Natalia watched on in slight amusement as Florrie was utterly salivating over the bowl of ramen placed in front of her. “Someone’s excited.”

Everyone was gathered around the kitchen table. Michi had joined them as well, having taken Florrie’s kits - now named Damian and Chie - into the house so they wouldn’t be bothered by the commotion happening in the ship. Thankfully, there was plenty of food for everyone, especially once Jay went out to buy the extra noodles. The two kits were in a double baby seat, breastfed and looking absolutely adorable.

Florrie took a deep sniff, “But it looks and smells so good, though!”

Natalia reminded her, “Well, at least take the time to savour it rather than just devouring it right off the bat.”

“Yeah, I know… Besides, it’s too hot to eat all at once,” said Florrie. When everyone’s meals were ready and everyone sat down, she put her hands together, exclaiming, "Itadakimasu!”

Sonia turned to Anja, “Do you guys still do that?”

“Only when the whole family is around,” Anja shrugged, “Atti insists on it.”

Sonia asked, “Well, maybe we should follow her lead? It’s just polite, I guess. And we do have a Japanese visitor here.”

Michi laughed, “Oh, please, you don’t have to do it on my account, but I’m fine with it either way.”

Everyone other than Florrie looked at each other, shrugged, and put their hands together. "Itadakimasu!”

“The funny thing is,” remarked Estella as they started eating, “Rya says Atti used to be an antisocial, edgy loner when they first met.”

Jay blinked, blowing on his noodles, “That is the furthest thing I can imagine Atsuko being.”

Natalia shrugged as well, “I guess becoming a mum caused her to change somewhat. We barely know anything about her side of the family, but what we do know was that her mother was an abusive control freak. I guess she wanted to be the kind of good mother that Grandmum wasn’t. Though Atti is still a little bit controlling, but in the ‘worrywart’ sort of way.”

Sonia snorted, “No wonder she and my mum are friends.”

Anja asked, “Does your mum even know you’re getting involved in this stuff?”

Sonia sighed. “Yeah. She’s annoyed that I didn’t tell her earlier is worried about my safety, but she’s proud of me for trying to do the right thing? I think? So many mixed messages. I talked to her on the phone earlier. My folks are gonna be helping out with the big operation tomorrow, along with the rest of the were-folks living in Angel Bay. It’s an all hands on deck situation, everyone needs to do their part.”

“The incident has exploded on social media,” Jay noted as he checked his phone. “They’re not even trying to suppress it at this point. It’s international news now.”

The sisters checked their phones as well - a bloody miracle they didn’t get destroyed during the big fight. As Jay said, the whole fiasco was all over the media - simply too many people went missing at once to be explained away, on top of the photos from outside and inside the building, the latter being from people sending out images, messages and video footage before they were captured and cocooned. It was harrowing stuff.

“I’m noticing our faces aren’t in the news, though,” said Florrie, checking through her phone, “In fact, some of the people outside are completely blurred out. You’d think the identities of the three heroines would be prime news material.”

“Oh, the Commission uses magic items that affects flash and digital photography. Anything within their area of effect is altered in photos. Standard practice all over,” remarked Sonia.

“I thought absolute secrecy about the supernatural world was standard here,” said Michi, “Has that changed?”

“That got completely screwed up with the planetary shield overhead,” said Sonia, “Now things are gradually being loosened. But it seems the Emperor’s shit-stirring is probably accelerating things more than the world’s governments would like.”

“Nothing’s ever gonna be the same again, is it?” asked Estella, “I wonder if our parents were eventually going to tell us what was really going on with their lives…”

“Maybe once they thought we were ‘ready’,” Natalia said, still sore about the secrets that had been kept from them - and the ones still being kept. “But yeah, magic, monsters, aliens… To think our whole world was turned upside-down so suddenly.”

“Some of us more than others,” said Florrie, turning to her babies, and checking on them, “I love these two troublesome kits already, but I never chose to be a mum so soon. At least their ‘father’ won’t be a part of their lives. Chie, sweetie, don’t scratch your brother…”

“Nobody would’ve blamed you if you had given them up for adoption,” said Michi, helping burp Damian, “My lady has plenty of experience raising children.”

“Still, Florrie kinda needed the help anyway - these babies are already crawling around,” chuckled Natalia. Apparently kitsune kits developed quickly. “They are adorable, though.”

Florrie smiled, “After this mess is finally over, I’ll introduce them to my parents. It wasn’t like I was gonna be able to hide them forever, anyway. I dunno how they’ll react, but hopefully this craziness makes it a bit easier to break the news to them.”

“Speaking of parents, I bet Rya and Atti were freaking out,” sighed Anja, “Maybe that’ll finally make them come home.”

Estella winced, “Hoo boy, Atti would sure have some words for us. Would be nice to have the extra help, though.

Jay shook his head, “But we can’t exactly count on them to show up and help. As far as we know, we’ll have support from the Commission and the army, and that’s really it. Sure, those two will be huge to have at our backs, and Gurumarra is one hell of a fighter himself, but we’re still going into the biggest fight of our lives kinda outnumbered and outgunned, in some ways. And Harlan’s probably gonna be even stronger than he was today.”

Sonia groaned, leaning back in her chair, “Damn it, if only we had something else to give us a bit of an edge…”

“Funny you should mention that.”

Everyone blinked and turned their heads towards someone else who had come into the room via a portal - it was Europa, carrying a small crate with several small bottles of milk.

Anja cocked her head, “Europa? You guys done with your operation, or…?”

“Nope, not quite. But we heard what happened from Akane, and Clara had some milk to spare, so Thandi wanted me to dash over when we had a free moment,” said Europa, walking over to the fridge and stashing the bottles in there, “Keep these in the fridge, hand ‘em out to whoever needs ‘em, and hopefully that’ll help for the big fight tomorrow.”

“Well, I’ll be damned. Thanks, Europa,” said Sonia.

Europa turned to them once she was done, closing the fridge, “You’re welcome. You folks okay? Heard some bad shit went down today.”

Estella nodded, “Yeah, we’re fine now. We’re not looking forward to tomorrow, though, after the way we got stomped.”

“Yeah, I hear ya,” said Europa, coming over to the table, “Logos and Kat told me to say hi for them, by the way. I wish we could be there, but we’ve got our own priorities. Hope you understand.”

Sonia nodded, “It’s fine, we get i-HEY!”

Europa had snatched up a few strands of Sonia’s noodles with her claw, casually slurping it up. “Well, damn, this is good. So this is Anja’s ramen, huh? Hopefully you guys make it through this, so me and the others can actually enjoy it sometime. Anyhow, gotta jet. Seeya.”

And before anyone could get another word in, she dropped through the floor into another portal, and both portals closed immediately after her.

Allagí remarked, “Well, that was still nice of her, at least.”

“Indeed, it’s nice to know your allies still care and are helping however they can, no matter how small that help may be,” said Michi with a nod.

Natalia smiled softly, “This isn’t their fight, and they don’t really have anything to gain, but they’re helping out anyway. That’s how you know they care.”

Sonia smiled to Anja, “It’s nice to have friends again, isn’t it?”

Anja smiled back, “Yeah, I guess it is.”

❖

Florrie and Michi were carrying the babies back to the ship, with Jay and Sonia following behind. When they went inside, Florrie paused, spotting someone tinkering with her power armour. “What the… Hey!”

The figure turned around. It was Sal’Arzia. “Oh, sorry, I was waiting for you to finish up with dinner, but I couldn’t help but do some repairs and improvements to your pet project here.”

Sonia blinked, “Wait, aren’t you one of the two Miama in charge of the planetary defence effort?! Why are you down here?!”

“Oh, I’m not.” Sal’Arzia’s image suddenly flickered, briefly revealing a somewhat basic robot underneath. “It just happens that I am good at multitasking. I figured I could devote a little bit of brainpower to remotely give you a hand before the battle tomorrow, along with some extra parts.”

“Oh, that’d be super helpful,” said Florrie, coming over, “The suit isn’t fully repaired, and I still have to fully optimise the weapons systems… But if you could help me fix it up before the tots and I need to sleep, that’d be fantastic!”

“Indeed! And these are your babies, correct?” Sal’Arzia bent over, tickling Damian a bit, “Oh, aren’t they just precious?”

Damian giggled, reaching out for the alien reptile’s fingers. Florrie wasn’t sure why he didn’t seem to be afraid of her. “Yeah. This baby boy is Damian, and the baby girl is Chie.”

“How they came to be is quite regrettable, but they are adorable nonetheless,” said Sal’Arzia as she got to back to work on the suit.

Florrie and Michi put the two tots in their cot, Michi, Jay, and Sonia started playing with them, and Florrie went over to see what the elder Miama was doing. “So… What do you think?”

“It’s far better than someone like you working with this kind of technology for the very first has any right to achieve, which is very impressive,” Sal’Arzia remarked, as she tinkered, “Of course, it’s a far cry from what I would do, but considering it’s basically a set of spare parts assembled together, it works surprisingly well.”

Florrie couldn’t help but beam with pride. It was high praise from someone like her. “Thanks! I tried my best.”

“But, of course, it still needs improvements. You’ve done well in making sure the weapons system doesn’t shut the whole thing down, but some redundancy in the power system would ensure that it can’t be overloaded,” the Miama elder remarked as she installed a secondary power core and battery. “Now then, let me teach you a few things about how magic can integrate with technology…”

Not long after, Natalia came in, having been pinged, and blinked as she saw the Miama working on the suit. “Sal’Arzia?! Oh, a remote robotic body. Huh.”

“Ah, Natalia,” chuckled Sal’Arzia, turning towards her and gesturing to a small platform she had deployed, “Please, step up onto the platform.”

“Oh, like the one that gave me my suit and cybernetics…” Natalia stepped up onto it. The platform flashed, and her suit appeared over her body. Florrie could see the small lights working on her suit from underneath. Natalia stepped off the platform when it was done, and held up her arm, forming an energy barrier dome in front of her, before dismissing it and the throwing a few quick punches, which glowed with energy. “Whoa, cool!”

Florrie blinked, “So what’re the upgrades, exactly? Energy manipulation?”

“A little bit,” chuckled Sal’Arzia, “The suit is still very much a work in progress, I’m afraid. This is a feature I hadn’t had time to include, both due to time and lack of data. Thankfully, I now have acquired enough combat data to create this module. It allows Natalia to harness her Energeia to form barriers and enhance her blows with energy. Ideally I’d like to expand it further, but it will require more time and data.”

“Look, anything that would be helpful in the upcoming battle is really appreciated,” said Natalia as she practised using her her new upgrades. “I’m already getting some ideas on how to use it!”

“Excellent! Now, let’s get back to work, shall we?” Sal’Arzia asked Florrie.

Florrie nodded, grinning, “Hell yeah.”

❖

Estella was preparing to go to bed when she heard the doorbell ring. Who could it be at this hour?

As she headed downstairs and went to the door, she realised she could sense something magical right outside. She cautiously opened the main door, with the screen door still locked. “Hello?”

The person waiting was not someone she had ever met before. It was a young(?) woman with short pink hair and gold eyes. She had a very curvy figure, with a white shirt that looked a couple of sizes too small, a black jacket, hotpants and sneakers. She blew a bubblegum bubble and popped it, speaking in a Scottish accent, “You’re Estella Kendrick, right?”

Estella blinked, “Yeah, that’s me. Who… or what are you?”

Allagí spoke up, “This girl is of the Fey. Judging by her presence, she’s from the Summer Court. Now, question is, what’s a fairy from Thaumia doing coming all the way here?”

“Aye, that’s right. So you do hold one of the old arms,” said the girl. That’s when Estella noticed she had a rather long package under her arm. “I was asked to deliver somethin’ to ya. Just repaying an old favour.”

“Oh, thanks,” said Estella, opening the screen door and accepting the package, “Hopefully it’s useful. We’ll need all the help we can get for the big battle tomorrow, if you know about that…”

The fairy groaned, “Yeah, I can sense that evil shit from a mile away. I’m not getting anywhere close to that if I can help it, especially not if it’s some evil refuse from Sun Wukong. Fuck that, this is the most I’m helping you, and only because it’s for a favour.”

“I wasn’t asking, but fine, whatever,” Estella said, “I never got your name, by the way.”

“Name’s Saffron. But I doubt we’ll ever be meeting each other ever again,” said the fairy, turning around, forming large butterfly wings on her back, and taking flight, disappearing.

“Don’t take it personally,” said Allagí, “Most fey, even those from the Summer Court, don’t typically associate with humans. There are much nicer and more sociable fairies, but they’re less common.”

Estella closed and locked both doors before taking the package to the kitchen table to open up.

“So who was it? I don’t remember any of us waiting for a delivery,” said Anja, as she and Natalia came down from upstairs.

Estella saw the letter attached - it was addressed to her and Jay, from Clarette. “Apparently it was a fairy from Thaumia. Could either of you go grab Jay? This one’s from Clarette.”

Natalia rushed to the ship, and soon came back with Jay, who looked like he was about to hit the hay. Jay blinked as he saw the package, “A package from Clarette?”

“Yeah, delivered by a fairy, no less,” said Estella, as she opened up the letter.

Dear Estella and Jay,

Akane informed me of what transpired today. My sincere apologies that I could not be there to fight by your side, it seems the situation became much worse than Aurelius and I could have expected. I am thankful that the two of you have not suffered any lasting harm.

While I cannot be there in person to aid you in your time of need, a couple of friends of ours were willing to loan you some useful items they don’t need at the moment. They should be a solid boon, though if you fall in battle, they will return to their original owners. The pelt is for Estella, and the staff is for Jay. Use them wisely.

Regardless of what happens, whether to aid or avenge you, my Order will come running once the demonic hordes are bested. Do know that Aurelius and I are proud of you, and we will commend your bravery as you commit to the battle ahead.

I wish you not only the best of luck, but also victory and glory, in the name of the Lord and all that is good and holy.

Yours truly,
Clarette Leigh

Estella opened up the package, revealing two specific items inside - a coat made from a lion’s skin (complete with the head as a hood) and a rather ancient-looking but ornate bejewelled wooden staff, inscribed with Norse runes.

“Well, well, well,” said Allagí, “The hide of the Nemean Lion and a Gambanteinn. I’m not sure who she borrowed the staff from, but there’s no mistaking who loaned the pelt.”

“You mean this was borrowed from Heracles?!” Estella grinned, as she held up the lion skin coat, though she soured a bit when she thought about what she’d look like wearing it. “It’s not gonna look good over my Arcane Knight look, though…”

Allagí was just stunned silent for a moment, and then let out an exasperated sigh. “Estella… Maybe you can sacrifice your fashion sense for just one day…? Though, it will naturally integrate into the glamour, so you won’t have to worry.”

Jay looked it over, with a whistle, “The hide of the Nemean Lion was basically immune to any weapon right? Heracles had to kill the beast by strangling it to death.”

“He stunned the beast with his club, then strangled it,” said Estella, “Few things can pierce or slash it, but it doesn’t protect against blunt force.”

“Ah, gotcha.” Jay picked up the staff examining it, “This feels powerful. Though, what’s a Gambanteinn?”

Estella noted, “It’s a type of magical staff from ancient Norse mythology, though references to it are limited to a couple of poems in the Poetic Edda.”

Allagí continued, “It is a potent amplifier of magic, but also a ‘mind sword’ able to damage an adversary’s wits and intelligence, on top of being able to form an actual physical blade.”

Jay held out the staff, and from his hand the staff formed a blue spectral longsword around the staff, which he practised some swings with. “Interesting. I think I can make good use of this!” And then he suddenly shuddered as the jewel on the end glowed, “Okay, looks like it transferred all the info I need to use it into my head. A warning would’ve been nice, but saves me needing to experiment.”

“Well, get some practice in with it before you pass out so you can get used to using it,” Estella remarked, “We’ve still got a big fight tomorrow, after all. Just don’t exhaust yourself in the process.”

“That shouldn’t be difficult. Goodnight, everyone,” Jay chuckled as he headed back to the ship.

“Looks like we’re all getting upgrades from our allies,” Natalia remarked, “Alright, let’s go get some rest. We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

“Don’t need to tell me twice,” Anja yawned, heading back to her room.

Estella chuckled, and threw the lion pelt over her shoulder as she headed back upstairs. The knowledge that their friends were doing their best to support them however they could buoyed her spirits. “We sure do.”

❖

The Tenebris Imperatoris sat on his throne, taking slow, deep breaths, focusing on acquiring greater power. There was little doubt his enemies would come for him on the morrow, and thus, he needed to acquire as much power as possible before then.

Across from him, Estella, only clad in undergarments, danced around a pole, while Anja and Natalia sat on his lap, also similarly lightly dressed. Natalia wore a dog collar with her name on it around her neck. He hadn’t ordered them to do any of this, but the ‘doppelgangers’ who would become the Kendrick sisters in time insisted on entertaining their master while he sat on his throne.

“I’m sorry, Master,” Natalia whimpered, wrapping her arms around him, “We couldn’t stop them from escaping or from being broken out of their dreams.”

“It’s fine, my pet,” said the Emperor, “The Japanese jiǔwěi hú female appearing was an unexpected wrench in the plan. But tomorrow, once I am strong enough, we can rectify your mistake.”

“Of course, Master. We won’t let you down,” said Anja, “At the very least, we’ll do our best to weaken them before they face you.”

“Geez, you have three loyal and fuckable ladies practically falling all over you and you haven’t done any of them,” remarked the spirit.

He responded back, “I have more pressing priorities. They can sexually stimulate me, but I am not going out of my way to use them.”

“Heh, suit yourself, kid.”

“It’ll be a fight to remember, Master!” Estella grinned, before sticking her thumb in her mouth and blowing on it, cartoonishly starting to inflate herself.

“In the meantime, Master, would you like Anja and I to worship your cock?” Natalia asked excitedly. These girls were a little too self-indulgent for his liking. He would have to fix that later.

The Emperor let out a sigh, “Very well, proceed, I suppose.”

The two girls eagerly got down onto the floor, and the Emperor closed his eyes.