The crowd froze, breathless and silent. Mira stood paralyzed, whispering in shock, "Molly...?"
Arrito blinked, stunned. "The poor girl... she just wanted to fight for fun."
Kuina was no longer human. She screamed like a wild animal, eyes wide with madness, energy swirling violently around her. She thrashed against the chains like a deranged beast.
"YOU SONS OF BITCHES!! FUCK!! FUCK!! SHIT!! AHHHH!!"
Her roar echoed across the arena, and her eyes turned completely black. A system alert rang out in the air.
"Boundary breach detected. Unwanted power rising. Please regain control."
Kuina looked down and saw Kylie lying unconscious. Her breath caught.
"Kylie...? They... they killed her too?"
Everything paused. Kuina's body trembled. Her voice dropped into a deadly silence.
"Kylie...? Molly...? You're... both gone?"
A thunderous heartbeat boomed. The calm before the storm shattered.
Suddenly, a monstrous blast of red and black energy erupted from Kuina's body. Her emotions were gone. Only primal fury remained.
She screamed again, a guttural, broken sound that wasn't even human. Ortus watched from above, lips tightening.
"Not good. She'll ruin the entire tournament. We have to restrain her!"
Clack! Clack! The chains shattered in a blink. Kuina was free.
"System Alert: Boundary breach confirmed. Rage State detected. Please regain control or collapse will follow."
Kuina released a scream with a monstrous echo. Everyone in the arena heard it. Piper stared at her, eyes wide.
"My goddess... Crush them. Crush them all."
Lika stepped forward, desperate. "Kuina! Control yourself! It won't help—"
But Kuina vanished in a burst of energy. She reappeared mid-air, diving straight for Prestik.
"DIE!!!"
In that instant, everything changed.
Flashes of divine light exploded. Ortus, Prestik, Arrito, Lisia, and James moved at once. They intercepted her like lightning, grabbing her limbs mid-flight.
Ortus held her by the neck from behind.
James grabbed her right arm.
Lisia caught her left leg.
Arrito secured her left arm.
Prestik levitated her body with telekinesis.
Everyone in the stands was speechless.
Mira whispered, "All the gods... moved to stop her? What the hell...?"
But Kuina didn't calm down. She roared, struggled, and writhed like a rabid animal.
"I'LL KILL YOU ALL!!! ALL OF YOU!!! SONS OF BITCHES!! FUCKING GODS!!! I'LL AVENGE MOLLY! KYLIE! I'LL AVENGE THEM!!! JAMES! I'LL FUCKING MURDER YOU! ORTUS, YOU BITCH!!"
It was pure insanity. Kuina had been angry before—but never like this.
Ortus leaned in close to her ear, whispering coldly, "Quiet. You've screamed enough. I admire your fire... coming at me like that. But you're breaking the rules."
Kuina's body pulsed with a blast of splash energy, knocking the gods slightly back.
She lunged at James with wild fury.
James smirked. "You lost it... too early."
He drew his nunchaku. But before Kuina could reach him—
Ortus intervened.
With a flick, she boosted Kuina's hormones a thousandfold.
"Shhh. Feel a little pleasure with your rage."
Kuina froze midair for a second, dazed, breath heavy. But her rage overpowered even that. She broke free and charged Lisia.
Lisia smiled and launched cactus thorns toward her.
Kuina ignored them as if they were raindrops. She landed a brutal uppercut on Lisia, sending her flying back and coughing blood.
Without pause, Kuina dashed at Arrito.
He didn't smile.
"Poor thing... I understand your anger."
He dodged her strikes calmly, until Kuina summoned a draconic punch from afar, hitting him in the gut and making him spit blood.
Suddenly, Ortus appeared in front of her.
"Time to rest, sweetie."
She flicked Kuina on the forehead, then bit her neck.
Kuina groaned, stumbling.
"What... did you inject me with...? You monster..."
She began to collapse.
James flew in, slamming her face with his nunchaku. Her body shot toward the arena wall.
Boom!
Kuina crashed hard.
Mira flew toward her instinctively, but Ortus blocked her.
"Where do you think you're going? You're staying right here."
She vanished, leaving Mira frozen. Lika, Clara, Piper, and Mortis ran to Kuina's side.
Prestik smirked.
"She's a real psycho... but damn, she actually cares about those girls. Even Molly."
Kylie stirred on the floor, barely conscious.
"Where... am I...?"
Her eyes opened, taking in the shattered arena, the stunned crowd, Mira hovering, Molly's lifeless body, and Kuina slumped against the wall.
"What the hell happened...? Molly...? Kuina...?"
Clara knelt beside Kuina. "I'll heal you, baby. Just stay still."
But Ortus teleported behind her.
"Don't even think about it, idiot."
She grabbed Clara and tossed her aside.
Then, calmly, she turned to the girls.
"Move. Now."
Lika, Piper, and Mortis backed away slowly.
Ortus looked down at Kuina.
"Listen. I've had enough of your bullshit. You're not the star here. Got it? You're just a fighter. A guest in our divine kingdom. Show some respect."
Kuina trembled, bleeding, parts of her armor cracked.
"What... do you want from me, Ortus...? Say it. Just say it. I'm your toy, your puppet, right? Your little entertainer... And you killed Kylie too..."
Ortus crouched next to her.
"Sweetie, I don't want anything. And Kylie isn't dead. James just knocked her out. She was disrupting the tournament."
She stood.
"I won't lock you up again. Pointless now. Next match is me... versus Kylie. Interfere, and I'll kill her. And the others. Understood?"
Kuina gritted her teeth.
"Just say it. You gave me the system... you play me like a damn puppet."
Ortus smiled.
"So what? You got resurrection powers, right? Revive Molly later. So why the tantrum?"
"Because you brought the worst enemy of my life into this realm... James. You knew."
"James has been a god for nine years. Long before you showed up."
"Don't play dumb. He's my age. You chose him at 18. You made that monster into a god. He ruined my life."
"Then beat him in your fight. Your one chance, Kuina."
Ortus leaned in and kissed Kuina's cheek gently.
"You're so soft... I'd totally sleep with you right now, but it wouldn't be professional. Just so you know, I'm not all bad. I can love... pamper... kiss better than anyone."
With a smirk, she waved her hand.
Kuina's wounds vanished. She was healed.
"There. Good as new. But... I've placed death cuffs on your wrists and ankles. No chains. You'll sit quietly this time."
Kuina stood slowly.
"Kylie's terrified of you. Don't take it out on her. She doesn't want this. Let her back out. You two aren't even in the same league."
Ortus shrugged.
"Stay out of it. This is between me and her. If you interfere again, I'll kill everyone. Molly's revival? Only after your fight with James. If you survive. Clear?"
Kuina clenched her fists.
"This once... I'll hold back. But if you hurt her, I won't stop. You hear me, you diva bitch?"
Ortus laughed wickedly.
"You're funny... Don't worry. We'll talk more later. One-on-one."
She flew upward. Prestik blinked, took Molly's body, and vanished from the arena.
Ortus's voice echoed.
"Winner: Prestik! Molly is... deceased. But don't worry. No more deaths—maybe. Ten-minute break before the next fight!"
Lika sobbed.
"Molly, no! No!"
Clara hugged her gently.
Piper muttered to herself.
"Barbie girl... Fuck..."
Mortis remained silent.
Ortus turned.
"Mira! Your role as host is over. We've reached the main event. No need for you anymore. Enjoy the show. Thanks."
Mira flew to the bleachers, silent, as if expecting this.
Kylie stood still, shaking.
"Shit... shit... oh no..."
Kuina walked toward her, slow and steady.
"Kylie."
Kylie looked up.
"My Kuina... You're okay? You broke free...? Wait, you're still cuffed!"
Kuina smiled.
"Give me a hug, baby. Now."
Kylie embraced her softly, lovingly.
"Listen to me, Kylie." Kuina lifted her chin with cuffed hands.
"Give it your all. I know you want to quit. You're scared. But I won't let her kill you. Just be yourself. Fight with all you have. Don't give up. We're all behind you. I'll protect you. If she tries anything, I swear—"
Kylie teared up.
"Kuina... my baby... You don't know how much that means to me. I'll fight. Just for you. I love you so much... I'm only entering the ring for you."
Kuina smiled.
"I love you completely. You're insane... but brilliant and kind. I can't imagine life without you anymore."
Kylie kissed her, slow and deep. Passionate. Their bodies melted together.
Kuina pulled away gently.
"Shhh. Save some for later."
Kylie blushed.
"Also... for Molly. I'll fight to honor her."
Kuina nodded.
"Exactly. Molly didn't deserve this. After the tournament, I'll revive her. I swear."
"I don't even know how I passed out like that... or how she died."
Kuina looked up at James.
"Don't worry. He'll be dealt with."
Mira and the girls approached.
"What's up, girls? We not invited to the lovefest?"
Kylie crossed her arms, avoiding Mira's gaze.
"Kylie... I'm sorry for the slaps. You know I love you. But I'm also your friend. Sometimes a friend needs to smack sense into you. I hope you understand."
Piper tapped Mira's shoulder.
SLAP!
"AHH! What the hell?!"
"That was for Kylie. Hehe."
Kylie responded quietly.
"Thanks, Mira. I know you meant well. But please... don't hit me again. I'm too sensitive for that."
Kuina walked to Lika.
"Hey, look at me."
Lika raised her eyes.
"My princess... I'll revive Molly. I promise. I keep forgetting I have that power. This is the time to use it."
Lika wiped her tears.
"Why are you cuffed? Didn't she give up on locking you?"
"Nope. She's still that same bitch. But it's temporary. Okay, cutie? Give me a hug."
Instead, Lika kissed her softly.
Kuina wasn't surprised.
She leaned in.
"Thank you, Lika. That was romantic."
Lika blushed.
"Thanks... I feel better now."
Piper shouted.
"Hey! I want to kiss you too!"
Mira grabbed her.
"No! Let me!"
Clara smiled.
"Kuina, I'm glad you're okay. You went wild... and she healed you... But please don't interfere in Kylie's fight. It'll only cause harm..."
Clara kissed her on the cheek.
Kuina nodded. Clara turned to Kylie, giving her a big hug.
"Good luck, babe."
She gave her a quick kiss.
"Mwah! Had to do it."
Kylie blushed. Kuina turned to the group.
"Girls! Give Kylie all your love. She needs it now."
They surrounded her in kisses and hugs.
Kylie smiled warmly.
"Thank you... I love you all... I'll give it everything."
Ortus landed in the ring, now repaired.
Kylie flew toward it, her face calm but steady.
Ortus smiled darkly.
"It's time, sweetie. Time we finally fight."
Kylie looked at her with quiet confidence.
"Okay. But not for you. For them."
Ortus grinned.
"Then come on. Show me everything, Kylie Kagila!"
To be continued...