Kintovar was led through the imposing halls of the Castle of the Wicked Witch of the South by a group of guards dressed in arabic-style attire. The torches on the walls flickered and casted shadows that danced across the stone walls.

The guards led her through a pair of massive doors that creaked ominously. A long, blood-red carpet stretched out before her in the room behind the doors, leading to a magnificent throne perched on a raised dais.

Arahas Olasemahed, the Wicked Witch of the South sat on the throne. Her skin was wrinkled and aged. Her eyes were a piercing emerald green which held a dark presence on it’s own in their gaze on Kintovar. She was draped in regal yet ominously black robes.

"Ah, Kintovar," Arahas Olasemahed crooned, "you've come as I instructed. Hye hye. I trust you have followed my instructions to the letter, no weapons or devices of any kind?" She stared intently at Kintovar, a predatory smile curving her thin, cracked lips.

Kintovar, about to respond, was swiftly interrupted by Arahas Olasemahed. The wicked witch, with a dark chuckle, spoke, "No need to answer, Kintovar. Hye hye. I know for a fact that you've come unarmed. You wouldn't want anything unfortunate to happen to your dear friend, now, would you?"

She then leaned forward, her piercing emerald eyes locked onto Kintovar's, and continued, "You may call me Olaysa, Kintovar, for that is the name I allow my visitors to use. Hye hye. Now, let us begin."

Olaysa produced a magical crystal ball, its surface swirling with mysterious energy. She spoke with a wicked grin, "With this crystal ball, I can see into the future, Kintovar. I have glimpsed tragic events about to befall your precious Shadowcroft, and I thought it only fair to offer you a chance to avoid them."

Kintovar, her eyes filled with suspicion, responded firmly, "Tragic events caused by your doing, I presume?"

Olaysa burst into a sinister laughter that filled the throne room. "Hye hye. Oh, Kintovar, you are more perceptive than most. Yes, the tragic events I speak of are my doing. But don't worry, you don't need to be there when they occur."

Olaysa continued, her tone dripping with malice, “But I know what you're truly interested in, Kintovar. It's not the fate of Shadowcroft that concerns you. It's the Goddess items, isn't it?"

Kintovar's eyes widened in surprise. "How do you know about that?"

Olaysa leaned back in her throne, her wicked grin growing wider. "Hye hye. I've known about your arrival in Jancito City since you set foot here, Kintovar. I have been watching, and my crystal ball has shown me many things."

Kintovar's gaze met Olaysa’s piercing eyes. ‘Crystal ball… I see…’ The realization dawned on her—Olaysa had been orchestrating her plans from the very beginning.

Kintovar swallowed hard and maintained her composure. "So, you’ve been watching me all this time," she said aloud. "And you obviously know about the Goddess items. Why am I not surprised at your intellect?"

Olaysa’s wicked grin broadened. "Hye hye. Indeed, Kintovar. The Goddess items are of great interest to me. They hold the power to reshape the very fabric of this world."

"Very well, Olaysa," Kintovar said while trying to mask her anxiety with a facade of calm. "What do you want with me? What is your endgame with these Goddess items?"

At Kintovar’s question, the massive doors to the throne room creaked open, and a young woman entered. Her wild, violent hair and fierce demeanor were unmistakable—this was Rawna, the same person who had attacked Shadowcroft.

Olaysa introduced her with a sinister tone, "Kintovar, this is my daughter, Rawna. I'm sure you've met her the other day. Hye hye."

Rawna, her gaze fixed on Kintovar, one of curiosity and defiance. She didn't utter a word, but her presence alone was enough for Kintovar to guage the amount of power Olaysa had at her disposal.

Olaysa produced a wicked smile. "Kintovar, don’t worry. This does not need to end with your demise. I offer you a choice, a chance to save your friend. Hye hye. All you need to do is cooperate with me."

Kintovar’s face held curiosity. "Cooperate with you? What do you want from me?"

Olaysa leaned forward with wickedness in tone. "I want you to become a scientist for me, Kintovar. Join my cause and help develop the technology that will serve the ruler of South Jancito, who, of course, is me. Hye hye."

Kintovar couldn't hide her disbelief. "Join you? Work for you? Why would I do such a thing?"

Olaysa took on a sinister edge in her speech. "You see, Kintovar, Shadowcroft has defied my rule, Hye hye. But the other day, their defiance has reached a boiling point, and there are consequences for such actions. I have warned them that they would face hell for their disobedience."

Kintovar felt a bead of sweat trickle down her temple. She struggled to keep her composure.

Olaysa’s emerald eyes gleamed with dark satisfaction. She leaned forward and spoke menacingly. "You know, Kintovar, I’m well aware of your little charade within the Shadowcroft organization. The truth is, the Kintovar they remember is locked away in a jail cell, unable to interfere with my plans. Hye hye. And now, I wonder—what is your true connection to that Kintovar?"

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Kintovar’s heart pounded. "I… I don’t know. I don’t have the answers you’re seeking."

Olaysa’s lips twisted into a cruel smile. "Ah, the uncertainty is quite delightful. But let’s move on, shall we? There’s another reason you should consider my offer."

Olaysa leaned back with disdain. “Haras. You see, Kintovar, I have something rather unpleasant planned for her, but if you join me, if you become a scientist and serve my cause, you might just be able to save her from the fate I have in store."

She continued, "What this all comes down to, Kintovar, is obedience. Obedience to me, the ruler of South Jancito. All you have to do is comply with my wishes and nothing will happen to you, your friends or your family. It's a simple choice, really."

Kintovar's mind raced. She thought to herself, ‘I can't believe it has come to this. Joining forces with the Witch of the South, Olaysa, goes against my own wishes, but it's not just about me; it's about Haras, my dear friend and lab partner. The thought of complying with Olaysa's demands is repugnant, but the safety of Haras is paramount. Can I find a way to outsmart her from within?’

Olaysa’s words wormed their way into her thoughts like a telepathic message.

"Kintovar, I can see the gears turning in that brilliant mind of yours. Consider this: I hold a Goddess item, the Spear of Destruction, and I have the knowledge and means to find others. If you cooperate with me, you won't just save Haras; you'll have the opportunity to acquire the next Goddess item we encounter. Together, we can unlock their power and reshape the world. Think of the advancements in technology, the discoveries you could make, and the greater good we could achieve."

Kintovar felt glimmer of temptation. She thought to herself once again, ‘Olaysa knows exactly which cards to play, and the offer she makes is tempting. The allure of obtaining a Goddess item and the potential it holds for scientific discovery is undeniable. But I've only just begun to build relationships at Shadowcroft. Dr. Winter and the scientists there, they've welcomed me, and I've learned to admire their dedication. Can I just abandon them like this? Bah…I haven’t known them too long… it’s a shame though, really.’

Kintovar finally spoke. "Olaysa, you have all the advantages on your side, and I can't deny the appeal of what you're offering. However, before I agree to anything, I need to see that Haras is unharmed. Once I'm assured of her safety, we can discuss this further."

Olaysa gave a nod, then called for someone to bring Haras in. The doors of the throne room opened, and in walked Haras, now dressed in an Arabic-style lab coat and holding an apple in her hands. Her high-pitched, energy filled the room."Hey, Kintovar! You’re here!" Haras greeted with a grin. “Look, you won't believe this, but I saw this apple here trying to survive in the desert, and it said, 'I'm so thirsty, I can't concentrate!'."

Kintovar grinned, but Olaysa's stern gaze silenced the room. "Enough," she commanded, causing Haras to recoil. Olaysa then smirked. "Kintovar, are you satisfied with the state of your friend?"

Kintovar looked at Haras, who seemed unharmed and in good spirits. She then turned her attention back to Olaysa. "Yes, for now, she appears to be well. Now, let's discuss our arrangement further."

Kintovar stood her ground. "I agree to your terms, Olaysa, but on one condition. I want the freedom to go after one of the Goddess items myself, along with my creations, Haras and Mystimona. We will act independently in acquiring it."

Olaysa regarded Kintovar with a wicked smile. "You're bargaining hard, Kintovar, but very well. You can go after one Goddess item, but be aware that obtaining the other four will not be easy. Two of them are in the East, and one of those is presented as a prize in the Jancito Annual Tournament."

Kintovar knew about the tournament. Olaysa continued, "The tournament is a unique event that attracts fighters from North, South, East, and West Jancito. During the tournament, all wars are prohibited, ensuring a temporary peace. However, the tournament is held in the East, and you won't make it and have time to spare unless you cut through the Western Territory, which is the most dangerous place to be, ruled by the Maizen Empire that controls the world's government."

Kintovar nodded, her resolve firm. "I'm aware of the challenges, Olaysa. I'll find a way to navigate through the West and reach the tournament. We will act independently, and once we have a Goddess item, we will return to you."

With Haras released and their agreement established, Olaysa moved forward. She began to chant in a language unfamiliar to Kintovar, and a faint, otherworldly glow enveloped Kintovar momentarily. Kintovar felt a strange sensation, like an invisible link had been established.

Olaysa grinned wickedly. "I've placed a tracking spell on you, Kintovar. This will ensure you follow through with our agreement. If you attempt to deviate or break the terms, the consequences will be…hye hye hye..."

Olaysa’s eyes flickered with dark amusement. “The last person who tried to defy me was a rather overconfident fellow. He thought he could outsmart me, you see. Oh, the poor fool,” Olaysa said with a chilling chuckle. “He was so certain of his cleverness that he ignored my warnings. I had to teach him a lesson.”

Her smile turned darker as she continued, “I made sure his end was… memorable. A fitting punishment, if you will. He was transformed into a grotesque creature, and has forever been trapped in the deepest, darkest pit of my domain.”

Olaysa’s gaze never. “Now that you understand, I trust you’ll adhere to our agreement. The Goddess item is yours to pursue, but remember—your every move is being watched. Don’t disappoint me, Kintovar. Hye hye hye.”

Kintovar replied, "I won't forget, Olaysa."

Olaysa's evil laughter filled the room. She waved her hand, signaling the guards to escort Kintovar out of the castle, back to the desert town.

Haras held Kintovar close. Kintovar reciprocated the hug, but despite cherishing this moment, she looked uneasy.

"Haras, I've missed you too," Kintovar whispered. "But we can't stay here any longer. We need to find Roselle, Risebelle and Runebelle, and then leave South Jancito ASAP."

Haras reluctantly released her grip. "You're right, Kintovar. Let's find our sisters and get out this place."

On the way to Shadowcroft, Haras tried to hold Kintovar's hand several times during their walk. Kintovar, however, seemed focused on the path ahead and didn't respond to these attempts. After a few tries, Haras gave up, though her disappointment was short-lived when she thought of something else she could do. She soon wore a small, playful smile.

But when they reached the entrance of Shadowcroft's building, their return took a disconcerting turn. They were met by a group of scientists, all armed and pointing their guns at them.

Dr. Winter stepped forward with her DA-56 aimed directly at Kintovar. "Hold it right there," she ordered.

Kintovar looked at all of the scientists with confusion. "Dr. Winter, what the hell is this? Why are you all armed and have your weapons aimed at me?"