The next morning dawned bright and deceptively cheerful. The island gleamed under the sun, waves glittering like sheets of glass, the previous night’s ominous whispers seemingly erased by the tropical breeze.
Breakfast was served under a vast marble gazebo overlooking the beach. The buffet tables groaned under the weight of exotic dishes — glowing fruit, golden pancakes, and coffee so dark it seemed to absorb the light around it.
Panty, of course, had three mimosas before sitting down.
“Now this is a vacation,” she sighed, propping her sunglasses up. “No ghosts, no angels, no problems.”
Stocking smirked. “You said the same thing right before we got eaten by a jellyfish demon that one time.”
“Details, sugar rush. Details.”
Just as everyone began to relax, a sharp ding-ding! rang out from the balcony above.
There, standing side-by-side in immaculate white uniforms, were Scanty and Kneesocks, their horns glinting faintly under the sun.
“Good morning, esteemed guests!” Scanty’s voice boomed like a polished game-show host. “We trust you all slept… comfortably?”
Stocking muttered, “Define comfortably.”
Panty snorted into her drink.
Kneesocks stepped forward with a clipboard. “As your hosts, we’ve prepared something rather special to help you acclimate to the island.”
She smiled — the kind of smile that promised equal parts fun and danger.
“A scavenger hunt!”
Asia blinked in surprise. “A scavenger hunt?”
Rias raised an eyebrow. “How… quaint.”
Albedo tilted her head. “Ainz-sama would never stoop to such trivialities.”
Shalltear grinned. “But I will. This could be interesting.”
“Think of it as an orientation!” Scanty said, spreading her arms dramatically. “You’ll explore, learn your surroundings, and maybe uncover some of our delightful little secrets!”
Kneesocks tapped her clipboard. “There are only a few rules.”
She began pacing with military precision.
“Rule one: Teams must stay together.”
“Rule two: Do not enter the north jungle, the old chapel ruins, or the underground tunnels.”
Panty raised an eyebrow. “Sooo… that’s where the fun stuff is?”
Scanty’s grin didn’t waver. “Precisely. Which is why it’s off-limits.”
“Rule three,” Kneesocks continued, “there’s a rumor — purely rumor, mind you — that an ancient relic once rested somewhere on the island. A relic said to absorb souls.”
Asia’s fork froze halfway to her mouth. “A-Absorb… souls?”
Charlie gasped. “That sounds terrible! And kind of fascinating!”
Panty yawned. “Sounds like a tourist scam.”
Scanty clasped her hands. “So! Shall we assign the teams?”
Kneesocks began calling names with almost bureaucratic delight.
“Team One: Albedo and Panty Anarchy.”
Panty blinked. “Wait, what?”
Albedo smiled serenely. “I look forward to working with you.”
Panty groaned. “Oh great, I got the sexy psycho secretary.”
Albedo’s wings twitched. “I take that as a compliment.”
“Team Two: Shalltear Bloodfallen and Stocking Anarchy.”
Stocking gave a sideways glance. “At least you dress better than my sister.”
Shalltear smirked. “And you have excellent taste in black lace.”
“Girl, you have no idea.”
“Team Three: Xenovia Quarta and Charlie Morningstar.”
Charlie beamed. “Hi! I hope we can be friends!”
Xenovia nodded seriously. “As long as we don’t die horribly, sure.”
“Team Four: Rias Gremory and… Brief.”
Brief nearly choked on his juice. “M-me?!”
Rias smiled graciously. “Don’t worry, dear. Just follow my lead.”
Panty leaned over. “Hey, Brief! Try not to explode from being within five feet of another woman!”
Brief turned scarlet. “P-Panty!”
“And finally,” Kneesocks concluded, “Team Five: Asia Argento and Nifty.”
Nifty cheered. “Oh yay! Team short and sweet!”
Asia smiled nervously. “It’s an honor, Miss Nifty. I’ll… try not to get lost.”
“Lost? Nah! I’ve got a map!” Nifty said, proudly holding up a crudely drawn doodle that looked suspiciously like a child’s crayon art.
The teams dispersed, each heading toward their assigned areas. The sun was bright, the sky impossibly blue, and for a moment, it did feel like an ordinary resort day.
But somewhere deep below the island, something pulsed — faintly glowing beneath layers of rock and saltwater. The relic was awakening.
____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________
Asia and Nifty’s path led them along a winding trail through lush tropical gardens. The air was sweet with jasmine and the gentle hum of insects.
Nifty skipped ahead, humming cheerfully. “Isn’t this fun? No cleaning, no chaos — just plants and sunshine!”
Asia smiled softly. “It’s… nice, yes. Peaceful.”
They stopped by a small pond where koi swam lazily under lotus leaves. Asia crouched down, her reflection rippling in the water. Her smile faded.
“Miss Nifty… may I ask something?”
“Sure thing, sweet cheeks!”
“Do you ever feel… small? Like everyone around you is stronger, braver, more confident?”
Nifty blinked, tilting her head. “Hmm. I guess sometimes. But I’m me! And I clean up good — literally!”
Asia giggled despite herself. “It’s just… Xenovia is so confident, and Rias is so elegant. I… I still stumble in battles. And with Issei, I—”
“Ahhh,” Nifty said knowingly. “Boy trouble.”
Asia blushed furiously. “N-No! I just… I don’t know how to be confident around him. He’s so kind, but…”
“Then threaten him.”
Asia blinked. “Wh-what?”
Nifty shrugged. “Boys are like stains. You gotta show ’em who’s boss or they’ll spread. Tell him if he cheats, you’ll clean his clock. With a knife.”
Asia gasped. “That’s… rather violent!”
Nifty winked. “Motivation, sweetie. Keeps things shiny between couples.”
Asia couldn’t help but laugh — a small, genuine laugh that eased the knot in her chest. “You’re… very strange, Miss Nifty.”
“Thank you! I try.”
They continued down the path, the laughter echoing faintly — though neither noticed the mirror-like pond surface ripple behind them, as if something unseen was watching.
Meanwhile
Back in the resort’s underground control room — a place of mirrors and crystal orbs — Scanty and Kneesocks observed the groups through shimmering panels of light.
“Phase one complete,” Kneesocks said, tapping a screen that showed Albedo and Panty arguing over directions. “Our guests are acclimating nicely.”
Scanty lounged on a chaise, swirling a cocktail. “They’re amusing, at least. Shall we give them a little… motivation?”
With a snap of her fingers, the sea shimmered red for a heartbeat. Down in the depths, the relic stirred again, faint whispers bleeding through the water like ghostly laughter.
Scanty smirked. “By the time the sun sets, the game will truly begin.”
Kneesocks adjusted her glasses. “And when they find the relic…”
“Then,” Scanty purred, “the island will finally have its real fun.”
On one of the screens, Panty and Albedo were already bickering about which way to the beach.
Shalltear and Stocking were raiding the minibar.
Rias was dragging a flustered Brief through the palm grove.
And Asia? Laughing beside Nifty, unaware of the crimson reflection that blinked once in the pond behind her.
Asia and Nifty’s trail had led them to a narrow cove hidden behind hanging vines. Sunlight spilled across the sand in golden ribbons. At the center of the beach stood a half-buried stone statue: a snarling mask with hollow eyes. It looked oddly familiar—angular, ancient, and faintly humming.
Asia tilted her head. “This must be one of the clues.”
Nifty brushed off sand and read the carving aloud, squinting at the crooked letters.
“‘He who gazes within the mask shall know another’s heart.’ Oooh, spooky!”
Asia smiled nervously. “Maybe it’s just decoration?”
The mask pulsed once—softly, like a heartbeat.
Nifty grinned. “Decorate my mop! This thing’s got mojo.” She gave it an enthusiastic tap.
A shock of crimson light burst out, wrapping both of them in a spiral of glowing dust. Their surprised yelps overlapped—then, silence.
Two figures lay sprawled on the sand. When they groaned and sat up, something was immediately off.
Asia blinked at her hands—small, with claws. “Oh… oh heavens.”
Nifty stared down at herself—fair skin, soft blond hair, two bright blue eyes. “Oh my GOSH, I’m… alive? Wait, I’ve got depth perception again!”
They both shrieked at once.
“Wha—Miss Nifty? You’re—me?”
“And you’re—adorably bite-sized!”
Nifty—now in Asia’s body—jumped up, stretching her arms, twirling her skirt. “Oh wow, this is weirdly squishy. How do you mortals walk around without bumping into furniture?”
Asia—inside Nifty’s tiny demon form—wobbled upright, her little heels clicking. “This is so hard! How do you balance in this dress?!”
“Years of practice, sweet-pea!” Nifty said before pulling out a knife. "Now where is that hot stud of a boyfriend so I can check him out?"
Nifty said as she kissed her knife and imagined kissing the handome guy before seeing him and running with Asia trying to run after her but trips over her own feet.
"And they say short is better." Asia mumbled before trying to run after Nifty to save her chastity.
Meanwhile, up in the observation suite, Scanty nearly spat out her drink. “Oh, this is delicious! They actually activated the relic.”
Kneesocks adjusted her glasses, grinning. “A fine reproduction of the Spooky Island Mask of Souls. I must commend our craft department.”
Scanty leaned forward, watching Nifty twirl her borrowed blond hair while Asia chased her in miniature fury. “They’re taking to it rather well. Should we fix it?”
“Not yet,” Kneesocks replied smoothly. “Let them bond. Consider it… intercultural learning.”
The two sisters clinked glasses.
“Phase two,” Scanty purred, “officially a success. Now, let's see who is next.”
(Who should be the next swapped duo?)
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