The twilight cliffs of Vrasnia shimmered under the eternal night sky, the aurora borealis casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the ocean below. The purple moon hung low, its eerie glow illuminating the group gathered on the jagged outcrop. Vanessa emerged from a rippling portal of abyssal water, cradling an unconscious Raijin in her arms. His bloodied form sent a ripple of tension through the group.
Kamaki was the first to react, rushing forward with wide eyes. "Damn, man, who did this to you, bro?" he exclaimed, his voice thick with concern.
Felicia stepped forward, her hands glowing with pale blue phoenix flames. The ethereal light danced over Raijin's wounds, knitting flesh and soothing bruises with a soft hum. Kazimir stood beside Riah, his violet-blue eyes—swirling with galaxies and a crescent moon pupil—fixed on Raijin. Neve, Jessie, Lihanna, and Tyrone formed a silent semicircle, their expressions a mix of worry and anticipation.
Twenty minutes passed, the air heavy with the weight of unspoken questions. Then Raijin stirred, his eyelids fluttering. Kamaki's voice broke the silence. "He's awake!"
Raijin's green eyes opened, taking in the alien beauty of Vrasnia's starry skies and the purple moon's glow. "I'm… in Vrasnia," he murmured, his voice hoarse.
Neve leaned over him, her white hair nearly brushing his face as she flashed a playful grin. "Hi there! You're finally awake!"
Before Raijin could respond, Jessie's hand cracked against Neve's backside. "Oww! Again?" Neve yelped, spinning to face her. "Do you just like the feel of my ass or something? I know its nice and fat but sheesh."
Jessie rolled her eyes, her two-toned purple hair swaying in the wind. "Give the guy some space, Neve. Let him catch his breath."
"Oh, come on," Neve teased, undeterred. "It's Raijin. You know he loves this gooner nonsense."
Raijin pushed himself up, wincing as he steadied himself. Vanessa, Kazimir, and Riah stood before him, their gazes piercing. "You came back for me, Kazimir?" Raijin asked, his voice steadying.
Kazimir nodded, his expression unreadable. "We saw someone—a holy hero, blonde hair, golden eyes—gazing at us. Then we saw Gendai. Next thing, we found you out cold in the Prismic Gathering Mansion's dining room. Care to explain?"
Raijin chuckled, though the sound was laced with bitterness. "With pleasure. Gendai's been spreading lies—saying you kill Karah, murdered your friends, abused her, treated her like a slave. She's claiming your intentions are evil, that you want to conquer humanity. She broadcasted it all to the world leaders."
Jessie's voice exploded with indignation. "What? That succubus is lying through her teeth!"
Neve's blue eyes narrowed. "She's a demon, after all. No surprise there."
Lihanna's voice cut through, sharp and accusing. "All this because some guy didn't want her? She's got no self-control."
Vanessa took a deep breath, her abyssal aura swirling like a storm. "I knew she was trouble the moment I saw her. Emperor, give me the word, and I'll end her right now. Or you, Empress Riah—just say it."
Riah's gaze was cold, calculating. "No. She's not worth it. What's the point of killing her? It gains us nothing."
Vanessa's lips curled into a sneer. "Maybe not for you, but for me? One less idiot in the universe is a win."
Neve blinked, stunned. "Wow, Vanessa, that's the most I've ever heard you say."
Kazimir's voice silenced the group, deep and commanding. "Raijin, who attacked you?"
Raijin's jaw tightened. "Sando. He showed up at the mansion out of nowhere. I confronted Gendai about her lies, and things got heated. Sando attacked me when I wasn't expecting it. I fought back, but Gendai jumped in. They got the better of me, and next thing I knew, I was out cold."
Lihanna, Kamaki, Tyrone, and Felicia bristled with fury. Vanessa stood motionless, her eyes burning with barely restrained rage. Riah's voice was low, venomous. "So she backstabbed you and chose him. I always suspected she was only after power. I thought she'd changed, but clearly not."
Vanessa's words dripped with disdain. "She's obsessed with Kazimir because she's a whore for power she can't earn. She'll sleep with anyone to get it. Disgusting succubus."
Neve raised an eyebrow. "Damn, Vanessa, tell us how you really feel."
Kamaki slammed a fist into his palm, his voice booming. "Kazimir, I'm ready! Let's head to Earth and start World Disaster Part Two!"
Riah's hand cracked against the back of Kamaki's neck, sending him to his knees with a yelp. "Arghh!" he groaned, clutching his neck. "Why not?"
"No," Riah said firmly. "We're not doing that."
Kamaki scrambled to his feet. "What? Why?"
Kazimir's gaze drifted to the aurora-lit horizon, his voice calm but laced with menace. "Because something's coming. Cytherea's planning something. She and the other Nullities aren't a threat to me, but Abiba? I want her head on my wall for what she did. The Saturas can deal with the rest."
Kamaki's eyes widened. "But Riah's a Satura. If she has to go, what then?"
Kazimir's crescent-moon pupils gleamed with resolve. "If it comes to that, we go to war. But that time isn't here yet. For now, let Gendai enjoy her little fairy tale."
Jessie smirked, her purple hair catching the moonlight. "Look at you, being all generous."
Kazimir's lips twitched into a faint smile. "She's found her happiness. Let her have it while it lasts. But if Sando thinks he can face me with that sword of his, he'll need more than Solaris's blessings. I'm far stronger than Azoth ever was. He'd be buying a one-way ticket to the afterlife."
The group fell silent, the weight of Kazimir's words settling over them like the eternal night of Vrasnia. The purple moon glowed brighter, casting their shadows long and sharp across the cliffs, as if the universe itself were watching, waiting for the inevitable clash of fates.