Rina StarLai: Issue 005

Hi guys, I'm really "burning" through this story and there's still so much I want to get into.

Just an FYI - I am NOT a fan of incest so please don't expect any intimate scenes with Laia or Rin's dad or something lol.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

9. HOT TOPIC:

The maintenance hallway crackled with energy as Rina emerged, flames curling gently around her fingers like satin ribbons of fire. Her heels clicked with purpose. Her hips swayed like she was walking a red carpet to hell.

She strutted toward the dance floor, where the remnants of the club were buzzing with confusion- music cut off, strobes frozen mid-flash, and at the center of it all...

Him.

The man-turned-glowing-nightmare from the alley now stood in the ruins of the VIP section, shirt half-burned off, veins lit up in sickly green light. His skin twitched and rippled with unstable energy, and his eyes...

His eyes locked onto her like prey.

Rina smirked.

"Well hello, big boy," she purred, popping a hand onto her hip. "Rough night?"

He growled, energy crackling across his arms. He stomped forward.

She licked her lips. "Okay, I'll bite."

She raised a hand, fire blooming from her palm like a flame-kissed rose, and flicked it toward him with a practiced little wrist twist that sent it spiraling toward his chest.

BOOM.

He barely flinched.

The fire absorbed into him and made him glow brighter.

Rina's smirk widened. "Oh. You like it rough."

He charged.

She laughed, spinning out of the way in a whirl of hair and glitter. Her heels sparked against the floor as she ducked behind the DJ booth, calling over her shoulder:

"Catch me and I'll let you buy me dinner!"

He roared and gave chase.

Rina flipped a table with one leg and vaulted over it, twisting in mid-air to throw another blast behind her - this one grazing his shoulder.

"Oops," she teased.

He screamed in frustration and hurled a barstool that missed her by inches, embedding in the wall like a javelin.

"Sis," she whispered internally. "Please tell me you've got something helpful!"

*MAKE HIM ABSORB EXCESSIVE ENERGY UNTIL SYSTEM FAILURE. RECOMMENDED: TAUNT, TEASE, AND DUMP EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT INTO HIM.*

She grinned.

"Oh honey," she said aloud, tossing her hair. "You're not the first man who couldn't handle me."

She led him to the center of the dance floor with a dramatic strut - hips swaying, fire dancing at her fingertips like fireworks waiting for permission.

She spun on her heel, turned to face him, and struck a pose.

"Come on, glowstick daddy. Let's make this dance floor burn."

He lunged.

She launched.

Flames erupted in brilliant bursts, not to harm, but to overwhelm, an avalanche of light and heat that pulsed and pushed, goading his body to keep absorbing, keep glowing, keep reaching critical mass.

He tried to grab her.

She ducked under his arm and whispered near his ear, "Bet you've never had a girl make you explode before."

He screamed.

His body seized, every vein pulsing with green fire.

Rina backed up, heels skidding slightly on the scorched tiles, and raised one hand high.

Flame spiraled up her arm like a ribbon from a rhythmic gymnast in heat.

Then-

BOOM.

He exploded into light.

A shockwave of heat and emerald fire erupted from his body before collapsing inward, like a dying sun vanishing into itself. Rina threw up her arms, bracing against the wave. The club windows shattered. Bottles behind the bar burst like glass fireworks.

And then... silence.

Ash floated gently in the air.

Rina lowered her arms, chest heaving. Her bodysuit was scorched at the edges. Her heels were definitely down to their last thread of structural integrity. But she was still standing.

She tilted her head, struck a pose, and blew a kiss into the smoky air.

"Next time, bring lube."

*THREAT NEUTRALIZED* Sis chimed.

"Yeah, yeah, add it to my Yelp reviews."

A voice from the bar gasped. "Holy shit."

Rina froze.

She turned.

A young bartender - barely legal, by the looks of it - stood just behind the shattered counter, eyes wide. Hands shaking.

Holding up his phone.

Recording.

And livestreaming.

Rina blinked.

"Wait. Are you filming me right now?!"

The kid gasped. "Y-you're amazing. You're, like, a hot wizard dominatrix!"

"... That's not inaccurate, but delete that immediately."

From the other side of the club, Laia stumbled in, breathless, clutching her clutch like a weapon. "I got most people out- except that one guy," she pointed.

Rina glanced at Laia, then the bartender, then the still-smoldering floor.

Then-

*MISS STARLAI* Sis interrupted, *SUGGESTING IMMEDIATE EXTRACTION. WITNESSES PRESENT. VITALS DROPPING. AROUSAL LEVEL SPIKING AGAIN-*

"YES, SIS. DO THE THING!"

Just as the bartender shouted "Wait, can I get your Insta?!", a column of flame exploded upward around Rina and Laia, engulfing them in a vortex of heat and glittering smoke.

Then-gone.

The club fell silent once more.

The only thing left was a half-melted fire hydrant, a heel, and a singed napkin that read: "Hot girls save lives."

Rina and Laia landed face-first on the velvet floor of the temple base.

Rina groaned into the carpet. "Sis, next time... less dramatic flare."

*YOU'RE WELCOME, HOT WIZARD DOMINATRIX.*

Laia rolled onto her back, breathless. "That. Was. AWESOME."

Rina just stared at the ceiling, eyes wide.

"... I think I need a fan page."

Rina lay flat on the velvet floor of her base, spread-eagle like a fallen angel in five-inch heels. Her makeup was smeared. Her bodysuit was clinging to her in new and indecent ways. One heel was broken clean off.

She didn't move for a full minute.

Laia flopped beside her, equally winded but beaming. "That was the most fun I've had since I got kicked out of a bachelorette party for flirting with the groom."

Rina groaned. "I'm never wearing synthetic leather again. I think my crotch is permanently steamed."

Laia let out a breathless laugh. "You were on fire. Literally. Figuratively. Sexually. That guy looked like he wanted to burst for you."

"I'm not even sure he didn't," Rina muttered.

*CONGRATULATIONS, MISS STARLAI,* Sis said smugly over the intercom. *THREAT LEVEL 3 DEFEATED. PUBLICITY LEVEL: 10.1K NEW FANS IN 8 MINUTES.*

"What?!"

Laia perked up. "Sis, show us the feed!"

A holographic screen shimmered to life in front of them, filled with trending posts.

"Who IS this fire goddess???"

"She can throw me like a fireball anytime ????"

"Why is her ass jiggling in slow-mo?? I'm obsessed."

#FireQueen #BarBabeBurnout #HotHeroEnergy

Rina dragged her hands down her face. "Oh my god. I'm a meme."

Laia squealed, scrolling. "You're a THIRST TRAP, babe! These edits? Cinematic. Who knew flames and fishnets were a winning combo?"

"I was trying to fight," Rina groaned.

"You were serving and fighting," Laia corrected. "Honestly, the United Nations should be calling by now."

Rina pulled herself up to a sitting position, the ache in her core making her wince. "God, that fight stirred up everything. I need a pressure release before I explode again."

Laia blinked. "Like... now now?"

"I mean..." Rina glanced down at her scorched thigh strap, which had half-snapped. "It's either that or start a fire in your purse."

Laia raised both hands. "Say no more. Med Room's that way, babe. I'll go heat up some tea and not think about my cousin's magical prostate situation."

Rina rolled her eyes. "It's not a prostate situation. It's a mystical regulation method with... unfortunate logistics."

*YOU'RE JUST HORNY, MISS RINA* Sis chimed in, chipper as ever.

"SHUT UP, SIRI."

Laia laughed all the way down the hallway. "Good luck, Hot Wizard Dominatrix!"

Rina flipped her off, then groaned again as she stood - barely - and made her way to the Med Room for a much-needed... cooldown.

She passed the mirror in the Glam Room on her way and caught her reflection.

She paused.

Hair slightly singed but still fabulous. Lips smudged in a way that screamed "post-fight or post-fuck - your call." Body glistening with sweat, eyes still glowing faintly.

She smiled to herself.

"... I am kind of that bitch."

Then she limped off to handle her "regulation."

The steam of the Med Room curled around Rina's bare skin like a lover's touch, warm, clinging, slow. She sank deeper into the hot spring, letting the heat soak into her aching thighs, her bruised ego, and her still-glowing core.

Her head fell back against the edge of the spring, long hair fanning behind her like liquid shadow. The faint pulse of the amulet in her ass throbbed with a lazy, satisfied rhythm.

"God," she whispered, eyes fluttering shut. "I need this. I earned this."

The water lapped at her waist, every movement sending waves of warmth lapping between her legs. Her skin shimmered faintly with fire magic, flickering just beneath the surface, little sparks dancing across her collarbone, her chest, her thighs.

She shifted her hips.

A spark jumped. The ache pulsed again.

Her hand dipped below the surface. Just a brush. Just a tease. Fingertips gliding across her stomach, over the swell of her hips, between her legs.

"Mmhh..."

Her breath hitched.

The water shimmered hotter around her, reacting to her desire. A trail of steam curled up her chest, coiling around her neck like a phantom touch.

She opened her legs slightly.

The ache deepened. She pulled on her plug and pushed it back in - a repetitive motion, connecting with the pulse of the amulet.

A phantom memory of the fight played in her mind - the way she'd flipped her hair after dodging a punch, the way her body arched with every blast of flame. The look on that drugged-up bastard's face when she'd whispered, "Is it hot in here, or is it just me?"

She smiled to herself.

"I'm kind of a slut for drama, aren't I?"

The water rippled.

Her fingers slid down again. Lower this time. A light touch that made her gasp.

The amulet flared beneath the waterline--responding, encouraging, syncing to her heartbeat. She could feel it thrum with every motion. It wanted this. She wanted this.

"Sis," she breathed.

YES, MISS STARLAI?

"Privacy, please."

ENGAGING SOUND BARRIER AND VITAL REGULATION MODE. ENJOY YOURSELF, MADAME.

"Oh, I plan to..."

Rina let her fingers wander, tracing lazy circles around her heat, never quite giving herself what she wanted. She bit her lip, hips rolling just enough to make ripples dance.

Every motion sent sparks curling up her spine. Every breath made the water hiss softly against her skin.

She pictured him again - the guy from the club. The way his hand had gripped her waist. The way his lips nearly brushed her ear. His voice, low and dangerous: "You're kind of incredible, you know that?"

She pulled out the plug and slid two fingers deeper, let her head fall back, and moaned softly into the steam.

"I bet you'd love this," she whispered to no one. "Watching me squirm like this. Slick, glowing, begging for it..."

The flames beneath her skin surged - she arched, thighs parting wider as the heat concentrated between them.

Power pulsed.

Her body trembled.

The amulet glowed like a star.

She was right there, on the edge of release, power and pleasure blurring, her body pulsing with heat and craving and fire and-

She gasped.

The flames inside her exploded outward in a silent flash, illuminating the room with a golden burst. The water hissed around her, glowing with firelight. Her body arched once, twice, then collapsed back into the spring like a satisfied goddess.

Steam billowed.

Magic settled.

And Rina... smiled.

"Reset complete," she whispered, dazed and breathless.

*VITALS STABILIZED. ENERGY FLOW RESTORED. MOOD: SULTRY.*

She let out a laugh that turned into a moan.

"Damn right."

-- ELSEWHERE...

In a sleek tower miles away, a holographic feed played silently in a dimly lit room. Multiple screens showed slowed-down footage of Rina StarLai's latest fight - each one frozen on different angles: the hair flip mid-fireball, the strut after the takedown, the smirk before she disappeared in flames.

A tall woman in a suit stepped into the light, arms crossed.

"She's untrained," she said, voice cool and calculating. "Raw. Sloppy. But... powerful."

Behind her, a man with glowing cybernetic eyes leaned in closer to the screen. "I ran a trace on the energy signature. Definitely not local tech. Or magic. This came from the Deep Well."

The woman narrowed her eyes. "And her name?"

A third figure emerged from the shadows, their face hidden behind a gold-plated mask.

"Rina StarLai," they said softly. "Let's see how bright she burns before she draws too much attention."

The room fell quiet again... except for the flicker of flame across the screen.

10. AFTERMATH:

The front door creaked open just past noon. Rin and Laia slipped inside like teenagers coming home past curfew, still sore, still dazed, still very much aware they had saved a nightclub from an actual glowing maniac.

Rin's hoodie was pulled halfway over his face. Laia had sunglasses on indoors and a slight limp from running in heels she didn't even wear.

They tried to tiptoe upstairs.

"Good morning," came his mother's voice from the kitchen, way too casual.

Rin froze. "Hi, Mom."

Laia gave a sheepish wave. "Morning, Auntie!"

His mom didn't look up from the sink. "You two smell like sweat, smoke, and questionable decisions."

"... We went dancing," Rin offered weakly.

She hummed. "Mmm. I'm sure you danced. All night?"

Laia opened her mouth to answer, but Rin yanked her upstairs by the arm before she could incriminate them further.

Rin's bathroom was already full of steam by the time Laia barged in with a towel over her shoulder and zero shame in her stride.

He was halfway undressed, tugging off his mesh crop top like it had personally offended him. "Do you mind?!"

"Do I look like I care?" she said, sliding her earrings off with a dramatic flourish. "You almost exploded in a club. I think we've passed the point of modesty."

"I don't usually share post-battle rinse-offs, okay?"

"Well, get used to it, Wonder Thong. I'm not sitting through dinner smelling like you rode a fire demon into battle."

Rin rolled his eyes and turned on the water. "Fine. But no commentary."

Laia was already shimmying out of her glitter-dusted skirt. "No promises."

"Okay but real talk," Laia said, "how do you get your ass that perky? Is it the heels? Or the magic? Be honest."

Rin groaned. "It's not magic. It's squats and shame."

Laia cackled. "Well, damn, all that squatting and you still got a micro-magic wand down there?"

He gasped. "LAIA."

She leaned on the tiled wall, smug. "What? I've seen it. I'm allowed. It's very... compact. Adorable, even."

"Compact?!" Rin was bright red. "It's average!"

"In Japan, maybe," she teased.

He let the water hit his face like it could wash away the embarrassment. "You are the worst cousin in existence."

"You love me," she sang, rinsing shampoo out of her hair. "Now hurry up, before your mom thinks we're doing something weird."

"Too late," he muttered.

-

By the time they made it downstairs, Rin had on the most oversized sweatshirt he owned, and Laia was in a hoodie-dress combo that said "God's Favorite Mess."

Dinner was simple - bibimbap, kimchi, and soft egg rolls. Rin's dad was already seated, scrolling on his phone.

His mom served them without a word, watching with that signature passive mom-glare that said I know everything, but I'm choosing violence later.

Rin took a bite and tried not to think about the fire fight, the fan edits, or the fact that his prosthetic amulet was still charging in the base's forge room.

"So," his dad said, mid-chew. "That fire lady. Rina. She's still trending."

Laia perked up. "Oh, totally. She's everywhere. She's hot. Like, literally."

His dad grunted. "Damn shame no one knows who she is. If I had powers like that, I'd be cleaning up this city left and right."

Rin's mom glanced at Rin. Just for a second. A knowing glint in her eyes.

Then she smiled. "Maybe she just needs a little more time. She's probably still figuring herself out."

Rin stared at her, chopsticks halfway to his mouth.

Was that a double meaning?

She met his gaze, smiled again, and sipped her tea.

She knew something.

She knew.

And she wasn't saying a word.

Back upstairs, Rin flopped onto his bed face-first with a dramatic groan. Laia perched on the desk chair, stealing the last few sips from his canned milk tea.

"You're so dramatic," she said through the straw.

"I fought a glowing meth hulk in heels last night and then had to pretend I didn't know what TikTok was during dinner. I've earned this drama."

Laia leaned back, spinning lazily in the chair. "So... are we just not gonna talk about you getting tongue-tied with Captain Hot Arms on the dance floor?"

Rin's groan deepened.

"Oh yes, baby. I saw it. That little hip sway. That flirty laugh. You were giggling, Rin."

"I was NOT giggling."

"You did that thing where your voice goes up and you try to act like you're not totally flustered. It's your anime protagonist 'Senpai noticed me' moment." She leaned in. "You liked him."

Rin rolled onto his side, arms wrapped around a pillow. "... I don't know. It was nice. Weird, but nice."

"And?"

"And I panicked! The ache kicked in, the glowing guy showed up, and everything went nuclear - literally. Kissing wasn't exactly top priority after that."

Laia smirked. "I dunno. Looked pretty high on the list until your magical butt plug buzzed the danger alarm."

"Please stop calling it that."

"I will do no such thing."

There was a beat of quiet. Rin stared up at the ceiling, Laia twirling slightly in the chair.

"I think I wanted to kiss him for real," he admitted.

Before Laia could respond, a sudden flash of light blinked across Rin's phone screen.

A glowing symbol appeared - one he didn't recognize. Clean, geometric, pulsing faintly. It hovered above the screen for a second, like it was burned into the air itself.

Then a message followed, plain text:

"Your presence has been noted. We'll be in touch."

Rin sat bolt upright. "What the hell... Sis?!"

Laia leaned in. "Was that...?"

*I DID NOT SEND THAT,* Sis replied in his ear, tone unusually clipped. *THE SIGNAL ORIGINATES FROM AN OUTSIDE NETWORK. ENERGY SIGNATURE: UNKNOWN... BUT POWERFUL.*

Rin and Laia exchanged a look.

"... Do you think it's..." Laia asked. "The Unity?"

Rin stared at the screen.

The message faded.

But the symbol lingered in his mind... like a warning.

"... I think someone's watching."

Rin was still staring at the now-black screen, mind reeling.

Laia, on the other hand, was already lounging back on his bed like the message was a weird text from an MLM recruiter.

"Well, that's ominous," she said, stretching. "So... speaking of powerful forces beyond your control - let's talk about Hot Guy again."

Rin blinked. "Are you seriously doing this right now?"

"Oh, especially now. You kissed a man who looked like he does push-ups for foreplay, and then your magical gay Bat-Signal lit up. This is peak storytelling."

Rin buried his face in the pillow. "I hate you."

Laia flopped next to him. "Okay, real question. If he had went further with you... what would've happened?"

"I don't know!" Rin groaned. "I probably would've panicked. Or melted. Or both. Simultaneously."

"You'd have short-circuited your own body trying to figure out if you're supposed to moan or throw a fireball."

"... You're the worst."

She grinned. "Alright, alright. Time for lightning round: Kink Edition."

"NO-"

"You have to answer or I'll text him myself."

"You don't even have his number!"

"Don't test me. I'm very charming and the club has security footage."

Rin groaned again, defeated.

"Fine. ONE question."

"Oh no, sweetie. This is a game now." Laia clapped her hands. "Alright. Spit or swallow?"

"LAIA."

"Top, bottom, switch?"

"I-I'm a cautious... side," Rin offered weakly.

A pause.

Then-

*CORRECTION: BOTTOM,* Sis declared brightly from the ceiling speakers.

Rin's soul left his body. "SIS?!"

Laia gasped, a grin spreading across her face. "No. No no no - don't tell me she has stats?!"

*SUBMISSIVE TRAITS DETECTED IN 89.6% OF RECORDED INTERACTIONS. BEHAVIORAL FLAGS: SELF-GAGGING, ARCHING, VOCAL STAGGER, AND-*

"SIS. I will throw you into the sun."

*WOULD YOU LIKE VISUAL CONFIRMATION?*

"No, she would not," Rin snapped, flailing to unplug anything nearby.

"Yes, she would," Laia countered, grinning like a demon.

Before Rin could stop it, a holographic screen lit up above them.

It was him - Rina - on all fours in the Med Room, mid-session with that familiar dildo from Laia's "box." His bodysuit pushed aside, his back arched to perfection, his moans echoing faintly through the speakers as the footage looped just long enough to include the phrase:

*"Nnnghh-yes, right there-FUCK it's so deep-"*

Rin screamed into a pillow.

Laia screamed into life.

"Oh my GOD. You're a fucking porn hologram. This is ART. The form. The technique. The way your heels never come off?! RINNIE."

"TURN IT OFF," he begged, face beet red, entire body curled up like a dying spider.

*FOOTAGE SAVED TO FAVORITES.* Sis added cheerfully.

Laia wiped a tear, barely breathing. "I just watched my cousin impale himself with my dildo via fire magic projection, and I want you to know... this is better than therapy."

"I'm blocking both of you," Rin said into the mattress. "I'm blocking reality."

"Tell the truth though-" Laia nudged him. "Was it good?"

"... It was okay."

*CORRECTION: NINE ORGASMS IN 13 MINUTES,* Sis reported.

"OH MY GOD."

"Well you're very welcome, Rinnie." Laia laughed.

They giggled into the night.