Amara watched with crossed arms as the consecutive, crackling lightning bolts struck the semi-transparent, golden barrier that surrounded her. With each impact the shield seemed to form cracks, which were easily repaired by increasing the supply of divine power. 

Seems to be holding up quite nicely.

Can’t believe I didn’t think of this earlier. Though in my defense, I haven’t really had to fight against anything that uses magic.

When she saw the light from several incoming lightning bolts, Amara increased her supply of divine power to the barrier. As more divine power flowed out of her, the barrier seemed to become less transparent as the golden shield seemed to get thicker.

With the increased supply, the cracking caused by the three lightning bolts was minimal when they impacted. As soon as the arcs that licked the barrier after the impact had disappeared, Amara decreased the supply again with a frown. 

Seems like it takes less divine power to strengthen it properly from the beginning compared to repairing it. 

Honestly, this barely seems worth it. What was the cost of lightning bolts again? Twenty-five mana or something?

And here I just used more than ten percent of my divine power to shield against three of them. 

When another lightning bolt struck the barrier, Amara let out a sigh. 

What about…

Amara waited for the next lightning bolt to strike before she cut off the flow of divine power completely. As the barrier disappeared, she watched the demon intensely while she prepared her mental image, holding her divine power active.

Same kind as before, but only a small shield in front of my hand. Needs to deploy fast, from the center outwards.

As she saw the light from another spell flash before the demon’s hand, she raised her arm in response.

Magic Barrier!

[Ding!]

A circular, golden shield that was almost a meter across, formed in front of her hand. The moment before the lightning bolt impacted, Amara already had a good feeling; the barrier was much brighter than the dome-like shield she had covered herself with previously, and thus less see-through. 

A dull crackling could be heard as the spell struck the barrier. When she saw there were no cracks in it, Amara grinned.

That’s more like it.

Already this strong, and I’m still only using a fraction of the divine power needed for the old barrier. Shouldn't be surprised, as the overall size is much smaller.

After another lightning bolt struck the barrier, Amara quickly glanced at the screen as another bell rang in her head.

[Ding!]

Returning her gaze to the demon that had suddenly paused its attacks, Amara looked at her with a wry smile. “What’s the matter, Gloomy? Can’t keep up?”

I can do this all day now!

Amara watched as the girl - at least, that’s what she assumed it was, due to the long hair and cute-looking humanlike appearance - suddenly cocked her head and smiled, displaying its sharp teeth. 

A shiver ran along her spine. Not cute. Creepy.

Can't believe I considered her to be cute and innocent when I first saw her.

The demon slowly raised her hand and pointed at her. Amara felt something course through her, before she could feel the hair on her head start rising. 

What the...crap! That must have been Lightning Rod!

Amara quickly expanded the barrier to envelop her, and kept the supply at minimum. If she had to defend herself against numerous spells, she would need to save her divine power for the moments the spells impacted.

Go on then, demon. Show me what you got!

The demon’s smirk grew as a large magic circle appeared. The spell flashed as it was completed a few moments later, but it didn’t disappear as the demon extended her hands to her sides. Amara frowned as she watched. 

What did she do? What is she doing? 

Is she waiting for me to attack her?

No way in hell I’ll do that, it’s got to be a tra- AARRH!

Without warning, Amara felt a sharp jolt go through her. For a moment she felt her heart stop, before it sprung into action again as a wave of tingling and numbness coursed through her body.

How did-AAH!!

While she felt the rush of adrenaline from the first shock, another sharp jolt went through her before she had managed to process how the demon was able to get a strike in through the shield. 

Damn it!

As a third jolt went through her, Amara felt the burns left behind wherever the lightning struck her. 

Divine Regeneration!

The heavy, numbing blanket of tiredness was lifted as Amara healed herself, just as a fourth lightning bolt struck her. This time she caught it in her peripheral vision, as it struck her arm. 

It’s coming from inside the barrier?! No - through it?! How?!

[Ding!]

Divine Regeneration!

Amara grit her teeth as she glared at the demon while the lightning continued to strike her. The demon still stood with its hands stretched out, and the magic circle was still shining brightly, indicating it was active. 

The barrier is useless!

To hell with this!

Cancelling the flow of divine power to the skill, Amara held out her hand towards the demon. Almost immediately her hand was struck by lightning two times in quick succession.

Divine Regeneration!

Laser Beam!

As she threw her entire remaining divine power into her attack, a dim, blue dot the size of a golf ball appeared on the demon's face. Amara sighed in relief as the demon collapsed moments later, but she soon grit her teeth again as she was struck by lightning again. 

Damn it! It’s dead isn’t it?!

...Was it an area of effect?

Her suspicions seemed to be confirmed, as she had to wait a while for the next jolt to go through her. It also seemed to have lessened in power. Once Amara was sure she wouldn’t be struck by any more lightning, she healed herself and relaxed the tension she had been holding in.

Let’s see what it could’ve been.

Amara brought up the screen of her earlier appraisal to check through the spells. 

That’s probably it. I don't know what it does, but it sounds like it will create ions in the air.

In that case it would make sense. If the barrier doesn’t block the air...and the lightning produced wouldn’t even count as a spell anymore. Even with a barrier, it would probably pass right through, counted as a natural phenomenon instead of magic. 

...Pretty damn smart, I have to admit.

Amara twisted her lips and crossed her arms as she glanced at the demon’s corpse, avoiding to look at the burnt face. Then why didn’t she use it earlier?

Is it because the first barrier would have blocked Lightning Rod? 

Or was she just waiting for me to lower my guard a bit more?

With a sigh, she used Farsight to find a suitable location to ditch the corpse. 

How am I supposed to protect myself against lightning in the future?

...Would I still take damage if I have body strengthening active? I should’ve tried that first. 

Might need to do some tests on that.

Amara sighed after throwing the corpse through the portal. Maybe I should get a warrior-type next? 

I’d even get a chance to practise using weapons again…

[Ding-dong!]

...Fluffles?

When she walked out of the training room, Amara let out a faint sigh when the pastel-pink hair entered her sight. 

Damn she’s adorable. I just want to-

“Amara!” Ezme’s bright smile turned towards her, making Amara’s heart skip a beat. Screw it.

With long strides, she closed the distance between her and the angel that had started backing away nervously. “A-Amara-mpfh?!”

Catching up to Ezme, Amara wasted no time to meet their lips, immediately moving a hand into the angel’s hair to keep her from escaping when she advanced with her tongue. 

A smile spread on Amara’s face, when she could feel the intense heat radiating from Ezme’s face. The fidgeting angel soon melted against her and wrapped her arms around Amara.

When their lips inevitably parted, Ezme inclined her head to hide her face. Amara smiled as she put her palm against the angel’s blushed cheek. Adorable.

“T-that’s enough, Amara.” Ezme whispered in an abashed tone. 

“Is it?” Amara asked with a whisper as she moved the strands of pink hair behind the angel’s reddened ear. With a wry smile, she leaned in and traced Ezme’s ear with her lips. “I like you.”

“AMARA!!” In an instant, Ezme had grabbed her shoulders and put an arm’s length of distance between them. Seeing her face turn beet red in front of her eyes, Amara’s smile grew mischievous. 

Ezme’s grip on her shoulder shook slightly when their eyes met, before the angel suddenly howled. “Shameless! Pervert!” 

The angel let go of Amara and spun towards the living room before she glanced back at her with a reddened face. “Get a bath! You stink!” 

Amara watched as the angel disappeared behind the alcove, before letting out a sigh of mixed satisfaction and regret. 

Ah, Fluffles. I win.

Sweet, oh so sweet, victory.

 

_______________

 

“What about this one? Don’t you want to try it?” (Ezme)

“No.” Amara said sternly with crossed arms.

“Come on, don’t be shy! I bet it would look good on you!” Ezme said with a sadistic gleam in her eyes. 

“No!” Amara retorted, but couldn’t stop her lips from curving up while holding in the urge to laugh. “It’s absolutely ridiculous! And you’re calling me a pervert, huh?” 

There hadn’t really been much left after Alarice burned everything that had previously been in the room to a crisp. All that remained were the piles of ash and soot marks, which didn’t take long to clean up using Maid Service. 

After that it had been a simple matter of replacing the furniture - which went quick as she already knew where to get them - as well as the wiring that had come from the batteries in the kitchen. Amara lamented the loss of most of her clothes, books and other smaller items, but she knew she could get new ones as needed with ease.

And Ezme had already been in the progress of replenishing her wardrobe when Amara returned from the bath. Some of them however, were things she had no intention to wear. 

The low rise jeans with a built in high rise thong that the angel was currently holding up included.

“Tsk. And here I thought they would show off your curves nicely.” Ezme said teasingly as she ditched the pants through the dimensions.

Amara smiled wryly as she put her arm on the back of the brand new sofa, as if to invite the angel to seat herself next to her. “If you want to see my curv-”

“Pervert.” Ezme immediately cut her off before giving her an amused glance. “Really, mortals think themselves so clever, yet they are so predictable.”  

Amara shrugged while she looked at Ezme with a wide smile spread on her face. The angel shook her head with a sigh. 

Look at you, Fluffles. Running out of ideas?

When Ezme turned her head back to meet her gaze, Amara kept her smile as they looked into eachothers eyes from a distance. After a few moments the angel seemed to get fazed by her behaviour of eyeing her and suddenly blurted out. “What are you looking smug for?” 

Amara smiled as she winked in response. Seeing Ezme’s cheeks redden as the angel averted her eyes with twitching wings, her lips curved up higher. 

Victory. Too easy.

Time to finish her off…

“Impudent. Shameless.” Ezme muttered while looking away. 

“You know…” Amara cocked her head teasingly as she watched Ezme’s flushed face. “We should pick some clothes for you as well.”

Ezme turned her head to look at her with a faint frown. “What?”

...I guess she’ll refuse again. Damn it.

Amara suppressed a dejected sigh as she gestured with her hand at the white toga the angel was wearing. “You always wear the same clothes. Isn’t it boring? Haven’t you wanted to try wearing something else?”

“I…” Ezme hesitated before she looked down at herself, seemingly deep in thought. 

Wait, she’s actually thinking about it?

Ezme suddenly turned her head towards Amara with a bright smile on her face and eyes filled with excitement. “Lets!” 

A wide grin spread on Amara’s face in an instant. 

“Pervert! Decent suggestions only!” (Ezme)

 

_______________

“Away you go!” Ezme exclaimed while pushing on her back. 

“But I can help you dress-” Amara protested, unable to suppress the laughter in her voice.

“No! Pervert! Go away!” Ezme shouted as she pushed Amara out of the bedroom. “Go work on your enchanting or something!” 

“It doesn’t take that long to change clothes-” (Amara)

“NOW!” Ezme howled, anger rising in her voice. 

“Okay, okay!” Amara threw up her hands, before lowering them when the angel spun around and returned into the bedroom. 

Jeez. I just wanted to take a peek. 

Can we even call ourselves a couple? Such a prude!

Amara sighed and scratched the back of her head as she decided to go to her workshop to wait. Seated in front of the project she had been working on before Alarice came to beat her to a pulp, she got excited as she remembered that she had managed to finish her proof of concept.

An enchantment that draws mana from whoever is touching the short end of the ingot to fuel the spell. 

This is seriously a big deal. I mean, you could pretty much make everyday household appliances with them. Even non-magicians should be able to use it, so you could pretty much get lighters for everyone with this enchantment alone. Adapted to other enchantments...

Of course, since it requires the mana of whoever uses it, it wouldn’t be able to operate for very long if your mana pool is low. And it would need some kind of mana-battery to fuel the part of the enchantment so it can identify when someone wants to activate the item. Still, groundbreaking if I say so myself.

I think it should be possible to adapt it so that whenever it is used, it also drains enough mana into the mana-battery to initiate the next time the item is used...or perhaps always store that amount, and simply use the excess to fuel the enchantment when its activated...

Amara put her hands on each end of the ingot, fueling a small amount of mana into the item through one end. “Flame of Thessin.”

As the yellow flame appeared on top, she smiled faintly while her mana was suddenly getting drained through her other hand, allowing her to remove the hand through which she had first fueled the enchantment. It was originally supposed to be a gift to Ezme as an apology. Though the apology might not be needed anymore, I still-

“Amara?” (Ezme)

Amara spun around, and instantly saw that her expectations had been exceeded. The baby blue summer dress she was wearing fit snugly around her frame before falling loosely from her waist. 

Cute!

Sexy!

“A-Amara? Are you alright?” Ezme asked with concern as she tilted her head. 

Oh-my-god-that-is-ADORABLE-

“Amara!” Ezme shouted, her voice faintly laced with panic as she put her hand on Amara’s shoulder. She could feel how the angel’s hand suddenly heated up as she was using divine power. 

“Yeah? What?” Amara asked before she grinned apologetically. “Sorry. I was just taken by how beautiful you are.”

“You were bleeding...Tsk.” Ezme’s cheeks gained a pink hue as she clicked her tongue and averted her eyes before she crossed her arms. “Shameless.”

“You should dress like this more often.” Amara said with a smile as she stood up and stroked the angel’s reddening cheek. 

“...I think I will.” Ezme said thoughtfully, before she glanced at Amara - only to immediately avert her eyes at the sight of her expression. “N-not that I’d be doing it because you asked!”

“Of course not.” Amara’s smile grew higher as she leaned in to kiss the angel, who immediately blocked her mouth with her palm. 

“A-anyway!” Ezme stammered as she panicked, awkwardly gesturing towards the table behind Amara. “What have you been working on?”

Trying to divert the topic, huh?

I’ll take it as my win. 

Amara smiled as she stepped back. “Just another masterpiece.”

Ezme raised an eyebrow in amusement. “You have an inflated opinion of yourself. Tsk. Mortals.”

Amara chuckled as she wrapped her arm around the angel’s shoulders, bringing her towards the table. “Just wait and hear this.”

As she explained how it worked and its applications, Ezme appraising eyes turned gradually from sceptical to curious, until they were filled with unadulterated excitement. “This…!” 

Amara grinned. “Like I said. A masterpiece. At least, when combined with a mana battery.”

Ezme stared at the ingot on the table, before she turned her eyes to Amara with a bright smile. “Can I take this?”

“Well...it was actually meant as an apology for you.” Amara replied awkwardly and scratched the back of her head. “You know, for...upsetting you before.”

“Oh.” Ezme said after a few moments of confusion and lowered her eyes. At first, Amara thought that the angel was upset when she was reminded, but realized she was wrong when she saw the faintly blushed cheeks and the curve of her lips. “Thank you.”

Amara smiled as she reached out and stroked Ezme’s feathers with her fingers. “You’re welcome. And I’m sorry I upsetted you.”

“It’s okay. Nothing to worry about.” Ezme said with her head inclined as her wings twitched in response.

Ah, Fluffles. 

You’re so adorable I think it's bad for my heart.

“Anyway!” Ezme turned her head up to look at her with a happy expression. “Then this is mine now, right?”

Amara nodded. “Sure is.” 

“That’s great!” Ezme exclaimed as she reached out and grabbed the ingot before slipping out from under Amara’s arm to turn towards the alcove, looking back over her shoulder with an excited expression as she was heading out. “I need to get this to my domain! I’m sure that they-”

“Whoa-whoa-whoa! Hold up!” Amara exclaimed and immediately shot after the angel.

Ezme stopped in response and cocked her head in confusion. “What? Is something wrong?”

Jeez, is something wrong? she asks.

“You’re leaving?” Amara asked dejectedly. “Just like that?”

“What do you mean?” Ezme asked with a frown. “You said it yourself, how useful this could be to the mortals. So why shouldn’t I get it to them as soon as possible?”

“Well...yes…” Amara hesitated, before she came up with a reason for the angel not to leave. “But I thought that it would be better to not just…give it to them.”

“What are you talking about!” Ezme howled in anger. 

“Hear me out!” Amara exclaimed as she raised her hands. “You wanted the mortals to help you prepare for the demons, yeah?”

“Yes?” Ezme asked impatiently. “So?”

“Don’t you think you could make this part of the reward for participatingn the tournament?” Amara asked. “I mean, it would make them more willing to come on board with the idea. But if you simply give it to them, they will have less of a reason to-”

Ezme’s eyes lit up with understanding, before they suddenly turned glassy as they stared at Amara. Just as she was getting concerned, the angel crouched and held her head as she let out an anguished groan.

“Ezme? What’s wrong?” Amara asked with concern.

“I forgot!” Ezme exclaimed before letting out another anguished groan. "Gaah!"

Amara let out a sigh of relief. “Well...at least you remembered before you gave it to-”

“Not that!” Ezme exclaimed. “I set up a meeting with the mortals to discuss your idea to unify the war efforts, but I forgot about it!”

“...Oh.” Amara looked at her with a troubled smile. “So...when was this meeting…”

“Days ago!” Ezme let out another groan before she looked at Amara apologetically. “I’m already late! Sorry Amara, we’ll talk later!”

Amara watched as Ezme darted out of her chambers. Left alone, she let out a sigh.

Fluffles...you can’t be late by days. At that point, you’ve already missed it.

 

_______________

Replacing her laptop and phone had taken more time, as they required internet connections to update the software as well as to download any new applications Amara knew she would need.

[Ding-dong!]

Amara’s head shot up from the screen as she looked towards the alcove, while letting her phone dangle through the small portal to complete her download. The benefit of getting a larger pool of divine power, was that she could keep her portals up for longer. 

“Fluffles!” A smile spread on her face as she saw Ezme return. But when she saw the angel’s bright red face and irritated expression, her smile dropped. “Is something wrong? Did they not approve of the idea?”

Ezme looked at her strangely for a moment, before she let out the tension in her shoulders and muttered. “That's not it...just a certain impudent princess..."

Amara cocked her head in confusion before the angel sighed and approached the sofa she was sitting on with a smile. "They seemed happy with the general idea of it. There are a few problems and concerns that will need to be solved...but they had a few ideas that might improve the plan. Overall, they are on board...especially once I showed them your invention, and the promise of more things like it.”

...I hope you didn’t promise too much.

Amara raised an eyebrow. “So all good?”

“Yup.” Ezme said as she sank down next to Amara and looked at her with a bright smile. “All thanks to you.”

“...Don’t mention it.” Amara said awkwardly.

“Hmm. You didn’t let it go to your head. I’m almost disappointed.” Ezme tilted her head as she looked at her with a teasing smile. “I wonder how I should repay you.”

Amara smiled wryly as she winked at the angel. “I can think of a few ways you could repay me.”

Ezme’s cheeks reddened slightly while she narrowed her eyes with a strange smile on her face.

Amara raised an eyebrow in confusion before she realized what her expression meant. What? Really- “UAH!”

Amara yelped when it felt like the world spun around her, before she fell on the soft cushion that was the bed. As she blinked in surprise, she saw that Ezme had already seated herself on top of her - her pale thighs on either side of her.

Looking up into the angel’s faintly glowing, grey eyes filled with desire, Amara couldn’t stop the audible gulp that escaped her throat. “E-Ezme, I-”

“What?” Ezme asked with a teasing smile. “Don’t tell me you’re all bark and no bite.”

Amara felt how her face heated up. “No, of course-”

“Shh.” Ezme put her finger on Amara’s lips before leaning down and sealing them with her own. 

The whirlwind of stray thoughts in her head was soon lost as the kiss deepened. Their lips parted when she suddenly let out an awkward, involuntary sound when Ezme’s hands went over her. 

Her face was boiling in embarrassment while she covered her mouth with her hand as Ezme was looking down at her in surprise. The angel’s smile suddenly turned sadistic as she whispered. “Liked that, did you?”

“N-no…” Amara stammered while her embarrassment grew as she knew there was no way of hiding it. 

“Then you won’t mind if I…” (Ezme)

“E-Ezme! No-no-nono-KYAA!” (Amara)

_______________

_______________

Amara’s eyes shot open, her chest heaving rapidly to catch her breath. Immediately, she noticed how she was covered in cold sweat.

...Nightmare.

Amara looked up at the canopy as her breathing gradually calmed. Having nightmares wasn’t entirely new to her; she had been plagued by nightmares several times in her life. 

But most of them could have been written off as bad dreams however, when compared to the dream she just had in which she was burned alive.

Amara let out a shaky sigh before she glanced at the angel who had her face nuzzled against her shoulder. The faint whistling of her breath told her that Ezme was sleeping soundly. 

Feeling the sticky sensation of skin against skin at the slightest movement, Amara was reminded of what had put them in such a state. Her face grew boiling hot when she turned her eyes back to the canopy while covering her mouth.

...I lost.

I was completely, unilaterally defeated.

Amara carefully unwrapped Ezme’s arm from around her waist and supported the angel’s head as she pulled her own arm free. Ignoring the creaking of her joints, Amara sat up on the edge of the bed and put her elbows against her knees while she held her cheeks. 

...Holy crap. 

I can’t believe I lost. 

I even begged! What the hell!

Amara let out a sigh as she rubbed her eyes with her fingers. Reminded that she had heard a few bells in her head before falling asleep from exhaustion, she brought up the blue screen curiously.

...Damn it.

No. And stop asking me, damn it! 

Really...?! Yes!!

Thanks...haah. Amara let out another sigh. Maybe I should make some breakfast for us.

Amara put her hands on the edge of the bed to get up, but was stopped by the arm that suddenly hooked itself around her waist. 

She felt a tickling breath against her ear that accompanied the whisper. “Where do you think you’re going?”

Goosebumps broke out all over Amara’s skin as a shiver went down her spine. “E-Ezme…”

“Shh.” She could feel the lips that traced her ear when another whisper came. “We’re just getting started.”

“E-E-Ezme! KYAA!” (Amara)