Dark symbols formed around Carmilla as she floated higher. The shadows beneath her twisted unnaturally, and from within them emerged giant puppet-like figures, each resembling nightmare versions of the prince and princess from Sleeping Beauty.
Their faces were blank, eyes glowing crimson, and their limbs moved with jerky, unsettling motions. Chains of dark energy connected them to Carmilla’s hands like a puppeteer.
Carmilla: "Let’s see how you fare when the very concept of trust is used against you."
The puppets lunged.
Mike: (analyzing quickly) "They're linked to her. If we break the chains, we weaken her control!"
Heidi: "Then let’s cut those strings."
Mike nodded, channeling energy into his wand. His aura flared, symbols dancing around him.
Mike: "I’ll disrupt her control. Heidi, make sure those puppets don’t get near me."
Heidi: (smirking) "On it."
The monstrous puppets came down, their massive limbs smashing into the ground.
But Heidi was faster. She dashed beneath one of them, using her Forks to vault herself into the air. Sparks trailed from her movements as she twisted mid-air, delivering a devastating mid-spin strike.
The raw force of the attack cracked one of the puppet’s arms, and the lightning surged through its body, causing it to seize uncontrollably.
Mike: (focusing) " Restraining Glyph!"
A glowing glyph appeared beneath Carmilla, locking her in place momentarily. The chains connecting her to the puppets vibrated as the glyph’s magic pulsed.
Heidi: (taking the chance) "You’re done!"
She charged forward, hurling one of her Forks directly at the weakened chain. Upon impact, the chain shattered, causing one of the puppets to disintegrate.
Carmilla howled in rage.
Carmilla: "You pests!"
Despite her fury, Carmilla's efforts were failing. Every time she struck, Mike and Heidi adapted — seamlessly switching roles, protecting one another without hesitation.
When Heidi faced the brunt of Carmilla’s dark flames, Mike summoned shimmering water barriers, deflecting the attack.
When Mike launched a barrage of magical ice projectiles, Heidi charged ahead, ensuring no shadow could interfere.
They weren’t just fighting together.
They were fighting as one.
But as a last resort, Carmilla unleashed a dark mist that engulfed the battlefield.
The mist formed into twisted clones of Mike and Heidi—versions filled with doubt, fear, and malice.
Dark Heidi:
"Mike, you never trusted me. You only tolerated me because you had no choice."
Dark Mike:
"You’re pathetic, Heidi. A reckless fool who always drags me down."
The words struck deep. For a moment, Mike and Heidi hesitated.
Carmilla’s voice echoed:
"Why resist? The truth is painful. Just give in."
But then—
They heard each other’s voices.
Mike:
"Heidi, I trust you. I know you always have my back."
Heidi:
"And I trust you, Mike. No matter what."
The clones lunged, but Mike and Heidi stood their ground. The aura around them intensified, and the clones shattered into dust.
Carmilla’s eyes widened.
"No… that’s impossible!"
Enraged, Carmilla unleashed her ultimate attack — a massive wave of dark tendrils erupted from beneath the ground, aiming to consume the duo.
Mike and Heidi clasped hands once again.
Their energy swirled together, forming a protective barrier of light. The tendrils struck it repeatedly, but the barrier remained unbroken.
Carmilla screeched.
"WHY WON’T YOU BREAK?!"
Heidi:
"Because you’ll never understand!"
Mike:
"Trust is stronger than any darkness!"
They leapt forward, combining their energy into a powerful, swirling beam of green light — the embodiment of their bond.
The beam pierced through the shadows, slamming directly into Carmilla.
Carmilla’s scream echoed through the void as the darkness surrounding her began to unravel.
Carmilla: “NO… HOW CAN TRUST BE THIS STRONG?!”
Her body erased, leaving behind only the echoes of her defeated pride.
Mike and Heidi descended, their breathing heavy but victorious. The battlefield around them returned to its original state, the twisted illusions vanishing.
Jim and Naomi rushed over.
As the battle ended, the fairy-tale world restored itself.
Mike and Heidi stood side by side, their Trust Form fading, but their bond stronger than ever.
Jim and Naomi watched in awe.
Naomi: “They really did it… they unlocked something new.”
Jim (smirking): “Yeah… and I think they’re finally starting to figure out their feelings.”
Mike and Heidi glanced at each other.
For a brief moment, there was silence.
Then—
Mike: “…So I was the one who had to sleep in this story, huh?”
Heidi: “Yeah, and I was the one saving your dumb face.”
They both laughed, mocking each other once again.
But deep inside—
Something had changed.
Their bond was no longer just romantic attraction.
It was something stronger, deeper, and unshakable.
After a few minutes...
Inside the spaceship, the atmosphere was calm.
Jim and Naomi sat across from Mike and Heidi, curiosity evident on their faces.
Jim: "So… that Trust Form was something else. What was it like?"
Naomi nodded eagerly.
Naomi: "Yeah! You two must have gone through a lot to unlock something that powerful."
Mike and Heidi exchanged an awkward glance, their cheeks faintly reddening.
Mike: "Uh… it was nothing special. We just… learned to trust each other, that’s all."
Heidi: "Yep! Just trust. Absolutely nothing else happened. Definitely no embarrassing moments at all."
Their nervous laughter only made Jim and Naomi more suspicious.
Jim (smirking): "You sure about that?"
Mike: "Positive."
Heidi: "Completely."
Naomi narrowed her eyes but decided not to push further.
Naomi: "Fine, fine. But we’re definitely keeping an eye on you two."
Mike (mocking): "Good luck with that."
Heidi (teasing): "We’re basically unstoppable now."
Everyone chuckled as the tension eased.