Deep beneath the Monster Association, at the bottom of a yawning chasm, where a lake of molten rock simmered and spat fire high into the air. Orochi sat at the foot of the steps that led to a mural depicting his 'Destined Future.'
An intruder up above… Let her deal with it.
Orochi refused to be her pawn, just as he had rejected becoming a sacrifice. No force in this world would control him again.
Now, all he had to do was wait until the Hero Association pushed her to her limits. And then he would devour her alongside the rest of the Organization. He had to grow far stronger if he wished to achieve his 'Destined Future.'
It wasn't only the Monster Association he would consume, but the Hero Association as well. Orochi could not estimate how strong this would make him after this, but he believed it would give him the strength required to reverse fate.
Based on the all the activity above earlier, it would seem your 'little play' began a day early. Enjoy the time you have left, Psykos.
¤ ¤ ¤
Why isn't Doctor Kuseno letting me in?
Caspian closed his eyes and made use of his 'Sense' ability. The Doctor is downstairs, but then wh… His eyes snapped open.
He reached for the door; intent on opening it; though the instant he made contact, the two metal doors parted.
Wasting no time, he bolted inside — pushing straight through to his destination.
As he stepped into the upgrade and repairs room, he froze. His gaze fell on a fair-skinned, pert bottom swaying left to right as the individual slid a pair of rouge-colored lace panties up their beguiling legs.
Damn, did you work on her all night Doc?
The woman noticed his arrival.
Wavygyaza's arm snapped up to cover her modest bust as she whirled around. Her mesmerizing pink eyes gleamed with icy scrutiny; lancing straight through him.
"You're up early." Caspian rubbed his neck. "Your expression...you seem upset. Don't worry, I didn't see anything I wasn't supposed to."
Her hotheadedness shone through in the next instant when her mouth opened. "'Wavy~ Burning Breath!'" A stream of fire roared toward him.
"Mad woman!" Caspian backpedaled, sweeping a hand backward to draw the fire toward him. With impeccable control, he guided the flames through the lab and out the still-open doors, not stopping until he stood a distance from the blocky metal structure.
Stepping aside, the stream of flame rushed past and trickled out after another five or so meters.
"Doctor Kuseno's Laboratory doesn't deserve such treatment."
Wavygyaza appeared at the lab entrance in an instant, now fully dressed in familiar attire: a pink frilly dress with blue and white accents, its center emblazoned with a white "W." Knee-high laced boots covered her legs, while a golden tiara sat atop her straight blonde hair, styled with blunt bangs that fell over her forehead.
"Your actions are unforgivable." Her melodic voice coasted through the air — tinged with killing intent.
Caspian raised his hands and said, "I apologize. I didn't know you were changing."
"It is not about that! Are you my abductor?" Her fingers dug into the frills of her dress.
"Have you not spoken to Doctor Kuseno? I won't deny your accusation."
"I did, and I am forever grateful to that kind old man. The sacrifices I once believed were permanent vanished under his care. And now another lifelong dream I thought lost is possible."
"Then w—"
"As for you!" Wavygyaza jabbed her finger at him in an offensive manner. "That wasn't your choice to make! It was my choice! My life to live!
Even if your intentions were pure, which I don't believe given that outfit you're wearing.
Whatever your goal is, I don't care. Because in the end you don't get to have me! You don't get the chance to exploit me! And you certainly won't get the chance to betray me!
If you ever show yourself in my presence again… I will kill you."
Wavygyaza peered into the sky. "'Wavy~ Butterfly.'" Four wings made of bright-pink energy materialized on her back before she flew up and flitted away.
While her reaction was understandable, it didn't stop Caspian's shift in emotions. "Boros, it seems our moods aren't too different today."
¤ ¤ ¤
"It's time for you to die—"
Boros punched to his right without looking. Whatever monster just spoke had exploded into smithereens.
"A change."
He found himself in a wide and tall hallway. Stone columns stood tall on both sides, with arches that spanned between them.
"Why is a monster raiding our base?"
"Too strong…"
A creature with ram horns and big, glassy eyes waited at the center of the horde. "You are somewhat likeable. Actually, someone like you may be able to kill 'that thing' come…"
Boros' interest sparked dimly. "Show me 'that thing.'"
After a short walk, the horde of monsters parted, giving a clearer view of the new area. The walls shifted to stone bricks lined with torches. At Boros' feet lay an ornate carpet that stretched to a pair of heavy double doors.
As he made his way across the carpet to the double doors, he pondered interesting ways to end the monsters that prodded him as he passed by them.
"Your opponent is waiting for you on the other side of the door."
"I hope you win."
"We'll not be attacking. It's totally fine if you win."
Boros arrived before the dark, matte iron doors and pushed them open; revealing an expansive room with cracked stone floors, but his eye locked onto the ceiling.
"You've kept me waiting."
The monster descended from the ceiling, showing off its massive ebon wings, which caused clouds of dust to kick up as it landed. Its slanted eyes observed Boros for a moment, and then it displayed rows of pointy teeth with a wide smile. As though this monster had found the perfect prey.
"What are you intended to be?" Boros asked.
"Me? You can call me Pureblood."
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