Risebelle made her way through the crowd. Her curiosity iqued by the versation taking pear the statue of the Goddess. While getting closer, she could hear devoted followers speaking about a looming threat that was casting a shadow over the world. There were mentions of “Dark Whirlwind, a name she had heard before.

  A woman among the followers was addressing the gathered crowd.

  Risebelle maneuvered her way through the crowd until she had a clear view of the se. The devoted Goddess followers were dressed in white robes and stood in a semi-circle. Their heads were bowed in reverence. In their midst stood a leader with medium-length wavy, spiky hair and a long white cloak with Red ats. He stood tall and dignified.

  At the ter of attention was a woman with long wavy hair that cascaded down her back. She wore a beautiful ese dress which artially obscured by her own long white cloak. It swayed gracefully with her movement. Her lips were adorned with striking red lipstick, and her voice held a trace of a French at.

  The woman addressed the gathering with a sense ency, “Mes amis,” she began, “we gather here today uhe watchful gaze of our benevolent Goddess. We face a grave threat, ohat seeks to plunge our world into darkness. The DarkWhirlwind, a foralevolehreatens our very existence.”

  Risebelle leaned in to listen to the woman closer, “But oddess has not forsaken us. She has left us with five sacred items, gifts of prote, hidden across the nds. It is our sacred duty to find these artifacts and harheir power to bat the darkhat encroaches upon us.”

  The leader nodded in agreement. “Indeed,” he decred with authority. “These artifacts hold the key to our salvation. They are the Goddess’s divine instruments, entrusted to us to preserve the bance of our world.”

  Risebelle’s curiosity deepehe Leader listed off four items:

  7 Stars Crimson Bde: A mysterious and powerful bde, said to be fed from the stars themselves, with seven crimson gems embedded in its hilt.

  Star Jewel: A star shaped gem of immense beauty. It’s rumored to hold the essence of the stars and the secrets of the os within its crystallihs. It is said that those who are near it will have their desires granted.

  Spear of Destru: A formidable on, said to have the power t about catastrophic ge and upheaval. It is the most destructive on and the wielder is on the priority list to be found.

  Shield of Creation: A protective artifact, believed to possess the ability to shape reality and bring forth new life and prosperity.

  The fifth and final artifact remained shrouded in mystery, its nature and purpose unknowo the most devout followers. It was a source of intrigue and wonder among the gathering.

  The woman with the French at tinued, “Though the exaature of these artifacts and their bined power remains a divine mystery, we must embark on a sacred quest to uhe fifth item. With all five in our possession, we shall have the means to call upon the very power of the Goddess herself.”

  The people’s ts rang out in fervent unison,

  “Long live Queen Nanase! Long live our nd!

  In the quest for the artifacts, we’ll lend a hand!

  With ce and hope, we’ll take the lead,

  For the Goddess’s power is what we need!”

  The leader of the group stepped forward. His anding presence drew the attention of everyohered. He raised his hand, and the crowd fell into respectful silence.

  “I am Nataru. By the Goddess herself, I was the orusted with the task of coordinating our operations for the United Natioween North, South, a. The West has chosen a path of uncooperativeness, but we are here to unite our strengths and face a on enemy.”

  Nataru’s words resonated with the people.

  “The importance of finding these five goddess items ot be overstated. They are our best hope to bat the looming threat of Dark Whirlwind aore bao our world!”

  His words resonated deeply with the crowd, and as he cluded his speech, he raised his hand high. “Together, we shall prevail! For the sake of our world and the goddess herself, let us unite, find these sacred items, and face our on enemy with an unwaveriermination!”

  The crowd erupted in thunderous cheers. They were motivated, united, and ready to embark on a mission to locate the goddess items and protect their world from the impending darkness.

  Risebelle stood oskirts of the gathering. She hid in the shadows while trying to make some se of the information being shared by Nataru and the oddess followers.

  ’They speak of five goddess items ’she thought to herself, her brow furrowing in ption. ‘If these items are as powerful as they cim....but what are they, and where do we start looking?’

  She weighed the risks and bes of approag Nataru and the others, but ultimately, it wasn’t a part of her mission. ‘I’ve gathered enough information,’ she said,’I o return to Roselle and Runebelle. I o share this with them...’

  With that, Risebelle quietly slipped away from the gathering, heading back to the where her sisters and Alden were waiting.

  As Risebelle made her way through the city, she had gathered, she suddenly felt a presence approag from behind. She turned slightly, her senses on high alert, and was surprised to see the dy from earlier approag.

  Without a word, the woman motioned for Risebelle to follow her and then swiftly led her down an alleyway away from the busy crowd and the prying eyes of onlookers.

  Risebelle followed them but remained on her guard, ready to summon her on at any moment.

  Queen Nauro Risebelle and greeted her with a courteous “Bonjour.” Her tone olite, but her eyes held a pierg curiosity as she tinued, “I couldn’t help but notice you in the crowd during my speech. It’s not often we enter individuals with no disible magical energy. It piqued my i.”

  Risebelle, while cautious, felt pelled to respond truthfully. “I... I’m not like the others. I’m not from here,” she admitted, choosing her words carefully.

  The woman nodded. Her red lips formed a small smile. “That much is clear. Tell me, who are you, and what brings you to the North Pole City?”

  Risebelle hesitated for a moment, then spoke. “I’m searg for something important, something that may be lio the safety of this world. I overheard your speech about the goddess items, and I believe they may hold the key to what I seek.”

  The woman listeo Risebelle’s words. “The goddess items are indeed of great importance,” she aowledged. “They are our best hope against the threat of Dark Whirlwind. But they are not easily found. ”

  The aused, a hint of realization crossing her face. “Oh, where are my manners?” she said, her French at lending a melodic quality to her words. “I have not introduced myself. I am Nahe Queen of North Jancito.”

  Risebelle’s eyes widened slightly. “Queen Nanase?” she repeated while tilting her head slighty. “You are the queen of this world?”

  Nanase shook her head gently, “Non, not quite. I am only the Queen of the North. Our world is vast, and it is divided into different regions, each governed by its own ruler. The South, East, a each have their own Kings and Queens.”

  Risebelle absorbed this information with a frown f on her face. “So, there are other rulers like you?” she asked, seeking crification.

  “Yes,” Nanase firmed. “Each ruler oversees their respective regions. We work together to maintain the band harmony of our world. However, this threat from Dark Whirlwind is something we must all unite against. The quest for the goddess items is a mission that transds our individual domains.”

  Risebelle nodded slowly, “I see. The goddess items are crucial for the prote of the entire world, not just the North.”

  “Exactement,” Nanase replied. “That is why it is imperative we locate them before Dark Whirlwind’s influence spreads further. Tell me, Risebelle, do you have any leads on where we might find these artifacts?”

  “Exactement,” Nanase replied. “That is why it is imperative we locate them before Dark Whirlwind’s influence spreads further. Tell me, Risebelle, do you have any leads on where we might find these artifacts?”

  Risebelle hesitated, her thoughts rag. “I...” she began, but then she paused. She needed more information, and there was one source that might help.

  Inside her mind, she called out to the System. ” Hey System, do you have any information on the goddess items?”

  Silence greeted her inquiry. Frustration began to build, and her patience wore thin. She tried again, enraged. “Respond, Gentle System! I don’t have time for this!”

  “I regret to inform you that our database tains no information oems you seek,” the Gentle System replied softly. “I will tio search for aed data, but as of now, there is nothing avaible.”

  Risebelle’s anger simmered, but she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She turned her gaze back to Nanase, atg her with a curious look. “I might have some ideas, but I o discuss this with my sisters first,” Risebelle said.

  Nanase nodded in uanding. “Of course. Family and allies are crucial in times like these. I would like to extend an invitation to you and your sisters. Join us in our quest to find the goddess items, but before I go….”

  She held out her arms, and two chakrams formed upon them, beautiful ons pristine and shining with holy power. Instinctively, Risebelle summoned her medium-sized on, her eyes narrowing with a growl of frustration.

  “Do you have hatred for me, Risebelle,” Nanase asked softly.

  Risebelle eased up slightly. Her grip on her on loosened but did not lower. “I ’t trust any humans, especially those that pull out ons.”

  Nanase gave a small nod. “I uand,” she said gently. “I was merely trying to figure out what type of person you are. Being non-human, your reas and instincts are different from those I enter daily.”

  Risebelle kept locked on Nanase, searg for any sign of deceit or threat. But what she saw in Nanase’s eyes was something different. There th that struck a chord within her.

  Slowly, Risebelle began to lower her on. Something about the look in Nanase’s eyes told her she was not like the other humans she had entered.

  Nached her closely with relif as Risebelle finally put her on away. “Thank you,” she said softly. “Trust is not easily given, but I hope in time, we build it together.”

  “I’ll discuss your offer with my sisters. We’ll decide together.”

  Nanase smiled. “I look forward to your decision. Until then, stay safe, Risebelle.”

  With that, she turned and walked away with her chakrams dissipating into the air. Risebelle watched her go and gained a thought of flig emotions.

  ‘Perhaps Alden was right,’ she thought, ‘Maybe not all humans are like those who hurt us. But …’

  Risebelle paused her walking for a moment, gazing at her own hand, lost ihought. Her hand .After a minute of ption, Risebelle’s face hardened. She turned and headed back towards the where Roselle, Runebelle, and Alden were waiting.

  Risebelle entered Alden’s and found his wife, who greeted her with a hint of jealousy ione.

  “Well, well, look who’s back,” she said, raising an eyebrow. “Alden’s been out with Anika again, hasn’t he? Out te, no doubt. They seem to be quite the pair, those two.”

  Risebelle could sehe underlying tension in the woman’s words. Clearihroat, Risebelle replied, “I did see Alden earlier, but I o speak with him. It’s about something important, something that s all of us.”

  Alden’s wife sighed, “Important, you say? Well, go ahead and find him door. Just don’t keep him out too te. Anika already has that role covered, it seems.”

  With a nod of thanks, Risebelle headed door to speak with Alden.

  Risebelle entered Anika’s and was greeted by an ued sight. Runebelle, her once lifeless sister, was now animated and saying her goodbyes to Manisha and Priya. Risebelle had been prepared to scold the children again for causing trouble and take Runebelle by foratter what anyone said, but seeing Runebelle’s iion with Roselle and the two young girls left her momentarily speechless.

  Alden approached Risebelle, in his eyes as he asked, “Did you mao clear your head, Risebelle?”

  Risebelle tore her gaze away from the heartwarming se and turned her attention to Alden. She took a deep breath, then nodded. “Yes, Alden I...I needed some time to think, and I believe I’ve gained some crity.”

  Alden nodded and pat on Risebelle’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. We all have moments like those.” He theuro the group gathered around Runebelle. Risebelle watched as her sisters shared their final moments with Manisha and Priya. She wore a bittersweet smile on her face.

  “Alright… we have a lot to talk about...” Risebelle said while steeping up and joining the group.