> Ellie PoV

“I’m sorry, I can’t do this after all!” (Ellie)

It’s absurd!

How could I ever do something like that with someone who isn’t Kira!?

I’d be a complete failure as her wife!

“Aww, sweetie ~♡! Don’t worry about it, I completely understand!” (Pink Skittle)

No, no you don’t, fake Kira.

*SHLICK SHLICK*

You’re still doing THAT down below, so your words are clearly unconvincing.

“If you truly understand, then bring out the Original White so she can heal my wife!” (Ellie)

“Sorry, but no can do! It’s my turn with the body so I’m not giving it back until I’m satisfied ~♡!” (Pink Skittle)

Yep, she completely doesn’t understand.

Just like her hair, her head is equally filled with nothing but pink.

She obviously wants me to mate with her, but I don’t ‘mate.’

I make love.

For me, it's a sacred act filled with all of my feelings and passion for my wife!

And this floozy is not my wife!

“Come now, you can at least give me a hug, yes? Just. Like. THIS!” (Pink Skittle)

*GLOMP*

Geh!

I was embraced since my body still refuses to listen to me properly!

She completely wrapped me up in the valley of her cleavage!

The proportions are perfectly the same, but the larger overall size means those are much bigger as well!

…

I see, this is why I was paralyzed with indecision.

My body had completely recognized her as being Kira.

The chest, the skin, the chest, the hips, the chest, the belly button, the chest, the waist, the chest, the collar bone and the chest.

It was all the same sublime perfection as my most beloved.

A form I had not dared to embrace for two weeks out of worry.

“Hhnng!” (Ellie)

Even if my mind recognized this one as a farce and a sick joke, the rest of me did not think so!

I can’t muster up any strength to wrestle free from this warm embrace…

“Fufufu, there we go ~♡! This is nice ~♡! Doesn’t it make you want to completely give in ~♡?” (Pink Skittle)

My body is clearly saying it wants to do it.

My reason is telling me this is a necessary sacrifice.

My heart on the other hand, is screaming louder than both of those that this is wrong!

“No! Let me go! Don’t besmirch my wife’s figure like this!” (Ellie)

“No can do ~♡! I’m quite selfish you know ~♡!” (Pink Skittle)

Why does that part have to be the same, too!?

But no matter how much she tries, this imitation is nothing like my Kira!

Even if she is selfish, she will put those feelings aside for my sake!

Not to mention, she faithfully remembers every promise I made!

And she thoroughly knows I will adhere to my promises, no matter what!

Something this fake is about to find out!

*Scritch*

*SLICE*

“GYAAAHAAAAHAA!” (Pink Skittle)

Good, I managed to summon up enough strength to move my arm!

Hers, on the other hand, is flying through the air.

I did warn her that would happen if she dared to touch my ears.

“AAH! ARRGH! RAAAAAAAAAARGH!” (Skittles)

Well, that was obviously going to happen.

Unlike the other transformations, this one was almost instantaneous.

That perfect body expanded into an impossibly muscular frame that looked more at home on an orc than a human.

The pink hair fell out and short, spiky hair replaced it.

The beautiful face warped into a wide and ugly one that rivaled Zublos’s in how bad it looked.

Her eight legs and abdomen bulged with power, becoming almost twice as thick.

And the pink parts of her body turned into a blood-like red, completing the transformation.

No, it’s more accurate to say that the Raging Red one exploded outwards from the former pink.

“SKITTLES SMASH!” (Red Skittle)

She swung a massive arm downwards at me, so I dodged to the side with all haste!

*CRASH*

The ground shook and a small crater was formed on the spot!

Draglael wasn’t kidding when she said ‘punch into soup,’ I don’t think even Scrappy can take that sort of impact!

She turned around and leapt at me!

“RAARGH!” (Red Skittle)

*SMASH*

Still, as I suspected, Draglael’s intel was incomplete - a worrying trend that had appeared.

Yes, she’s strong, but she’s also way too slow!

“STOP RUNNING AND FACE ME, COWARD!” (Red Skittle)

The brown one had speed and mobility, not to mention it spat toxins and threw spider webs.

But all this one does is charge relentlessly at me and try to punch me in a reckless manner!

*SHOOOOM*

The disproportionately giant fist hurls through the air like a meteor!

Such a blow would unquestionably take my head clean off if it connected!

But it’s such a straightforwardly telegraphed punch, that air is all it will ever hit!

Such an attack would never hit me!

*SHOOOOM*

She’s so easy to read that I can dodge her before her fist is even swung!

“I SAID FIGHT ME!” (Red Skittle)

*SMASH*

She missed me with another downward swing, causing the ground to tremble and shockwaves to spread through the snow!

*SHWING*

I swung my blade at her neck as I leaped into the air, but it barely made a scratch!

Her muscles are too thick - it's like a form of natural armor!

*SHOOOOM*

However, no matter how tough in the end it is still flesh.

*Zuzuzuzurrrrrr*

There’s no way it would stop a plasma bolt that can melt through 40-mm thick Durasteel plating!

“I WON’T FORGIVE YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID!” (Red Skittle)

“That’s my line you miserable cunt!” (Ellie)

*PACHEWW*

“GHAA! KEH! KEHHOK!” (Red Skittle)

The fully-charged plasma bolt left a fist-sized hole through her torso, making her recoil and cough up blood!

“KEH! YOU’LL PAY FOR- WHA? HEY WHAT GIVES!” (Red Skittle)

I took the opportunity while she was stunned from that shot to lift her up with Telekinesis.

She’s big and heavy, but only to the point where I’ll have a slight headache later.

“YOU! THIS IS YOUR DOING IS IT!? LET ME DOWN SO I CAN PUNCH YOU!” (Red Skittle)

Her type is obvious - she rushes blindly forward while believing her endurance, power and stamina will carry her through everything.

Just like a certain former Ancient Evil that’s too loud for his own good.

“RRAGH! I’LL SMASH YOU! INTO PULP! NO, INTO DUST! RRARGH!” (Red Skittle)

She can thrash around all she likes, but she lacks any way of attacking from a distance.

It’s like keeping a small child at arm’s length while she pathetically swings her tiny fists at you.

Even though she’s almost two times taller than me.

“WHY IS THIS HAPPENING!?” (Red Skittle)

“Because you made me angry.” (Ellie)

“OH! I MADE YOU ANGRY, DID I? YOU SLICED MY YOUNGEST SISTER’S ARM OFF!” (Red Skittle)

“So? She’s a titan. It won’t kill her.” (Ellie)

“SHE STILL FEELS PAIN YOU INSOLENT LITTLE TWERP!” (Red Skittle)

“And what about the pain she caused me, huh?” (Ellie)

“SHE JUST SCRATCHED YOUR EARS!” (Red Skittle)

“She impersonated my wife! She tried to seduce me! I had to hurt Kira’s flawless body because of her!” (Ellie)

“YOU DID NOT HAVE TO HURT ANYONE! NOW ALL SHE WILL REMEMBER OF THIS EXPERIENCE IS PAIN!” (Red Skittle)

“You think having an arm sliced off can compare to the feeling of my heart almost ripping in half!? Alright. Let me show you then! Let me show you exactly how much she hurt me!” (Ellie)

“FINE! GIVE ME YOUR WORST! I’LL TAKE IT AND GIVE IT BACK A HUNDREDFOLD! AS IF THAT LITTLE TOY OF YOURS COULD DO MUCH ANYWAY!” (Red Skittle)

Calling this extremely reliable plasma pistol a ‘toy’ ...

“No, you’re right. The weight of your sin is too much for this little guy to bear!” (Ellie)

I holster it and cross my arms in front of my chest.

“SIN!? BIG WORDS COMING FROM A TINY COWARD!” (Red Skittle)

Is she an idiot?

“All’s fair in love and war.” (Ellie)

“... HUH?” (Red Skittle)

No, she’s definitely an idiot.

“Nano, Plan B.” (Ellie)

{Alright. Give me a moment to set up.}

Earlier the tower wasn’t in position since we had to keep the girls out of harm’s way.

Northern Rocs taking chunks out of the enchanted soil might cause it to lose power and crash into the ground, you know!

But with the sky clear, there is no longer anything stopping us from having it directly overhead.

{Ready. How should we treat our dear customer?}

“Let’s give her that soup she seems to love so much.” (Ellie)

That monstrous regeneration of hers probably won’t let that happen, but I can still dream, right?

“Open fire.” (Ellie)

{Aye, aye!}

“HAAAH!? FIRE? IS THAT THE BEST YOU CAN-” (Red Skittle)

*SPLAT*

“KHAAK!” (Red Skittle)

A blue bolt of plasma from above drills right through her shoulder with an unpleasant sound.

Skin, muscle, bone - all of it was melted into an indescribable goop.

“*SPLAT* GUH! *SPLAT* GUAH! *SPLAT* AARGH! *SPLAT* RAAH!” (Red Skittle)

She lets out scream as shot after shot as Nano starts preparing the titan soup for our dear customer.

*SPLAT SPLAT SPLAT*

“AAAAARRGHAAA!” (Red Skittle)

My PLR-45 Sidearm was built by sacrificing parts and materials from three PLR-76 Plasma Rifles.

*SPLAT SPLAT SPLAT*

“GUHA! STO- AAARGH!” (Red Skittle)

Five of those were currently sniping the helplessly suspended titan from our mobile base.

The PLR-70 series weapons are too heavy and have too much recoil to be usable by humans.

If a regular person were to fire one, shattered bones would be the least of their worries.

*SPLAT SPLAT SPLAT*

“I WILL- AARGH! NOT- KAAAAHAAAAA!” (Red Skittle)

Although some of the tougher alien species could wield them without problems, that was not their intended purpose.

They were made with the goal of having them equipped on military droids, power armor frames or as stationary turrets.

We lack all of those things, but what we do have is about twenty heavily customizable all-purpose androids.

*SPLAT SPLAT SPLAT*

When Nano first tried it, the shock from the recoil wrecked the android's internal components and servomotors.

Even though they’re much more durable than people, it still wasn’t enough.

That is, until they were refitted and reinforced using a lightweight Mithril-based alloy.

The recipe for it is a byproduct of Nano and Kelly’s hard work over the last two months.

Who knew a metal that was mainly used for making magic tools was so good at shock absorption?

Truly, the materials in this world are full of surprises.

*SPLAT SPLAT SPLAT*

Hmm?

She hasn’t been screaming or moving for a while now.

It seems our dear customer has given up and has lost consciousness.

“Cease fire.” (Ellie)

*SPLAT*

A final parting shot hits her in the jaw, decimating what was left of her face.

Each of those rifle shots rivals a charged bolt from the PLR-45 Sidearm in firepower, only with a substantially higher rate of fire.

So what’s left of the titan after a sustained barrage of five of them is… not a pretty sight.

All the limbs on the right side were severed and most of the chest and abdomen are perforated clean through.

There’s barely anything left of the skull, but as expected it’s still alive and regenerating.

I release my Telekinesis on the half-melted titan and it lands in on the ground with a wet thud.

The next one that pops up better be the Original White.

Or else I’ll make it wish it could die!

…

Huh?

My head suddenly feels lighter, clearer.

It’s almost as if the fluids oozing out of the almost-corpse are washing away my anger.

Come to think of it, this is supposed to be a titan with some sort of dominion over souls, right?

“Nano, did I seem weird just now?” (Ellie)

{You were perhaps a little more vocal than normal, but nothing out of the ordinary. Why do you ask?}

“I think just being in her presence seems to have some sort of effect on my mental state.” (Ellie)

{I don't follow.}

“When I approached the yellow one yesterday, I felt a sense of dread or apprehension. Like I was doing something really wrong by putting a hand on her shoulder.” (Ellie)

{You didn’t hesitate even one bit, though.}

“Of course not! Such a vague feeling would never stop me. But then, when the brown one showed up, I instinctively felt like it would be coming after us. During the fight itself, I would somehow know when a dangerous attack was coming at me, even from a blind spot.” (Ellie)

Thinking back at it now, it was a slight difference, but a difference nonetheless.

{Hmm. Interesting. Is that the reason you got so over-excited when the orange one was there? I mean, you outright fainted, but you weren’t in any danger so I didn’t mention anything until now.}

“Yes. Of course. That’s exactly what happened!” (Ellie)

I don’t want to admit that I probably would’ve fainted anyway.

The Beam-Saber-wielding-Scrappy-and-fire-breathing-wings-spread-Puff combination was entirely too awesome!

Just remembering it makes me want to jump up and down out of pure joy!

Ah, but this isn’t the time for that!

“And then later, my body got unreasonably turned on with the pink one. And until a few moments ago I was absolutely furious with the red one. Even though I had no reason to be.” (Ellie)

It’s not accurate to think of them as different sides to the same being.

They’re completely different people who share the same body, after all.

I had already decided on this aspect of the titan last night.

Looking at it that way, the red one was completely justified in her actions.

I hurt what she called her ‘youngest sister’ and she came out to protect her.

Yet I unreasonably lashed out at her for something she didn’t do.

{What about the white one?}

“Hmm, perhaps I trusted her a little too easily. She had a calming atmosphere around her, like a reliable existence that looks after people.” (Ellie)

Almost exactly like Kira is when she’s doting on our daughters, actually.

“I’ll have to be sure not to let my guard around her. Nano, I’m counting on you to stop me if it gets too bad.” (Ellie)

{Understood. You can count on me!}

Nano can easily rob me of my muscle control if I get influenced into doing something unforgivable.

* * *

“I apologize completely for my actions earlier. While I may have not been myself, I still feel responsible for coming onto your wife like that. It is inexcusable and her retaliation was justified. Please forgive me, Kiressara.” (White Skittle)

She bowed deeply to the point where her forehead touched the floor.

The white one returned after the red one had healed and promised she would immediately see to Kira’s needs.

So I agreed to bring her before Kira.

Nano’s armed escort is in the room though, just in case.

Her weird titan ability has no sway over something that has no soul, after all.

“If you want... to be forgiven… then please… save my baby…” (Kira)

“Kira…” (Ellie)

“I understand. Then, may I begin the ritual immediately?” (White Skittle)

“You won’t… do anything… weird… right?” (Kira)

“Please believe me, I have no desire to sully the beautiful relationship you two share anymore than I already have. I will merely rectify the defect in your souls.” (White Skittle)

“Defect? What defect?!” (Ellie)

“It is something common with foreign souls - they are unaccustomed to this world so they have trouble following its laws. It is very rare for off-worlders to leave offspring or be able to use magic. Both of you are quite exceptional in this regard.” (White Skittle)

“Wait… what do you mean… both of us?” (Kira)

“Hmm? You’re both outsiders, aren’t you?” (White Skittle)

Umph said something like that too, didn’t he?

“If it’s about the color of our souls, it’s because of the [Unity] spell we both use.” (Ellie)

“Ah… I see… It seems there was a huge misunderstanding.” (White Skittle)

She holds out her two hands with palms up.

“Let’s say this is what a soul from this world looks like to my eyes.” (White Skittle)

Some white thread shoots from her fingers and she gingerly rolls it into a small pure white ball with her left hand.

“This, is what I see when I look at the two of you.” (White Skittle)

*FWOOSH*

A roaring red flame erupts from her right hand like a miniature pyre.

“To claim one has turned into the other with a single spell-” (White Skittle)

She threw the thread ball into the fire, where it disappeared into a puff of smoke.

“- is a ludicrous suggestion. The soul would be ripped apart without question. Even I cannot reshape it to this extent.” (White Skittle)

She closes her hand, putting out the flame on her palm.

“Believe me when I say this - neither of you were born on this world.” (White Skittle)