"Hey guys, here!" Mimic called out as two figures materialized in the virtual space, logging into the game simultaneously. "Whoa, those two logged in at the exact same time!" Mimic commented in his characteristic chatty manner, drawing an amused question mark from Aiken and an intrigued one from Aico. (Aico was already aware of the twins' arrival.)
"Whoa, those two logged in at the exact same time!" Mimic chimed in, his voice carrying a playful tone that often accompanied his chatterbox tendencies. His comment was met with a chuckle from the group, aware of Mimic's penchant for making casual observations.
"Eh, you didn't know?" Neon responded, glancing at Mio for permission before sharing the intriguing detail. Mio nodded in affirmation, a subtle question mark forming above Mimic and Aiken's heads, both of whom were evidently puzzled by Neon's cryptic statement. Aico, having already been informed, watched the interaction unfold with a knowing smile.
"We're siblings, rather we're twins!" Neon declared with a sense of pride, his chest puffing out slightly as he revealed the surprising connection. Aiken and Mimic exchanged doubting glances, their expressions mirroring their skepticism towards Neon's claim.
However, Neon wasn't one to back down easily. Sensing their disbelief, he adopted a mockingly distressed tone. "Hey! I'm not lying here! Waah, Mio, help me out here, these guys are bullying me!" Neon protested, his voice carrying a melodramatic edge. In response, Mio swiftly drew her katana and pressed the blade gently against the skin of Mimic's neck, a clear warning that doubting her brother's words was not a wise move.
Mimic's eyes widened at the cold touch of the blade, and he quickly raised his hands in surrender. "Woah, woah, okay, okay, I'll believe you," he conceded with a resigned tone, a hint of amusement playing in his eyes. Mio re-sheathed her katana, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips as the tension dissolved.
Meanwhile, Neon took the opportunity to further assert his victory, making a series of silly faces in a playful attempt to mock Mimic. The scene encapsulated the camaraderie and distinct dynamics of the group, with skepticism giving way to good-natured banter and an underlying sense of unity.
"Alright, whose older?" Mimic inquired, raising the question that was likely on everyone's minds. The group set off from the town, following Neon as their guide on the quest to find Myrpho's hideout. In the midst of their journey, their casual chatter led them to the topic of age and sibling relationships.
"I'm older, Mio came out later after 5 minutes," Neon stated proudly, puffing out his chest as if that somehow emphasized his point. The group eventually came to a stop in the middle of nowhere, the conversation still centered around the twins' dynamic.
"Eh, are you kidding me?" Mimic's skepticism rang clear, prompting Neon to defend his claim with earnestness. "Hey! I'm not kidding! You can even ask Mio, and I assure you, I'm his older brother."
Mimic hesitated, glancing at Mio for confirmation. Her response was as subtle as it was unexpected. "He's lying, a childish guy like that can't be my older brother," Mio stated matter-of-factly, her expression unchanged. Neon found himself at the receiving end of Mimic's earlier mockery, his grin slowly turning into a sheepish smile. In the midst of the lighthearted banter, Aico's mind wandered to his own memories of his younger siblings, while Aiken found himself lost in thoughts of his past with his siblings.
Neon's heightened senses detected an impending presence, prompting an instant surge of alertness among the group. He crouched down, his focus honed on any subtle shifts in the surroundings that might indicate the presence of a third party. Mio's reaction was swift and purposeful – she drew her katana and channeled a unique magic, invoking the power of 'The Maiden's Cursed.' The intricate runes that formed around her body held a deadly promise, a skill capable of delivering a fatal blow with a single strike. The magic required a toll, sapping her life energy as the runes enveloped her limbs.
Mimic's transformation was equally dramatic. His limbs shifted into the likenesses of creatures only found within the game world. His right hand took the form of a Black Cat's Paw from the town of 'Afue,' while his left hand mirrored the larger paw of a bear, known as the Horned-Bears from the City of 'Gua.' His feet transformed into the Claw of Croniche, a creature from the Town of Benois, a distant location past Orion within the City of Gua.
Meanwhile, Aico and Aiken stood poised behind their allies, acutely aware of the disparity in power. Despite the palpable sense of their own vulnerability, neither of them entertained the thought of surrendering without a fight. Their determination burned strong, unwavering in the face of adversity.
In the tense atmosphere, a silent unspoken agreement bound the group together – they might be outmatched, but they refused to back down. This impending confrontation was a pivotal moment, one that would test their mettle and challenge their resilience. With their allies' preparations complete, they awaited the inevitable encounter with a mixture of apprehension and unyielding resolve.
Stepping out from the shadows, Myrpho's entrance bore an undeniable aura of malevolence that swiftly sent a collective shiver down the spines of the gathered onlookers. His arrival was like a dark cloud casting an ominous presence over the scene. Behind his imposing figure, a cadre of individuals emerged, solidifying his affiliation with the HummingBirds guild. However, it wasn't the guild members that seized the attention of those present; it was the three young girls, their wrists linked by chains, who stood in eerie silence, acting as mute witnesses to the unfolding tableau.
Myrpho's countenance was a disturbing blend of superiority and disdain, an unsettling reflection of the nefarious intentions that lurked beneath his outward demeanor. His chilling gaze bore into those before him, emanating a sense of foreboding that permeated the atmosphere. The way his lips curled into a cold smile hinted at a malevolent satisfaction, as if he relished the discomfort he instilled in others.
The guild members trailing Myrpho seemed to act as an extension of his enigmatic power, reinforcing the notion that he held influence over those around him. The juxtaposition of his commanding presence with the vulnerable state of the captive girls underscored the stark power dynamic at play. The chains that bound the girls were not merely physical restraints; they symbolized the control Myrpho exerted over their very existence.
As the scene unfurled, it became evident that Myrpho's intentions were far from benevolent. His arrival had cast a dark pall over the proceedings, and the atmosphere crackled with an impending sense of conflict. The stage was set for a clash between opposing forces, where the outcome hung in the balance, and the fate of the girls and the gathered group remained uncertain.