Dark Whirlwind, armed with one of her formidable swords, charged forward with menacing grace. Her intent was clear – to strike down the group down without any mercy.

Risebelle, quick on her feet, summoned her cannon with a determined cry of "Weapon!" She infused it with the power of water, and a high-pressure stream shot forth towards Dark Whirlwind. However, the dark foe evaded the attack with agility, using the opportunity to distance herself from the group.

With a pointed hand, Dark Whirlwind unleashed a beam of darkness, aiming directly at the group. Alden stepped in front of Risebelle. He held out the Cross of Judgment. A blinding beam of holy light erupted from the cross, meeting the dark energy head-on. The clash of opposing forces created a dazzling spectacle, but it was clear that Alden was being overpowered.

Runebelle acted swiftly. She used her enhanced abilities to move everyone who was still immobilized to the sidelines, keeping them out of immediate danger.

Meanwhile, Roselle called upon her massive cannon with a shout, "Weapon!" She gathered electricity and fire energy, combining them into a powerful barrage of bullets. These projectiles, crackling with combined elemental power, streaked towards Dark Whirlwind, aiming to overwhelm her defenses.

However, Dark Whirlwind expertly wielded her two dark blades, intercepting Roselle's shots with astonishing precision. She deflected the bullets without breaking a sweat.

“Cleave of the abyss” Dark whirlwind declared. With a sweeping motion of her arms, she conjured a colossal blade using a terrifying fusion of dark and light energies. This enormous weapon tore through the battlefield with a dreadful force leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The sheer power and scale of this attack were awe-inspiring and sent shockwaves through the group.

Risebelle summoned her own technique. “Aqua Whirlwind!” The swirling tempest of water and magic clashed with the dark and light energies of the massive blade. For a moment, the battlefield was awash in a display of elemental might. Risebelle's Aqua Whirlwind held its ground, pushing back against Abyssal Cleave's destructive force. It became a struggle between Risebelle’s water energy and Dark whirlwind’s light and darkness.

However, Risebelle's Aqua Whirlwind was torn asunder by the relentless force of Abyssal Cleave, leaving her vulnerable to the impending strike. Just before the colossal blade descended upon her, Alden jumped in the way.

With a swift motion, Alden summoned another Cross of Judgment, and used the original as a shield to protect Risebelle from the devastating blow. The powerful impact sent shockwaves through the area, and the original Cross of Judgment shattered under the immense force of the attack.

Runebelle expertly wielded her two small guns, her shots were imbued with green energy, creating explosive impacts upon striking their targets She fired rapid, highly accurate shots towards Dark whirlwind; however, Dark Whirlwind skillfully dodged each bullet.

With confidence, Dark Whirlwind charged straight toward Runebelle. She held a blade raised for a slashing attack. Runebelle clanged her giant needle against Dark Whirlwind's weapon. The clash sent shockwaves through both combatants, pushing Runebelle backward.

Runebelle's attention shifted to the ominous arena of swords that surrounded them. With a sudden realization, she grazed against one of the swords, and an unbearable surge of pain shot through her body from the mere scratch. Her face contorted in agony.

Dark Whirlwind, having observed Runebelle's reaction to the pain inflicted by the arena of swords, took a step back and allowed a sinister smile to creep across her face. She raised her blade and gestured to the seemingly endless array of dark and light swords that encircled them.

"This arena of swords is a testament to my power and control over both light and darkness. Each of these swords is a manifestation of my abilities, and they serve as both a barrier and a weapon. When you crossed their path, you experienced just a mere fraction of the pain they can inflict."

She continued to explain with her gaze fixed firmly on Runebelle, "These swords will respond to my will. I can command them to move, to strike, and to protect me. They are an extension of my power, and within this arena, I am virtually invincible. Your every move is restricted, and every step you take could lead to your downfall."

Runebelle’s eyes fell towards the ground. Her eyes, once filled with a gentle smile, now changed to a growl. With a deep breath, Runebelle began to tap into her inner reservoir of power. Her aura, once a tranquil green, started to surge and churn. The energy around her spiraled like a tempest, creating a whirlwind of vibrant green hues. The ground beneath her trembled as the magical energy surged within her, elevating her abilities to a realm beyond their previous limits.

Runebelle, her aura surging with the power of her Melancholy Surge, lifted her needle high. She then called out, "Needle of empathy!"

Dark Whirlwind, with her blades of light and darkness, met Runebelle's needle head-on. The collision unleashed a brilliant burst of magical energy, illuminating the battlefield in a vivid display of colors.

Runebelle's purple energy clashed with Dark Whirlwind's swirling aura of blades, creating a dazzling, chaotic dance of power. The force of their clash sent shockwaves rippling through the air.

Runebelle held her ground, channeling the full might of her Melancholy Surge into her needle. Her eyes now blazed with an intense purple light. She kept her eyes locked on Dark whirlwind.

With a single hand, Dark whirlwind summoned the blades before her, switching her focus from wielding two blades to manipulating the others surrounding the entire arena.

To Runebelle's shock, the blades, which had formed an unyielding perimeter around them, suddenly came to life. They moved with malevolent intent, converging upon Runebelle from all directions. Like a storm of sharp, glinting rain, they bombarded her, stabbing into her body relentlessly.

Despite the onslaught, Runebelle's resolve remained unbroken. She endured the piercing assault. Her eyes keenly observed Dark Whirlwind's movements. She anticipated a brief lapse in her foe's focus, a split-second where Dark Whirlwind would be forced to divert her attention momentarily.

Stolen novel; please report.

That moment came unexpectedly, as Dark Whirlwind moved to reposition the swords around them. Runebelle seized the opportunity with lightning reflexes. She lunged forward, her Needle of Empathy glowing with intense purple energy.

Dark Whirlwind, caught off guard by the sudden assault, was forced to react. She raised her blades in a defensive maneuver, attempting to intercept Runebelle's attack. The needle clashed against the swirling aura of blades, unleashing a burst of magical energy that crackled through the air.

The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward, causing the blades to momentarily falter in their assault. Runebelle pressed on, driving forward with all her strength.

The needle pierced through Dark Whirlwind's defenses, eliciting a cry of pain from the them. Dark Whirlwind staggered back, clutching the wound where Runebelle's attack had struck true. Her face contorted with anger and agony.

"AWAY, away, AWAY!" Dark Whirlwind screamed. With a furious thrust of her hands, she commanded the blades surrounding them to strike. Countless swords converged upon Runebelle from all directions, overwhelming her defenses.

Runebelle, caught off guard by the sudden onslaught, was unable to defend herself in time. The blades pierced through her, sending her flying backward with tremendous force. She crashed to the ground hard, causing blood to go flying from her mouth.

“RUNEBELLE!” Roselle and Risebelle shouted in unison.

The swords that had surrounded Runebelle abruptly removed themselves from her, their relentless barrage ceasing. However, the damage had been done.

[[System message]]

Lifeforce: 15%

Runebelle, bloodied, battered and wounded, was on the ground nearly unconscious; however, she refused to succumb completely to the pain and exhaustion. She she pushed herself back up to one knee, her breath heavy. She had one eye closed in pain. One of her hands were placed up, clutching her chest.

Alden exclaimed, "Oh no!"

Dark Whirlwind remarked coldly, "You got sloppy. I just told you I have control over those very blades, didn’t you get the warning?"

Risebelle, consumed by anger, unleashed a barrage of water shots at Dark Whirlwind. Dark Whirlwind responded by spinning the blades surrounding her in a deadly arc, then sending them charging towards Risebelle.

In response, Risebelle dropped her cannon and charged straight at Dark Whirlwind with her fists enveloped in water energy. She combined with the freezing power of elemental fusion. She aimed to strike her foe with all her might; however, to her astonishment, Dark Whirlwind seemed to effortlessly evade her attack without even moving.

With a taunting tone, Dark Whirlwind asked, "What's wrong?" Risebelle was left bewildered by her opponent's speed and agility. Dark Whirlwind took advantage of this momentary confusion, placing one hand on Risebelle's chest and repelling her with a surge of dark energy. Risebelle went flying backward but miraculously escaped unscathed.

"Why am I still in one piece?" Risebelle wondered. She had seen the devastating capabilities of Dark Whirlwind.

Risebelle shook off the shock of Dark Whirlwind's sudden attack. She pushed herself up from the ground. Her mind raced with questions, but she knew there was no time to dwell on them. She lunged forward, ready to strike at Dark Whirlwind.

Dark Whirlwind, sensing Risebelle's renewed resolve, met her head-on. With blinding speed and agility, she engaged Risebelle in close combat, her blades moving with lethal precision. Risebelle fought using her water and ice abilities to create a puddle beneath Dark Whirlwind's feet, hoping to trip her up and gain the upper hand.

However, Dark Whirlwind anticipated the move. With a graceful sidestep, she evaded the trap. She countered swiftly, launching a series of rapid strikes that pushed Risebelle back.

Risebelle gritted her teeth. She was outmatched in close combat against Dark Whirlwind's superior skill and speed, but she had a plan forming in her mind. She needed to create an opportunity.

Gathering her water and ice energies once more, Risebelle shifted her strategy. Instead of directly attacking, she focused on creating a distraction. She summoned a deluge of icy water, aiming not at Dark Whirlwind directly, but around her, creating a slippery field of ice.

The ground became coated with a thin layer of frost. Dark Whirlwind was momentarily caught off guard by the sudden change in terrain. She adjusted her footing with a slight frown. She scanned her surroundings with focus narrowing on Risebelle who stood poised for her next move.

With a swift gesture, Risebelle sent a powerful torrent of water and ice towards Dark Whirlwind, expecting to catch her off guard. Dark Whirlwind responded with unexpected prowess. She gathered dark energy into her hands and intercepted the torrent, not only blocking it but manipulating its direction with eerie control.

With a swift motion, Dark Whirlwind raised her hand, directing the redirected torrent towards the icy terrain beneath her feet. The impact shattered the delicate frost, sending shards of ice flying in all directions. The once stable ground now cracked and fragmented under the force of the elemental clash.

Before Risebelle could recover from the sudden reversal, Dark Whirlwind closed the distance between them with supernatural speed. She appeared before Risebelle in an instant. Her hand was poised towards Risebelle's chest, ready to unleash a devastating blast of dark energy.

The blast erupted with a surge of malevolent power, aimed directly at Risebelle's heart. Yet, to everyone's astonishment, Risebelle remained unharmed. The dark energy surged around her, swirling with a menacing intensity, but it did not inflict any damage.

Risebelle staggered back from the impact of the blast and fell once again to the ground. She looked up at Dark Whirlwind with confusion. "You could have destroyed me," Risebelle muttered under her breath. "Why didn't you?"

Meanwhile, Roselle hurried over to Runebelle with concern in her eyes. "Runebelle, are you okay?" Roselle asked with worry.

Runebelle managed a weak smile. "I'll be fine. I'll create an opening for us."

Roselle was still concerned. "But Runebelle..."

Runebelle interrupted gently, "Roselle, you have the power to at least cause some damage. We need to work together."

Roselle nodded. Runebelle channeled her overwhelming sadness. An aura of melancholy began to emanate from her, enveloping the battlefield. Dark Whirlwind found herself having to confront a wave of emotions. Fear, sadness, and doubt crept up on the monster. She struggled against them and her usual composure began to slip. "No... This can't be happening. I won't let these emotions control me…not again!"

But despite her efforts, the overwhelming power of Project Rune began to break down her mental defenses. Dark Whirlwind felt the weight of her past, the memories she had buried deep within, resurfacing with painful clarity. "I won't... I won't yield to this despair, No…" she whispered. Dark Whirlwind clenched her fists and grit her teeth.

Roselle ran towards Dark Whirlwind with her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel the overwhelming sadness that Project Rune had unleashed, but she remembered Runebelle's advice: "Ignore the sadness you might feel. Stay positive, and this won't affect you." With these words echoing in her mind, Roselle pressed on.

Summoning all her strength and resolve, Roselle called upon lightning to surround her body and combined it with the element of fire. The air crackled with electricity as a rapidly spinning fan of lightning formed around her. With pinpoint accuracy, tendrils of lightning homed in on their target.

"Firestrike Thunderclap, SURGGGEE!!!!!!!"

The fan of crackling electricity, now infused with the destructive power of fire, shot towards Dark Whirlwind, creating a spectacular display of lightning and flames.

Dark Whirlwind, still struggling with the emotions that Project Rune had unleashed, attempted to defend herself. But the combination of fire and lightning proved to be too overwhelming. The attack struck with incredible force, enveloping Dark Whirlwind in a blazing storm of destruction.