Roselle weakly looked up, her vision blurred but slowly focusing on the scene before her. She saw Risebelle about to be hit in the air by the incoming surge of dark energy. Desperation clawed at her heart. She reached out a trembling hand, "R...Risebelle..."

Roselle's mind flooded with memories of their time together. She recalled how, in the beginning, Risebelle had treated her as if she were an ignorant child, and perhaps she had been, in some ways. But under Risebelle's tough exterior, Roselle had found guidance, strength, and a bond that went beyond mere mentorship. They had argued, and faced challenges against the mages, but through it all, they had grown closer—like true sisters. Risebelle had taught her to survive, to fight, and helped her to believe in her own strength in more ways than one.

Roselle cried out, "NOOOOOO!!!!!!" just before the blast struck. An explosion covered the entire sky. Roselle quickly scanned her surroundings. She spotted Runebelle nearby, unconscious.

[System Analysis - Runebelle]

Lifeforce: -55% (Critical Condition - Close to Destruction)

With every ounce of strength she had left, she dragged herself towards Runebelle.

"Hang on, Runebelle," she whispered. When she reached to her, she draped her own body over her sister's, shielding her from any further harm.

Elsewhere, Alden lay sprawled on the ground, though he looked up with a widened eye.

Kintovar, her grappling hook still extended, stood at a distance in disbelief.

When the smoke cleared in the sky, Risebelle’s body descended with a loud crash. She now lay on the ground. Her body now had a gigantic hole and blood was spewed out all over the ground. Her systems were shut off moments after the impact.

[System Message]

Risebelle: Offline

Critical Condition - Repairs Required

Lifeforce: -100%

Magic: -75 % Magical Rupture

System Shutdown - N/A Timeframe

Damage Assessment: Extensive

Repair Protocols Engaged

Kintovar retracted her grappling hook, fully aware that she had failed to reach Risebelle in time. Risebelle, the creation she had poured so much of her knowledge and effort into.

Roselle She crawled on the ground, not having the strength to get to her feet. She reached out her hands. Her vision was blurring with tears. She slipped down with her body trembling effort.

"RISEBELLE!!!!!!"

Roselle pounded the ground with her fist. Her cries echoed through the devastated landscape." Risebelle, please, get up, say something. Do anything…You're… You’re the only one who can lead us!"

Roselle touched Risebelle's damaged body.

Roselle touched Risebelle's damaged body. Her fingers trembled while brushing against the torn flesh. She noticed the gaping hole in Risebelle's chest, and her heart sank into the deep water.

"No, no, no," Roselle said in a panic after realizing the extent of Risebelle’s damages. Tears. She began to cry uncontrollably. "Please, Risebelle, no… not like this Risebelle.. Not like this! Don’t leave me like this!"

Kintovar, standing nearby, removed her sunglasses and placed them on her head. Her own tears began to fall, but she spoke despite the heaviness she felt. "I can fix this… I can fix this… I can…"

Roselle looked up at her. "Dr. Kintovar..." she managed to say, before trying to drag herself closer.

Kintovar knelt down and gently gathered Roselle into her arms. "It's going to be okay," she whispered, holding Roselle close. "I promise, it's going to be okay."

Roselle clung to Kintovar, her body wracked with sobs. "Please, don't let her die," she begged. "We can't lose her!"

Kintovar nodded with her own tears falling freely. "I won't let that happen," she vowed. "It's going to be hard to fix Risebelle. I'll need to find a way."

Dark Whirlwind, her malevolent laughter echoing through the devastated streets, turned to Kintovar with a sinister grin. "Of course it's hard," she taunted. "You didn't even have a lab in the city, did you? You rushed here without thinking it through."

Kintovar's eyes narrowed as she remembered Dark Whirlwind's presence. She gently released Roselle from her embrace, a determined look crossing her face. "I have to take care of this," she said firmly.

"No, Kintovar, please," Roselle pleaded with fear. "Let's run away."

Kintovar shook her head, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "We will never escape if we keep running. You have to look after your sisters. Don't worry about me."

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Kintovar stood up. She twirled around, lowering her sunglasses to her face with a flourish. "I am Dr. Kintovar, the invincible scientist who can combat any mage," she declared with a confident grin.

Roselle watched but still had fear on her face. "Be careful," she whispered.

Kintovar glanced back at Roselle."I always am.”

Kintovar raised her arm. “Alright, Dark whirlwind, you’ve forced my hand…. Prepare yourself! Extreme technology: Mindsuit!"

In an instant, a cascade of glowing, intricate lines of light enveloped her body. The light solidified into a sleek, futuristic suit of armor. The suit shimmered with an orange glow, panels and circuits interlocking perfectly to form a seamless exoskeleton.

Kintovar stood tall, now clad in the formidable suit. She looked every bit the invincible scientist she had proclaimed herself to be.

Dark Whirlwind's grin faltered for a moment."Impressive," she sneered, though her tone held a hint of unease. "But do you really think a suit of armor will save you?"

Kintovar's eyes, visible through the visor of her helmet, blazed with confidence. "This is not just any suit of armor,” she declared. "Mages wield extreme magic, but this Mindsuit is our equivalent. It's designed for scientists like myself, capable of counteracting spells at that very level. In fact, I recently used this to defeat a headmaster from an island far away from the city."

She took a step forward. "So, Dark Whirlwind, do you still feel confident?"

Dark Whirlwind stared at Kintovar for a long moment. Then, slowly, she turned away with a sly grin. "This town looks sufficiently destroyed, so my job here is done," she said with condescension. "I did say I would spare your life, Kintovar. You should be honored by my mercy."

Kintovar watched Dark Whirlwind retreat. The urge to pursue and confront her enemy warred with the need to tend to her fallen comrades. She took a deep breath, lowering her arm.

"You see, Kintovar, you're just like your creations. Limited. Powerless. Technology can never rival the magic of this world. Remember that."

Dark Whirlwind paused, turning to cast a final glance at Kintovar. "Kintovar, you're just like your creations. Limited. Powerless. Hopeless. That suit doesn't change anything. Technology can never rival the magic of this world. Remember that." With words, she began to vanish in a storm of darkness.

Kintovar clenched her fists, her jaw tight with frustration. She turned back to Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle . "We'll show her," she muttered under her breath.

She knelt beside Roselle, gently touching her shoulder. "It's going to be okay," she said, “I’ll find a way to fix her, no matter what it takes. I refuse to let this be the end of her."

Becky's appearance had changed since her last scene with Dark Whirlwind. She now wore a striking white and rose dress-like tank top that she had acquired from the locals in the city.

Becky Clutched firmly in her hands was the custom Hammer that Kintovar had specially crafted for her. This formidable weapon bore the force of the earth itself. Becky swung the hammer with all her might, aiming to catch Dark Whirlwind while she was leaving.

"Damn YOOOOUU!!!!!” Becky exclaimed. Sybil joined the fray with her agile swordplay, her movements graceful yet deadly.

"You won't get away with this!"

Kintovar, with a sense of urgency, called out to them,

"Stop, Becky, Sybil! Dark Whirlwind is too powerful. We need a plan before we engage her again!"

Dark Whirlwind, halted by Becky's furious cry and Sybil's determined stance, turned back with an irritated expression. "Idiots," she muttered under her breath, clearly annoyed. "I was about to leave and spare your lives."

Becky's rough demeanor erupted like a storm. "Spare our lives? After what you did? You destroyed everything!"

Sybil's sword gleamed in the dim light as she spoke. "We can't just let you walk away after all this."

Dark Whirlwind's lips curled into a sneer. "You really think you can stop me? I have far more important things to attend to than dealing with pests like you, but since you want death so badly…"

With a sudden surge of power, Dark Whirlwind unleashed a devastating blast of energy. Her intent was to end the lives of Becky and Sybil. The destructive energy surged towards them, and just as it was about to make contact, Kintovar's desperate scream echoed through the chaos.

"NOOOOOO!"

In a blinding explosion of magical energy, the blast's destructive force was deflected, and a protective barrier surrounded Becky and Sybil. They looked around in astonishment.

Suddenly, a massive figure stepped onto the scene. His presence alone casted a long shadow over the battered city. He towered over most of the other people. He wore an orange uniform with an emblem adorning it in the shape of a barrier marking his affiliation.

With a stern face, he glared down at Dark Whirlwind. Despite his imposing appearance, there was a sense of caring in his demeanor.

Clearing his throat, he introduced himself with authority, "I am Stronberg, the 1st Ranked Barrier Master of the Northern School of Barriers. I apologize for my tardiness. If our team had arrived sooner, perhaps we could have saved more lives."

Becky and Sybil, still recovering from the shock of the battle, exchanged bewildered glances before turning their attention back to Stronberg.

Stronberg approached them cautiously. With a gentle tone, he asked, "Are you both alright? You've been through quite an ordeal."

Becky nodded vigorously. Sybil managed a weak yet nervous smile.

Stronberg held a warm smile on his face. He patted their shoulders. "Good to hear. I am able to use healing magic that can mend your wounds and ease your pain. It may be a bit different from what you may be used to getting, but I promise it will do wonders for you."

Becky and Sybil exchanged curious glances. Their interests were piqued by the mention of healing magic.

Stronberg and Dark Whirlwind locked eyes, creating an intense and silent standoff.

Dark Whirlwind's lips curled into a mocking smile. She turned away from Stronberg with her dark aura vanishing.

"He’s not worth my time time," Dark Whirlwind sneered before walking away. In a storm of dark magic, she vanished.

With her departure, the skies above began to clear up. The chaotic battlefield started to regain a semblance of calm. The immediate threat had passed, but the scars of the battle remained etched into the cityscape.

Stronberg let out a deep sigh. He turned his attention back to Becky, Sybil, and Kintovar. There was much work to be done.

Stronberg spoke towards them with a sorrowful look. "We'll need to tend to the wounded and start the process of rebuilding the city. But first, let me take care of your injuries with my healing magic. It won't take long."

Stronberg's deep voice resonated with power. He began the incantation for his healing magic:

"O benevolent spirits of the ethereal realm,

Grant us your grace, in pain overwhelm.

Heal these wounds, mend the broken,

With your magic's touch, let words be spoken. Heavens healing shield!"

With these words, the blue barrier enveloped Becky, Sybil, and Kintovar, its gentle light suffusing their bodies. The soothing magic worked its wonders, knitting together wounds and revitalizing their strength.

Becky and Sybil felt their injuries fade away, leaving them refreshed and energized. Kintovar, on the other hand, experienced a renewal of her stamina and vitality. This appeared to be far beyond the scope of typical healing.

Kintovar looked to Stronberg with amazement, "This magic, it's incredible! This is nothing like the Mystical Forest's power. Thank you, Stronberg."

Stronberg nodded. "You're welcome. My healing magic is a gift from my school of barriers, and it can mend even the most severe injuries. Now, let's focus on helping the city recover."