Shrink!

You groan and hold your head before slowly standing back to your feet. The sky is still above you, though it feels as if you're in the deepest, densest jungle. Blades of grass tower over your head, though you can make out a large, flat boulder ahead. You use your sword like a machete to cut your way closer, but the moment you heave yourself up onto the sturdy surface, you see Elok Daven rising up from the opposite side--conjured sword still blazing with power.

From here, you can see another rock a distance away. Anastasia, Meti, and Nyllia are standing upon it.

Good thinking, Nyllia. I think. I mean, we got Elok too. At least for the time being, everyone is unbound.

"Mm. I allowed myself to be caught off guard," says Elok, disgruntled. But he sighs, and he gently floats down to place his feet against the surface of the stone. "But no matter. The battlefield may appear different now, but we still face each other nonetheless, Kyle. Surrender. I'll spare your life, and Aridni will return to us."

"Hahaha!" Suddenly, Delphi the Dark Fairy makes her full appearance. She lands her heels down between the two of you, and once again, you find yourself standing at the same height as her. It's still so strange given how often you see her from an entirely different perspective. As she stands there with her sexy black dress, incredibly long hair, and beautiful violet wings, you stare deep into her eyes--swirls of madness upon dark grey flesh similar to the stone you stand upon. "Well hello there," she says.

"Join me in toying with this boy," says Elok. Then once again, he lifts up into the air, and darts through the air towards you like a hunting falcon.

Here goes nothing. "Entangle Blade," you whisper. Then, just as he reaches you with a swing of his blade, you make contact with his own to parry it to the side. A burning heat washes over you, but as the weapons strike, blue tendrils burst out from all over Lauo and bind themselves around his. You take advantage of this quickly. With a pivot of your body, you disarm him entirely. His conjured blade spins off into the tall grass, far from where the two of you stand. All you can see is a trail of smoke slowly dissipate.

"What was that--?" he asks under his breath.

You smirk. However, you become Delphi's next victim. You feel your body squeezed as magical purple bands wrap between your legs and around your torso. While you keep a grip on your weapon, your hands are **** behind your back. Slowly this time, she reels you in, as if she's savouring every moment.

Delphi licks her lips. "Mmm. I caught something extra scrumptious."

"Good. Hold him still," says Elok. "Summon Sword!"

While the Demon King conjures a new weapon, you're pulled up close to face Delphi eye-to-eye. "You gotta let me go. He's gonna kill me," you say.

She cackles. "You worry too much! Hey, maybe I should bring you over to the others."

Briefly, you glance over to Nyllia facing off against both Meti and Anastasia. You have no doubt that she can face almost anyone, though you also can't count on them playing fair, especially Meti. You need to figure out something before the jinn pulls out another strange magic item that turns the tides.

"Tie you all together, and have some fun," she continues. "How does that sound?"

Elok floats closer with a glowing blue blade once again in his hand.

"... Delphi," you mutter. "Look into my eyes."

"Gladly." Her own eyes widen, showing the extent of the swirling madness in her gaze.

You then tilt your head closer, and plant your lips firmly against her own.

For just a brief moment, her bindings weaken. You don't use it to attack her, however, nor to escape. Instead, you drop your weapon, bring your hands around to her back, and pull her into a tight embrace for an even more passionate kiss than before. You feel her wings flutter with excitement. Her eyes roll back and gently close. The kiss is so warm, so soft yet so firm, that time seems to slow.

You whisper, "I love you. Please come back," to the opening of her eyes. No longer is there madness. She stares back at you for what feels like a lengthy moment, though in reality, it all happens in seconds.

She pulls you back as the grey disappears from her skin. She appears radiant once more, like a beautiful black and purple flower blossoming anew. The two of you tumble to the ground as Elok's strike slashes overhead. Then it's your turn to take hold of her and forcefully roll your bodies to the side.

"I've got you!" Delphi shouts as she scoops her arms under yours. She flutters quickly over to the other stone and extends a purple band down towards Nyllia. "Grab hold!"

The elf turns her eyes upward. Swiftly, she sheathes her blade over her back and leaps onto the rope.

As the three of you make your escape, you turn back to see Elok Daven floating there. He doesn't pursue. Instead, he watches with a feeling of disappointment. You'd like him to experience a more crushing defeat, but it's still nice to see the man suffer another loss. It isn't long before the dense forest allows your party to disappear. However, Delphi doesn't stop until all three of you are safely back within the walls of Castle Phoenix.