Reincarnated into my favorite videogame

As Nari struggled against her restraints, her voice came out in a low, strained whisper. "Why, Tiffany? Why did you… kill me?"

A dark smile twisted across Tiffany's face. She leaned closer, her voice laced with contempt. "You wouldn't understand," she hissed. "I was the social one, the popular one, and yet… everyone adored you. Even Joe." Tiffany's expression twisted with bitterness as she mentioned her old crush. "You never even spoke much, but everyone admired you—for your intelligence, your beauty. So I did what I had to do. I got rid of you."

Nari's expression shifted to one of pure disbelief, a silent, "What on earth?" in her wide eyes. Then she asked, steadying her voice, "Why did you come here, then?"

Tiffany's smile faltered, and her gaze turned distant. "Joe saw everything. He was going to call the cops, and I couldn't go to jail. So… I jumped. And I ended up here."

Nari looked down, fury building up inside her as silence grew thick around them. But Tiffany sensed it—the surge of energy radiating from Nari. Her eyes widened. "What—?"

In an instant, Nari's restraints shattered, and she stood before Tiffany, her eyes blazing red with fury. Before Tiffany could react, Nari struck her, sending her flying backward into the stone wall.

Just then, Tiffany's accomplices burst into the room. Henry's eyes darted to Tiffany, who was groaning on the ground. "Are you okay?"

Tiffany glared at him. "Do I look okay?! Stop them from getting here!"

As her minions raced to the entrance, a loud blast reverberated through the hideout. "Nari!" Leo's voice called out.

Ignoring her allies, Tiffany turned back to Nari, only to find her gone. A pulse of energy surged toward her, and she barely dodged it. She retaliated, casting her strongest spell, only to watch Nari brush it aside effortlessly.

"But I took your power!" Tiffany shrieked in disbelief.

A dark smile crossed Nari's face. She retaliated with an even more powerful blast. Tiffany tried to defend herself, but the force threw her back. Nari moved with lightning speed, appearing over her fallen friend.

"Goodbye, old friend," Nari said, her voice edged with sorrow. With a final burst of energy, she released her ultimate attack.

In her last moments, Tiffany's face softened, regret flickering in her eyes. "I'm sorry," she whispered, a glimmer of what could have been flashing through her mind. And as Nari's attack struck, Tiffany disintegrated, leaving only a faint trace of what once was.

Nari collapsed to her knees, tears streaming down her face. Valerie and Iris ran to her, hugging her tightly. "Mom!" they cried.

Nari wrapped her arms around them, steadying herself. "I'm fine," she whispered, wiping her tears as she rose. She dusted herself off and turned as Leo suddenly appeared, pulling her into a fierce embrace.

"I'm so sorry, Nari. I should never have left you," he murmured, his voice thick with remorse. "Please, forgive m—"

Nari cut him off with a kiss, a quiet reassurance. "You're forgiven," she smiled gently.

"Ew!" Valerie exclaimed, sticking out her tongue.

"How romantic!" Iris chimed, swaying playfully from side to side.

Leo chuckled, glancing around. "Let's get out of here." With a wave of his hand, he conjured a portal, leading them safely out of the hideout and back to the peace they had fought so hard to reclaim.

As they emerged from the portal and into the warmth of the forest, Nari took a deep breath, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders. The sunlight danced through the leaves, bringing a comforting sense of peace.

Leo watched her with a smirk, letting the silence settle for a moment before breaking it. "So," he began, a playful gleam in his eye, "after all that… maybe I could get one more kiss, for reassurance?"

Nari raised an eyebrow, her mouth twitching with amusement. "Don't get used to it." She folded her arms, feigning disbelief. 

Leo chuckled, caught a little off guard by her refusal. "Is that so?" he teased back, pretending to look hurt.

"Absolutely," she replied, her tone light as she turned away with a smirk. "I can't have you thinking I'm that easy to charm."

They both laughed, the playfulness between them a relief after all they'd been through.

Up ahead, Valerie groaned, rolling her eyes. "You two are hopeless!"

Iris giggled, joining in. "Yeah, it's kind of cute, though."

Leo shrugged, glancing at Nari with a grin. "I'll win you over eventually."

Nari just shook her head, smiling as they continued their journey, leaving the past behind them with every step forward.