Let's See Who Gets Who!

"Master, is there something strange about that castle? Why did she lift our negativity just because you agreed to go inside?" Tashigi asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.

Perona, floating smugly nearby, interrupted with a gleeful laugh. "That's my home field! Once your young master steps inside, he'll be so scared he'll cry!"

Her excitement was barely contained. She had been planning this showdown for ages, pooling her resources for a grand scare. If Finn didn't flinch today, the frustration might just drive her mad.

"Watch your mouth! Do you really think our young master is that easy to handle?" Kuina snapped, stepping forward with fire in her eyes. Her hand instinctively moved to the hilt of her sword.

"Hohoho~" Perona giggled, her grin wide and taunting. "Of course, I think that. After all, you really can't do anything to me~"

"Say that again, and I'll show you!"

With a metallic clang, Kuina drew her blade, her delicate features now steely with resolve. She didn't want to escalate the situation, but Perona's arrogance had ignited her temper.

"Go ahead!" Perona teased, spinning her umbrella playfully. She had been stung by Finn's cool demeanor earlier, and Kuina's defiance was a welcome outlet for her irritation.

Finn stood back, making no move to intervene. He knew Perona's ghost form rendered her impervious to physical attacks, and it seemed Kuina was about to discover that firsthand.

"Take this!" Kuina yelled, unleashing a sharp wave of sword energy that cut through the air toward Perona.

Whoosh!

The attack passed harmlessly through Perona's intangible form, continuing into the distance.

"What?! It… went through her?" Kuina's eyes widened in shock, her grip tightening on her blade.

The others stared in equal disbelief.

"I'll give it a try!" Nami declared, rolling up her sleeves and clenching her fists.

"Stop," Finn said with a grin, raising a hand to halt her. "There's no point. She's in ghost form. Physical attacks don't work on her."

"Wait… does that mean she's… dead?" Nami asked hesitantly, her face paling.

Perona froze mid-laugh, her cheeks flushing with anger. "What did you just say?! I'm not dead, you idiot!"

Glaring at Finn, she pointed dramatically at Nami. "I've changed my mind! You're not going in alone anymore. Bring her too!"

Finn sighed, scratching the back of his head. "Fine, I'll bring her."

"Master, let us come too!" Kuina and the others chimed in.

Finn waved them off with a teasing smile. "No need. Taking Nami is already a burden. Bringing all of you would just make it worse."

The girls grumbled in embarrassment but reluctantly stayed behind.

"Let's go, little burden," Finn teased, glancing at Nami.

"Little burden?!" Nami stuck her tongue out at him but quickly grabbed his arm as they approached the looming ghost castle.

The castle was eerie, its high spires silhouetted against a misty sky. A cold wind blew past, sending shivers down Nami's spine.

"It's just… a castle," she muttered, trying to sound brave, though her trembling hands betrayed her.

Finn chuckled, pulling her closer. "Let's see if you can keep that confidence inside."

With a creak, they pushed open the heavy doors. A gust of wind sent a swarm of bats screeching into the air, their twisted, demonic faces leering down at them.

"Ahhh!" Nami shrieked, leaping into Finn's arms.

Finn ruffled her hair with a laugh. "Didn't you just say you weren't afraid?"

"T-that doesn't count! Those bats caught me off guard!" Nami stammered, her face flushed with embarrassment.

From the shadows, Perona watched, delighted at Nami's terror. But when she glanced at Finn, her mood soured. He was still calm, even amused.

"Ugh, I'll wipe that smirk off his face," she muttered, plotting her next move.

Inside, the castle was dimly lit by flickering candles. Nami tried to steady her nerves, stepping toward a wall to light more lamps.

Suddenly, a painting above her shifted. The face within twisted into a grotesque grin, its head stretching out of the canvas.

"Ahhh!" Nami screamed, dropping the lamp and clinging to Finn like a koala.

"Haha~ You're going to break my ribs if you hold me any tighter," Finn teased.

Nami's response was muffled, her face buried in his chest. "It moved! The painting moved!"

The room grew eerily silent, save for an unsettling chirp chirp chirp sound echoing from nowhere.

Behind them, the carpet began to ripple. It rose slowly, its edges curling like jaws.

"Ahhh! It's alive!" Nami wailed as the carpet lunged, its gaping mouth aimed at them.

Perona cackled in delight from her hiding spot, but her laughter faltered when she saw Finn. He was still completely unfazed, even patting Nami's head to calm her.

"You'll have to do better than that," he called out, his voice carrying through the dimly lit hall.

Perona clenched her fists, her face flushed with frustration. "I will scare you, Finn! Just you wait!"

With Nami clinging tightly to him, Finn took another step forward, his confidence unwavering as the ghostly castle seemed to come alive around them.