NOVEL NEXT Chapter 121: Sand Between Your Sheets
The sand sprite planted her bare feet in the cracked, sun-bleached stone at the statue's base, shoulders squared, chin high, voice dripping with menace.
"You really shouldn't underestimate someone like me," she said, hands weaving in strange, fluid motions. Glittering streams of magic trailed from her fingers, curling through the dry air like tiny constellations.
Vuvi watched with all the enthusiasm of someone seeing a street magician pull a rabbit out of a hat for the fifteenth time. "Mm-hm. Yes. Very sparkly. Does it come in 'impressive'?"
Veena yawned, inspecting her nails. "I've seen more threatening magic in a child's birthday cake."
Pip, standing beside them, tilted his head. Beep? His tone was curious, almost polite, as if asking whether they should clap or not.
Sera slid a hand to her sword, steel whispering halfway free from its sheath. "If she even twitches wrong, I'm ending her."
Above them, Zora floated cross-legged in the air, swirling an orb of lightning lazily between his palms like a cat playing with yarn.
The sprite's magic flared. A faint shimmer pulsed through the team.
Penelo blinked once, then slumped face-first into the sand.
Lula's head lolled to the side before she toppled over into Penelo's back.
Raikya gave a confused grunt before Frostlick crumpled beneath her, both wolf and wolf-kin sprawled in an inelegant heap.
Even Sera staggered, dropping to her knees with a muffled curse.
Vuvi's vision swam, her knees buckling, until she found herself catching her weight against Pip's solid frame. She blinked at him blearily.
"…You're always so warm… and cuddly."
He beeped softly and supported her without effort.
When the haze cleared, Vuvi realized Veena, Pip, and Zora were completely fine. The sprite's confident smirk faltered.
"Uh… that… that's not… normal."
Veena cracked her neck, violet sparks curling from her horns. "Oh no," she said sweetly. "Well.. I guess it's our turn now…"
The sprite held up both hands quickly. "D-don't come closer! I'll… I'll use my real power!" Her voice cracked.
Vuvi groaned and rolled her eyes as the magic on her body fizzled away. Sera shook her head like a wet dog, swearing under her breath.
With a pitiful squeak, the sprite fell to her knees. "Okay! I give! I didn't mean any harm! I'm just… really, really hungry, okay? I feed on travelers! Just a little magic, never enough to hurt anybody!"
Pip stepped forward, resting a gentle hand on Veena's shoulder.
A wave of soft thoughtlight pulsed from him, the sensation warm, patient, like a cup of tea on a cold morning.
Veena's lips curled into an amused smile. "Relax, Pip. I was just gonna scare her a bit."
Vuvi crossed her arms. "Then scare her into waking the rest of the team before I get cranky."
The sprite nodded frantically and flicked her hands. Raikya, Penelo, and Lula blinked awake, groggy alongside Frostlick.
Raikya's ears perked, and then flattened instantly when she spotted the sprite. She leapt to her feet, spear in hand.
"You mother—!"
She didn't have a chance finish, because Pip calmly caught her mid-charge and pinned her to the ground.
Raikya's eyes widened as she struggled… and realized she couldn't budge him an inch. His grip was firm, but almost tender. Slowly, her fight melted away, her cheeks turning pink.
"…Y-You're stronger than you look, tin can."
Pip tilted his head, giving a modest beep.
Raikya avoided his glowing gaze, fidgeting. "…I didn't realize…"
He helped her up gently. She looked away again, brushing dust from her shawl.
And then Penelo, still half-asleep, stumbled toward them, tripped over her own feet and grabbed Raikya's shawl as she tumbled to the ground… tearing it right off.
The wolf-kin shrieked, clutching herself as Pip immediately averted his gaze with another startled beep.
Somewhere behind them, Frostlick made a muffled noise suspiciously like laughter.
The sprite bowed deeply, voice wavering. "Really sorry. I wish you all well on your journey. I'll just… go… now—"
"Mm-hm," Vuvi said, watching her try to tiptoe away. She glanced at Veena, who just nodded. With a flick of her hands, Veena's magical tendrils lashed out and coiled around the sprite's waist, yanking her back.
The sprite screamed. "Please don't eat me! Or kill me! Or…oh gods… do weird lewd stuff to me!"
Vuvi groaned. "Ugh, I'm not in the mood to discipline this one. Anyone else want her?"
Penelo and Lula both perked up despite their lingering wooziness.
"She's cute," Penelo said.
"Very squeezable," Lula added.
Veena stepped forward, voice going formal. "I am Veena, Crown Princess of the Demon Kingdom."
The sprite's pupils shrank. "D-Demon Queen's daughter?! Please don't devour my soul!"
Veena's grin was wicked and patient. "We don't devour souls. We… liberate them. From decades of loveless existence. With the assistance of our greatest creation… the Prince of Pleasure. Pip."
Veena smirked. "We don't steal souls. We heal them. We free people from decades of dull, joyless existence. All through the touch… of our masterpiece." She gestured dramatically toward Pip. "…The Prince of Pleasure."
The sprite blinked. "Wait! What?! Are you serious?"
The team shook their heads.
"…You're seriously telling me that little tin man is some sort of… spiritual savior?"
They nodded again, some sheepishly, some proudly.
The sprite burst into laughter, doubling over. "Oh, this is rich. What's next, you're gonna tell me he's made of divine magic and sent by the Great Mother herself?"
Penelo crossed her arms. "But… that's literally true though."
The sprite howled even harder.
Vuvi sighed. "Terrible sales pitch, all of you." She slapped Pip's back. "C'mon, just show her the goods."
Pip gave a smug little salute and stepped forward.
The sprite raised a brow. "What now? Your golem gonna whip out a divine di—"
She stopped mid-word as Pip planted his feet like a warrior, hands on hips, and activated his pelvic port.
There was a hiss of steam, a click of servos, and then… light. Golden, glorious, pure, and impossibly warm, flooding out into the ruined clearing.
The sprite's smirk faltered… then melted into shock… then awe… and finally something that looked suspiciously like worship.
"…It's… beautiful," she whispered, stepping closer, hand outstretched. "Can I… touch—"
SMACK.
Vuvi's hand cracked across her wrist.
"Hands off, sunshine."
The port sealed shut with a hiss. The sprite staggered back, blinking. "What the hell did I just see?"
Vuvi grinned. "You'll see a lot more of it… later. But first…" She leaned in. "You're gonna tell us your story."