Elara's eyes widened at the sight of Adeyemi in distress, her previous determination now giving way to concern. "Adeyemi..." she whispered, taking a step towards her friend.

  Cassie, still wearing her smug smile, took a step toward Elara, clearly enjoying the power she held in this moment. "Well? What's it going to be, babe? Your friend looks like she's gonna burst any second now.”

  Elara clenched her fists, torn between anger and worry. She knew Cassie had the upper hand.

  "Damn it..." she muttered under her breath, conflicted at the choice in front of her.

  Adeyemi whimpered, her face contorted in discomfort as she fought against the effects of the curse.

  "Elara...it's okay..." she managed to gasp out. "Don't...give in…”

  Adeyemi, through clenched teeth, tried to give her friend a reassuring smile. "It's...okay..." she managed to say, her voice strained.

  Cassie, taking in the exchange, couldn't help but chime in. "Oh, such loyalty. How touching," she mocked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

  Elara's resolve was weakening with every passing second, her friend's distress and Cassie's taunts pushing her to the brink.

  Elara's heart was pounding, torn between her friend's well-being and her own desire for answers. She hated feeling so trapped, so helpless. But what choice did she have now?

  Cassie's smirk grew wider as she saw the gem sprite's hesitation, clearly enjoying the power she held over her. "Come on, doll. You know what you gotta do. Or are you gonna let your little friend here suffer some more?”

  Elara clenched her hands into fists, feeling like she was in a corner. She looked at Adeyemi, whose face was contorted in painful discomfort, and couldn't bear the sight any longer. She had to give in.

  "Fine. You win. I'm giving you Gabrielle..." she managed to say through gritted teeth, her words cutting deep into her own pride.

  Cassie's smirk turned into a triumphant grin as she heard Elara's surrender. "Well, well. Looks like you finally came to your senses." she jeered, clearly enjoying her victory.

  Adeyemi, though still in pain, shot Elara an apologetic look, feeling guilty that her friend had to surrender.

  Elara returned the remorseful look, feeling a pang of guilt at giving in. But what choice did she really have? She couldn't let Adeyemi suffer like this.

  "Just...make the pain stop...." she said quietly, her eyes fixed on Cassie.

  Cassie nodded, a satisfied smile still on her face as she snapped her fingers. "Lotte, the curse, remove it." she commanded.

  Lotte, standing nearby and quietly observing the whole situation, stepped forward upon hearing Cassie's order. She silently lifted a finger, and the curse was lifted instantly.

  Adeyemi, who had been struggling intensely, immediately felt the release from the curse. "Ah! That's better...!" she breathed, a relieved sigh escaping her lips.

  Elara felt a rush of relief seeing Adeyemi's expression relax from pain, her heart swelling at the sight.

  Cassie, still wearing a smug grin, turned back to Elara. "There. Your little friend's pain is over. Now, hand over Gabrielle.”

  Elara took a steadying breath, preparing herself for the next part of the deal. It was painful, but... it was the only way to save Adeyemi and to get what she wanted.

  "Alright..." she said quietly, steeling her resolve. "Gabrielle is yours.”

  Cassie's grin widened as she heard Elara's words. "Excellent." she replied, clearly pleased with the outcome.

  Adeyemi, now feeling much better, looked at Elara with a mixture of gratitude and concern. "Elara..." she whispered, her voice laced with guilt for putting her friend in this position.

  Elara returned the glance, managing a weak smile for her friend. "It's... it's fine..." she said quietly, even though it really wasn't. She felt like she had disappointed Adeyemi and herself. But... there was no turning back now.

  "Welp," Cassie said, beginning to slowly turn around to where Gabrielle was restrained. "'Guess we'll be freeing Gabby and taking our leave!"

  But before Cassie fully turned her back on them, she turned right back around, her gaze now settled on Alice, Rachel, and Zalgo, the three girls freezing at the demoness's gaze.

  "Haha, nope!" Cassie said, her grin widening. "I know you two remember me, c'mon now! Or were ya three just too scared to stand up to li'l ol' me?! We ain't leavin' without y'all!”

  Elara's heart sank at Cassie's words, panic settling in. She had thought this was over, that they had finally come to an agreement. But now it seemed like it was just the beginning.

  "Wait, what do you mean?! That wasn't the deal!" she protested, anger seeping into her voice.

  Cassie turned back to Elara, her smug grin still present on her face. "Oh, my mistake. I guess I was a little off on the deal," she replied sarcastically.

  Elara clenched her hands into fists, her frustration mounting. "You...you can't change the deal like that!" she fumed, her voice rising.

  Cassie raised an eyebrow, enjoying how worked up the gem sprite was getting. "And who's gonna stop me, babe?" she taunted, her smirk widening.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Elara bristled at Cassie's mocking tone. "You're... you're a real piece of work, you know that?!" she retorted, feeling increasingly helpless.

  Ciel then stepped in front of Alice and her two friends, staring down the demon before her. "You're not touching any of them.”

  Cassie turned her attention to Ciel, her cocky smirk not faltering. "Oh? And what are you gonna do about it, huh?" she sneered, clearly underestimating Ciel's capabilities.

  Ciel crossed her arms, her expression firm and unwavering. "I won't let you lay a hand on them. So, back off." she replied, her tone leaving no room for argument.

  Cassie chuckled at Ciel's unwavering determination, still not seeing her as a significant threat. "You have guts, I'll give you that. But that won't help you against me." she taunted, her smirk never faltering.

  Ciel clenched her fists, her determination only growing stronger. "I'm not afraid of you." she retorted firmly, her voice laced with defiance.

  Cassie's smile widened as she stepped closer to Ciel, clearly testing her boundaries. "Oh, really? Are you sure about that?" she sneered, her words holding a clear dare.

  Ciel's heart pounded as Cassie stepped closer, but she didn't budge. Her determination was unshakeable. "I'm positive," she replied with unwavering conviction, not backing down for a second.

  Cassie scoffed at Ciel's steadfastness, still underestimating her. "You're either a brave or a fool." she sneered, her voice laced with mockery. She took another step closer, closing the distance between them.

  Ciel's heart raced faster as Cassie moved closer, but she held her ground, her gaze fixated on the demoness. "Maybe I'm both." she replied, her words filled with unwavering courage.

  Cassie laughed again, her smugness on full display now. "You've got spunk, kid. I'll give ya that. But, your bravery is misplaced." She moved even closer still, just mere inches away from Ciel now.

  Ciel then turned to Hikaru, calling their name. Hikaru did the deed, and they teleported the IOTA members, Alice and friends, Elara, and Ciel out of the room, leaving just the Cabal members, including the still-restrained Gabrielle,

  The Cabal members shared Cassie's irritation and confusion. They had been caught off guard by Ciel's quick thinking and strategic move.

  Cassie's mind raced, trying to come up with a plan. "How the hell did they manage to escape, damnit!" she growled, the situation slipping out of her control.

  Lotte's usually unperturbed demeanor showed a hint of frustration. "This isn't good. Ciel played us" she remarked, her expression unusually tense.

  Cassie clenched her fists in a fit of anger, her frustration boiling over. "You think?! They completely blindsided us." she snapped, her frustration directed at Lotte.

  Lotte, still trying to maintain her usual calm, responded, "Cassie, calm down. Getting angry won't help."

  Cassie shot her a glare, unable to contain her irritation. "Don't tell me to calm down! We had them right there, and now they're gone!"

  "Somehow had a feeling they were gonna disappear like some li'l bitches," Brittany quipped with a wide grin on her face.

  Cassie turned her attention to Brittany, not in the mood for any more smart comments. "Shut it, Britt!" she snapped, her annoyance reaching its peak.

  Brittany's smirk widened, seemingly enjoying Cassie's irritation. "Aw, what's the matter, huh? Can't handle a little setback?" she taunted, her tone dripping with mock sympathy.

  Cassie's jaw clenched tighter as Brittany's taunt fueled her anger even more. "Ugh, you're such a pain in the ass, you know that?" she retorted, her patience wearing thin.

  Brittany just chuckled, enjoying how easily she could get under Cassie's skin. "You're too easy to mess with, Cass." she replied, her smirk widening. "Anyways, are ya ready to free Gabrielle or what?”

  Cassie huffed, still annoyed by the group's escape, but knowing they had to move on. "Fine, let's get this over with." she muttered, making her way to Gabrielle.

  Brittany just chuckled again, still amused by Cassie's irritation. "Don't let it bother ya too much, demon princess." she teased, clearly enjoying Cassie's annoyance.

  Cassie shot her a warning glare as she reached Gabrielle, her eyes filled with irritation. "That's Queen of the Nether Realm for ya, Britt." she muttered, untying Gabrielle's restraints.

  Gabrielle looked relieved as the restraints were loosened, a mix of emotions crossing her expression as she was finally freed.

  "Finally..." she breathed out, still unable to move her body due to Iritscen’s special serum. "Dammit, still can't move."

  Cassie grumbled under her breath, her mood still soured by the earlier events. "About time, huh?" she said, still not entirely pleased.

  Brittany still couldn't help but smirk, her eyes flickering with amusement. "Relax, Cass. We got her out in the end, no?"

  Lotte stepped up to Gabrielle, assessing her condition. "Still can't move, you say?”

  Gabrielle nodded, frustration etched on her face. "Yeah, still can't move," she replied, her voice tinged with annoyance. "That damn serum is still taking its effect."

  Lotte crossed her arms, assessing the situation. "I see. Iritscen's serum is quite potent. It will take some time before it wears off.”

  Gabrielle frowned, not exactly pleased with the news. "Of course it is," she muttered, trying to hide her frustration. "But wait, isn't curing ailments your thing? Why can't you cure me right now?"

  Lotte shook her head, her expression still calm. "Keeping that spell on that knight took too much out of me since she was so powerful. I have practically no aura left after that."

  Brittany leaned against a wall, unable to hold back a smug smile. "Well, well, Gab, looks like you're gonna be stuck there for a while then, huh?”

  Gabrielle shot a glare at Brittany, clearly not amused. "Oh, shut it, Britt. I don't want to hear it from you right now," she retorted, her tone laced with annoyance.

  Cassie just gritted her teeth, still seething from the group's escape earlier. "Seriously, Britt? You gotta rub it in?"

  Brittany chuckled, her smirk widening. "Hey, just stating the obvious, Cass. Don't get so worked up over it.”

  Cassie let out a frustrated sigh, not in the mood for Brittany's playful jabs. "Ugh, you're impossible, you know that?" she grumbled, trying to reign in her growing impatience.

  Brittany just chuckled again, clearly enjoying the banter. "Aw, come on, Cass. Lighten up a bit, will ya? Can't let a lil' comment get under your skin so easily."

  Cassie rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin. "I swear, sometimes you're unbearable. Let's at least get out of this crappy place first.”

  Brittany held up her hands in mock surrender, still wearing her signature smirk. "Fine, fine, no more teasing for now." she replied, knowing that it was only adding to Cassie's annoyance.

  Lotte, always the mediator, interjected with a calm voice. "Let's just get back to our base. Then we can all relax and cool off."

  The Cabal members nodded in agreement, knowing it was time to head back to their base.

  Cassie stepped forward, her shoulders tense with irritation as she created a portal. "Alright, let's make this quick. The sooner we get outta here, the better."

  The others followed suit, preparing to enter the portal.

  Lotte gave Gabrielle a glance, her eyes reflecting a hint of concern. "Can you walk?" she inquired.

  Gabrielle attempted to stand up, her limbs still weak from the effects of the serum. "I'm trying," she replied through clenched teeth, but her legs buckled beneath her, unable to fully support her weight.

  Lotte nodded, understanding Gabrielle's condition. "Looks like you're not quite ready to walk yet. Hang on."

  She bent down, carefully lifting Gabrielle with ease. "I'll carry you through the portal," she said, adjusting her grip to make sure Gabrielle was secure.

  Brittany let out a smirk. "Aw, how sweet. Who knew Lotte was such a princess carrier?"

  Lotte interjected before the bickering could escalate further. "Alright, let's save the banter for later. Time to go through the portal."

  Cassie nodded, gesturing towards the gateway. "Right. After you.”

  Lotte carefully carried Gabrielle through the portal, making sure her cargo was secure. The others followed suit, passing through the shimmering gateway.