eyes.
"What do you want? How'd you even know we were here? Just give me a minute with them and I'll come back."
"No need to chatter, Prestic. I'm here to fulfill Lika's wish. It's time to grant your prize, sweetheart!"
Lika looks shocked.
"Oh… yeah. I forgot. The truth is… I don't know what to ask for…"
"Ask for anything! As long as it's within my power!"
Lika closes her eyes, remembering Kuina. Her uncle Mako. The ice king Titaros who enslaved her for a decade. She makes her decision.
"I… I gave Kuina an ultimatum. It was cruel. I told her to give up her revenge for me… for love… and I want… it might sound strange or even harsh, but… I want you to make her forget about revenge. I want her to stay with us, with the girls, and forget everything."
Molly gasps.
"Wow. Looks like I missed a few details… what the hell is going on?"
Prestic is stunned.
"Whoa. That's one crazy-ass request…"
Clara smiles.
"I'm in favor. It's not cruel. It's for her own good."
Aritho is shocked.
"You're asking me to make Kuina forget her revenge? To hypnotize her or use a spell to erase it? First of all… I can do that… but I absolutely refuse, darling."
Lika looks at him in disbelief.
"Um… why?"
"Because you fell in love with Kuina with all her thirst for vengeance and all her emotions. If I erase that… she won't be the same woman you love. Besides, Kuina needs to sort out her own feelings and choose for herself."
Lika bursts out.
"But… um… she won't succeed! James is stronger than her, Ortus is too cruel and too powerful. How will she win? She won't! She needs to give up! Give up fighting for love! It's time! Aritho, you have to agree with me…"
Molly walks up to Lika, places her hand on her shoulder.
"Lika, I didn't expect this from you. This isn't like you. That ultimatum… those choices… they're kind of selfish."
Lika starts crying.
"S-sorry, I… I just want it all to be over. I want us all to live in love. I'm just worried about Kuina… I'm sorry…"
Aritho lifts her chin gently, looking into her eyes with a soft smile.
"Oh, sweetheart… I'm not mad. Your wish came from a pure place. But you need to understand the situation. Kuina loves you all. I felt it. I heard her words. She said the names of all three of you."
Clara blushes.
"Oh really? Hehe… I was kind of mad at her too, but now I just want to lick her cheek."
Molly laughs.
"Haha, maybe it's time to arrange some reconciliation? Maybe Kuina is fixing everything right now."
Lika says shyly,
"So… my wish is… give us a solution. A place where we can live without Ortus. Without fighting."
Aritho nods.
"A place without Ortus? Sure. Not here. But there is one place I can suggest. And that is… drumroll please… Kuina's original world. The real world. We're in Klaza now. But that's supposedly the real one. Wanna know how I know? Because I came from there too."
Lika, Clara and Molly are shocked.
"The real world? How do we get there?"
"You'll need Ortus's permission. I can't really do it myself. But with a good reason, maybe she'll let you go…"
Clara sighs.
"No way she'll agree."
Molly says,
"We have to try! That world sounds super interesting!"
Aritho smiles.
"I did what I could. Happy to help, Lika. See you later. Oh, and Prestic… come along."
He vanishes.
Prestic says coldly,
"Wow. You girls are gonna have a hell of a time convincing Ortus…"
They all stare in silence.
"Alright. Let's sit down for a minute."
At the Red Office
Kuina heads toward the door, but James stops her.
"Wait. There's one more thing I want you to know."
"What now? I told you I'll think about everything."
"You should talk to Ortus. Just you and her. No one else. One on one. Try to influence her. Maybe get her to cancel your system. Release you. For good."
The door bursts open. Kylie storms in.
"Sorry to interrupt! Kuina, my love, are you okay? I came to check if anything happened."
Kuina smiles.
"I'm fine. And about what you said, James… I'll talk to her. It's time I face that monster one on one. But as for my revenge? Don't think I gave it up. You can put it on ice."
James smirks.
"Fair enough."
Kuina and Kylie fly out.
Kylie looks worried.
"I'll be blunt, my love… Ortus said she loves you. She wants to make you a goddess in her kingdom. But it's your decision if you'll accept that…"
Kuina is shocked.
"Wow. I keep getting bombarded with stories and confessions… it's time she tells me face to face. And Kylie… this time you're not interfering. Okay, babe?"
Kylie looks at her with sadness and tenderness.
"I just worry about you. I only want your story to end. And remember… I'll always be with you. Ortus doesn't matter to me anymore."
Kuina smiles.
"Oh, my sweet girl. Come give me a hug."
Kylie hugs her tight, kisses her cheek. A black lipstick mark stays on Kuina's skin. Then she kisses her neck. Her cheek again. Her forehead. More kisses, over and over.
Kuina stops her gently.
"Okay, Kylie, hehe… we get it…"
Kuina blushes.
Kylie smiles seductively.
"When all this is over… we're gonna have sex like before. But this time, no stopping. Promise?"
Kuina grins.
"I have nothing to promise. It's gonna happen even if you don't ask…"
She winks.
"Now go be with Mira. Gather all the girls. When I come back… it's time I say something to all of you. Okay?"
Kylie squeals with joy.
"Ahhhh is this what I think it is, baby?!"
Kuina rolls her eyes.
"You'll find out soon enough…"
She kisses Kylie's cheek and flies off.
Kylie blushes, heart pounding.
"I've never been this in love… oh who am I kidding… I totally have."
Kuina arrives a few minutes later outside Ortus's castle. She stands before the door, breathing deeply.
"Wow. This won't be easy. But it's time."
She opens the door.
Ortus is lying on the bed, staring at her seductively.
"So you came to talk. That's great. But before anything else… it's time we make love. Right here. Right now. No limits."
SYSTEM WARNING
Please make love with Ortus, Goddess of Sex. Reward: Answers and one wish of your choice. Refuse? All harem girls will die.
Kuina stares, horrified.
"Fuck... you bitch…"
To be continued