Chihiro winced as she fell into a room before she even had a chance to speak. Her legs gave out in the moment, leaving the rest of her to collapse on the floor. She groaned as she pushed herself up to her knees, and rubbed her eyes as she glanced around at the decor—or the lack thereof.

With all the dresses, robes, crowns, and other things that surrounded her, the whole place looked a bit more like a dressing room than something she'd expect to find in a temple.

She wasn't going to complain. Rather, she wanted answers! What was with that cursed mist? Who were these ghost girls, and what were they doing with her and Spyro? Why was everyone fighting each other? How was that mist monster thing completely immune to her attack? Well, judging by the look Payiz gave her, it seemed Chihiro would get her answera soon.

"So, I'm sure you've seen that cursed mist, right?" Payiz asked as she floated in and closed the door behind her. When Chihiro slowly nodded, Payiz nodded in turn and floated off towards the clothes.

"That's the curse of the Odivia, a monster that feeds off of hatred. It uses its magic to instill hate in beings’ hearts, and turn them against one another so it can feed and grow stronger. Ages ago, it awakened in our town, and a ritual was performed keep it sealed—"

"I feel like there's a big but coming in all this," Chihiro remarked.

"But, the seal itself needs to be reapplied every year by a couple with a strong, unwavering love for one another to stay." Payiz sighed and pulled a colorful dress from the racks. "Normally the high priest and priestess perform the sealing ritual, but they" — Payiz winced and put the dress away — "had a dispute. So, we'll just have you and your partner do it in their steed!"

"But, is that really gonna work?" Chihiro stood up and scratched her head. "I don't know anything about ancient rituals, and when we tried to fight it, it didn't work at all—"

"That's because fighting and conflict is the stuff it feeds on! Rather, it needs a special display of love~" Payiz giggled and spun around with all the glee of a schoolgirl as she clasped her hands. "A passionate dance, ending in an act of the couple's passionate romance!"

An act of passionate romance? Wait, would that mean Payiz thought Chihiro and Spyro were… Chihiro gulped and shook her head, for that feeling of having cold water dumped right on top of her suddenly returned right in that instant. The thought of them being seen as a couple left her stomach churning once more, but, if she didn't do this, that monster would keep raging around and make everyone fight! But, surely she wouldn't have to do that, right?

Well, before Chihiro could even protest, Payiz pushed her towards the clothing racks with the widest grin. Payiz jumped from rack to rack as she shuffled through the fancy robes, and pulled out a long, flowing gown colored in shades of minty green and white, with layers upon layers of jewels laid over the neck. She pressed the gown to Chihiro, her smile wide with expectancy, and dropped it in Chihiro's arms.

"Of course, you'll have to look the part, too!" Payiz proclaimed. "The high priestess wore this robe for last year's ceremony."

So this was the girl's outfit? Chihiro didn't really know why, but something about wearing the girl's one specifically didn't really sit right with her. Judging by the look on Payiz's face, she seemed to understand as well. Payiz gently lifted the gown from Chihiro, put it back on the rack, and grabbed a white gown. This one was a bit tighter compared to the other, and had a red jacket over the chest, a fancy hat, and its own lion's share of jewelry.

"Of course, you could wear the high priest's outfit if that doesn't fit."

Chihiro narrowed her eyes as she ran her hand along the smooth fabric of the new robe, but something about that didn't really sit right with her either. She glanced back at the high priestess's outfit as it sat on the rack, and then at the high priest's outfit as it sat in her hands. Maybe, she could do both?

Chihiro hummed, grabbed the high priestess outfit from the rack, and rushed towards a small door at the back—probably the changing room. When she opened the door and her suspicions were confirmed, Chihiro jumped in.

Moments later, she jumped back out in the high priestess's robe, with the high priest's jacket and hat fitted over it and its jewels laid around her neck. The fabric was comfortable and loose while not being overly likely to trip her on her fancy new attire. She couldn't help but twirl around a few times in it!

"Much better," Chihiro proclaimed.

Payiz clapped her hands, took Chihiro by the hand and floated down. "If that's the case, follow me. We'll meet up with your partner and walk you through the dance."

that feeling of unrest bubbled in Chihiro's chest as they walked, and she frowned and clasped her hand.

"Just one question. You and your friend seem to know a whole lot about this ritual and stuff, so can't you just perform it yourselves?"

"Afraid not." Payiz turned a little more solemn as her hands clasped tight together. "It needs a pair of lovers specifically, and neither of us are in a relationship. There's someone I've been wanting to confess too, for a long, long time, but she…" Payiz shook her head. "It wouldn't work, not for this."

"It can't just be anyone then, can it?"

"No, hatred like that of the Odivia's requires a strong romance to beat. The high priest and priestess were in love for so long, and they were one of the most passionate couples around, so they'd always taken it down before the night even began! Them fighting out of nowhere, and on such short notice, took us all by surprise. In fact, we'd been looking for them when we found you! I'd much prefer to try and have them do it, but it seems we'd run out of time."

Chihiro kinda would have preferred getting them to do it too, but it seemed she had no options. With one more step, Payiz lead her into the heart of the temple, where Nemir, Havîn, and Spyro all stood and talked.

Spyro got decked out in all sorts of gold bracelets and necklaces adorned with sparkly jewels since. The whole outfit was brought together with a sparkling gold circlet atop his forehead! She had to admit, he did look really nice in it all. It was like he came straight out of a story.

"Looks like they're here," Nemir said.

Havîn and Spyro both approached Payiz and Chihiro, but Spyro shied a tiny bit away from Chihiro's glance while his wings twitched. His tail restlessly swayed from side to side. Was he as nervous about this as she was? She was sure of it, so she knelt down and adjusted his circlet's position a tiny bit.

"You know, you look good in jewels, Golden Boy," Chihiro remarked.

Spyro chuckled and lifted up the brim of Chihiro's hat. "You look pretty nice yourself!" he beamed, his tension seeming to relent a bit.

They both giggled, but a chilling touch on their backs quickly quelled their laughter. They turned to Havîn and Payiz, and found them both in a close embrace with hands held tight as they prepared to dance. Looks like it was time to practice, so they both warily nodded at Havîn and Payiz before they could even ask.

"So, first you start by moving like this," Havîn said. She drew closer to Payiz while they both swayed back and forth, hands held tight against their waists. "Squeeze each other tight." Havîn drew Payiz close, so close that their faces were only inches away. They released as they both floated around each other, not once taking their eyes off of the other. "Now, just spin into each other's embrace…"

Chihiro couldn't help but smile a bit as the two of them danced. They didn't say a word, yet she could tell that they must've loved each other a lot. They looked at each other so sweetly, so tenderly, and they held each other with such care. Could Havîn had been the being, er, ghost Payiz was telling her about? She couldn't have guessed otherwise.

The two of them smiled and drew in close. Payiz pulled in like she was going to kiss Havîn, but her eyes went wide, and they both furiously blushed as they drew back.

"As you can see, that's what you have to do," Havîn explained, and blushed furiously as she snatched glances at Payiz. "You try it, then!"

"Ah, young love," Nemir whispered, folding his hands together. "Makes me think of when I was a boy."

Chihiro chuckled, turned to Spyro and held out a hand. "We might as well get some practice in too, while we're here."

Spyro chuckled and took Chihiro's hand in his paw, his grip soft and gentle as he held her tight. Now, they swayed back and forth first, right? The two of them swayed as she remembered Havîn and Payiz did. Chihiro took a small glance back as Havîn and Payiz glanced over and grinned back at them. They nodded furiously, like they urged her to continue.

Chihiro beamed, and she and Spyro continued their dance as she recalled Havîn and Payiz did. Honestly, it was kind of fun! The world around them disappeared, and she and Spyro danced together with the biggest grins on their faces. They laughed, and spun around without a care in the world…

"Alright, now for the big finale: the act of a passionate romance!"

That single call froze every bone in her bone. Chihiro stopped midway through her spin with Spyro, left wide-eyed like a deer in the headlights. She stared at Spyro while he bore a similar expression. They, they had to do something romantic, right? Oh god, she just couldn't do it! The thought of romance, it, it was just too much!

Spyro winced and drew away, but cleared his throat as he turned to Havîn and Payiz with a weary smile. "We'll, uh, we'll save that for when the actual ritual happens," Spyro said, but Chihiro could tell from the tone in his voice that he lied. Not that she complained, for clearly, he was as uncomfortable with the idea as she was.

Havîn and Payiz both nodded, frowned and turned to each other as they whispered something at such low volume that Chihiro could barely make it out. Were they leery of her and Spyro now? Was this not going to work out after all? Chihiro winced as the two of them drew back, and Payiz drew something purple and cloudy from her pocket.

"This is a ball of condensed malice. We'll use it to lure the Odivia here," Payiz explained as she floated off. "Follow me. We'll lure it just outside the temple, just so we can have somewhere to go if things go south."

"But, will it actually work?" Spyro asked as he flew after Payiz. "That thing could be anywhere by now!"

"Oh, it will." Payiz phased right through the barrier of the temple, and paid no mind as it warbled behind her. She laid the orb on the ground and held out her hands. "This stuff's like catnip for it. It can sniff it out from a mile away."

With a clap of her hands, the orb expanded and bubbled before finally expanding. It let off a scent akin to thoroughly-burnt, smoky food as its remains floated into the sky, and sent trails of smoke amid the clouds. It seemed as though nothing happened at first, for the area around remained just as tranquil.

Just then, the ground rumbled, and the sounds of angered shouting faintly rang in the air. Stones and dead twigs bounced on the ground like it was a trampoline as the rumbling grew louder. It was only barely drowned out by the shouting and angered insults. The familiar roar of a monster rang in the air, nearly leveling the plants around! The rumbling turned to pounding footsteps as something pink, blue, and smoky tore through the alleyways.

With one last thud, that, that monster, the Odivia, landed right in front of them!

Long ears like a bat's stretched from a thin muzzle with insectoid eyes and a pointed snout. Its body was bulky and muscular with clawed paws and torn wings stretching from its back, and its foggy mass formed into something a bit more like fur. A sharp tail with a fin shaped like a pair of intertwined circles with a cross pointing from the bottom end of one and an arrow from the top of the other hung from its rear. Something akin to glowing marks or runes reflected in its fur as it salivated out mist and let out low growls.

Behind it, a whole village's worth of red-eyed and angry ghosts trailed behind it. Just how many beings did it get to? However many they were, their eyes set on Spyro and Chihiro as they stepped out, and the Odivia stepped out in turn as it roared!

"The ritual, quick! Start it!" Havîn cried as she waved her hands.

Spyro and Chihiro glanced at each other, and for a moment, Chihiro saw a bit of hesitance in his golden eyes. Nonetheless, they both gulped and took each other, hand in paw, once more as they began swaying. Maybe it was the high expectations of before, or the fact that everyone's eyes were on them, or maybe just the fact that a giant, salivating monster of raw hatred currently loomed over them, but Chihiro just couldn't move like she did before!

Chihiro stumbled over her own feet, nearly tripped over herself as she swayed and spun with him, and then, right as they went to spin again, Chihiro accidentally stepped on Spyro's paw and he yelped!

That was the sole signal the Odivia needed, for it screamed as it launched itself right for Spyro and Chihiro! The two of them gasped and rolled away as it pounced. Chihiro winced as the sound of tearing fabric ripped in her ears. She glanced down for a moment at a gash that formed in her attire's jacket—but before she could mend it, Spyro pulled her away!

The sound of the Odivia's growls drowned out a few screams from behind as it lashed out, slashed at thin air, and turned back to her and Spyro as they backed away. Chihiro glanced behind as the area behind them grew smaller and smaller, whether the unnatural world or the Odivia blocked them off. She glanced at Spyro. His own gaze was tense as his eyes shifted in a kaleidoscope of colors, like he debated on how to fend off the monster before them off.

They completely bombed it, but they did just fine moments ago! In fact, it was almost like the world around them disappeared… Wait, that was it!

"Spyro, listen to me!" Chihiro cried as she pulled him close, taking his paws in her hands once more. "Don't think about the Odivia, or anyone else, or anything else—just focus on you and me, alright?"

Spyro's eyes fluttered, but he made a small nod nonetheless as he wrapped his toes around Chihiro's hand.

"Good! Now, let's take it from the top."

Chihiro took a deep breath in, released, and slowly swayed back and forth as she closed her eyes. Spyro's own grip melted in hers, and he pressed his warm, scaly body against her own as she held him close. She spun away as the Odivia slashed once more.

Spyro's eyes flashed open, but the moment he laid them on Chihiro, he smiled and swayed along with her. The two hugged tight, and his grip was warm and familiar against her own, easing the last of her nerves. They smiled as they spun backwards, and then forwards as they landed in each other's grip. She had to admit, he seemed a lot more radiant than he usually did. What little light resided in the Dinya Mirin glistened off his scales, and left them a richer purple than they normally were. Heck, it almost seemed like he glowed for a moment!

A growl came from behind, but it didn't seem like the angered growls she heard before. No, it seemed more like a growl of pain! Chihiro and Spyro glanced back at where the Odivia lingered behind them, but no longer did it rage and lash out. Instead, it whimpered like a dog and clutched its shaking head. A warm, welcoming glimmer shimmered off of its body, reflected by the glowing runes on its fur in a sweet purplish color. Chihiro raised a brow, glanced back down at herself and Spyro, and found the same color glowing off their bodies!

"It's working!" Chihiro cried as she glanced up and turned to Spyro. He grinned just as widely as she did, and they both held each other once more. "Let's keep this dance party going!"

But wait, what was she supposed to do next? Chihiro grimaced, bit her lip as she tried to rack her brain, but then shook her head. It didn't matter what they did as long as they danced and kept the momentum going, right? She spun around once more, her steps light and bouncy as she swayed, leaped, spun, and danced the day away. Spyro laughed his head off by her side the entire time.

The world around her faded away, and all that was left was the two of them. They just enjoyed themselves like they hid away back on Ancient's Peak with not a single eye to see. The cold air of the Dinya Mirin warmed around them, and that warm glow that shone over them grew brighter and richer as they spun together, holding each other close.

Cheering came from beside them, and they both turned around and grinned.

The Odivia grew weaker by the moment; its body shrank and bubbled as it whimpered in pain and clawed its ears. Beside it, the curse lifted from the villagers!

They all cheered, lifted their fists, and shouted in glee as they watched Spyro and Chihiro dance. Seems like they sought for a grand finale, and by god, Chihiro was gonna give it to them!

She turned to Spyro and chuckled, and he in turn smiled back and lifted up her arms. The two spun in wide strides as they danced their way around the fields, the cheering around them growing louder. They both spun away as magic pooled by their paws!

Sparkling lights bubbled up from the ground as Chihiro spun away and stomped her foot, tinting their pink shades in brilliant purples and whites instead! Spyro did the same as he fell to all fours and flapped his wings. he leaped forward and glided towards Chihiro, and she in turn lifted her skirt up slightly as she spun forward.

The two came close, brushing dangerously close to a crash—but instead of colliding, Chihiro spun at just an angle that Spyro swept into her arms, and she dipped him low to the ground with a grin. The two chuckled, and they both spun around and stretched out their arms as the lights shone even brighter!

Behind them, the crowd roared with cheers and applause, and the Odivia wailed at the top of its lungs! Even that wasn't much, for the Odivia's cries grew strained with weakness. The Odivia was barely able to stagger forward and snarl at the crowds while they cheered. It fell to its side and whimpered; its paws twitched as it barely pressed itself up.

"It's weak now! Quick, finish the ritual!" Havîn cried. "Do the act of passionate romance!"

"Yeah, the act!" Payiz cried.

All of a sudden, Chihiro's heart stopped. The lights around her and Spyro faded as they glanced at each other in cold sweat and wide eyes. All around them, the once-welcoming cheers of the crowd turned demanding. They pounded and screamed against Chihiro's eardrums as they echoed in all sorts of talk about romance, so loud and demanding that the ground shook underneath her. Actually, was that her legs trembling at the thought?

"Come on, give us the act! I wanna see some fiery romance!"

"I don't know where they found this new couple, but they're so cute! Why don't we act like that anymore?"

"I wish I had a boyfriend like that. What's a girl got to do to find a decent guy?"

"What'll they do? Will they kiss?"

Spyro shuddered, for Chihiro could feel it in the way he barely clutched her hands. They both glanced around, gulped and closed their eyes.

"Better make this quick," Chihiro whispered.

Chihiro drew in. Her stomach churned like she was going to throw up, and her body trembled as she came in closer, closer. Her teeth chattered, her face went numb in parts, and then…

She opened her eyes, and met Spyro's still wide-open ones. His jaw laid slightly ajar, and his wings twitched and trembled with the rest of him, just as much as Chihiro did.

"This, doesn't feel right, does it?" Chihiro whispered.

Spyro whimpered and shook his head. She knew it, he felt as uncomfortable with this as she did. She only drew him into a solemn, shaking hug, and let him bury himself and make himself as small as he could in her grip. The two fell to their knees, still shaking from the sudden pressure and everything else.

A roar shook the ground around them. and knocked them on their backs!

Spyro pulled Chihiro close as they hit the ground, and they both pulled themselves up as the Odivia lurked closer to them. Its body grew larger and larger as that sinister glow returned to its body, and something that sounded vaguely like mocking cackles spat from its throat. It flung its head up, howled to the moon as it grew taller in size, and lashed out with another yowl, flinging its tail at Spyro and Chihiro!

Chihiro pulled Spyro right out of the way. They held out their hands and shot blasts of raw magic energy at the Odivia, but just like before, the blasts harmlessly exploded off of its pelt and it grew even larger! The Odivia growled, but instead of attacking further, it turned its attention to the cowering and panicking masses of undead crowds below.

It spat out a massive miasma of mist that blanketed the crowds! The crowds' red eyes and angered expressions from before fell over them ones more. The Odivia sneered and flicked its tail, pointing them right towards Spyro and Chihiro!

The crowds screeched in anger as they charged for Spyro and Chihiro, but one by one, their ranks all groaned and fell unconscious. Low snores came from a few of the mob's ranks, but before Chihiro could figure out what happened, something yanked her and Spyro back into the barrier's safety!

They both grunted and collapsed on the ground right as the Odivia charged forward. It pounced on the barrier, but bounced off like it landed on a trampoline! Chihiro winced as the Odivia snarled and ran off, and turned back to find Havîn and Payiz frowning. Payiz held the remains of a fading talisman of some kind in hand, and they both looked so disappointed in her, it seemed. They couldn't even look her and Spyro in the eye.

"I, I'm sorry—" Spyro began to sputter, but Chihiro pushed him aside.

"No, it's my fault." Chihiro admitted as she hung her head. "I, I tried but the thought of kissing someone, it just made me so sick to my stomach, and—"

"You don't have anything to apologize for," Havîn said, her tone as gentle as the weak smile that formed on her face. "If anything, we're the ones at fault for putting you on the spot like that. I'm sure even a couple super deeply in love would freak out at something like that."

"I guess I should've figured just grabbing two random beings off the street wouldn't fix the high priest and priestess's absence," Payiz remarked as the last of the talisman's remains faded from her hand.

We're not a couple! Chihiro wanted to scream, but she still shook so badly that she couldn't even speak, so she just wearily nodded.

She glanced at Spyro, who nodded in turn with that same timid, shaky glance Chihiro herself held. The sight of him so scared was almost painful—especially when she knew the reason why, and even more so that she felt the same way and couldn't do anything about it.

It was then that Nemir stepped in, and hummed to himself as he rubbed his chin.

"It's the high priest and priestess who typically perform this ritual, correct?" he asked as he turned to Havîn and Payiz.

"Correct." Payiz nodded and rubbed her hands. "Every year, they've performed this ritual to keep the Odivia at bay—but, lately, the seals have been growing weaker and weaker, and it's been making them so tense that they blew up at each other and had a huge argument!"

"They split up and ran off right before all this happened, too."

Spyro and Chihiro both hummed. They glanced at each other, and then at Nemir and the glint in his eyes. They two of them grinned and leaped to their feet! It startled the others enough that all eyes fell on them, but Spyro and Chihiro smiled.

"Then we'll just have to find them and help them make up!" Chihiro proclaimed.

Havîn grinned a grin shared by both Payiz and Nemir, and she flew over as she took Spyro by the paw.

"Spyro and I will go look for the high priest—Payiz, you and Chihiro should go look for the high priestess!" Havîn proclaimed before she glanced up. "Good king Nemir, if it's not too much trouble, could you—"

"I'll make sure to keep the temple safe," Nemir said. "Do not fret."

"Then it's settled!" Payiz cried as she took Chihiro in hand. "We'll regroup back at the temple, alright?"

"Right!" Spyro and Havîn shouted as they made their way past the barrier.

Chihiro and Payiz both nodded to each other. They rushed through the barrier, taking only a moment to glance back at Spyro and Havîn before rushing onward.