Behind Aki stood a dark figure — human-sized — but wearing a black crown. It thrust its hand into Aki's back.

Its arm passed through his flesh, reaching straight for his heart. With a slow, deliberate motion, it pulled its hand out — holding Aki's heart in its grasp.

Aki gasped for air, choking as pain ripped through him. His body trembled… then collapsed to the ground with a dull thud.

The Queen — smiling faintly — held his heart in her palm.

Blood dripped from her heart, soaking the path and staining the grass a deep, dark red. A terrifying smile danced across her lips.

Slowly, she squeezed the heart, forcing more blood out of it. With a powerful grip, she crushed it into pulp. Turning her hand, she let the mangled remains fall to the ground.

Everyone stared at her in horror as she brought her bloody hand to her lips and licked the blood off.

"I expected more from you," she said, her eyes scanning their frozen faces.

Kai fell to his knees. "N-no…" he whispered, slowly backing away. He grabbed his sister's leg and hid behind her, terror written all over his face.

"What is she even capable of…?" Mei muttered, trying to stay calm. She glanced down at her brother, who clung tightly to her.

His expression worried her, but she had to keep her composure. Taking a deep breath, she clenched her fist.

"Brother… I told you I have a plan…" she said quietly.

Kai's eyes filled with a strange glow as he heard her words.

Mei took a step toward the Shadow Queen, a confident smile on her face. "In the mood for a fist fight?" she asked, raising her fist.

The Shadow Queen looked at her in surprise, then smirked. "You think you can kill me with your fists?" she asked mockingly. "Go ahead—try!"

Mei moved into a fighting stance and lunged forward, swinging her fist toward the Queen's face.

The Queen dodged and, with blinding speed, struck Mei in the stomach, knocking the air out of her lungs. She didn't give her a moment to recover before unleashing several more blows directly into her ribs.

"Ah!" Mei gasped through her teeth. Her breathing quickened, but that faint smile still lingered on her lips. As soon as the blows stopped, she took her stance again.

"Haven't you had enough?" asked the Queen.

Mei didn't respond.

Kai's Shadow wanted to move in, but Mei raised her hand, giving him a sharp look. He saw that burning fire in her eyes—the fierce determination blazing so strongly that he decided to trust her plan and stand down.

Mei swung again, this time hitting the Queen's arm.

"SMASH!" she shouted, activating her Core. Her fist ignited with crimson flames, amplifying her power—but the Queen didn't even flinch.

"Is that all you've got?" the Shadow Queen mocked, readying for another round. She raised her hand and began pounding Mei's stomach, each hit harder than the last.

Her blows were merciless, her grin twisted and cruel.

Pain surged through Mei's body, but she ignored it. She was ready to endure anything to carry out her plan. "Just a little more…" she repeated in her mind, over and over.

Then the ground trembled — and a voice cut through the air, irritated and harsh. "Can't any of you do anything right?"

Vex landed between Mei and the Shadow Queen. "I even gave you GOD SLASH…" he said, glaring at Mei before nodding slightly.

"And who do you think you are?" the Queen spat, disgusted.

Vex slowly turned his head toward her. "SHUT UP!" he roared. "DON'T INTERRUPT ME!" His voice dripped with hatred.

"You dare talk to me like that?" the Queen began, placing her hand on her chest. "I am the Quee—"

Before she could finish, Vex appeared right in front of her and punched her in the stomach, sending her flying several miles back.

Kai's jaw dropped. "Is it possible… that the weak boy who once would've sacrificed even his sister… is this powerful now?" he whispered, staring at Vex's overwhelming strength.

Vex turned toward Mei. "I'm the one who'll kill you all…" he said coldly. "It's not time yet, but if you ever use me like this again… I'll use you as toys instead."

He turned his head — but the Queen's fist met his face. She struck him with such force that an energy wave burst outward.

The blast was so strong it sent Kai flying several meters back, tearing up the grass and shaking the ground.

But all Vex felt was irritation. He clicked his tongue, grabbed the Queen by the throat, and lifted her into the air. "I didn't think you'd come back for more," he said.

The Queen started choking, realizing too late the situation she was in. "Please… don't…" she begged, grabbing his arm.

"You know… I always wondered what it would be like to make love to a Shadow," Vex said darkly. "But I guess I won't find out today… What a shame."

He gripped her head—and began to twist.

CRACK. CRACK. CRACK. CRACK!

Her screams echoed — "AHHHHHHHH!" — and then — CRUNCH!

Her neck snapped. All that remained in Vex's hands was her lifeless body and head.

Her remains slowly turned to black dust and faded away. But Vex felt something behind him — a presence.

He turned, and there she was. The Shadow Queen — kneeling, trembling. "Please… don't kill me…" she begged.

Vex smiled. "Spare you…?" he thought aloud. "No… You're better off dead."

He punched her in the forehead.

Her body filled with a strange warmth instead of pain. She didn't understand what was happening — then a shiver ran through her, her body began to glow, and she exploded, sending her crown flying into the distance.

Vex turned to look at his sister one last time — then vanished without a trace.

Silence. No one spoke. Everyone was frozen by what they had witnessed.

Kai swallowed hard, staring at the black crown lying in the grass before him.

Mei, exhausted and trembling from the pain coursing through her body, collapsed. She gently ran her fingers through the grass as the sun began to set.

"My plan worked after all…" she thought. Then another question crossed her mind.

"But… how did I know he was watching us…?"

Kai stood up and glanced at his sister. After making sure she was alright, he picked up the crown. He examined it carefully — then placed it on his head.

"Master…"

"What?" Kai asked, watching his Shadow bow. "M-me? I just put it on for fun…"

"Master…" the Shadow repeated.

Kai blinked in confusion — though not because of the title. This time, it was because Aki was also kneeling before him.

"Aki… do you have regeneration?" Kai asked.

"Yes, master."

"Then answer me one thing… what's your weakness? How can I kill you?" Kai asked calmly.

Aki blinked, startled.

"Don't get me wrong… I just want to know in case you ever turn against me," Kai explained, tilting the crown slightly.

Aki put his hand to his head. "My brain…" he answered.

"Thank you! I hope it never comes to that… but if it does, I'll be the one to kill you!" Kai said, then turned toward Mei.

"Sis!" Kai called with a smile.

"What?" Mei groaned. "Let me sleep!"

"I got my lust back!" he shouted proudly.

Mei's voice softened when she heard that. "You did? That's amazing!" she cheered happily. "Can I make a suggestion?" she added after a pause.

"Yeah… sure," Kai said, looking at his two servants before him.

"Let's go on vacation," Mei said.

The word vacation instantly caught Kai's interest. His head snapped toward her. "I'm listening…" he said.

"Well… we should celebrate your return of lust. And… I've always wanted to go to the beach," Mei said, stretching lazily on the grass.

"Plus… I kinda wanna see you in a swimsuit…" she added, drooling slightly.

"Isn't that something I'm supposed to say?" Kai asked, but got no response.

⬜ ⬜ ⬜

After a short rest, they headed toward the Safe House. Kitty skipped happily beside Kai and Mei, while the Shadow and Aki carried Rhazir.

When they finally arrived and opened the door, they saw Mary, Lily, and Miyuki still lying on the floor — tied up with thick ropes, just as they had left them.

They set Rhazir down, and Kai turned to his sister. "You know… now that I've got my lust back… maybe I can fulfill my promise."

Mei looked at him with a spark of hope — but it faded quickly. "No," she said, placing a hand on his chest. "I didn't keep my promise, so you shouldn't keep yours either."

"Really?" Kai asked.

"And besides… I think there's someone who wants it more than I do," Mei said, her gaze drifting toward Lily.

"You mean…?" Kai asked.

Mei nodded slowly. "Go on," she encouraged him.

Kai walked over to Lily, lifted her from the floor, threw her over his shoulder, and walked toward the bedroom door.

He placed his hand on the handle, turned to his sister one last time as if asking for permission, then opened the door and stepped inside with Lily.

"I hope they have fun…" Mei said with a smirk.

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