Dark Whirlwind had her usually posed demeanor shattered by the ued strike of Risebelle.

  "You...you dare," Dark Whirlwind hissed. She took a step back, her gaze locked onto Risebelle.

  "Risebelle, you move!" Roselle excimed.

  "Dark Whirlwind made it so you and Becky move too," Risebelle said with strain. "We o fight. Now."

  Roselle looked with . "But—"

  "Don't waste time, Roselle!" Risebelle interrupted. "Join me now, before I lose whatever trol I have left aroy us all!"

  Roselle hesitated, but she could see the desperation in Risebelle's eyes. She was just barely keeping trol of herself. Taking a deep breath, she nodded.

  Becky knew better than to question Risebelle's and. She cracked her knuckles and prepared to jump into this battle, but eyed her Hammer.

  Dark Whirlwind watched the three of them, her fury simmerih the surface. "You think you defeat me? You deluded fools."

  "Risebelle, what do you think you're doing,” Alden asked himself.

  Sybil, still uo move, looked at Becky with frustration. ‘I wish I could stand by your side Becky…but this level of magical power....’ Sybil thought to herself.

  Meanwhile, Runebelle’s sadness deepehe iy of her sister Risebelle's anger and the dahey were all heavy on her. Her eyes glistened with uears.

  Runebelle delved into the realm of her mind, where she found herself in a cheerful and vibrant space. Her cheerful System greeted her with its usual enthusiasm.

  "Hello, Project Rune! How I assist you today?" the System chirped.

  Runebelle took a deep breath before stating. "I he power of Project Rune. If I increase my power, I believe I move through the Darkness."

  "That's a very creative idea!" the System praised. "Transf into your Project Rune form is now possible due to your Data colle being above 50%. However, I must warn you that this oppo is strohan you alone, and you shouldn't try taking them on by yourself."

  Runebelle's fidence wavered. "But then I 't protect my sisters..."

  The System responded with a geone. "It's quite the opposite, Project Rune. You o rely on your sisters this time. Project Mage (Roselle) and Project Zab (Risebelle) are crucial. There is one problem, though. The issue is whether their bodies handle or use the transformations at will. If they attempt it without enough Data collected, it could lead to Magical Rupture and cause serious harm, potentially leading to their self-destru. I have no knowledge of their current Data levels."

  Runebelle's heart ached at just the thought of her sisters in danger. "But we have to try. I 't just stand by and do nothing."

  "You do this, Project Ruhe System enced. "But remember, teamwork is yreatest strength while you are transformed. Trust in your sisters, no matter what and together, you overe this!"

  Runebelle nodded. "Thank you. I'll make sure we all get through this."

  Runebelle focused on all the sadness she felt within her body. Every tear unshed, every pang of sorrow, every moment of despair—she brought it forth, eling it into her System. Her Magic pertage rose rapidly, surging from 200% to 400%. With a loud cry, she shouted, “PROJECT RUNE!”

  Her appearance began to shift dramatically. Her hair turned a vibrant green, shimmering with energy. The once small on on her back morphed into two sleek, small guns, and a rge, menag needle materialized, standing out promily. Her eyes took on a bright green hue, glowing with the newfound power c through her.

  Her body grew from its childlike form into that of a teehe transformation plete, Runebelle stood as Project Rune, releasing a green aura of immense power.

  She looked at her hands, feeling the energy pulsating within her. "I'm ready," she whispered.

  Dark Whirlwind looked curiously towards Runebelle. "What is this transformation?"

  Runebelle, now in her Project Rune form, ignored Dark Whirlwind and turned her attention to her sister, Risebelle. She knew her sister's systems and capabilities intimately. Grabbing Risebelle by the shoulders, she focused her green, glowing eyes on her systems, urgently assessing the data.

  "Risebelle, your systems are overheating," Runebelle said with . "Yer is pushing you beyond your limits. We o find a way to cool you down and mahis."

  Runebelle harhe power of elemental infusion in her Project Rune form. She sidered her options: Fire, Ice, or Earth. Given the circumstances and the need for trol and precision, she decided to choose Ice.

  With a focused i, Runebelle summohe icy elements, aransformation began. Risebelle's appearanderwent a dramatic ge. Her blue hair transformed into a shimmering aqua, and her body emanated araordinary ess, radiating the essence of ice itself.

  The infusion of elemental power heightened her abilities, and her systems responded accly.

  [System Message]

  Lifeforce: 100%

  Magic: 225%

  [System Note]: Project Rune's Magic reized.

  Runebelle turo Risebelle, now dispying aowards her face, which was rare.

  Runebelle turo Risebelle . "Share yer with me, Risebelle. I don't like what's going on here either. I want to stop this, but we 't fight separately. We have to work together."

  Risebelle's eyes, now refleg the icy transformatio Runebelle's with uanding. She could feel the iy of Runebelle’s vis and the depth of her sister's resolve.

  "You’re right," Risebelle admitted but was still brimming with anger. "We o fight together."

  Runebelle turned one hand toward Roselle. She eled the element of fire, and a brilliant transformation began to unfold before their eyes.

  Roselle's appearance shifted dramatically as fmes enveloped her. Her hair turned into a bzing cascade of red and e, and her eyes bzed with fiery iy. Her outfit transformed into a set of fiery armor that exuded both power and elegance. As she pleted her transformation, Roselle stood there as Fire Form Roselle, radiating the heat and iy of a r inferno. Her magical power surges to 225%.

  With a spirited grin, Roselle turo Runebelle and said, "Thanks, Runebelle. This feels amazing!"

  Runebelle nodded, her smile still present. She looked at both her sisters and decred, "If we're going to face Dark Whirlwind, we'll do it together. As a team."

  Risebelle's anger, which had been boiling over, began to dissipate. Her reddish aura that was strained outwards around herself now became bluish.

  Dark Whirlwind gred towards the sisters and pointed out one finger. "Stop what you're doing, or you'll regret it."

  The oppressive aura desded upon them once more, threatening to immobilize them; however, Runebelle’s Elemental infusion had given Roselle and Risebelle a crucial boost. While they weren't pletely immuo the immobilization, they mao resist it to some extent.

  Becky made a dash with her mi on reag her hammer and outfit; however, just when she neared her goal, the oppressive force again gripped her, rendering her pletely immobile.

  Runebelle, now in her Project Rune form, turo her sisters with a curious look in her eyes.

  "Tell me about your transformations," Runebelle requested. "I know I'm Project Rune, but you both must have your own designs too."

  Risebelle responded, “I'm Project Zab."

  Roselle added, "And I'm Project Mage."

  Runebelle nodded, abs this information. "Yes. I khat much, but you transform?"

  Risebelle shook her head. "No, we 't. Not without the help of Kintovar. Trying without her help would lead to Magical Rupture."

  Runebelle nodded, abs this information.

  "Listen, sisters," Runebelle began, "I use this transformation to fight, but you both 't. The power I have make a difference, but it's limited. We o be strategiy hit could be fatal."

  She g Roselle and Risebelle. "Roselle, you're Project Mage, and Risebelle, you're Project Zab. Our abilities are a part of who we are, but we 't use them here without Kintuidance. So, we'll have to rely on my power for now."

  Runebelle's face wore a rare smile. "Let's use this power wisely. Roselle, you've got the fire and lightning of Project Mage within you. Be fierd agile. Risebelle, your Project Zab abilities might not be accessible, but your water element still help us. Be our shield."

  She extended her hand to her sisters, a gesture of unity. "Together, we'll face this threat and protect each other. And when Kintovar returns, we'll be even stronger."

  Risebelle smirked, crossing her arms. "Our little sister is ag all grown up now," she teased.

  Roselle smiled warmly. "I like this side of Runebelle."

  Risebelle squinted her eyes. "Just don't think you're the perma leader here, Runebelle."

  "Oh, no, of course she won’t," Roselle said, giggling. "It will always be the oldest sister, Risebelle."

  Runebelle's smile widened while lookiweewo of them. "Alright the's show Dark Whirlwind what we've got."

  "It seems you three are quite determined not to back down," Dark Whirlwind remarked. "I gave you precious time to resider, but you tio defy me. Well then, it's time to make an example out of you."

  The ominous aura surrounding her intensified. It casted shadows over the sisters who prepared to fight.

  Dark Whirlwind's aura transformed into a swirling mass of bdes. The bdes held both light and darkness. The sight before them was nothing short of ominous and intimidating. The aura of bdes swirled around Dark Whirlwind who kept their gaze upon them.

  However, what truly surprised the sisters was when a dark magic circle materialized in the sky above, casting a sinister shadow over the entire area. From this circle, an array of dark and light swords emerged, spreading out like a cage that enclosed the battlefield.

  Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle exged gnces, mirr the same se: "Are you serious?"

  Alden watched the unfolding chaos. The sight of Dark Whirlwind's intimidating dispy of power was threatening his very being, but he knew he couldn’t let the sisters fight that ‘thing’ alone.

  "I have to move," he muttered to himself with desperation. "But how? I'm not strong enough."

  He closed his eyes, reag deep within himself, seeking the strength he knew was there.

  "Great Goddess," Alden whispered fervently "We face reatest threat in Dark Whirlwind. You granted us the strength to stand against such darkness. Please, grant me just a portion of that strength now."

  As if answering his call, a warm, radiant energy began to course through his veins. Alde his holy magic surge, being stronger with each passing moment. He focused on this newfound power, envisioning a cross f in his mind. Slowly, almost painfully, he mao shape the holy cross with his magic. It pulsed with a divine light, him a glimmer of hope.

  Though his movements were still restricted, the slight margin of freedom was better than nothing. He gritted his teeth and po make the most of it by beginning a t. With a deep breath, he ihe spell.

  "Cross of Judgment," Alden shouter with power behind his speech. A magical aed in his hands which radiated with divine energy. Gripping it firmly, he stepped forward. The slight margin of freedom he had allowed him to move closer to his allies.

  "Roselle!" Alden heard his name being shouted. He turo see Roselle's eyes wide with a look of surprise.

  Alden smirked. "This is thanks to the goddess. I'm here to fight alongside you against that monster."

  Dark Whirlwind, the se, spoke disdainfully, "I don't know how you're able to mht now, but yical power is nowhere near mine. You're a fool to think you oppose me."

  Alden faced Dark Whirlwind squarely. "You misuand. The goddess herself rejects your existe's my duty to carry out her will and protect those who stand against darkness."

  Silver, no longer maintaining her Kintovar disguise, returo her inal form. was glued to her face. Despite her inability to move, she said to herself, "It seems the surface be just as dangerous as any other pce. I 't help mu this state, but I sincerely hope that nobody loses their life here."