NOVPUBFifi and Fiona were still relaxing on their own room.
Suddenly Liline appeared in their room through the wall like a ghost. 𝔫𝖔𝔳𝖕𝖚𝔟.𝔠𝔬𝖒
Fifi squeaked and jumped back, clutching her pillow again.
Fiona looked up calmly. "Liline?"
Liline's eyes glowed softly as she nodded. "Master Lucius wants to see both of you. Now."
Fifi froze.
Fiona stood up and stretched. "Alright. Got it."
Liline only nodded before stepping back into the wall, fading like mist.
The room went quiet.
Fifi stood stiff, ears drooped, her pillow held tight against her chest.
Fiona looked at her. "Fifi?"
Fifi didn't move.
"He wants to see me?"
Fiona walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Yeah. Both of us."
Fifi looked down, voice shaky. "But… last time… he made me fight alone. For months."
"I know."
"He made me die in that world. Over and over."
"I know."
Fifi's voice dropped lower. "I… I don't like him."
Fiona crouched down to her level. "That virtual war was hard. It scared you. I get it."
Fifi's lip trembled. "He knew my trouble and didn't help."
Fiona nodded. "Because he knew you could do it. And you did."
Fifi blinked. "But…"
"You came back stronger. You talk more now. You smile more."
"You're still scared, yeah… but you're not broken."
Fifi looked away. "I still don't like him…"
Fiona smiled. "You don't have to like him. Just walk with me, alright?"
Fifi hesitated, then whispered, "Will you stay close?"
Fiona tapped her forehead gently. "I'll be right beside you. Always."
Fifi nodded slowly.
Fiona held out her hand.
"Come on. Let's just go see what he wants."
"Maybe it's a mission. Maybe it's… something cooler."
Fifi's hand trembled, but she reached out and grabbed Fiona's. "Okay."
They walked to the door.
Fiona opened it with one hand, still holding onto Fifi with the other.
Fifi followed behind, her steps small and quiet.
Down the silver-lit hallways, the floors shimmered under their feet.
Fifi whispered, "Do you think he'll be mad?"
Fiona looked over her shoulder.
"Lucius doesn't get mad. He plans. He tests. And when he's proud… he smiles."
"Did he ever smile at you?"
"Once. After my second solo kill in front of a full audience."
"He didn't say anything. Just looked at me and smiled."
"Was it scary?"
Fiona laughed. "Yeah. A little. But it also felt good. Like I did something right."
Fifi gripped her hand tighter.
Fiona looked forward again. "We'll be fine. You've got lightning inside you now."
Fifi whispered, "And you've got fire…"
Fiona smirked. "Let's show him what that looks like when we walk in together."
Fifi gave a small nod. "Okay."
And so, hand in hand, the two girls walked toward the room where Lucius was waiting.
---
Fiona and Fifi stepped inside the room where Lucius was waiting.
He turned slowly as they entered—and smirked.
"Well," he said, voice calm, "look who finally showed up."
Fifi immediately stepped behind Fiona, peeking out from her side with only one ear and half her face visible.
Lucius tilted his head, still smirking. "Still shy, huh?"
Fiona glanced back at Fifi, then faced Lucius again. "Yeah. A bit."
She patted Fifi's hand gently.
"But not like before. She walks around now. Talks more. She's getting there."
Lucius nodded once, pleased. "Good. I like that."
"Different personalities in this family… it makes things more interesting."
Fiona grinned. "So, what do you need, Lord Lucius?"
Lucius turned fully toward them. "Tomorrow… it's time."
Fiona raised an eyebrow. "Time for what?"
Lucius folded his arms behind his back. "The Vornis Competition."
Fiona blinked. "Wait. That's tomorrow?"
Lucius smirked. "You forgot?"
Fiona scratched the back of her head. "I mean… yeah, kinda. A lot's happened."
Fifi looked confused. "Um… what's a Vornis Competition?"
Fiona looked down at her and smiled. "It's some kind of competition. But special."
Fifi tilted her head. "Special how?"
"It's all about Vornis beasts," Fiona said.
"They're not normal beasts. They're only made here—in Luxoria Castle. No one else can breed or sell them."
Lucius stepped forward, joining in.
"Vornis is our crown jewel. A steel-element war beast. It doesn't just fight—it evolves. In battle."
Fifi blinked again. "Evolves?"
Fiona nodded.
"Yeah. It eats metal. Any kind. Then it changes."
"Gets stronger. Bigger. Smarter. Its body can shift shape too."
Fifi's eyes widened. "That sounds… scary."
Lucius chuckled.
"It's powerful. But it only listens to its assigned master. No one else can control."
Lucius then gestured toward the glowing panel.
"This competition tomorrow… it's not about raw power."
"It's about style, upgrades, synergy. Who made the best Vornis for their style."
Fiona raised her eyebrows. "So, it's not just a fight?"
Lucius shook his head.
"It's a showcase. A test. A statement. Every participant shows their Vornis off."
"What it can do, how it adapts, and how it fits their battle personality."
Fifi whispered, "Can I… watch?"
Lucius looked at her, then gave a small nod. "You can sit beside me. I'll allow it."
Fifi smiled a little. "Thank you…"
Lucius turned his gaze to Fiona.
"As for you," he said, "you'll be the main MC for the show."
Fiona raised an eyebrow. "Me?"
Lucius nodded once. "Make it interesting."
Fiona grinned. "You mean… host it?"
"Yes. Introduce the matchups. Talk to the crowd. Make Luxoria shine."
Fiona laughed. "You picked the right girl for that."
"I know," Lucius said simply.
Fifi tugged on Fiona's sleeve. "Big Sis… you're gonna talk to everyone?"
"Yup," Fiona said proudly.
"I'm gonna open the show, announce the fighters, hype up the Vornis, and then crush them with style."
Fifi giggled. "Can I wave at the crowd?"
Lucius gave her a glance. "Only once. If you do more, they'll think you're a guest star."
Fifi made a tiny salute. "One wave. I promise."
Fiona placed a hand on her hip.
"Don't worry, Master Lucius."
"I'll make it loud, fast, and shiny."
"They won't forget the name Luxoria."
Lucius smirked faintly.
"Good. I don't want entertainment. I want dominance wrapped in gold."
Fiona gave a thumbs-up. "Then you'll get a golden storm tomorrow."
Lucius turned away. "Then go. Prepare. Your moment begins at noon."
Fiona grabbed Fifi's hand. "Come on. We've got a Vornis to polish and outfits to prep."
Fifi followed, bouncing slightly as they walked.
"Big Sis?"
"Yeah?"
"I want to be shiny too."
Fiona laughed. "You already are, little bunny."
