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The morning sun filtered through the dense forest canopy, casting gold-tinted beams on the damp moss beneath. The group stood before an ancient ruin buried deep within the earth—a yawning, vine-covered archway that led to a spiral stair descending into darkness.
Seiris stepped forward, her voice low. "This is it. The Crystal Hall. I scouted it once years ago but never went past the entrance. Too many warnings, too many missing people."
Aeiris shuddered. "And now we're going straight in."
Lumi cracked her knuckles. "Wouldn't be fun if it were easy."
Sylvaeria floated over to Yuki's side, her tone more serious than usual. "I sense something inside. Strong. Familiar. Almost like… it's waiting."
Yuki nodded slowly. "We've faced worse. Let's stay sharp."
As they entered the ancient ruins, a cold pulse rippled through the air. Crystals of deep violet grew from the stone walls like jagged tumors, pulsing faintly with arcane light. Every step echoed unnaturally, as though the air itself resisted their presence.
"So…" Lumi whispered, sword drawn. "Anyone else getting horror-dungeon vibes?"
"Strongly," Elira muttered. "And I don't like how the shadows crawl here."
A sudden voice echoed through the hall—unmistakably male, smooth and mocking.
**"How touching. The little dragon and his collection of lost birds, come fluttering into my nest."**
The crystals along the walls shimmered, and from the shadows emerged a tall, cloaked figure. His face was hidden behind a mask of obsidian, but his voice was unmistakable.
Yuki stepped forward. "You're the one pulling the strings. The parasite, the forest corruption… you."
The figure chuckled. "I merely offered freedom. But your dear companions—especially that pretty little puppet you 'saved'—weren't ready for it."
Aeiris's eyes widened. "You… you were the one in my head…"
Elira stepped protectively in front of her, staff glowing. "Not again."
With a flick of the figure's hand, a crystal spike shot from the ground—blocked instantly by Yuki's tail, now reinforced with \[Aegis Scales].
"I'm not letting you hurt them again," he growled, eyes flashing gold.
"Then let's see how far you've come," the figure said, stepping back into the wall. The crystals around them pulsed—and suddenly, five corrupted figures emerged, each mirroring the girls' appearances.
Lumi stared at her clone. "Is that… me?"
"Looks like you if you lost all your charm," Sylvaeria snorted.
"Time to test your bonds," the voice echoed. "Defeat yourselves… or fall to your shadows."
Yuki looked at each of them. "Take your shadow. Fight. Win."
Each girl stepped forward, steel in their eyes. Aeiris, her bow crackling with forest-light, whispered, "I won't be controlled again."
Seiris simply vanished in a blink, reappearing behind her shadow with her dagger drawn.
Elira's magic surged, casting \[Lunar Void] to nullify her duplicate's spells.
Sylvaeria called upon \[Windwhisper's Domain], creating a storm within the hall to scatter illusions.
Lumi? She charged headfirst, cackling. "Time to test who's got better fashion sense!"
Yuki held the center, tail lashing, flames flickering. He wouldn't interfere—this battle belonged to them.
But his pride? It swelled in his chest like wildfire.
They weren't just his companions.
They were warriors.
His harem of chaos.
His family.
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