The sky was a soft lilac, slowly bruising into dusk, as the three women soared through the clouds on a floating crystal platform summoned by Kylie's magic. The wind played with their hair, ruffling fabric and rustling armor, but each of them was lost in thought.
Kuina sat cross-legged near the front, her pink blade rested across her lap, black streaks now threading its surface from the trauma it had recently absorbed. Her eyes scanned the horizon, but her mind floated inward.
"What am I doing?" she thought. "One second I'm fighting, the next I'm kissing some girl mid-battle, then screaming from pain, and suddenly... leveling up because of it? What kind of world is this? What kind of person am I becoming?"
Behind her, Kylie was twirling a lock of Mira's hair with a fascinated hum. Mira, perched stiffly at the edge, arms crossed, clearly uncomfortable.
"Your curls are real?" Kylie asked, eyes shining. "They bounce so perfectly... it's almost unfair."
Mira turned her head slowly, one eyebrow raised. "Yes. Shocking, I know. Not everything about me is a spell."
"I didn't say it was," Kylie teased. "Just... I like touching them. They're soft. Like angry fire noodles."
Mira snorted, unwilling to fully smile. "You're lucky you're cute. Otherwise I'd burn your fingers off."
"So you do think I'm cute," Kylie grinned.
"I think you're a menace."
"Mmm, same thing."
Kuina glanced over her shoulder, smirking faintly despite herself. The tension in the air was oddly soothing. It felt... alive.
Then, without warning, Kylie stepped forward and knelt beside her. Kuina looked up in surprise, and before she could speak, Kylie's lips were on hers — soft, warm, insistent. The kiss wasn't long, but it crackled with energy, setting Kuina's heartbeat off like a drumline.
"W-What was that for?" Kuina blinked, lips tingling.
Kylie shrugged with a gentle smile. "Needed that. And... you looked like you did too."
Kuina sat in silence for a moment, fingers brushing her mouth. "Can I ask you something? About... last time."
Kylie tilted her head. "Of course."
"When we… when we slept together," Kuina said slowly, watching the clouds drift past, "I think I did it because I was hurt. I wanted to feel something. Maybe feel wanted. But now, I don't know what I'm feeling. It was good. But was it me or just... the moment?"
Kylie nodded, serious now. "That's fair. It was intense. A lot happened in a short time. And maybe yeah, it was a little chaotic. But that doesn't mean it wasn't real."
"You told me you love me," Kuina whispered. "Why?"
There was a pause. Mira, who had been pretending to not listen, subtly turned her head, ears perked.
Kylie exhaled slowly. "Because I fall in love easily. It's not always forever. It's not always rational. But when I feel something, I follow it. I'm in love with you, Kuina. Maybe I shouldn't be — you're a reckless sword-swinging lunatic — but I am. And..." she looked over at Mira, a small smile playing on her lips. "I think I might be falling for her too."
Mira blinked. "Excuse me?"
Kylie giggled. "You're a disaster, but I like you. So what? I'm honest."
Mira turned away, cheeks pink. "Gods, you're insane."
Kuina groaned. "Okay, so what am I? A confused maybe-lesbian with a violent leveling fetish?"
Kylie laughed and took her hand. "You're just... discovering. There's nothing wrong with not knowing."
Kuina nodded, feeling something loosen inside her chest.
Far ahead, the sky turned golden. The clouds parted, revealing their destination: The Kingdom of Eden.
But it wasn't a paradise.
High towers of white marble jutted out like daggers. The roads were filled with men — muscular, armored, proud. Women were rare, and those visible were in chains, serving, kneeling, silent.
The crystal platform shimmered and vanished as they landed just beyond the main gates.
"Stay sharp," Mira whispered. "This place reeks of control magic."
As they walked through the streets, men leered at them, some confused by the presence of women in battle gear, others amused.
At the palace steps, they saw her.
Lika.
She was kneeling on a pedestal of ice. Her body shivered violently, dressed in sheer silks that barely covered her. A crown of thorns pressed against her scalp, glowing faintly blue. Chains of frost held her wrists.
And beside her — the King of Eden.
Tall, statuesque, with pale skin and eyes like frozen glass. His robes trailed mist, and every step he took left frost behind. A cruel smile spread across his face.
"My people," he announced to the crowd. "This is what disobedience looks like."
He raised a hand. Lika cried out — not from sound, but pure mental pressure.
Kuina froze.
She saw him.
No — not him.
Her father.
The same face. The same voice.
"You're nothing. A woman is a tool. Obey, or be discarded."
Kuina's vision blurred.
"NO!"
Her blade pulsed, darkened. The pink melted into obsidian. The edges curved like a thorn. Her aura exploded.
The king turned.
"You."
Kuina stepped forward, every movement shaking the ground. Her voice was a growl.
"You remind me of a monster. And I swore I'd kill every last one."
Behind her, Mira summoned fire, Kylie summoned wind.
The king raised a hand. Snow and ice burst around him, freezing the steps, turning guards into statues.
"You dare challenge me in my kingdom?" he boomed.
Kuina charged, black blade whirling, lips curled in fury.
She didn't care who he was. She didn't care about rules.
He made a woman scream.
And she was going to make him bleed.
To be continued.