Ortus stood at the center of the stage, her hungry eyes sweeping across the girls. Her grin was sharp, cruel, and yet disturbingly playful. Kuina met her gaze with pure rage, her fists clenched so tight her knuckles turned white. The others glared as well, Piper, Clara, Molly, even the usually soft Lika, whose expression had turned cold.
Only Kylie looked down, unable to meet anyone's eyes. Shame weighed on her like chains. Beside her, Mira froze, staring at Ortus in shock.
From the shadows, Arrito leaned in toward Mira, his voice a gentle whisper.
"Go. Prepare the tournament. Do the matchups. Don't worry, no one will harm you while I'm here. Head to the brown castle. You'll have privacy there."
Mira blinked at him, surprised. His tone carried no mockery, no trickery, just kindness.
"Arrito… you're so sweet. Thank you."
She smiled. Arrito returned it softly, and Mira lifted herself into the air, flying toward the distant brown castle. Her golden hair caught the dim light like a flame.
Arrito turned back to Ortus. "Come on, babe. Leave them alone for now. Let them breathe. You can deal with them later. Right now, let's get ready."
Ortus tilted her head, lips curling into a sadistic smile.
"Fine. You heard me, girls. This isn't over. I'll deal with you soon. Kylie!"
She barked the name like a whip crack, making Kylie flinch. Then, with a wave of her hand, she and Arrito shot into the sky, vanishing.
Prestik, silent until now, glanced at Molly with a faint smirk before fading away like he was never there. Lisia lingered a moment longer, her eyes soft on Piper and Mortis.
"We'll meet again. My dear Piper, and you too, Mortis."
Her body shimmered, wrapped in flower magic, and disappeared.
The arena began to dissolve into murmurs and footsteps as the crowd slowly dispersed. The announcer, smiling nervously, approached the girls.
"Well! That was… entertaining. Thank you, ladies, for participating. I look forward to the tournament!"
He bowed and hurried off before anyone could reply.
The Weight on Kylie
Kuina stepped closer to Kylie, lowering her voice, firm yet tender.
"Hey. Look at me. Kylie, listen. I already told you,nobody lays a finger on you. Not Ortus, not anyone. Got it? I don't care how she found out, it doesn't matter. You're safe, because you're mine. Right, girls?"
Piper didn't hesitate. She darted forward and wrapped her arms around Kylie.
"Of course! You're safe with us."
She kissed Kylie's cheek, long and deliberate. Black lipstick smeared lightly against pale skin. Kylie froze, wide-eyed.
Clara joined next, her warmth wrapping around both of them. "You're not alone."
Molly darted in as well, quick as lightning, adding her smaller frame to the embrace. But Lika… Lika hesitated. Her eyes lingered not on Kylie, but on Kuina. Slowly, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Kuina instead.
Kuina blinked, caught off guard. "Lika… are you okay?"
Lika's voice wavered, and for a moment her calm cracked.
"Yes. I just… needed to feel your warmth again."
Her eyes shimmered with tears.
Kuina softened. She leaned down, hugging Lika tighter. "All you had to do was ask."
Lika buried her face into Kuina's shoulder, trembling slightly.
Kuina pulled back just enough to kiss her gently on the lips. It was soft, almost motherly, yet enough to make Lika's cheeks burn red.
"I missed you too," Kuina whispered.
Molly pouted, throwing her hands in the air.
"Hey! What's this, a private hug? Don't leave the rest of us out! Group hug, come on!"
The girls laughed and pressed in close, a mess of arms and warmth. Only Kylie stood apart, shaking.
Her voice cracked.
"I… I'm going to die. It's over. I'm finished. What have I done?"
The group hug broke apart at once. Kuina rushed to her, gripping her shoulders.
"Hey. Kylie. Look at me. Hey!"
But Kylie's eyes were distant, frozen in panic.
"Let me handle this," Piper said, stepping forward. Without hesitation, she slapped Kylie hard across the cheek.
Kylie gasped, shocked, her hand flying to her face.
"What the hell, Piper?!"
"Wake up!" Piper snapped. She conjured water and splashed it over Kylie's head, drenching her hair and face. "You froze. Stop saying you're going to die! You heard us, we'll protect you, idiot!"
Kylie's lips trembled. Tears blurred her vision.
"You don't understand… Ortus isn't just anyone. Skipping her once, she forgave me. But betraying her with a secret this big? That's unforgivable. She'll cut off my head for this. She's immortal. Untouchable. There's no way to beat her."
Silence.
Clara spoke at last, her voice uncharacteristically grim.
"She's right. Ortus is a monster. Ruthless. There's no current way to defeat her. But Kylie, don't forget—we're here. I usually hate fighting, but against her? I'll fight with everything I have."
Kuina pulled Kylie into a fierce hug.
"Shh. Enough. I love you. Don't fall apart on me."
Kylie sniffled, managing a faint smile.
Piper stomped her foot. "And what about me?! When are you going to say it to me, huh? I've been waiting forever!"
Mortis chuckled from the sidelines. "Poor Piper. So desperate."
"Shut up, idiot!" Piper splashed him with water.
Kuina stepped forward slowly. Her tone softened.
"Piper… if you really need me to say it, then I'll say it. I love you. Very much."
Her eyes swept the circle.
"In fact, I love all of you. If this cursed system did anything right, it was letting me meet each of you."
Clara beamed, stepping up to kiss Kuina on the cheek.
"You're so sweet. I love you too."
Molly zipped in like a flash, hugging Kuina tightly.
"Didn't think you'd love me, but… I love you back. In my way."
Lika's tears finally broke free. Piper's lips quivered as well, her tough façade cracking.
Mortis muttered, "Someone should sign her up for drama class."
Piper ignored him and pressed her lips to Kuina's.
"I love you. A million times."
Their kiss lingered, messy and passionate. Kuina chuckled softly as they pulled apart.
"Hot and ridiculous as always."
Kylie, for the first time in minutes, smiled faintly, whispering only to herself: They deserve her love. And I'm glad to see it.
Kuina bent down again, hugging Lika once more.
"Shh. I feel like a mom today, handing out hugs. But if it helps, I'll give you all the warmth you need."
Lika whispered against her ear.
"I love you too, baby."
Another kiss on Kuina's cheek, and the circle finally relaxed.
Kuina stretched, yawning. "Alright. Enough crying and romance for one day. Let's get some rest. We need to prepare for this damn tournament."
They flew back toward the safe house, the night air wrapping around them.
Meanwhile, inside the brown castle, Mira sat alone. She unfolded the participant list, her eyes scanning the names.
Kuina
Kylie
Lika
Piper
Mortis
Arrito
Prestik
Ortus
Lisia
James
Clara
Molly
She tapped the page, thinking aloud.
"Wow. Only our girls? That's… something. Alright. Kuina. I saw how she went at James earlier, all fire and fury. She deserves him. Yes. Kuina versus James."
She scribbled quickly.
"Kylie… oh, this is obvious. She's been hiding her past with Ortus. Fine. Let her face her again. Kylie versus Ortus."
Her smile widened.
"Lika… my sweet little angel. She needs someone that matches her softness, someone who won't just crush her. Oh! Arrito. Yes, perfect. Lika versus Arrito. That will be so cute."
She giggled, continuing.
"Piper. Hmm. She needs something interesting. I'll pit her against Lisia. A water-and-nature kind of battle. Yes, that will look gorgeous. Mortis? He should fight Clara. I want to see her step up for once. And that leaves Molly. Fast little spark. Perfect against Prestik."
She leaned back, grinning.
"Okay! So the lineup is:
Clara versus Mortis
Arrito versus Lika
Lisia versus Piper
Molly versus Prestik
Kylie versus Ortus
James versus Kuina
Perfect. Absolutely perfect."
She hugged the paper to her chest.
Then a chill ran down her spine.
Ortus Arrives
"Boo."
Mira jumped, spinning. Ortus stood behind her, smiling with predatory delight.
"Scared you, didn't I? Oh, you're just adorable. And look at this… matchups all neat and ready."
Before Mira could speak, Ortus seized her face and peppered it with kisses.
"Mwah, mwah, mwah! You're such a cutie. Such smart choices. I love it."
Mira stammered. "T-thank you. So, can I go now?"
Ortus smirked. With a snap of her fingers, Mira's clothes dissolved into nothing.
"What the—?!" Mira yelped, covering herself.
"Shh. Don't worry. I just want to give you your reward. And it's sex. With me."
Ortus pushed her back onto the bed, kissing her hard. Mira gasped, her mind spinning, but her body betrayed her, heat rising, fire sparking under her skin.
"I don't understand," she thought desperately. "Why am I so… turned on?"
Her protests melted into hungry kisses. She clawed back at Ortus, lips locking in fiery desperation. They tumbled onto the bed, Ortus straddling above, her grin wide.
"Oh, I love it when you surrender," Ortus whispered, before diving lower. Mira cried out, flames of ecstasy erupting uncontrollably from her body.
System Demand
Elsewhere, the girls returned to the safe house. Kuina yawned, her body aching from exhaustion.
Then the system's cold voice rang out.
"Warning. Your power is fading. To restore strength: make love and gain +100,000 levels. Reward: Power of Erasure. Penalty for refusal: Torture."
Kuina snarled at the air. "Are you kidding me?! Now?! I'm dead tired. Damn it, Ortus, you bitch!"
Clara slipped behind her, wrapping arms around her waist. "Then let me help you."
Piper stepped forward, finger against Kuina's lips.
"Shh. Don't talk. Just kiss me, goddess."
Kuina exhaled, torn between exhaustion and need. Slowly, she smiled.
"So… you both want to do this with me?"
Clara and Piper answered together.
"Without hesitation."
Kuina smirked. "Then come here."
In the next room, Lika and Molly exchanged a quiet glance, their bond wordless. Kylie sat alone in her chamber, staring at the wall, whispering to herself.
"It's time to write my will."
To be continued…