Sensing the burgeoning power of Maya, Eve, and Lucien radiating in immense waves, a renewed hope courses through the veins of the thousands of Mermaids and Nagas who watch them intently from beneath.
They can't decipher the nefarious method Tyrion employs to amass his formidable power, yet whatever it is, the triumvirate seems adequately poised to counter him on an even keel.
Nea, situated closest to the heroic trio, perceives the unfolding spectacle with crystal clarity. She feels a twinge of foolishness for presuming that she could stand against Tyrion singlehandedly.
Though she has never been arrogant enough to overrate her prowess, she now acknowledges that she couldn't endure the volatile power of the three cursed fruits as Maya did, who even then relied on Lucien's support to stabilize the rampant energy.
Nea also realizes that she doesn't possess the capacity to absorb the collective power of the Mermaids, a feat that Eve and Pride perform effortlessly and with astounding skill.
But more importantly, Nea comprehends that all these awe-inspiring feats are only achievable due to Lucien. He is the adhesive that binds these remarkable women, enabling them to ascend to unparalleled heights of power and resilience, which would have been inconceivable in his absence.
While he's lifting Pride's hand, further rousing the morale of the observing Mermaids and Nagas, Lucien catches Nea's intense gaze.
Her look has evolved dramatically over the past few days, transitioning from indifference to worry, morphing into friendliness, and now settling into an expression of profound respect and admiration.
He can't help but bask in the gratification of Nea's admiration, yet he knows, that's not the most precious look he's bestowed upon by his cherished wives.
Before Lucien can say anything, Tyrion's grotesque screams and groans grow louder, drawing everyone's attention to the green barrier, which begins to show several cracks.
"AAAAAAAHHHH!!!" The sheer power and raw fury in Tyrion's voice are palpable, shaking the air itself.
"Time's up!" Envy announces, urgency lacing her words as the shield shows signs of imminent collapse.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})Maya pivots to face Lucien, her voice laced with determination. "We must draw him away from the city!"
"Will you employ that technique where you combust your own body?" Lucien inquires, memories of the Phoenix's devastating attacks making her shine more brilliant than the sun for fleeting moments resurfacing in his mind.
She confirms with a single nod. "I can perform it just once before depleting all this powerful energy from the fruits once, but its potency is unparalleled. I refuse to risk innocent lives."
Lucien shares her sentiment, avoiding collateral damage is paramount. He meets Pride's eyes and she responds with a decisive nod. "We'll lure him a few miles westward, and make our stand there."
"I'm accompanying you!" Donna's voice rings out, brimming with resolve.
"Me too!" Amelia chimes in, equally adamant.
"No." Lucien's denial is swift. "Tyrion's threat level has escalated. It's prudent to limit our frontline to the Sins."
"But-" Naomi attempts to argue, but the Sins ask the girls to maintain a secure distance for the time being.
Even Eve, supercharged by the coursing demonic energy she shares with Pride, suppresses her desire to stand beside Lucien, allowing Pride to harness their full power.
"We're relying on you." She declares, pulling Donna and Naomi closer to the cluster of Lucien's wives.
Mira showers Lucien with an affectionate gaze before floating towards the other girls. "I'll join the rest..."
But before leaving, she turns to Nea and extends her hand in a friendly manner. "Are you coming?"
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})Nea really wants to help Lucien, but she knows she wouldn't be useful in a fight against Tyrion right now.
Fortunately, she has just discovered a way to help him along with his other wives. "I want to help... can you teach me how to do it, Mira?"
"Of course." Mira smiles before taking Nea's hand and bringing her to join Lucien's other wives.
Amelia and Claire also join the girls, and the last of the sisters to stand by Lucien's side is Sophia.
Despite being the youngest of the siblings after Lucien, Sophia already has a mature aura and knows that it intimidates her sisters.
That is clearly related to her lovely little bulged belly. Her pregnancy is rapidly changing her, and even Lucien no longer sees her just as his beloved sister, but as a powerful and incredible mother.
She silently leaves her magic pillow and embraces Lucien before kissing his lips, transferring as much life energy to him as possible.
"Take care." She only says that, but it is enough to make Lucien even more motivated.
He takes a moment to gently caress her belly before they part. Then he smiles at her. "For sure, my love."
As he watches Sophia move away, a few thoughts cross Lucien's mind, and he hears the voice of Lust inside his head.
'Sometimes you forget that you're already a father...' She comments.
'Are you trying to discourage me from rushing into danger so recklessly?' He asks.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})'No.' She quickly responds. 'I'm encouraging you to fight even better; use not only your instincts but also your brain and heart, you cannot fail!'
Lucien agrees with Lust. 'My instincts, my mind, and my heart are in the right place, so help me not to fail.'
'For sure, my love.' Lust uses the same words as Lucien, making him smile.
While the girls stay at a safe distance from the green barrier, only Maya and the Sins remain by Lucien's side.
But of course, the girls can't stray too far from them because the Sins can't be too far from their hosts, and Lucien from his wives to receive their energies.
"AAAAAHHHHHH!!!" Tyrion's voice grows even louder, and black tendrils start emerging from the cracks in the barrier.
"Are you ready?" Maya quickly asks.
"Yes, we are." Lucien responds for himself and the Sins.
His connection with Lust, Envy, and Sloth is undoubtedly stronger than with the other Sins. But while his relationship with Wrath and Pride has improved greatly recently, he also feels close to Gluttony and Greed.
And the seven Sins also feel close to him. Fighting alongside him feels as natural as if they had been doing it forever; as if he were part of the family from the very beginning.
"He's done!" Lust exclaims as everyone sees the green barrier shatter completely.
"AHHHHH!!!" Several black tentacles emerge from what must be Tyrion's body, but no one can see the Naga King within that grotesque mess.
"LUCIENNNN!!!" But that voice and rage clearly belong to Tyrion.
"Let's quickly kill the bastard!" Maya says as she takes her original form and flies towards the tentacles.
Lucien summons his golden naginata and follows Maya as the Sins also summon their soul weapons and follow him.
