CHAPTER 99: FUN FOR THE FALLEN

Mika hovers above the tiled rooftops of Nettlehusk, wrapped in a dim halo of golden light, her glowing wings twitching irritably.

"Five days of babysitting a band of oversexed weirdos," she mutters, drifting above the merchant district. "This is not what I defected from heaven for."

Below, the Blackthorn crew meanders through the bustling streets of Nettlehusk, cheerful and bright-eyed despite their recent non-stop pleasure house marathon. Pip carries half a dozen crates of supplies stacked perfectly on one arm, while Lula rides on top, lazily popping dried fruits into her mouth. Penelo skipped alongside them, swinging a bag of oils, ropes, and books.

Sera and Veena were up front, haggling with a perfume vendor, while Zora floated upside down behind them, shouting incorrect conversion rates. Vuvi trailed at the rear, sipping from her flask and pretending she wasn’t shopping while sternly "supervising" the team.

Mika grimaced.

"I should be wreaking havoc in the Ash Lands. Not watching a sexbot buy bath bombs."

She descends onto a nearby chimney stack, perching like an oversized, sulking pigeon. Her halo flickers above her head, a permanent reminder of her divine birthright... and her ongoing punishment.

She sighs heavily and leans forward.

Down below, the team giggles at something Pip had said through a thoughtwave. Veena rolls her eyes and nudges him in the ribs, Vuvi accidentally laughs and then scowls when she realizes, and Penelo chases Lula into a bakery, shrieking about her stealing all the cream puffs.

Despite herself... Mika smiles.

They were so stupid. And loud. And chaotic. But...

...they looked happy.

Mika stares at them, her chest tightening with something she didn’t want to name. Envy? Longing?

No. No, no, no. She was an angel. Well, a former angel. She didn’t need companionship. Or fun. Or baked goods.

...

"...Screw it," she whispered, standing up.

With a grunt of effort, she reached up and ripped off her halo like peeling off a bandage.

It sparked violently in her hand before she stuffed it deep into her coat pocket. Her golden aura flickered and vanished, her wings reabsorbing into her back with a muted pop.

She gasped, suddenly vulnerable, and mortal.

A tingling rush shot through her body. Mortal senses. Weakness. Smell. Cold. Hunger.

"Ohhhh damn," she groaned, staggering as gravity hit her differently. "Okay. That’s... that’s spicy."

She pulled a hood over her head, tucked her halo deeper into her coat, and slipped into the street, trailing behind the group like a shadow.

By the time the team reached the arena district, they were laden with bags. Pip carried most of them, of course, while the rest groaned dramatically with a single parcel each.

Mika, now several pastries deep and nursing a grilled turkey leg, cheerfully waddled behind them. Her cheeks were stuffed, eyes bright, and she had zero regrets.

The arena towered over the district, a huge coliseum of black stone and enchanted banners. It hummed with energy and noise. The team handed over tickets and were escorted into a private booth. Luxurious seating, full view of the arena, and a personal food cart.

Mika slipped into the crowd nearby, blending in seamlessly now that her divine light was gone.

She leaned on the railing and peeked down at the group.

Pip was delicately arranging snacks for everyone. Penelo and Lula immediately began poking each other with skewers. Veena sighed as Vuvi pulled out her flask and Sera sat back with a wide grin, clearly thrilled about whatever carnage was to come.

By the time the first match started, two goblin acrobats versus a raging sandworm, Vuvi was tipsy, Veena was yelling in four languages, and Zora was furiously scribbling notes on goblin fighting tactics.

Mika watched it all, smirking behind her drink.

"...Okay. This is kinda fun."

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The final match of the day was announced with great fanfare. A thunderous cheer rolled through the crowd.

"OUR FINAL FIGHT! A HALF-GIANT FROM THE SOUTHERN WASTES... VERSUS... THE FABLED TWIN KITSUNE SISTERS OF FERAL TRIBELANDS!"

Gasps, howls, and chants filled the air.

The team leaned forward excitedly, Vuvi falling into Pip’s lap again, which she quickly decided was a better position anyway.

The half-giant stomps into the arena, easily three times the size of a man, muscles layered like armor. He raises a club the size of a tree and roars. On the other side, the kitsune sisters appear. Tall, lean, their twin tails flicking playfully as they circle the brute.

Mika watches the opening moves with interest. She even claps once.

Until she feels it.

A pulse. A flare of twisted energy. Her divine senses tingle. Despite being mortal for the moment, it was still buried in her bones.

She froze mid-sip and turns her gaze on the crowd. Her eyes flicker gold as she scans the arena.

"...Something’s wrong."

The fight reaches its peak. The twins have the half-giant pinned, dancing around him with fire and illusion.

Then it happened.

The half-giant screams. Not with pain, but with rage. His body jerks unnaturally, red steam erupting from his pores. His muscles swell, skin splitting in places, his eyes glowing with a hateful crimson light.

The twins stagger back. The crowd gasps.

Mika’s eyes widened.

"Is that... demonic infusion?"

The giant roars again and explodes with energy. The magic rips outward, flinging the kitsune away like dolls, slamming them both into walls.

The giant turns, snarling, and sets his gaze on the crowd.

Mika bolts up. "Shit."

In the booth, chaos erupts.

"EVERYONE OUT!" Sera shouts, leaping to her feet.

People in the stands scream and surge toward the exits as the half-giant climbs toward them like a rampaging beast.

Vuvi blinks, still a little drunk. "W-What’s going on?"

Veena grabs her arm. "Giant’s gone berserk. We gotta go."

But Pip didn’t move.

He gently lifts Vuvi from his lap, sets her down behind him, and steps forward.

His lenses glow. His frame shifts. Water hissing from the vents in his legs, readying propulsion.

"P-Pip?" Penelo whimpers.

With a flash, he launches himself from the booth. Water jets explode from his feet, propelling him across the stadium like a golden missile.

The giant raises his club to smash a group of cowering civilians at the edge of the arena...

Pip. wrapped in a cocoon of vines, slams into the side of the club with a metallic boom, shattering the weapon in a spray of splinters and debris.

The crowd gasps.

The half-giant stumbles back, growling. Pip lands gracefully, water cascading from his body as he stands tall, gleaming under the afternoon sun.

The two face each other.

The monster bellows a roar.

Pip beeps sharply.

Short, loud, and angry.

[ENGAGING COMBAT PROTOCALS]