Roselle finally spoke up. She said, "I'm sorry, but I got to know why we are going south. We didn't really get a chance to explore the North city! You know? There might be valuable information we could find too."
Risebelle let out a sigh and responded, "Roselle, that's not the point of a mission. The point is to complete the mission and move on to the next location. We got to the city and managed to regroup, so it's time to go south."
Runebelle made her presence known, though she didn't speak. Instead, she tilted head slightly while drawing near her sisters.
Kintovar took control of the situation, saying, and “Settle down, everyone. There is a reason for everything, just keep that in mind. We're off to South Jancito, and I've already prepared a wardrobe change for all of you. The environment in the South is said to be scorching hot, so we need to be ready for it."
The group stood on a platform, waiting for the train to South Jancito in the train station. Haras suddenly took the opportunity to position herself in front of Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle. Her hands were hidden behind her back. She leaned in closer to them with a grin.
The three sisters exchanged puzzled glances. It was clear that something was different about her behavior, but they couldn't quite put their finger on it. The anticipation and curiosity grew. After thirty minutes, the train’s whistle echoed through the station, signaling its arrival.
The group boarded the train. They caught a glimpse of a figure entered the train car. She had long violet hair adorned with golden rings and a dress that had an Arabic-style flair. Her golden eyes held a cold, heartless gaze that seemed to make everyone onboard feel uneasy about her presence.
Mystimona, with his perceptive instincts, immediately sensed that trouble might be brewing. He leaned in to Kintovar and whispered, "Kintovar, I have a bad feeling about this one. Keep an eye on her. Her presence is unsettling."
Kintovar nodded and replied, "I'll do just that, Mystimona."
The group disembarked from the train. They stepped onto the platform in South Jancito and were greeted by the vast, arid expanse of a desert town. The scorching sun beat down upon them.
The town itself was a collection of low, adobe-style buildings with whitewashed walls that seemed to glow in the intense heat.
People moved about in the town, dressed in loose clothing to combat the heat. Stalls lined the streets, offering a variety of goods, from vibrant fabrics to exotic spices. The scents of spices and grilled food wafted through the air.
Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle were quick to change into their new outfits, carefully designed to suit the scorching heat of South Jancito.
Roselle's new attire was a blend of practicality and style. She wore a fitted, lightweight top with an electric blue design, reminiscent of her lightning powers. Her shorts were a matching shade, providing comfort and freedom of movement. On her feet, she had sturdy yet breathable sandals designed for traversing the sandy terrain. To complete her look, a wide-brimmed, lightning bolt-patterned hat provided shade.
Risebelle's outfit embraced the soothing essence of water. Her flowing aqua blue robe fluttered in the desert breeze. She wore comfortable sandals that allowed her to move gracefully there was also a headress adorned with blue gems.
Runebelle donned a loose, earth-toned dress with patterns resembling leaves and vines. A wide-brimmed hat shielded her from the sun's harsh rays, and comfortable walking shoes ensured she could move freely. She also had green gems patterned along her outfit.
Kintovar and Haras stepped out onto the sun-drenched platform, still clad in their lab coats and uniforms, which seemed rather out of place in the scorching South Jancito.
"Won't you two be incredibly hot in those lab coats and uniforms?" Roselle asked.
Kintovar replied, "Don't worry, I've taken care of that. What you should look at are those" She gestured to intricate crystal-like pendant hanging from the neck of their clothing.
Each pendant was a work of art that seemed to glow in the sunlight. Kintovar explained, "These pendants aren't just for decoration. They're attuned to each of your individual preferences and personalities – Risebelle's, Roselle's, and Runebelle's."
Kintovar continued, "They will not only keep you cool in this heat but also enhance your connection with each other. These pendants will allow you to know when one of you is in danger, at all times. It's a safety measure, especially if you ever get separated. Haras made those herself."
Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle now understood Haras's peculiar behavior back at the station.
Roselle looked at Kintovar and Haras, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Kintovar, Haras, for everything. These pendants are amazing, and we really appreciate the care you've taken for us."
Runebelle nodded in agreement. She spoke softly, "Yes, thank you. We’ll be even closer as a team now."
Risebelle surprised everyone with a shy smile. "Thank you," she murmured. Her cheeks were tinged with a faint blush. Haras immediately wrapped Risebelle in her arms and pressed against her face. “You’re so adorable, Risebelle!" Risebelle blinked in surprise but couldn't hide the small smile that graced her lip. Risebelle let out a long sigh within her mind. "Just what did those two do to me,” she thought.
The group explored the desert town. Soon after moving ahead, the woman with violet hair had vanished from sight, leaving them to wonder about her intentions.
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Kintovar observed their surroundings and commented, "This place doesn't seem very 'technical.' It's a far cry from what I'm used to in terms of technology and industrialization..."
The streets were narrow and winding, and the architecture was predominantly adobe-style buildings. People in loose, flowing clothing went about their daily lives.
Risebelle spoke up, "It might not be high-tech, but that doesn't mean there aren't hidden secrets here. Let's explore carefully."
While going down deeper into the South Jancito town, the group found themselves amidst the labyrinthine streets lined with traditional adobe-style buildings; however, the buildings seemed to go on forever, and there was an air of timelessness to this part of the town.
Yet, when they went down what appeared to be a neverending path at first glance, the winding, traditional streets began to give way to more modernized structures. Glass and steel emerged amidst the whitewashed adobe, creating a fascinating fusion of old and new.
Kintovar's eyes lit up with excitement when she saw the modern buildings. "Now this is more like it," she said, her enthusiasm evident. “I was promised access to industrial and technological knowledge upon coming here, and it seems we've reached the area where I might find what I'm looking for.”
The group continued their exploration of the town, coming across a variety of buildings. They soon stumbled upon a large, dilapidated technology building. Kintovar examined the run-down structure and shook her head in disappointment.
The group would soon come across another broken-down building. It appeared to have been abandoned and fallen into disrepair. However, they soon noticed that this wasn't an isolated case. Down the road, there were many more such buildings in various states of abandonment and decay.
Kintovar observed the neglected technology structures with disapointment. She remarked, "It's a shame to see so many companies gone out of business. These buildings hold the remnants of technological knowledge that could have been valuable, and yet, it looks like this society discarded it for ‘magic’."
Kintovar stood in front of the group, her shoulders slumped in frustration. “So far, all I’ve encountered is pure and utter disappointment. I was promised industrial and technological marvels, but all I see are abandoned, crumbling buildings. I feel cheated and lied to.”
Haras interjected with an almost unnervingly cheerful tone. “Oh, come on, Kintovar! There’s still another thousand miles of paths we can trek through. The true treasure often lies hidden just beyond the horizon.”
Kintovar turned to Haras with disbelif. “Are you serious? Another thousand miles? You think that’s a reasonable distance to cover just for a chance at finding something of value?”
Haras’s grin didn’t waver. “Absolutely! Adventure and discovery require persistence. You know, it’s not all about finding what’s right in front of you. Sometimes, you’ve got to dig deeper, and who knows what you might find if you keep pushing forward!”
Kintovar’s face hardened. “You really think this is just a matter of perseverance? I was led to believe South Jancito would offer advanced technological insights. This... this is a far cry from what I expected.”
Risebelle, noticing the growing tension, stepped in with a calming tone. “Haras has a point, Kintovar. We should give it a bit more time before making any final judgments. There could be valuable information hidden here, and we’ve only just begun exploring.”
Risebelle, noticing the growing tension, stepped in with a calming tone. “Haras has a point, Kintovar. We should give it a bit more time before making any final judgments. There could be valuable information hidden here, and we’ve only just begun exploring.”
Kintovar sighed. “Very well. We’ll continue our search. Let me at least get our hovercraft ready so we can cover more ground.”
With a flick of her wrist, Kintovar activated a small device. It beeped once, and with a soft whirring sound, the hovercraft materialized before them. The craft was designed for quick, efficient travel, perfect for traversing the desert landscape.
Haras, eyed the hovercraft with interest, asked, “Did you get the U.A.G for the vehicles sorted out?”
Kintovar’s eyes widened in realization. “U.A.G? Oh no... I completely forgot about that.” She paused. Her face fell while mentally reviewing her checklist. “And we’re out of gas.”
She staggered slightly and hung her hands low. “I didn’t have time to refuel before we left…”
The group continued their trek through South Jancito, with Kintovar visibly bummed. Her shoulders slumped, her sunglasses perched forlornly atop her head, and her face nearly touched the ground in disappointment. The heat of the desert also magnified her frustration.
Roselle noticed Kintovar’s gloomy demeanor. She frowned before turning her head to her sisters. “Dr. Kintovar’s really looking sad. We have to find something, anything, to cheer her up.”
Risebelle raised an eyebrow and muttered, “Good luck with that. We’re in a desert. The only thing we’re likely to find is more sand and more of the same old buildings.”
Runebelle, though silent, nodded in agreement.
Roselle moved in front of the group. “We can’t just let her stay like this. There has to be something out here that can lift her spirits. Even if it’s a small piece of technology or a building that hints at what used to be here.”
Risebelle sighed and shook her head. “What are the odds of that happening? The South has abandoned technology for magic, so finding something technological out here seems pretty unlikely.”
The group continued their journey through the scorching streets of South Jancito. They eventually arrived at a massive structure that seemed to rise out of the desert like a monolithic sentinel. The building's name, "Shadowcroft," was etched into a large, weathered sign at the entrance, and it stood like a monolithic sentinel in the desert.
Roselle stammered. She recognized the name. "It can't be... Shadowcroft?"
Risebell looked visibly uneasy. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, and it wasn't just from the scorching heat. Her knowledge of Shadowcroft seemed to cast a shadow over her usual demeanor.
Runebelle was taken aback by the sight of the building. She clutched her chest, feeling her heartbeat quicken.
Kintovar, who had seen the name Shadowcroft in her father's works before, was not surprised. She nodded and remarked, "Shadowcroft. So this place does exist. My father's research mentioned this place. My father's notes indicated that this place held a wealth of knowledge related to industrial and technological advancements in the city and was a place that I should have seeked out, but I never imagined it was what we would find in the south. It seems we've stumbled upon the heart of South Jancito's technological heritage."
A wide grin spread across Kintovar’s. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “Finally! This is exactly what I’ve been looking for!” She burst into laughter.
The memories tied to that name flooded the minds of Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle. The weight of these memories was so overwhelming that the three of them dropped to one knee, each clutching their heads as if trying to contain the surge of recollection.
Kintovar rushed to their side and knelt beside them. "Are you alright?"
The group, still recovering from the surge of memories, was startled by the sudden appearance of a scientist. She had a medium-sized chest that was accentuated by her flowing lab coat and pink shirt. Her round face was framed by her intricate braids cascading down her back. Underneath the loose lab coat, she wore a pink shirt that covered slightly below her chest. Lastly, she adorned herself with a flowing skirt in the same vibrant hue of pink as her shirt.
With a warm and knowing smile, the scientist approached the group and remarked, "It's overwhelming, isn't it? The memories tied to Shadowcroft have a way of flooding one's consciousness to those who have been here before." She paused, taking in their reactions, and then continued, "My name is Ayana."
Upon hearing the name Ayana, a powerful jolt of recognition sent a heartbeat racing through Roselle.
“Y-You… You’re….!”