Vixen clicked her tongue, still holding her axe, and added with a lopsided grin:
"Lilith. The most dangerous of the Crimson Guild. Specializes in hand-to-hand combat and psychic manipulation. Likes to play with her head... and other parts too. No name, no surname, just Lilith."
The woman - now identified as Lilith - arched an eyebrow, amused, and glared straight at Seth, who felt a wave of heat run through his body. It was as if her eyes pierced through skin, muscle and pride, going straight to what he was trying to hide even from himself.
"And you're as delicious as you look," she said, running her tongue over her lips, her voice dripping danger and flirtation in equal measure.
[An entity is using "Charm" on you]
[Charm canceled!]
Seth raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Good. Don't keep using that crap on me"
Connie rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "She's helping because she's been paid, not because she wants you. So try not to fall under her spell, Seth."
Vixen laughed, still sideways. "Fortunately, my husband is very resistant to charms, believe me, I've tried."
The ground shook again. More tremors approached, and a new roar echoed between the buildings.
Lilith turned, her gaze now serious. "Territorial squabbles are lovely, but I think your boyfriends are coming."
From down the avenue, the earth cracked. Three worms even bigger than the previous one tore through the soil, advancing towards the group. Their mouths opened in jagged fans, each full of fangs that spun like saws. Behind them, smaller portals blinked unsteadily, releasing smaller creatures - four-legged insectoids with translucent fangs, which leapt like hungry predators.
Seth cracked his neck, then ran his eyes over the three women around him: an electricity manipulator with precision reflexes, a crazy lover with a pink axe the size of a car, and now... a Rank S succubus with a dubious mood and eyes that promised things he probably wouldn't live to see.
"Well," he said, activating his aura with a pop in the air, "I guess we'll have to deal with those over there now."
Seth's aura exploded around his body, tinging the air with an intense blue glow. The lines of energy danced over his skin like living circuits, emitting electrical bursts with every breath.
Lilith let out a low whistle, impressed. "Nice... looks like the prey has power."
Connie had already disappeared - her body flashing between the bluish hues of electricity as she leapt to the top of a pole, analyzing the formation of the creatures like a veteran strategist.
Vixen spun the axe, slamming the base into the ground with a thud. The pink aura expanded violently, cracking the concrete beneath her feet. "Let's break this monster party in half."
"Bastet." Seth spoke and the Black Panther stepped out of his shadow. "Search and Destroy." He commanded, she giggled and disappeared into the shadows.
Lilith licked her thumb, running it sensuously over her lips. "How cute, he's got a Pet."
"She's useful," murmured Seth, flexing his knees. "I'll take the center. Connie, side control. Vixen, cut the front line. Lilith... do what you want, just don't cause more trouble than the monsters."
Lilith blinked... She was being... Ignored?
She was speechless for a moment, until she smiled... "No promises."
VRUUUMMMM!
One of the worms advanced first - a colossal beast with rotating jaws. With a muffled, sinister roar, it shot out like a projectile, opening its mouth with rows of fangs ready to shred everything in its path.
Seth launched himself forward, his aura glowing brightly.
"Let's play." Seth said, and a sphere of pure electricity exploded from his palm, hitting the worm in the snout with brutal force.
The creature screamed and squirmed, halting its onslaught. It was the perfect time for Connie to emerge from the side, thrusting two electric daggers between the segments of the creature's neck.
"A weak spot!" she shouted, spinning in the air before retreating.
"Noted!" Vixen responded with a roar, jumping onto Seth's shoulders like an Olympic athlete and leaping into the air with axe in hand. "LOVE IS A WEAPON!" she screamed, and descended like a bolt of pink lightning.
SLAAAAASHHHHH!
The first worm was cut in half. Dark blood splattered everywhere, but Vixen was already rolling on the ground and stood up in combat position, facing the other two.
"ONE DOWN!"
Lilith hadn't even moved yet. She just watched, yawning slightly. One of the smaller insectoids advanced on her.
She didn't move.
The bug jumped - and stopped in mid-air, frozen as if by invisible strings.
Lilith's eyes glowed purple. "What a lovely creature... now, dance for me."
With a snap of its fingers, the insectoid began to spin in the air like a crazed marionette, hitting the posts, the ground and the walls before exploding in a psychic wave of energy.
"...Yeah. That was scary," commented Seth, breaking out in a cold sweat.
"That was the nice part." Lilith smiled, floating slowly in the air, her black wings flapping elegantly. "Are we going to play seriously now?"
Seth nodded, feeling the excitement of battle take over.
More portals began to open. Different creatures emerged - some winged, some reptilian, but all voracious.
Connie landed beside him, panting. "We have to close the portals. Or this becomes a siege."
"I agree," said Seth, clenching his fists.
He looked at the three women around him. A completely dysfunctional but absurdly powerful squad.
"Divide and conquer," he said...
[A little further south]
"What do you think?" asked the wild-looking man, his muscles defined under tanned skin covered in tribal tattoos and primitive adornments. His eyes were fixed on the horizon, where the battle was raging.
Next to him, floating gracefully, a woman with blue skin and white hair watched in silence. Her pointed ears and ethereal features revealed her unusual origin.
"That's insignificant," she replied coolly. "Opening Pandora's portals in this region is becoming increasingly difficult... Even more so with the Pontiff hesitating to make a decision."
"I agree," he said, crossing his arms. "Do you think she'll..."
He was interrupted by a sudden interference in the air - a purple screen appeared in front of them, a hologram with symbols pulsating in ominous tones.
The woman narrowed her eyes, reading quickly. "That's not good," she muttered.
"Not at all," he replied, snapping his fingers.
In an instant, the countless unstable portals scattered across the field began to disappear, as if they had never existed.
"Are you sure?" she asked, casting him a sideways glance.
"Absolutely. One of the Monarchs is here. We don't have the resources to face him now." With a firm movement, he opened a new portal, this time of pure purple energy, rippling like a living rift in reality.
"We need to speed up the dimensional conversion process," he added. "Before it's too late."
They stepped through the portal, disappearing like shadows carried by the wind.