Dr. Winter remained stern, "Kintovar, you should know better than to ask that question. I'm no fool. I've studied the doppelganger theory extensively, and I've seen firsthand the lengths to which people will go to deceive us."
Kintovar's confusion deepened. "Doppelganger theory? Dr. Winter, I don't understand. I'm Kintovar and I was taken by Olaysa Olasemahed."
Dr. Winter's eyes bore into Kintovar with unwavering suspicion. “Cut the crap! You’re pretending to be the Kintovar I knew," she declared. "The real Kintovar has been in Western Jancito Jail for years now. I know about doppelganger theory, and you won't fool me with your act!"
Kintovar's eyes flashed with frustration. “Dr. Winter, did you know this all along?”
Dr. Winter remained stern. “I had someone check with the Western Jancito Jail. They confirmed that a Juliana Kintovar is still incarcerated there. So, who are you really?”
Kintovar took a deep breath and then said, “Think for a moment. My weapon, the BG360, is designed to work in conjunction with the Cyron Elimination Cannon’s Super Trump card. If that’s the case, wouldn’t it make sense that I bear some relation to the Kintovar who’s imprisoned?”
Dr. Winter’s eyes narrowed. Her grip on the DA-56 tightened, but a flicker of doubt crossed her face. “Even if what you say is true, it doesn’t change the fact that we’ve been lied to. Your actions have cast doubt on your identity.”
Kintovar’s eyes met Dr. Winter’s. “Listen, Dr. Winter, I can explain everything. You need to hear me out.”
Dr. Winter growled. “Give me one reason not to pull this trigger right now.”
“Because that would be too hasty, and you know it. In the short time we’ve been together, I’ve gotten a good read on you. You’re a scientist who would value evidence and reason over rash decisions. Pulling the trigger now would only close off the chance for the truth to come out.”
Dr. Winter’s face hardened, but her eyes held contemplation. She lowered the DA-56 slightly but didn’t fully relax. “You’re saying you have proof?”
Kintovar responded with a serious gaze towards Dr.Winter. “My proof will be my story.”
Dr. Winter raised an eyebrow. “Explain yourself, then. Start from the beginning."
Kintovar took a deep breath and then began. “It all began on a Mystical Island, far from here, where a dense forest dominated the land. I was born there and had a difficult life. Mages ruled the island, and their power was absolute. My father, a kind and gentle man, was killed by the head of these mages. It was a moment of immense loss and suffering for me."
Dr. Winter and the others listened intently. Kintovar continued, "I vowed to seek revenge for my father's death, and after years of struggle, I achieved that goal. But I couldn't stay on the island any longer. I managed to escape, and my journey led me here, to Jancito City."
She paused briefly, and Dr. Winter spoke up, her tone still cautious but more open to understanding. "That's quite a story, Kintovar. But how does it explain what's happening now? Why did you act as if you knew us when you first arrived?"
Kintovar nodded, realizing that the timeline needed to be addressed. "I didn't anticipate the reactions you all had when you saw me. But as for the hole in the barrier around the city, that was created when I arrived. I used a powerful device that I made on the Mystical Island to channel the power of the forest and break through. I had no idea it would cause such chaos and commotion."
Dr. Winter’s gaze softened, but her resolve remained. “Your story is compelling, Kintovar,” she said, lowering her weapon further. “But before we can fully trust you, I need to confirm it with your companions. For now, you’ll be taken into custody as a prisoner of Shadowcroft until we can confirm your story with your companions.”
Kintovar face turned to concern. “What about my creations and Mystomina? Where are they?”
Dr. Winter’s gaze softened slightly. “They were already detained before you arrived. Mystomina, in particular, mentioned that if you returned, you can clear things up and everyone would be freed. For now, they’re being held until we can sort this out.”
Kintovar tried to keep her tone measured despite her frustrations. “I understand. I’ll cooperate fully. Just make sure my companions and creations are treated well.”
Dr. Winter nodded. “Mystomina’s confidence in your return suggests that there might be some truth to your story. l however, will follow protocol.
"Dr. Winter, I promise you, I will cooperate and provide whatever information is needed to prove my identity and ensure the safety of my creations. I need to see them, to make sure they're alright."
Dr. Winter responded. "We will arrange for you to see them after confirming stories, Kintovar, but you will be confined here in the meantime. We can't risk any further confusion."
Kintovar and Haras found themselves in a cold underground facility, escorted by Shadowcroft security personnel. The duo were roughly thrown into one of the cells on the B1F. Kintovar called out to the security personnel, "Hey, watch the lab coat! This thing took me a long time to design, and it's very special."
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Haras chimed in, "Yeah! Watch the lab coat! It's got to look good while I cook up some of my amazing scientific experiments!"
The Shadowcroft guards paused for a brief moment and processed Kintovar’s and Haras’s protests. They exchanged glances before ultimately dismissing the comments with a unified shrug. Without a word, they turned and walked off.
Kintovar brushed off her lab coat with frustration. “Well, that was unpleasant.”
The B1F of Shadowcroft Jail was a subterranean labyrinth of small, cramped cells with little more than narrow, grated windows for ventilation. The walls were made of thick, cold stone. The only source of light came from the overhead bulbs.
Kintovar sighed. “I got careless. I spoke with Olaysa without a solid plan for my return. I didn’t expect my secret to be exposed like this.”
Haras, with her usual energy, looked up at Kintovar and smiled. "It’s okay, Kintovar. You really care about me, don't you?" She hugged onto Kintovar tightly.
Kintovar broke free from the hug. She paced the small cell and said, “We have to wait for confirmation from everyone. Hopefully, they’ll come through soon. I just didn’t anticipate the situation turning out like this. Though I would prefer it if we weren’t bound by these limitations.”
Haras, full of energy and ideas, began suggesting one plan after another:
"What if we build a giant paper airplane and fly out of here?"
"Haras, that's physically impossible, and we're underground."
"Okay, how about we pretend to be invisible and just walk out the door?"
"That won't fool anyone, Haras."
"What if we dig our way out with our bare hands, like in those old prison movies?"
"We're not going to dig our way out of a high-security facility with our bare hands. Think again, Haras."
Haras, undeterred, then suggested her final idea: "What if you meet the other Kintovar? The one in West Jancito who's imprisoned. Maybe she can vouch for you."
Kintovar raised an eyebrow. After a momentary pause, she smirked. "Haras, that's a silly idea, but you know what they say—sometimes the craziest ideas are the ones that work."
A day had passed in the underground jail cell at Shadowcroft, with Kintovar and Haras anxiously awaiting any sign of a plan. Dr. Winter came down to the area. She approached the cell and observed them with a critical eye. "I trust you're both comfortable in your accommodations."
Kintovar didn't waste time in speaking. "Dr. Winter, I need to know what it would take for us to meet the other Kintovar in the West. We believe she can vouch for my identity."
Dr. Winter folded her arms. "Meeting the other Kintovar won't be easy. She's in a high-security facility, and they won't simply let us in to chat. Besides, she's been locked up for years, and she might not even be willing to cooperate."
Kintovar’s eyes gleamed. “I’m confident that the other Kintovar would be eager to speak with a family member. If we can arrange a meeting, I believe she’ll be willing to vouch for my identity.”
Dr. Winter raised an eyebrow. “What makes you think she’d want to see you? After all, she’s been isolated for years. Why would she care to speak to someone she’s never met?”
Kintovar took a deep breath, “I didn’t get a chance to mention this before, but I am Juliana Kintovar’s daughter. I’m sure she would jump at the opportunity to see a family member after all these years.”
In her mind, Kintovar was mentally crossing her fingers. This was a huge guess, a massive leap of faith, but she needed to play her part convincingly.
Dr. Winter’s eyes widened slightly, and she coughed. “You’re...Julia Kintovar?”
Kintovar was expecting her own name to be called but…that name was not her own. 'Damn... I guess I have to keep up an act, 'she thought.
Kintovar nodded. “Yes, Julia."
Dr. Winter’s eyes widened in shock. She took a step back, mumbling to herself. “Julia Kintovar? No way. Julia was supposed to have died a few years ago…”
She paused momentarily and then thought back and gained a curious look. “Wait… in my last conversation with Juliana—years ago—she did mention something about Julia coming back to life. But… that’s unbelievable…. What technology could be responsible…?”
Dr. Winter’s gaze flitted between Kintovar and Haras. “This is beyond anything I anticipated,” she muttered, shaking her head. “I need to check something. This… this could be huge.”
Before Kintovar could say another word, Dr. Winter turned abruptly and walked away. “I need to confirm this,” she continued to mumble while retreating down the hallway.
Kintovar watched her go. “Wait! Dr. Winter, you haven’t answered our question!” she called out while trying to reach an arm through the bar, but Dr. Winter was already too far away.
A considerable amount of time passed in the jail cell. Kintovar and Haras grew increasingly restless, but finally, Dr. Winter returned with news.
Dr. Winter entered the cell. "Good news, Kintovar. I've managed to arrange a meeting with the other Kintovar in the West. However, there's a condition."
Kintovar and Haras leaned in, eager to hear the details. "What's the condition?" Kintovar asked.
Dr. Winter explained, "The Western Chief, who has control over the facility where the other Kintovar is held, agreed to our request, but only if you are escorted by someone from the South. Unfortunately, Shadowcroft doesn't count as an official representative of the South. They only recognize Olaysa as their ruler, and that's where the issue lies."
Kintovar’s eyes narrowed with frustration. “Shadowcroft isn’t on good terms with the ruler of the South.”
Dr. Winter sighed. “That’s right. All official business, including any requests for diplomatic or security assistance, has to go through Olaysa. Unfortunately, despite Shadowcroft’s role in security and other operations, our requests for such approvals are consistently denied by Olaysa. Shadowcroft, despite our extensive security and technological expertise, has been sidelined since the arrest of the other Kintovar.”
Dr.Winter leaned against the cell bars. “Olaysa used to value Shadowcroft’s contributions—our advancements in security and technology were seen as essential. But ever since the other Kintovar’s imprisonment, she’s shut us out. She declared that the desert town doesn’t need our technology or support anymore, and her dark rule has only solidified.”
Kintovar’s eyes narrowed. “If Shadowcroft can’t escort us and you’re not able to get approval for assistance, how are we supposed to meet the other Kintovar?”
Haras piped up. “Couldn’t we try to find someone from the South who might be willing to help us out? Maybe someone who has a reason to oppose Olaysa’s rule or someone who’s sympathetic to our cause?”
But before they could delve further into this new dilemma, a darkness interrupted the sight of everyone.
“It’s simpler than you might think”.
The room grew cold as Rawna strode in. Behind her, Olaysa floated. She sat on a moving throne with a sinister grin on her face. "They can’t imprison someone who belongs to Olaysa."
Dr. Winter was in complete shock. She fell to her knees in defeat. "What the hell? I didn't even feel their presence…. Did they somehow slip past Security? This isn’t good… Shadowcroft is finished!"
Olaysa, with a 'hye hye,' leaned closer. "Oh, don’t worry deary, I'm not going to destroy Shadowcroft just yet. Hye hye… I have far worse plans than that for the likes of you…"