The climactic showdown inches closer, the veritable maelstrom of war about to unfurl its unyielding storm of chaos.
The Kraken invasion, the brutal clash against the ten Naga Elders; these were mere preludes to the symphony of battle, which, rather than dampening Mermaid spirits, only served to stoke their flame of resilience.
The Sinful Aura, a beacon of resolve, remained unyielding, acting as a fulcrum upon which their courage tilted.
A tantalizing mélange of fortitude and power, the Sinful Aura was the fruit borne of the labor of fourteen dedicated souls.
But the luminescent purple glow that danced in the eyes of hundreds of thousands of Mermaids was a testament to Lucien's indispensable role in this critical endeavor.
An unfathomable latticework of support buttressed him, a blend of Lust, Eve, and notably, Pride. They were the vital nodes upholding this colossal network of strength. His other sisters and the Sins formed the intricate filigree, subtly augmenting the potent demonic influence suffusing the Mermaid army.
Each Mermaid could feel it pulsing in their veins; an undeniable conduit of power streaming from Lucien and the Sins, endowing them with a surging, unprecedented might.
As Tyrion marshalled his troops, gearing for an imminent assault, the Mermaids' eyes oscillated between Nea, their frontline stalwart, and the combined might of Lucien and Eve.
Their allegiance was no longer a single-threaded loyalty, but a sturdy, triadic bond linking these three indispensable pillars.
Unwavering in her resolve, Nea held her ground, a rock against the encroaching tide. Despite the visible fatigue gnawing at them and the stark scars of war etched onto their bodies, Lucien's wives held fast, their spirits unbroken.
Their resolve mirrored Lucien's - a shared commitment to champion the cause of the people they had come to protect. However, Lucien was not one to lurk in the shadows while others faced the brunt of the storm.
Rising with a purpose, he readied himself for the impending clash, even though his body momentarily wavered, the toll of the past battles creeping in.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})"Lucien?" Sophia rushed to his side, concern creasing her brow as she swiftly appraised his condition.
"I'm fine." He endeavored to put on a brave face, a facade of confidence failing to mask the energy deprivation gnawing at him.
This was the price he paid for channeling every ounce of energy, harnessed with the help of the Sins, into bolstering the Mermaids via the Sinful Aura.
Sophia chooses not to dispute his assurances, instead sealing her silent agreement with a tender kiss, her lips transferring life energy to him in a caring, intimate communion.
He draws back from the kiss, his fingertips tracing a gentle path along Sophia's face. "Thank you for always being my pillar."
"Always," she reciprocates the sentiment, her eyes shimmering with unspoken love.
"Always."
"Always!"
His other sisters echo the affirmation, forming an unwavering phalanx of solidarity.
"Now, let's fight..." He beckons his golden naginata into existence, its radiant aura casting a mesmerizing spectacle that invigorates the Mermaid forces and sows seeds of trepidation within the Naga ranks.
The lustrous golden glow of the naginata shimmers in Greed's eyes, a perfect match to her own. "An exquisite weapon indeed, but I'm curious to see how you plan on fighting when you can barely maintain flight..."
"ROAAARR!!!"
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})Her jibe is cut short as Oya's roar ripples through the air, a deafening battle cry.
The tigress charges through the battlefield, her glistening armor reflecting the sunlight, a dazzling saddle crowning her back, a proud emblem of her dedication to her Master.
"This is how I'll fight," Lucien's smile is a mirror to his utmost trust in Oya, his stalwart companion, and cherished wife.
As the Naga forces inch menacingly closer to the Crystal City, all attention gravitates towards the spectacle of the majestic white tigress barrelling towards Lucien.
The primal, intimidating gaze, usually characteristic of Oya, melts away, replaced by a look of serene love as she nears her beloved Master.
Oya arrives at Lucien's side, momentarily dissipating her helmet to bask in the affectionate touch of his hand. The intimate stroking of her ears elicits a soft purr, unheard to all but those in close proximity.
"You fought valiantly, Oya..." Lucien's voice is a soothing hum, evoking a sense of pride in Oya as she rubs her head against his midriff. "You have exceeded my expectations, but our battle has not yet reached its conclusion."
"Roarrr..." Her muted growl is an agreement, echoing her unwavering resolve. Her helmet rematerializes, and she shifts her gaze towards the battlefield, her eyes gleaming with readiness.
Initially, when Lucien encountered Oya, he envisioned her as a formidable companion and an extraordinary mount. However, fate had other plans, and thanks to her humanoid form coupled with her unwavering loyalty, she transcended her role, becoming a cherished part of his harem.
Lucien typically relies on his expansive wings for maneuverability in battles, but conserving energy is now paramount. As such, having Oya carry him provides a significant advantage, allowing him to recuperate his energy during the battle.
Lucien's hand caresses the saddle affixed to Oya's armor, a device conjured through her soul power exclusively for his use. Hoisting himself onto the saddle, he perches himself securely atop the majestic tigress, his golden naginata brandished in his grip.
His sisters and Sins watch him with resolute determination in their eyes. Naomi, however, echoes the worries lurking within Maya's gaze.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})"What about Laya?" Naomi voices her concern, preempting Maya.
Lucien's gaze trails towards Tyrion, fixating on the ominous dark cage suspended behind him in the sky. It is clear Tyrion intends to keep his ace in the hole nearby to restrain Maya from intervening in the battle.
"He will confront me on the battlefield..." Lucien predicts, turning his attention towards Amelia. "Only you and Helena possess the ability to effortlessly penetrate enemy lines and liberate Layla. The other girls will provide assistance to ensure a safe return."
"I will not fail!" Amelia's response is instant, her conviction resounding through her words.
"We won't fail," Envy amends, underscoring that Amelia's mission will be a joint endeavor.
Maya, harboring lingering doubts, poses her question to Lucien, "Are you confident this will succeed? Tyrion isn't a fool."
Lucien expounds promptly, "He's aware of my teleportation ability and will be vigilant. However, he remains oblivious to Amelia and Helena's similar capabilities."
"Even if he were aware, his attention will primarily be fixed on Lucien..." Envy interjects.
Maya offers a nod of acknowledgement. "I will put my faith in your strategy. Once my daughter is secure, you can rely on my unwavering support on the battlefield."
Lucien's gaze penetrates Maya's, his voice laden with sincerity, "Your assistance will be invaluable, Maya, perhaps more than you can envisage."
"Assure the safety of those I hold dear, and in return, I vow to protect those you cherish," her reply is reflexive, an oath that transcends the confines of this impending battle.
"Let's advance!" Lucien announces with an air of determination, and the loyal Oya paces forward gracefully, heading toward Nea at the frontlines.
Communicating with Oya is unnecessary, considering their mental, emotional, and spiritual connection. Yet, Lucien verbalizes his commands to demonstrate solidarity with his troops.
His sisters and the Sins tail closely behind, their dual objectives being fighting at his side and maintaining the intensity of the Sinful Aura.
"Seems like we're heading into the fray..." Gluttony comments idly, floating parallel to Naomi.
"I'm practically yearning to wreak havoc!" Wrath's excitement is evident in her vibrant smile.
"We had just annihilated an array of Krakens mere hours ago..." Donna's eyes roll in mild exasperation.
"Exactly, an eternity ago, don't you think?" Wrath retorts, her smile undeterred.
"Wrath is spot on; it's always an opportune moment to pulverize our adversaries." Lucien grins at the fiery Sin, coaxing an unexpected blush from her.
Their banter is cut short by their imminent arrival at the frontlines, where Nea and the other women have stationed themselves.
As Saria greets Lucien with a soft smile, the illustrious Mermaid Queen Nea greets him and his sisters, particularly Eve, with a respectful expression of camaraderie.
Nea perceives the immense faith the Mermaid army holds in her leadership, as well as that of Lucien and Eve. Sharing this burden doesn't seem bothersome, considering the pair's unwavering commitment to her people.
The urgency of their situation leaves no room for casual conversation or flattery. Nea simply nods at Lucien and Eve, an act that might seem insignificant but holds symbolic weight. As they stand united in the face of adversity, their unity becomes the linchpin of strength for their people.
Flanking them on the frontlines are Lucien's stunning and formidable wives, a phalanx of resolute women, but only a lone king—the Handsome Devil.
"They're closing in..." Nea observes the horde of rapacious Nagas surging towards them, across the waves and through the air.
"Let them advance..." Guided by Lucien's intent, Oya makes a bold stride forward, prowling around the ranks of women as Lucien raises his gleaming naginata.
The radiance from the golden weapon shines in the eyes of the assembled Mermaids, spurring the sinful energies within them and indelibly branding their souls.
"They assume their threats can intimidate us..." Using his energy, Lucien amplifies his voice to reach every Mermaid, within and beyond the Crystal City's walls.
"They believe they can inflict pain upon us..."
"I say, let them dare to try..."
"And let's give them a taste of their own hell!!!"
Lucien's words fan the flames of courage within the Mermaid's hearts, sparking an unforeseen desire to face their adversaries head-on. The sinful energies coursing through them momentarily suppress their intrinsic peace-loving natures, allowing Lucien's ferocious spirit to surface.
"Yeah!!!" Thousands of voices echo in unison, a harmonious symphony of anticipation.
Lucien grins, causing his naginata to shimmer even brighter. "Are you with me???"
"YEAH!!!" The roar is now all-encompassing, a sonorous chorus of fervent voices that resonates across the battlefield.
This tidal wave of positive energy causes Lucien to generate a potent surge of demonic energy. This force is channeled to the other Sins, with Pride bearing the lion's share.
Fueled by the collective trust and adoration of the Mermaids, Lucien achieves an unprecedented peak in his abilities. His smile radiates an incandescent warmth as he pivots to face the oncoming enemy onslaught.
"So, continue to stand by my side... alive! And I promise to make it worth your while!" Lucien's words, laced with an earnest promise, inspire the Mermaids beyond any previous motivational speeches.
Filled with an inexhaustible reserve of energy, zeal, and power, the Mermaids follow Lucien to confront their adversaries. Their unified front is so potent that the waters of Blue Star's ocean seem to ripple in response.
