The sphere James fired was coming fast.
Kuina tried to dodge, but she couldn't.
She could barely stand.
The bleeding and the injury made it impossible.
Panic set in.
"Shit!" she gasped. It was about to hit her.
James floated above, staring with utter indifference.
Then, just before the sphere reached her, a flash of purple aura swept through.
An insane burst of speed.
The sphere vanished without a trace.
James's eyes widened. "What the hell just happened?"
Kuina looked up, breathless.
She saw her. Ortus, floating.
Smiling down at James.
"Sorry, Jamesie. I can't let you kill her. Sure, you can play with her, but... I'm changing the tournament rule that allowed killing. Now, it's forbidden. Got it?"
Kuina snapped. "Why are you interfering?! I could've stopped it myself!"
Ortus narrowed her eyes. "Oh really? Want me to test that? Better just say thank you and shut your mouth... understood?!"
James clenched his fists. "You promised me. You said you wouldn't get involved. Why? Why the hell are you interfering?"
Ortus smiled wider and looked far off to the side, where Kylie stood, tense.
"Because I'll do anything my baby girl asks. Even if it goes against your wishes, my wishes, or Kuina's. Understand?"
Mira shouted from the sidelines. "Kuina! Get up! This is your chance to finish it!"
Piper scoffed. "Mira, come on. She's in no shape to cut a salad, let alone James."
Mira turned, sharp. "Watch your mouth, Piper. That's Kuina you're talking about, not some street slut."
"I didn't mean it like that. I was joking a bit. I love her more than you do…"
Mira stepped forward, eyes deadly. "Wanna test who loves her more? You really don't want to go there… you gothic tramp."
Clara yelled. "Enough! You're seriously fighting right now?! I need to heal her, but this barrier... only Ortus can break it!"
Lika looked around, trembling. "I can't take this anymore... all the blood, fear, death... I think I'm going to…"
Clara asked gently, "Lika? Sweetheart, where would you go? I know it's hard, but it's almost over…"
Lika began crying. "I can't watch Kuina like this. Kylie's hurt, and Moly is dead… I can't bear it anymore. I'm sorry, Clara. Girls. I'm leaving."
Mira stopped her. "Wait. You know how much blood and horror I've seen? I've killed people in my kingdom for stupid reasons. I killed my own parents. But I'm not crying and running away when things get hard. Kuina is strong. Moly will come back soon. You don't have to worry. Lika, you need to pull yourself together. Fear and tears won't take you far. You get that, baby girl?"
Piper whispered, "What a bitch… but wow, that speech made me wet."
Lika stared at Mira. "Thank you, Mira. But I'm not you. I can't look at blood, fear, and torture. I've seen too much with Titaros…"
Mira placed a hand on her shoulder. "Titaros, huh? Yeah, that bastard was garbage. I wish I had killed him myself. But this is a new journey. And as long as you're with us, with me, I won't let you fall into your feelings. Now come here. Give Fireheart a hug."
Clara gasped. "Oh Mira, you're amazing…"
Mortis rolled his eyes. "Why is there always a cheesy moment every five minutes…"
Piper smirked silently.
Lika jumped into Mira's arms.
The hug was warm. Loving. Complete.
Lika wept.
Mira smiled. "Cry on me. It's alright... as long as you understood the message, sweetheart."
Lika looked at her, eyes full of admiration. "Mira… you always know when to hug me…"
She kissed Mira on the lips. Quick. Soft. Loving.
"I love you, Mira. You're a good friend. And you're right… I'll try to control my feelings."
Mira blushed. "Lika… you didn't have to kiss me like that... well, actually, you kinda did… hehe."
James stared at Ortus above. "So this is how it's gonna be? Every time Kuina's about to die, you'll step in? Why? Because that gothic girl is clouding your mind? You're pathetic, Ortus. Absolutely pathetic."
Ortus's smile faded.
With a blink, she teleported behind him.
"Speak with respect, Jamesie. Even if you're under me and not with me, I can put my hand through you and end this in a second. Understand?"
James flinched but kept his cool. "Hmph. Long time since you've threatened me like that…"
Kylie saw the moment and darted into the arena.
She landed beside Kuina.
"Hey baby. I'm here."
The girls at the edge of the field gasped.
Lika blinked. "Kylie's here? And she looks fine!"
Piper tried to break through the barrier. "Fuck! The damn thing is still up. Kylie! Heal her and let her destroy him!"
Kylie smiled, kneeling beside Kuina.
She touched her wound.
"I'll try to heal as much as I can, okay?"
Kuina looked at her, tears in her eyes.
"Kylie…"
Kylie froze. "Kuina? You're… crying?"
"I… I lost, Kylie. I lost. I waited ten years for this revenge. And in the end, he's a million times stronger than me. I look pathetic. Weak. Spineless… he tore through me like I was a wall."
James looked down. "I see your gothic girlfriend made it to you."
Ortus nodded. "I'll let them have this moment. But your fight with her isn't over. Got it? You fight. But you don't kill."
"Whatever…"
Kylie's eyes welled up. "Kuina… that's not true. You're strong. Smart. Sexy. You're my woman. And I won't let you fall apart like this. You hear me?!"
Kuina shouted through tears. "Enough! Stop! Kylie, stop feeding me bullshit! If I'm weak, how can I protect you? How can I protect everyone? If I don't beat that bastard, he'll stay alive and ruin the world. I don't believe for a second he's changed. People don't change!"
Kylie smiled.
Kuina froze. "Why are you smiling?! Are you serious?!"
"Kuina, I just can't help it. I'm losing my mind with how much I love you. You're so real. So humble. Of course you can't always protect us. But who said you have to? Every one of us can take care of our own ass. Trust me. You have to stop taking all the responsibility. And… maybe stop listening to the system. We're done with that."
She began healing with her magic.
"Now relax a little…"
Kuina whispered, "I… I don't know what to say anymore. Kylie, I crave revenge… I can't just give up on it. It's bigger than me. But about not listening to the system? It's more about how and when… like I ever had a real choice…"
Kylie looked into her eyes. "Revenge isn't everything. But love is. Think about it."
Ortus watched from above.
"I'll keep him up here until Kylie finishes. I'm dropping the barrier for a moment. Maybe they'll give her a bit of motivation. Might make things more interesting."
"Okay… like I have a choice."
The barrier dropped.
Piper rushed through first.
"Kuina!" she shouted. "Move, Kylie. She's mine now!"
Piper pushed her aside.
"Hey! I'm healing her!"
Piper stared her down and hugged Kuina tightly.
Kuina winced. "Piper… I'm still in pain…"
"Oh sorry babe. Want to fuck? Might relax you…"
Kuina chuckled. "Not now, Piper… I'm kinda in a fight…"
Lika stepped forward. "Piper, move. My turn now."
Piper moved aside. "Be quick. And Kylie… I'm glad you're okay."
Kylie smiled.
Lika hugged Kuina gently, crying.
"Kuina, I can't stand seeing you like this. I'd rather we end the tournament and just go home…"
Kuina stroked her head. "Soon, Lika. Soon… don't worry."
Lika looked at her with tearful eyes.
"Kuina… if you love me, surrender and come home with us. I can't watch you suffer anymore. If you keep fighting, I'll know one thing. That revenge is more important to you than me…"
Kuina stared at her, stunned. "Lika… are you giving me an ultimatum?"
"I'm sorry. I just love you too much to let you keep fighting. If you fight, it's your right… but I'll know you don't love me."
"I love you, Lika. That's not even a question. But this is something I waited for. You can't just take that from me!"
Lika let go. "I'm flying off. I want to see where Moly is. Think about it, Kuina. I need you to prove to me that you love me."
Kylie shouted. "Lika! Don't give her ultimatums! She'll do what her heart tells her! You can't take that from her! Even if I'd feel the same, I won't force her!"
Lika looked back coldly. "Sorry. This time I'm standing by my words. If I come back in thirty minutes and the fight's still going, I'll let you go, Kuina. For good."
Kuina shouted. "So you think if I fight, that means I don't love you?! Don't be pathetic!"
"Yes. That's how I see it. You're choosing your thirst and satisfaction over me. Over us. Over the girls who love you and don't want to see you suffer. Because if you keep going, knowing you have no real chance, you'll die. And I won't be able to live with that."
She flew off crying.
Kuina gritted her teeth. "Fuck! Mira, Clara! Why are you so quiet?!"
Clara leaned down. "Let me heal you…"
Mira looked serious. "Kuina, James is too strong. How do you plan to beat him?"
"Maybe… I'll try the Flameheart?"
"Won't work, babe. You need full control over fire. And I doubt it would affect someone like him…"
"What about Aquaheart? I never tried it yet. I just received it."
Piper smirked. "Same deal. You need full water mastery… You barely scratched the surface. I don't know how you got powers you can't even use…"
Kylie said, "What about the Erase power? You got that recently. Maybe… try to erase him?"
Clara finished healing. "Erase? That's never the solution. Peace and love always are. And I agree with Lika on that one. Better to surrender than kill…"
Kuina smiled. "Kylie… thank you for reminding me… That power. It's the one I need against him. Finally, I can erase him and move on…"
Clara panicked. "No way! Kuina, you can't! Even if he hurt you in the past, why do you need to keep choosing violence? It's time for peace. And love…"
"Clara, don't start too…"
"Maybe… we should vote? Let everyone say what they think?"
"You're joking, right?"
"I'm not. So. Girls. Who votes for Kuina to surrender and end this peacefully? Lika's vote counts too."
Clara raised her hand. Then Kylie.
"Okay. Now who votes for Kuina to fight? If you don't vote, we'll count you as neutral. But this isn't a parliament. So speak up."
Piper raised her hand. Mortis raised his hoof. Mira raised her hand.
Clara was shocked. "Why… Why would you choose that?!"
Piper shouted. "Because I care about what Kuina wants! Not what I want! And Lika, with all due respect, acted like a selfish little bitch. That was narcissistic. That was pathetic. And even if Kuina had a dick, I'd still say she should do whatever the hell she wants!"
Mortis said, "I agree. With all due respect, Clara… and I don't have much. Kuina needs to decide. Though personally, I love kicking bullies' asses."
Mira nodded. "I agree with Piper. I agree with Lika too, but Piper more. So I voted. Do it, Kuina. End this."
Kuina stood.
She looked at them all. Unsure.
She whispered to herself.
"Fuck… I don't know what to do…"
Piper shouted. "Kylie! Why did you vote for surrender?!"
"Because I love her like crazy. And if she dies, I won't forgive myself. She has no real chance here. And… revenge will only leave her empty."
Clara snapped. "I'm done! I love you all, really. You're amazing women, and I'm glad to be on this journey with you. But Kuina, you cannot give in to revenge and violence. I'm going with Lika to look for Moly. I hope you choose the right path… and meet us there."
Clara flew off.
Kuina looked down, heartbroken.
"Girls, please… I'll try to erase him. Then I'll come find you… I'm not giving up on any of you. I promise…"
James sighed. "Enough."
He blasted a side of the arena. Boom. A shockwave hit the girls.
"That's it. Kuina, either surrender or we continue. Decide. And you all, get out. Before you get hurt."
Kuina shouted. "Go fuck yourself! If you touch them, you'll regret it!"
Ortus blasted a shockwave that shoved the girls back to the fence.
"Fuck!" Piper screamed.
Above them, Lysia whispered, "That was touching, Piper… very real."
Arito wiped a tear. "Lika and Clara… they're why I still believe in love."
The barrier reactivated.
Kuina clenched her fist. "That's it. I'm erasing you, James."
She raised her hand. Three fingers extended.
"Let's wipe you out…"
The girls stared in shock.
Ortus smiled.
"So she's actually going for it, huh…"
Lika flew off crying. Clara chased her.
"Wait for me, Lika!"
But Lika didn't stop. Clara tried to catch up.
James smirked. "Alright. This should be interesting. I'll just stand here and watch. Go ahead."
Kuina was sweating. Trembling.
"Sorry, Lika… Clara… I have to. I just have to…"
Kylie yelled from behind. "Kuina! I love you! No matter what!"
Piper screamed. "Me too! More than her, even!"
Mira called out calmly. "You know already… I don't need to shout it…"
Kuina roared.
All her energy focused into her fingers.
"Erase!!!"
To be continued.