The sun blazed out with authority on the city, but was covered quickly by clouds which let down snow. The sun attempted to pierce through the snow clouds and assert dominance, but the relentless snow clouds held their ground, blanketing the city in a serene, icy cover. Despite the sun's best efforts, the snow prevailed.

Roselle and Runebelle emerged from their tanks. The soft, fresh snowfall outside cast a serene atmosphere over Alden's cabin.

Runebelle took a moment to tie Roselle's long hair into a neat ponytail.

Roselle, looking out at the winter wonderland, smiled and said, "It's beautiful out there, Runebelle. The snowfall is like a blanket of magic."

Runebelle finished with the ponytail and replied, "Yes, it's so peaceful. I've always loved the snow. It's like the world gets a fresh start, just like us every time we wake up from the tanks."

Roselle turned her gaze toward Risebelle in her tank. The memory of their battle against Dark Whirlwind surged through her mind. She remembered how Dark Whirlwind's taunts had cut deep, telling her she was just a copy and not her own person. Unlike Risebelle, who fought with her rage, or Runebelle, who tried to support them despite everything, Roselle had been the weakest link in that battle.

"It's my fault," Roselle whispered. "I know that better than anyone. I made the mistake. I held back..."

Runebelle placed her hands on Roselle's shoulders, looking into her eyes with empathy. "You're right, Roselle, but you're only half right. If I were in your position, I might have done the same thing. It's devastating to hear someone say you're just a copy, but it's even sadder to only blame yourself. Risebelle let her anger get the best of her and nearly destroyed her own systems, but that was her choice. I thought we were all on the same page, but I was wrong. So, we're all at fault in some way."

Roselle looked down with tears brimming in her eyes.

"But," Runebelle continued gently, "we can find a way to synchronize our feelings. Think back to the Daimendo battle. Both of us together seamlessly. If it wasn’t for you Roselle, we wouldn’t have survived that battle."

Roselle looked surprised, then slowly gained confidence. Runebelle saw the change and pressed on. "You're already getting stronger and thinking faster, Roselle. I've been impressed."

Runebelle gave a small smile. "We've learned that it's possible to use our powers in a new way. With this knowledge, we should be able to handle ourselves. If we can combine the way we did, then Dark Whirlwind won't stand a chance next time."

Roselle straightened up. "You're right, Runebelle. We'll get stronger together. We'll be ready for Dark Whirlwind."

Roselle gazed at Runebelle. Though Runebelle’s face showed sadness, there was also some joy. She remarked, "Runebelle, I've always noticed that sadness in your eyes. And I've come to realize that it's a part of you, just like my curiosity is a part of me. It's not that being sad is a good thing, but I think it's what makes you strong in your own way."

Runebelle nodded. "I understand. Roselle. It’s like your curiosity. You always want to know more, even in the worst situations. It's what makes you, well, you."

Runebelle looked into Roselle's eyes and said, “Hey Roselle, I have a favor to ask of you."

Roselle turned around to face Runebelle. Runebelle whispered, "There's…someone I want to try and find, someone who's important to me. I don't know where to start, or even if we would have time to look around, but I was hoping you could help me..."

Roselle placed a gentle hand on Runebelle's shoulder and nodded. "Of course, Runebelle. I'll do everything I can to help you find this person. Just tell me who it is and we can begin."

“It’s….”

Before Runebelle could say the name, Haras stirred on the couch and woke up. She greeted them with a cheerful "Good morning."

Runebelle quickly turned her attention to Haras and said in unison, “Good Morning”

Haras flipped up to her feet with a giggle, “Rise and shine! I've been working on Risebelle non-stop, but you won't believe it. I think I must've fallen asleep for a moment, and now I’m beginning to think I forgot something important yesterday…."

While she made that thought, back at the prison site far north, the sinister-looking individual, trapped in his cell, had been eagerly awaiting Haras's return to free him. But as time passed, his patience wore thin, and he began to throw a fit.

"Hey! Where is that hyper girl with the pink hair? She promised to let us out! What's taking so long?"

The guard who had previously been stationed with Haras now stood watch over this cell. Annoyed by the constant shouting, the guard turned to the prisoner and said gruffly, “Shut up! Nobody is coming for you. They’re finally restoring order around here and I want some peace and quiet now that I don’t have to guard that maniac scientist."

The prisoner shouted in frustration. “I need to get out of here!”

The guard’s face hardened. “You can scream all you want. The situation is under control, and you're not going anywhere .Save your breath.”

Haras meanwhile in Alden’s cabin put her hand up to the side of her face, "I mean, I've been so busy, I practically turned into a workaholic! But what could I have possibly forgotten? It can’t be any technology, so why do I get that feeling? "

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Amid the lively conversation, Kintovar made her entrance. Her orange hair cascaded down her back, contrasting boldly with her pigtails that swayed with her every step. Her lab coat, impeccably white, draped over her curvaceous figure, and underneath it, a red shirt hinted at her fiery and determined nature. Black pants clung to her legs, exuding an aura of professionalism. As always, she wore her pink headphones and sunglasses, giving her a distinct presence.

She glanced at Haras, Roselle, Runebelle, and the others, and with a tone that demanded attention, she stated, "We have some important matters to discuss. Please gather around. It's time to talk about our next steps."

Kintovar, in her professional and authoritative manner, activated a projector and displayed a detailed model of the Star Jewel. It glowed with a mesmerizing, ethereal light, captivating the attention of those in the room.

Kintovar began her explanation, "The Star Jewel, as far as our records go, is a legendary artifact of immense power. It is said to have been created by an ancient civilization, long lost to history. The jewel is said to possess the power to manipulate the very fabric of magic, to reshape reality itself."

She paused, her eyes scanning the room, and continued, "The reason we need the Star Jewel is because Dark Whirlwind, the oppressive figure we're up against, wields a power beyond anything we've seen. To challenge them, we need something equally extraordinary. The Star Jewel may just be that something."

Kintovar turned her attention to Roselle and Runebelle. "Now, I want to hear what you two know about this jewel. Have you encountered any information or stories about it in your past experiences?"

"Uh-huh! You see," Roselle began, "the Star Jewel is in a Domain, which is like this whole secret world underneath the city. We went to two of them. The first one, Silver's Domain, was like, super pretty!" Her eyes lit up with emphasis on 'pretty'. "It had all these shiny things and magical creatures, and bunnniessss!!!!” Roselle’s tone suddenly shifted. She used fingers to mimic a dark atmosphere. “But then, there's the Jayla Domain. It's this spooky, crawly, dark domain, guarded by a guardian named Roy."

After this colorful description, she leaned in closer to Kintovar with a mischievous look. "Jayla's got the Star Jewel. The power coming off of that thing is enough to light up the whole dark domain. It's amazing!”

"We've come a long way, but there is still a lot of work to be done," Kintovar began. "We need the Star Jewel, and it's in Jayla's hands. She's a powerful guardian, and this won't be an easy task. But we're going to fight for it. We have to, for our own strength and for the safety of everyone here."

Kintovar continued, "I also have my sights set on heading South to gather valuable knowledge and resources that could give us a significant boost. But first, we need to secure the Star Jewel. This fight may be a life-or-death battle, but we'll give it everything we have. We can't afford to let Dark Whirlwind catch us with our pants down again."

Mystimona's eyes slowly opened. He had been in a deep slumber, but the words he heard had stirred something within him. Sitting on the floor, he pushed himself up, and his gaze became fixed on Kintovar.

"This ‘Dark Whirlwind’ sounds intriguing. If they're as powerful as you’ve told me, then I can wait to fight them," Mystimona declared with a confident grin. "If they can give me a worthy fight, I'm all in!"

Kintova spoke with a hint of caution. "Your magic is impressive, but Dark Whirlwind's power is on another level. However, there might be a way. Do you remember your Zenith form?"

Mystimona furrowed his brow, his memory slowly recalling the elusive Zenith form. "Yeah, I remember it now. I can reach it, but I can only hold it for ten minutes. I've never truly tested its limits."

Kintovar responded with a playful twirl and a smirk on her face. “When you're working with the greatest scientist, Dr. Kintovar, limitations tend to become mere suggestions. What I mean by this is, we'll push those ten minutes to the absolute maximum."

Haras clapped her hands excitedly. "Oh, you have no idea what Kintovar can do with limits, Mystimona. It's going to be epic!"

Mystimona looked puzzled.

"Ah, Mystimona, you may not get it just yet, but here's the thing," Kintovar began. "Limits are meant to be pushed, and boundaries are meant to be broken. We've got the technology for it, and so, we’ll make those ten minutes feel like an eternity!"

Kintovar brought out a mysterious, compact device. It resembled a sleek, futuristic gauntlet with intricate designs and pulsating lights.

She presented it to Mystimona with a flourish, explaining, "Behold, the culmination of my latest technological marvel. This is a Zenith Amplification Gauntlet. It's designed to enhance your Zenith form, allowing you to tap into its power for a longer duration, far beyond the standard ten minutes. It's still experimental, but I'm confident it'll be a game-changer."

Mystimona examined the device with keen interest. "How does it work?"

Kintovar explained, "The gauntlet is equipped with specialized magic conduits and energy regulators. When activated, it temporarily synchronizes with your Zenith form, reinforcing its stability and power output. I've fine-tuned it to grant you extended access to your Zenith abilities. With this, you'll also be able to have more control over your untested powers.”

Mystimona, now genuinely excited, nodded in approval. "I'm in. Let's put this gauntlet to the test against Jayla. I'll show her what I can do."

Kintovar grinned. "Excellent. With this device and your incredible potential, we're going to make an impact that’ll rock through the domains!”

The group prepared to head out. Kintovar turned to Roselle and Runebelle, who were going to guide them to the area of the Domains. Alden, the welcoming host of their temporary shelter, stepped forward and explained, "I'm afraid I won't be able to join you down there this time. I have a job to do at the church, and it's something I must attend to."

He went on to clarify, “I’m a clergyman, and I have my responsibilities every Saturday and Sunday. It's very important to me, and I hope you understand."

Kintovar nodded. "Of course, Alden. We appreciate your hospitality. We’ll handle things from here. You go ahead and take care of your duties."

With a smile and a nod, Alden said, "Stay safe, and may you find what you're looking for. I'll be here when you return."

The group approached the entrance to the domains, a place hidden beneath the large city, concealed behind a facade that seemed to blend seamlessly into the urban landscape. When they arrived at the nondescript entrance, they paused, taking a moment to scan their surroundings before entering.

When the group descended the final steps, they were hit by a surreal and eerie sight that felt like they had entered another world entirely. The underground space was bathed in an unsettling ambiance—a dark, foreboding scenery illuminated by erratic bursts of purple lightning that crackled across the sky-like ceiling. Shadows danced ominously. Along the walls were where grotesque and surreal silhouettes formed in flashes.

Strange beings with features that seemed part-monster and part-human, roamed the area. Their appearances were unsettling. Some had sharp claws, twisted horns, and other unnatural physiques. Some were engaged in various regular day activities, while others simply meandered about.

Roselle and Runebelle, who had been to these domains before had a sense of familiarity with the bizarre surroundings, but even they were taken aback by the darkness that enveloped them. Kintovar, Mystimona, and Haras exchanged glances.