Mira and Ortus lay tangled together on the bed. Their lips met again and again, tongues sliding with practiced hunger. Mira moaned helplessly, her body trembling beneath Ortus' every touch. The goddess was relentless, licking and caressing every inch of her skin as if each spot was sacred. Mira's hands clawed at the sheets, her head rolling back, gasping louder with each stroke of pleasure.
Her resistance melted completely. Mira pressed her lips to Ortus' neck, breathing hotly against her skin. Between kisses she whispered, half delirious, "You are driving me insane."
Ortus laughed softly, tilting her head to meet Mira's adoring eyes. "Your curls… and that red lipstick of yours. You know exactly how to set me on fire."
The goddess' smile was both cruel and playful, a predator savoring its prey.
At the Safehouse, warmth filled a different room. Clara leaned against Kuina, kissing her slowly and tenderly. Piper moved behind them, trailing kisses along Kuina's back, letting her black lipstick leave faint marks across pale skin. The three women were bare, their bodies pressed together without shame, surrendering to passion.
They tumbled toward the nearby bed, their laughter breaking through between moans. Piper turned and captured Clara's lips, licking them eagerly. "I have been waiting to devour you too, Clara."
Clara's eyes glowed with affection. She purred playfully. "Meow. I will be your cat tonight."
She licked Kuina's cheek, then Piper's. The two blinked in surprise, exchanging a baffled look.
"Uh… what?" Kuina murmured, eyebrows raised.
Clara giggled, blushing. "That was just my humor. Sorry, sorry."
Piper cupped her chin with firm fingers. "Shh. Less talking. More kissing." She pressed her lips against Clara's mouth and drank her in.
Kuina leaned lower, licking and kissing Clara's breasts, savoring the warmth of her skin. Clara gasped, her body arching, while Piper and Clara turned at the same moment, each kissing one of Kuina's cheeks.
Kuina laughed breathlessly. "Wow. Your timing is perfect."
Piper smirked proudly. "Of course it is, silly. I always do everything perfectly. But more than that, I want both of you to leave this bed with a memory of pure perfection."
Her eyes gleamed with confidence. Clara blushed deeper, leaning into the affection.
In the next room, Molly sat cross-legged on the floor, fiddling with the ties of her pink outfit. Lika sat across from her, brushing a strand of white hair behind her ear. The two spoke quietly, voices tinged with unease.
"Molly, what do you think this tournament will really be like?" Lika asked softly. Her eyes darted away, nervous. "I am a little anxious."
Molly's grin widened with excitement. "That is a good question! Honestly, I am so curious too. It has been forever since something this thrilling happened. And, oh my god, what excites me the most is Prestik. The God of Speed! Can you believe it? He is literally the embodiment of what I am best at. I have to talk to him if I ever get the chance."
Her enthusiasm spilled from every word. Lika smiled faintly at her energy, but the smile faded quickly.
"Molly… you know it will probably just be us girls with the gods. That frightens me. I think I am weak."
Molly shook her head immediately. "Do not say that. You are strong. I know it. What are you best at? Hypnosis, right?"
"Yes," Lika admitted, staring down at the floor. "I know a little combat and magic, but hypnosis is what I can really do. My uncle taught me long ago, before he passed away. I was only a child."
Molly tilted her head. "Wait, how old are you, Lika?"
"I am twenty-eight."
Molly's eyes went wide. "Wow! You look way younger."
Lika chuckled softly. "And you, Molly, are not thirty either. You look like you are seventeen."
"I know!" Molly squealed, tugging at her ponytails. "That is intentional, babe. These twin buns, this pink outfit, I chose them. It makes people think I am cute and harmless. But once they find out the truth… surprise! I am not harmless at all."
Lika's cheeks turned pink. "But you really are cute… and very beautiful too."
Molly gasped dramatically. "Oh, are you trying to make me blush today? You sweet thing." She rushed over and hugged Lika tightly, squeezing her in her playful yet crushing embrace.
Lika laughed nervously in her arms. Then her expression sobered. "Molly, maybe we should check on Kylie. She must be under even more pressure than me."
Molly nodded. "Why not. Let's go."
They pushed open Kylie's door. The sight froze them both. Kylie sat hunched, tears streaking her face, blood staining her forearms. Bite marks covered her skin, fresh and raw.
Lika gasped, rushing to her side. "Kylie! What happened?"
Molly stood in shock. "Did you bite yourself? Why would you— I will call Clara right now."
Kylie raised her head weakly, eyes hollow. "No. Please do not. Do not call anyone. Just give me a moment alone. I need to think."
Lika refused, throwing her arms around her. "No way. I am not leaving you like this. I know what you are feeling. This is because of Ortus, right? Listen to me. I am with you. I may be weak, but I will not abandon you, Kylie."
Her tears spilled freely. Kylie cried with her, trembling in her arms.
Lika looked at her wounded arms, voice breaking. "Why? Why would you hurt yourself like this?"
Kylie sobbed. "I… I bite myself when I am sad. It helps me release the pain, okay?"
Molly snapped, her voice rising. "That is enough! Stop this nonsense. It will not help you. I am calling Clara!"
In a blink, she vanished, teleporting straight into the other room.
Clara, Kuina, and Piper were still entwined on the bed, kissing and gasping. Molly appeared suddenly beside them. Without shock, she spoke flatly, "Sorry to interrupt, girls. Clara, we need you."
Clara pulled back from Kuina's chest, lips wet. Piper paused her kisses across Kuina's stomach, annoyed. "What is it, Barbie girl? Can't you see we are in the middle of something? This is for Kuina's strength, to empower our love. You can join us if you want."
Molly kept her neutral stare. "I would love to, but Kylie is breaking down. She bit her arms until they bled. She is in a terrible state."
Kuina shot upright at once. "She bit herself? This is not the first time. She does that whenever she is overwhelmed with sadness."
The system's cold voice rang out: "Mission nearly complete. Please continue."
Molly shouted angrily. "Clara, enough. Leave the sex for later. You are the healer. She needs you."
Clara froze, guilt flickering in her eyes. "You are right." She slipped from the bed.
Piper groaned loudly. "We were in the middle! Ugh, what is Kylie's deal? She is doing this on purpose, so Kuina will run to her and not finish with us!"
Kuina touched her shoulder gently. "It is fine, Pip. We will continue later. For now, go to Mortis. He is on the balcony."
Piper pouted. "Mortis? Let him sleep, that idiot."
Meanwhile, in Kylie's room, Lika still held her tightly. Kylie whispered, trembling, "Do not let Kuina come here. I do not want her to see me like this. Please, Lika. Send them away. And you too. Leave me."
Lika rose silently, walking to the door. She locked it firmly, then turned back. Her eyes hardened. "Kylie, my sweet… I am going to do something now. Do not be angry. I only want the truth. Do you understand?"
Her hands glowed. She extended them toward Kylie's face.
"Hypnotic Shock!"
Kylie's body jerked, her mind spinning. Her vision swirled, unable to resist.
Lika's voice cut through the haze. "Kylie, answer me. Why are you so afraid of Ortus? What is she to you?"
Under the trance, Kylie's voice trembled. "She… she is a monster. She can be sweet, charming, sexy, supportive, gentle. Then in the next moment, she tortures, crushes, destroys you physically and mentally. She makes you drown in lust a thousand times stronger than normal until you nearly die from it. That is her nature. That is why she terrifies me. Her charisma, her presence, her smile, her body. No one can ignore her.
"And my connection to her… she recruited me. She raised me. She taught me everything I know. She was like a mother figure. And I spat on that. I walked away. She hardly noticed, too busy conquering worlds. She became a sadist, bored and cruel. She wanted to help women in need, even men, to recruit them as fighters. But in truth, she was just restless. I quit without even telling her. She never came for me. She just… let me vanish."
A heavy silence filled the room. Then pounding came at the door.
"Kylie! Lika! Open this door now!" Molly shouted.
The banging grew louder. Lika's tears spilled. She lowered her hands, the spell fading. Kylie collapsed onto the bed, unconscious.
Lika unlocked the door. The others rushed in. Molly stared in horror. "What happened to her? Lika, did you do something?"
Kuina froze at the sight. Clara hurried to Kylie's side, pressing glowing hands to her wounds. Piper stared wide-eyed, her usual bravado slipping.
Lika dropped to her knees, sobbing. "She fainted. But she told me why. Ortus raised her."
The room went silent.
Kuina's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure? How is that possible?"
"I do not know," Lika cried. "But Ortus is far more than just a goddess of sex. She is cruel. And she is tired of the world itself."
Clara closed Kylie's wounds in seconds and coaxed her awake. Her eyes fluttered open.
"What… happened to me?" she whispered.
Clara stroked her hair. "You fainted, sweet girl. But you will be fine. We are with you."
Inside the brown castle, Ortus and Mira's cries echoed. After half an hour, Mira collapsed breathlessly, her curls damp with sweat. Ortus stood as if nothing had happened, stretching like a cat.
"That was fun, Mira. You are amazing."
Mira sighed. "Ortus, you really are a wild goddess."
Ortus laughed. "I know. Glad you enjoyed."
"Tell me," Mira asked, catching her breath, "why were you so pleased with the matchups I made?"
"Because you gave me exactly who I wanted," Ortus said with a sharp grin. "Kylie. I need to settle things with that brat."
"Are you planning to hurt her?"
Ortus leaned close, her voice honeyed and cruel. "Do not worry about Kylie, darling. Worry about yourself."
She snapped her fingers and vanished, leaving Mira panting on the sheets. Mira sat up slowly. "When I recover, I must tell the girls about the matchups."
Ortus reappeared at the gods' castle, waving the list. "Hey, gods. Come here."
In an instant, the divine beings appeared. Ortus smirked. "Alright. No speeches. Here are your matchups. Arrito, you are against Lika."
Arrito's eyes lit up. "Really? Against the sweet one with the white hair? What a lovely choice. My heart is melting already."
"Yeah, whatever," Ortus muttered. "Prestik, you are against Molly."
Prestik's face remained neutral, but inside he was ecstatic. Finally. The heir to my speed. Molly, you have no idea what awaits you.
"Lisia, you are against Piper."
Lisia chuckled warmly. "My granddaughter? Perfect. We will catch up while we battle."
Ortus rolled her eyes. "James, you are against Kuina. The final match of the tournament."
James stood in silence, expression blank, gaze cold. He did not move.
"Hey!" Ortus barked. "Did you hear me, idiot?"
James finally spoke, voice flat. "Expected. Not surprising. I wish her luck."
Ortus sneered. "You will need luck too. She is not easy to defeat."
Prestik eyed him. "Do you really think you will win?"
"There is no think," James replied. "There is only know. And I know I will."
Arrito frowned. "Your energy disgusts me. Show respect to your opponent."
James ignored him. Ortus smiled cruelly. "Calm down. As for me, of course, I am against Kylie."
Lisia chuckled. "Against that gothic witch who used to serve you?"
"Yes," Ortus purred. "Time to close the book on her."
Hours later, the girls gathered. Kylie had been resting, pale and shaken. Clara, Kuina, and Piper had quietly resumed their intimacy until the system announced completion.
"Congratulations. Kuina has gained one hundred thousand levels. Reward: Power of Erasure."
Kuina's eyes widened at the surge. Her level soared to seven hundred and fifty thousand. The power to erase anything pulsed in her veins.
Mira arrived at last, waving the paper. "Girls, I am back. I have the matchups."
Everyone crowded around. Kuina smiled. "Mira, welcome."
"Hello Kuina, Lika, Molly, Clara, Piper. Mortis too? Wonderful. Where is Kylie?"
Molly answered. "She is asleep."
But Kylie stepped in quietly, dressed in a simple white pajama covered in cartoon dolls. Her makeup and wings were gone. She looked like an ordinary girl. "Not anymore. Just tell us, Mira."
Mira nodded. "Alright. Here it is. Mortis, you are against Clara."
Clara gasped. Mortis grinned. "Perfect."
Clara shook her head. "I do not want to fight you, Mortis. You are too sweet."
Mortis rolled his eyes. "Your father is too sweet. I just want to cut loose. What, you scared?"
"I hate violence," Clara muttered. "But if that is what you want, fine. You got it."
"Good," Mortis said, satisfied.
Piper laughed. "Good luck, Mortis."
Mira continued. "Lika versus Arrito. Molly versus Prestik."
Molly squealed, leaping. "Yes! Against the God of Speed? You are a genius, Mira."
Kylie rested her head on Kuina's shoulder. Kuina held her close. "Did you sleep well?" she asked softly.
"Not really," Kylie whispered, smiling faintly. "I was thinking of you."
Lika blushed. "Thank you, Mira. Arrito seems kind. He might be perfect for me."
Mira laughed. "Yes, he is sweet. That is why I thought of you."
"Piper versus Lisia. And finally, Kylie versus Ortus."
The room froze.
Kylie's face drained of color. "Why, Mira? Why?"
She hurled a spell at Mira in anger. Mira dodged, startled.
"Kylie, it is just a match. She promised not to kill you."
"Liar! Ortus will murder me. She taught me everything. She has no mercy."
Kuina held her shoulders. "Listen. You are strong. If I have to, I will step in. Stop losing yourself like this. It is not you."
Kylie lowered her gaze. "I am sorry. I am just so afraid."
The others watched her with sadness. Mortis tried to cheer her. "Hey Kylie, eat cupcakes with me. Cheer up."
"Thank you, but… I am not sure I will even join the tournament."
Mira stared in disbelief. "You cannot be serious. It is better to fight with pride than surrender."
"I have no pride," Kylie whispered. "All I want is to love and be loved. Not fight every day."
Kuina looked at Mira. "Who is my opponent?"
"James," Mira said.
Kuina smiled fiercely. "Perfect. I will kill him, then do whatever it takes to stop Ortus, even if it costs me my life. Girls, you will help me, right?"
All of them shouted yes.
Mortis raised a hand lazily. "I would like to live a little longer…"
Piper glared, and he chuckled. "Just kidding. Of course I will help."
Kuina wrapped her arms around Kylie. The others pressed in too, forming a tight group hug to comfort her.
Far away, Ortus watched from the gods' castle, smiling wickedly. "How sweet. But it will not save you."
To be continued.