"No, please, don't—" The plea was cut short as a woman with eight legs swiftly plunged a needle into the speaker's neck.

"Ugh. Babe, when will the prince get here?" Sylphina pouted, crossing her arms.

"Calm down. He'll be here soon," Malachi reassured his bride, his tone soothing. "We just have to take care of some of these pests first."

He glanced at her. "Hey, close your eyes."

"Alright," she replied, her curiosity piqued. She shut her eyes, and a moment later, felt the cold touch of steel on her finger. When she opened her eyes, she gasped; her once-bare finger now wore a stunning diamond ring, glinting in the dim light.

Her face flushed. "B-Babe—" But before she could finish, Malachi leaned in and captured her lips in a kiss.

Sylphina's gasp was cut off as Malachi's lips met hers, a brief, heated moment of connection amidst the chaos. Her blush deepened, and she gripped his arm, momentarily forgetting the carnage around them.

"B-Babe," she stammered, looking down at the diamond ring, its brilliance capturing her attention and softening the wild look in her eyes. "I didn't think… not here, of all places."

Malachi chuckled, his fingers tracing her cheek. "Why not here? Nothing like a little chaos to make things memorable, right?"

She laughed, a dangerous glint in her eye as she glanced toward their fallen foes. "Guess this means you're really mine, then."

Malachi gave her a wry grin. "Until death do us part, my love."

Sylphina raised an eyebrow, her eight legs shifting slightly as she resumed her stance. "Then let's make sure no one's left to come between us."

The sweet moment was abruptly interrupted by the sound of retching. Turning to look, they saw the prince, pale and unsteady, with his knight standing supportively by his side.

“Sasha… how could these two do something like this?” Prince Vox managed to say, holding a hand over his mouth, clearly struggling to keep his composure. Sasha, his loyal knight, gently patted his back.

“Prince Vox, you need to keep it together,” she said, trying to steady him.

Sylphina chuckled, a wicked glint in her eye. “Aww, what’s the matter? Don’t you enjoy the vibrant shade of red?” she teased, her voice dripping with mockery.

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“Hey, babe, how about I take the knight, and you handle the prince?” Malachi suggested, reaching for the scythe strapped to his back, a dark grin spreading across his face.

Sylphina’s eyes sparkled with a twisted excitement. “I’ve always wanted to experiment on royal blood. Very well,” she replied, her voice laced with anticipation.

The prince, despite his nausea, straightened himself and glared defiantly at them. "You think you can just... just slaughter my people and get away with it? I’ll make sure you both pay for this."

Malachi laughed, his voice echoing through the hall, dark and resonant. "Oh, little prince," he sneered, "what makes you think you’re leaving here alive?"

The prince swallowed, feeling Sasha's hand tighten on his shoulder in silent support. She stepped forward, drawing her sword, her gaze steady and determined. "You'll have to go through me first."

Sylphina tilted her head, the shadows cast by her eight legs creating an eerie silhouette against the wall. "Such bravery," she purred, "it's almost charming." Her fingers traced the edge of her latest needle, the glint of silver in her hand foretelling her intentions. "But bravery is often so... fleeting."

With a quick nod, Malachi and Sylphina separated, each moving to face their chosen opponent. Malachi circled the knight, his scythe's blade gleaming under the torchlight, casting ominous shadows. Sasha’s face remained unreadable as she took her stance, blade raised, unyielding despite the odds.

Sylphina, meanwhile, slowly approached the prince, a predatory smile on her lips. "Look at you, trying to act all noble," she mocked, leaning in close enough that he could see the dangerous glint in her eyes. "But we both know you’re terrified." She took pleasure in the subtle tremor in his hands, the way his gaze shifted to the blood-soaked floor.

The prince inhaled sharply, steeling himself. "I may be afraid, but that won’t stop me from trying to end you."

Sylphina’s smile only grew wider, more wicked. "Then let’s see how well you fare," she murmured, her voice a seductive challenge. She extended one of her legs, hooking it behind him and yanking him off balance. He stumbled, barely able to regain his footing before Sylphina lunged at him, her needle aimed for his neck.

Meanwhile, Malachi and Sasha’s clash was fierce and unrelenting. Sasha moved with the grace of a seasoned warrior, her strikes swift and calculated. But Malachi was relentless, countering every move with chilling precision. The clash of their weapons echoed like thunder, sparks flying as steel met steel.

"You’re skilled," Malachi admitted, his eyes flashing with a mixture of admiration and bloodlust. "But skill alone won’t save you."

Sasha glared at him, her breath steady, her grip on her sword unwavering. "I don’t need saving," she retorted, launching herself at him with renewed ferocity.

As the battle raged on, Sylphina toyed with the prince, her movements graceful yet deadly, her legs weaving an intricate dance around him. "Oh, you poor thing," she cooed mockingly, as he narrowly dodged another of her strikes, his breathing ragged.

But the prince, despite his fear, managed to summon a spark of courage. He swung his sword in a desperate arc, aiming for her midsection. Sylphina dodged effortlessly, laughing as his attack missed by inches. "Close, but not close enough, little prince."

With a sudden burst of determination, he lunged at her again, this time managing to graze her cheek. Sylphina’s hand went to her face, her fingers coming away stained with a thin line of blood. Her eyes flashed dangerously, her playful demeanor vanishing.

"That," she said slowly, her voice laced with venom, "was a mistake."

Before the prince could react, she moved with lightning speed, her needle slicing through the air. He stumbled back, clutching his arm, his face paling as blood seeped through his fingers. Sylphina’s smile returned, more menacing than ever.

Malachi, noticing her shift in mood, let out a dark chuckle. "Looks like the prince found your bad side, my love."

Sylphina shot him a smirk. "Perhaps. But I don’t mind a bit of bloodshed—it makes things more... entertaining."

At that moment, Sasha, realizing they were outmatched, made a swift decision. "Prince Vox, fall back!" she shouted, her voice carrying the weight of command.

The prince, though reluctant, nodded and began to retreat, casting one last, hate-filled glance at Malachi and Sylphina. Sasha moved to cover his escape, her gaze never leaving Malachi as she blocked his path with a fierce determination.

"Brave to the end, aren’t you?" Malachi said, a hint of respect in his tone.

Sasha’s eyes narrowed. "Someone has to protect him from monsters like you."

Malachi’s grin was as cold as death. "Then it’s a shame you won’t live to see him safe."

The room seemed to darken, a heavy silence falling as the four stood, locked in their deadly standoff.