For many, immortality is a coveted prize, but for Maya, it has always been a punishment, more curse than blessing.
If her family and tribe were still alive, things might have been different. However, as the last of the Phoenixes, her eternal life has been marked by a haunting solitude and profound sadness.
She'd learned through bitter experience that forging bonds with mortal beings only invited inevitable pain when they departed. Given her life on the run, those close to her often met gruesome ends.
Yet, individuals tend to repeat their past mistakes, a fact Maya is confronted with now. As she gazes upon Layla, helpless and confined like a sacrificial animal, her heart aches with a familiar agony.
"My little girl..." Crimson tears cascade down Maya's lovely face, their heat akin to living flames.
Basking in Maya's torment, Tyrion flashes a cruel smile. "You will do as I command, foolish creature!"
"No!!!" Maya attempts to surge towards her daughter, but Tyrion conjures a large shadowy claw around Layla's head, threatening to snuff out her life instantly.
"Wait!" Nea swiftly restrains Maya, whispering urgently into her ear. "Don't act recklessly; he won't harm her as long as you abstain from the battle."
"But-" Rational thought eludes Maya as she grapples with the imminent danger to her loved one. Even though Layla and Kayla aren't of her bloodline, she regards them as her own family.
In this precarious situation, Nea struggles with how to aid Maya. The stakes aren't just the future of all Mermaids but the destiny of the entire Blue Star, making Layla's potential death a tragically acceptable collateral.
Yet, considering Layla is her best friend's daughter, Nea understands that Maya would move heaven and earth to ensure her little girl's safety.
At a time like that, Nea can only think of one person, so she quickly whispers his name to Maya. "Lucien... go to him and the Sins; they may come up with a plan or something."
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})But Maya cannot hear Nea's words; all she sees is Layla in Tyrion's hands.
"Maya!!" Naomi quickly arrives and pulls Maya by the hand. "You can't do anything now; let the girls fight..."
The warmth of Naomi's hand brings a feeling similar to what she has with Layla and Kayla. Though short, the time she and Naomi spent together created a powerful bond between them.
In such a tense moment, Maya lets Naomi pull her behind the other girls. And Nea nods to her before turning her attention to Tyrion and the Naga Elders.
Nea knows that Tyrion will keep Layla alive to stop Maya from helping them, and as the armies prepare for the big battle, her and the other girls' fight against the Naga Elders is the first step towards victory.
"We have to go through them to get to their leader." She speaks while looking at Lucien's wives.
Although she still isn't sure how she feels about him, she already likes those brave women very much, and having them by her side in battle is an honor.
"Mm."
"Let's do this!"
"Yeah!"
The girls are ready to fight; Lucien has prepared them well for moments like this.
However, on the other hand, Tyrion is also confident in the strength of his most powerful soldiers. "GO, but don't kill these women... they will serve me after I kill the boy."
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})"Yes, my King!" The ten Naga Elders respond in unison before hurtling toward Nea and the other women.
In their current form, they are naught but mere puppets, dehumanized and corrupted by Tyrion's malignant magic. They are no longer Nagas, no longer men; just instruments with a singular purpose to serve their Master.
They will fight with relentless ferocity, even at the cost of their limbs, even if the only reward awaiting them is death.
Thus, the ten shadows surge forward, embodying Tyrion's brutal savagery and insatiable greed.
*CLANG!!!*
The initial clash resonates in the field as the black sword of a Naga Elder collides with Nea's blue rapier.
Sinister beams of black energy emanate from the Naga Elder, attempting to ensnare Nea, but her resplendent blue light resists the encroaching darkness with unyielding determination.
"Abhorrent creature, your end is nigh!" Nea proclaims as she unleashes her potent water domain. The sea rises to encircle the Naga Elder, as well as the opponents facing Mira and Angela.
Nea's strategy provides a distinct advantage to those who possess Water Affinity. Nonetheless, apart from enhanced speed within the water domain, their edge against the Naga Elders is somewhat limited, given that the latter are also creatures of the sea.
As Nea trades blows with the Naga Elder, Saria joins her in battle. Simultaneously, Mira, Kamala, and Angela launch their attacks on their respective adversaries within the Water Domain.
Beyond the boundaries of the water domain, the remaining Naga Elders initiate their assault on Lucien's wives. Disregarding Tyrion's order to spare the women, the corrupted Naga soldiers attack with unrestrained ferocity and savagery.
Yet, despite facing such formidable opponents, the women quickly demonstrate the sheer extent of power Lucien has bestowed upon them.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})In seamless harmony, they confront Tyrion's henchmen, embodying the spirit of valour and wit. They besiege their enemies, adroitly leveraging every advantage at their disposal.
From his vantage point high above the Crystal City, Lucien beholds his warriors with luminous eyes and a proud grin gracing his features.
While anxiety still lingers for the wellbeing of his beloved ones, he bestows his trust in their resilience and commitment, focusing all his energy on recuperating swiftly and crafting the most potent sinful aura ever known.
In that moment, he discerns the figures of Naomi and Maya drawing closer. The Phoenix presents a heartrending sight, her exquisite visage marred by tears of fire and a countenance pleading for aid.
"Lucien, you must assist me once more..." she implores urgently. "I acknowledge that I am not entitled to make such a request, but I am prepared to pay any price for my little girl..."
Upon registering her words, all the Sins, with the exception of Pride, find their eyes gleaming with a shared understanding.
However, Lucien and Pride are reluctant to exploit such an opportunity, to demand Maya's life in return for her daughter's safety. They would rather engage her in combat, forcibly extracting her magic core, than stooping to such unsavoury tactics.
"I gave Layla my word that I would return for her, and I intend to keep that promise," Lucien assures swiftly.
Maya feels a rush of relief at Lucien's words, but the dread for her daughter's life continues to haunt her. "Have you formulated a strategy yet?" she asks anxiously.
"I merely require some additional time to replenish my energy," he replies, even as the Sins perform a coordinated dance around him and Sophia and Amelia nestle comfortably in his arms.
To an outsider, this scene may appear quite peculiar, yet Maya comprehends the rituals of Lucien's power gathering and thus, she finds herself with only one option.
"Is there any manner in which I could aid you?" She puts forth the question, resolute in her intention to assist.
Lucien cannot dismiss the intriguing allure that the idea of intimately knowing the legendary Phoenix presents. However, his present focus needs to be directed at fortifying the bond with his sisters and the Sins, in order to attain the zenith of sinful aura.
"Exercise a little patience... I'm almost done."
