The Alliance members, armed and prepared, stood in the midst of the eerily quiet Forest of Remnants. Their surroundings were ominous, the silence broken only by the occasional rustling of foliage. They knew they were near Sylvie, and the tension was palpable.

  Kurovika, her eyes piercing the foliage, spoke up.

  "Something's off. It's too quiet. This ‘Sylvie’ has to be nearby, and yet there's no sign of her.”

  Svenja, her senses sharp, nodded.

  "Kurovika's right. It's way too quiet ‘ere. Something ain't right. Keep yer guard up. We have no idea what might be lurkin’…”

  Draley, her eyes darting around, spoke up quietly.

  "It's almost as if...they're waiting for us to make a move. Like they're watching us, waiting for an opportunity…”

  As the three stood ready, their senses on high alert, a sudden rustling drew their attention. They all turned towards the disturbance, their hands on their weapons, prepared to defend themselves.

  Suddenly, a figure emerged from the foliage, and Sylvie, dressed in a dark robe, appeared in front of them. Her eyes gleamed ominously in the dim light, and a smirk played on her lips.

  Kurovika, her expression hardening, called out.

  "Speak of the devil, eh?"

  Sylvie, her smirk growing, responded in a sing-song voice.

  "Well, well, if it isn't our little alliance. What brings you back to my little domain again? And who are you?" she asked, her eyes locking onto Kurovika. "You're a new face in the Alliance.”

  Kurovika, her gaze steady, responded curtly.

  "Name's Kurovika. And we're here for one reason only: to retrieve Chami's soul. From you.”

  Sylvie, her amusement growing, let out a scoff.

  "Chami's soul, huh? Of course, you lot would be back for that. But I'm afraid I can't just let it go that easily. She's my trophy, after all.”

  Svenja, her expression hardening, grouched out.

  "A trophy? Chami is a person, not an object. Ye have no right to be holdin' her soul like some sorta twisted prize.”

  Sylvie, her smirk fading, looked at Svenja.

  "Oh, but I do. I have every right to do with her soul what I like. She's mine now. And you're not getting her back. Not without a fight, at least.”

  Svenja, her determination unshaken, spoke up.

  "A fight? Is that whatcha want? 'Cause we'll gladly give ya one. An' we have the perfect accomplice for the job."

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Before Sylvie could make another quip, a magic circle appeared on cue beside Svenja. Appearing out of the magic circle was none other than Nana, who jumped at the sight of Sylvie.

  "D...Demon!!" Nana shouted, pointing her finger at the fairy demon hybrid.

  Sylvie, her expression unchanged, tilted her head at Nana.

  "Well, well. If it isn't the...unique exorcist. I must admit, I wasn't expecting to see you here again.”

  Nana's nervousness seemed to intensify at Sylvie's comment.

  "Y...Yes! I'm her-er-re to...to expel you fr-ro-rom this r-realm! Just like last time!”

  Sylvie, her smirk returning, responded in a taunting tone.

  "Oh? Trying to exorcise me again, are you? I must say, your confidence is admirable, but I'm afraid it won't be so easy this time around. And your little speech impediment is quite endearing, you know.”

  Nana, her face turning red at the mention of her speech impediment, tried to regain her composure.

  "D-don't make fun of me!! I...I'll pr...r-rove to you that I'm str-rong enough to exor-ror-cise you, demon!!”

  Sylvie, her smirk widening, spoke with mock sincerity.

  "Oh, sweetheart. You may be strong enough to exorcise lesser demons, but me? I'm in a completely different league. I'd love to see you try, though. I do enjoy a good laugh.”

  Nana, her resolve strengthening, clenched her fists.

  "I..I'm not scar-rer-ed of you!! J...Just you wait and see! I'll prove I'm st-str...stro-str..."

  Nana's words began to trail off, her face contorting with concentration as she tried to force the hard "r" sound from her mouth on top of the cluster of consonants.

  Sylvie, seeing Nana's struggle, chuckled softly.

  "Aww, is the little exorcist having trouble forming her "r" sounds? How adorable. Maybe you should focus on improving your speech instead of trying to exorcise me. It's a bit of a lost cause, dear. But worry not, I'll beat you and your Alliance friends up so badly that you won't be able to speak at all!”

  Svenja, her patience running thin, interjected.

  "Enough of this squabble! We're here for Chami's soul, not to watch ye bully our young lass, you wee devil.”

  Sylvie, her attention shifting, smirked.

  "Oh, right. The soul. Well, you're not getting it back. Chami's soul belongs to me now, and I have no intention of letting it go. Not unless you're willing to fight me for it."

  Draley stepped forward, her gaze stern and resolute. "This won't go the same as last time, Sylvie. With Kurovika fighting alongside us three this time, your chances of winning have plummeted to zero.”

  Sylvie, still unperturbed, raised an eyebrow.

  "Oh, is that so? You think adding one more person to your little group will significantly change the outcome? Don't be so arrogant. I may be outnumbered, but I'm hardly outmatched. She'll be beaten to a pulp just like your other friends.”

  Kurovika, her smirk never leaving, spoke up.

  "Oh, I wouldn't underestimate me like that if I were you. I've fought enemies far stronger than you, from the Road of Dead Ends no less, and they all met their demise. You'll be no different.”

  Sylvie, her tone dripping with skepticism, replied.

  "Oh, really? You've fought foes on the Road of Dead Ends? Well, bravo. I'm so impressed. But let me tell you something, sweetheart. The enemies you've faced on the Road of Dead Ends are nothing compared to me. I'm a level of power you've never encountered before. Just ask your dear leader Svenja there, I gave her a combo so bad that I know she woke up feeling like she had the worst hangover ever.”

  Svenja's face darkened at the memory, but she kept her composure.

  "Just 'cause ye knocked me out, which was a pussy move, I might add, doesn't mean ye're unbeatable. We've become more powerful since our last encounter, an' we'll bring ya to your knees this time!”

  Sylvie, her smirk turning into a cocky grin, responded.

  "Oh, I love your confidence, but it's misplaced. You may have grown stronger, but so have I. I've been preparing for your return, and I guarantee you'll find my power much more overpowering now. Are you prepared for that?”

  Svenja, her expression hardened.

  "We're more than prepared for anythin' ye throw at us. We've faced countless challenges, and we've prevailed against all of them. We ain't gonna be intimidated by a little hybrid such as yourself. Ya might be tough, but we're more than a match. Try us."

  The Alliance members drew their weapons and got into a stance, ready for round two with Sylvie.