The sky turned dark, filled with fire, burning with Ortus' rage. Molus screamed, "I'm the God of Wrath! You won't defeat me that easily, you bitch!"
He dashed forward, faster than a bullet, throwing relentless punches. Right, left, uppercuts, hooks, nonstop. But Ortus evaded each blow effortlessly, her eyes filled with fury. She stepped in and punched him in the gut. Blood flew from his mouth.
"Shit!"
His power surged. He roared in rage.
"I won't lose to you! No matter what, I won't lose!"
Ortus teleported, appearing right in front of him. Her hand thrust into his chest. He froze.
"How...?!"
"What did you think? That I was holding back? You're weak compared to me. If I wanted to play, I would've let you power up to the max. But there's no need. I told you, you wouldn't survive a minute. Now, say hello to the devil in hell."
She pulled her hand out along with his heart and tossed it to the ground. Molus coughed blood.
"You... bitch... You'll pay... The gods won't let this pass..."
He collapsed, blood gushing from his chest.
Ortus stepped on his heart.
"Hmph. Walking garbage. I didn't even enjoy that. But here, have something nice."
She snapped her fingers. His corpse rose into the air, twitching.
"What the hell?! What is this?!"
"Don't worry. Here it comes! INFINITE DEATH PARADE!"
His body exploded, then reformed, then exploded again, over and over, endlessly. The screams were inhuman. He tried to beg, but the explosions cut him off every second.
Ortus laughed.
"You deserve it. Now you'll suffer in this loop... but far from here."
She flung him high into the sky, several kilometers up, out of the way.
Then she turned to Kylie's body.
She knelt beside her, gently stroked her hair.
"I'm here, my baby... I'm here... Take this. Healing. Resurrection."
She pressed her lips to Kylie's. A soft, intense, wild kiss. Energy surged from Ortus into Kylie. Kylie floated into the air. A burst of light engulfed her.
She fell back to the ground. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open.
"Ugh... Ortus...?"
Ortus shed a single tear.
"My girl... You're alive... I thought I lost you... Come here."
She hugged her tightly, gently, kissing her cheek and forehead.
"I promise this won't happen again, Kylie. I will protect you, okay?"
"Ortus... You're making me blush... But... thank you. I love you. MOMMY."
Ortus chuckled.
"I think I'm getting used to that. Come on. Let's go inside. Let's cuddle for a bit."
Kylie looked around, eyes wide.
"Ortus... You did this, didn't you?"
"Yes. I punished the vile criminals and killed the weak God of Wrath. He won't be a problem anymore."
Kylie gasped.
"Wow... You're so strong."
"You know that already, baby. Come now."
Ortus offered her hand. Kylie limped a bit, took it. They walked inside together.
Hours later, the two of them lay in bed side by side.
"Kylie, how are you feeling?"
"Better, MOMMY. Thank you for bringing me back. I promise I won't be weak again."
Ortus leaned in and kissed her lips.
"Mwah. Good. Because I won't forgive you if you stay weak."
Kylie blushed.
"Ortus... Is it really okay for you to kiss me like that?"
Ortus laughed.
"More than okay, baby. It's mandatory. It's how I show you love and affection. In fact, I want us to kiss for hours. French. Nonstop. You need to burn some calories."
Kylie raised a brow.
"Okay, Ortus, that sounds seriously insane."
Ortus placed a finger on her lips.
"Shhh. Relax. Here's your reward for being such a good girl today."
She leaned in, slowly, pressing her lips to Kylie's black-painted ones. The kiss deepened. Gently at first, then with a soft intensity. Ortus lay on top of her, holding her cheek, the kiss warm, wet, and loving.
As they kissed, Ortus whispered:
"I love you, baby. I'm here with you. I won't leave you."
Kylie felt a wave of heat rise inside. Her hormones spiked. A spell, maybe. She murmured:
"I love you, Ortus... I love you so much."
Two hours later, they finally stopped. Both gasped for air.
"Ortus... wow... You're absolutely insane."
"I know. Insane from loving you too much, my little girl. And I want to promise you something, Kylie."
"What?"
"I promise to love you forever. Even if you betray me, humiliate me, or abandon me, my love won't fade. And I want you to promise me something, too. That you'll always love me. That you'll appreciate me. I raised you. I gave you everything. Promise me, Kylie."
Kylie stared, half-smiling.
"I... promise... MOMMY. I love you so much. But you're really scary and insane."
Ortus smiled, looking up at the ceiling. With her vision, she still saw Molus' body exploding in the vacuum she created.
She snapped her fingers. The body vanished.
"Enough. He was annoying. Ew."
"Ortus, why did you just snap your fingers?"
"No reason, baby. Now get out of bed. Let's go eat something tasty. Then... we'll train a little. Okay?"
"Okay... But... Ortus, my wings... they're still gone."
"Don't worry. Tomorrow they'll grow back."
Kylie jumped into her arms, hugging her.
"AWWW thank you, MOMMY! I love you! Mwah!"
She kissed her on the cheek, leaving a lipstick mark.
Ortus grinned.
"Kylie... That was the sexiest thing you've ever done. You're about to become the Queen of Kisses. Believe me."
Back in the present.
The battlefield. Chaos Tournament.
Ortus stepped into the arena. Kylie's body lay broken, arms and legs twisted unnaturally, bleeding, unconscious.
"I remember my promise... Kylie, I love you. Still. You're my little girl. My sweet little girl."
She snapped her fingers. Energy surged around Kylie's limbs, straightening them, restoring her strength. Her aura returned.
From the edge, Kuina and the harem watched.
Kuina sighed in relief.
Ortus picked Kylie up, cradling her, walking slowly away.
"This battle ends in a draw. Sorry."
Kuina's shackles vanished. She flew toward Ortus.
"Where are you taking her?! Ortus?!"
"To rest. She needs to rest. Good luck in your battle, Kuina. But we won't be watching."
Ortus and the unconscious Kylie vanished into thin air.
Kuina froze.
"Fuck! Where did she take her?! Damn it!"
Piper flew to her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay, baby. She'll come back. Don't worry."
She hugged her tightly.
"I hope so... I really hope so..."
James landed in the arena, cracking his neck.
"Let's just get this over with."
Clara raised her hands, healing Kuina.
"There. Good as new."
Kuina smiled.
"Thanks, Clara. This is it... My big moment... The fight against my greatest enemy."
Elsewhere.
Ortus arrived at a hidden place, laying Kylie on a soft, pink, warm bed. She gently stroked her hair.
"Only you make me this soft... But you should thank Kuina. She reminded me of my promise to you. And she's right. I raised you. I gave you both your powers. I'm sorry, baby. Mommy Ortus loves you..."
Kylie's eyes slowly opened.
"Mom... Ortus... I haven't heard those words together in years..."
Ortus smiled, a tear sliding from one eye.
"Kylie... Are you okay?"
"Ortus... You don't deserve what I've done. But I love you. I appreciate you every single day for everything you've done for me. But Kuina... She's everything to me. I can't let her keep living in secrets and fear. I want you to talk to her. Explain everything."
Kylie raised a finger, wiped the tear from Ortus' face, held her cheek.
"Okay? Mommy Ortus...?"
Ortus smiled at the corner of her mouth.
"Of course. I'll talk to her. Right after she finishes her battle with James."
"What chance does Kuina even have?"
"None. Sadly. James is something else. I built him. He's destructive beyond reason. But... only because you ask, I'll make sure she doesn't die in that battle. And even if she does... she'll come back. But that has limits. Let's hope she doesn't die too many times. James isn't the brute she remembers. He's quiet now. Cold. Calm. Still furious... but in silence. He's completely different. Nine years a god. Kuina doesn't stand a chance, no matter how many levels she gains."
Kylie looked sad.
"Please... Do everything you can, Ortus. She doesn't deserve this. She's blinded by revenge. It's time to end it."
Ortus kissed her forehead.
"I'll try."
Kuina stepped into the arena. Her cracked axe in hand. Her white armor glinting with red highlights. She stood, burning with rage. James looked at her, calm, neutral.
Mira shouted from the edge.
"Good luck, Kuina!!"
Lika, Piper, Clara, and Mortis all cheered too.
From the gods' seats above, Arito turned to Lysia.
"Lysia, do you think Kuina can handle that monster?"
Lysia laughed.
"Hard to believe... You know how strong he is."
James stared at Kuina.
"Kuina, I just want you to know one thing... before we fight."
Kuina screamed.
"Shut up! Don't speak to me, you bastard!"
James teleported instantly, his nunchaku aimed.
"This fight... is already over."
BOOM.
A crushing blow to Kuina's head.
She crashed to the ground.
To be continued...