Rawna and the man tiheir fierce exge of blows, but then, the man’s movements shifted. With a fluid grace, he closed the distaween them in an instant. His bde was at Rawna’s throat before she could react. The cold steel pressed against her skin, though Rawna did not seem surprised for some reason.

  He sheathed his sword with a swift motion and a smile pyed at the ers of his lips. “Your staneeds work. You’re wielding a goddess item now, not a regur spear.”

  Rawna’s eyes fshed with irritation. “Shut up.”

  Rawna’s gaze returo the list of names on the wall. Her eyes lingered on Prince Vuldo’s name. “Prince Vuldo,” she began. “I didn’t expect you to bee a prince.”

  Prince Vuldo chuckled. “It took me quite some time to earn that honor. How about we set aside business for a moment and enjoy a nice cup of tea together? It’s been a while since we had a ce to talk without all the formalities.”

  Rawna sidered his offer for a moment before nodding in agreement. “Very well. A cup of tea sounds good.”

  The Prince led the way to a small sitting area, where a servant quickly appeared to prepare the tea. They sat down, and after the tea repared, Rawna remained posed, not taking a sip. Vuldo noticed her restraint, and after a few sips, he sighed, setting his cup down.

  “It’s good to see you again, Rawna, but I kly why you are here. I was informed that you were supposed t ‘Sed’ Kintovar and the others here to see our imprisoned Kintovar, but you came alone. What’s on your mind?”

  Rawna nodded. “You’re right. I’ll bring them in the m, but that’s not my only reason for being here.”

  Prince Vuldo leaned back, his crimson eyes locked onto her, waiting for her to tinue.

  Rawna leaned forward.“I know where the Shield of Creation is, and I know the West is behind the chaos that is happenily. Mystical creatures breag the barrier, that’s no act. The East and the West have been at each other’s throats on this matter every time there is a siting of a creature. I have reason to believe that you and your cil in the West are ing this war against the East.”

  Prince Vuldo gave her chuckle. “Rawna, you’ve got it all wrong. We have nothing to do with the brea the barrier or the chaos it’s causing.”

  But Rawna’s skepticism remained unwavering. “I’ve seen your army. I’ve seen what your men have been doing behind the ses. You’re not i in all of this.”

  Prince Vuldo sighed. “I ’t deny that there are elements in the West that may have takereme as, but I assure you, the cil does not support these acts.

  Rawna’s gaze bore into Prince Vuldo’s eyes. “The West profits from these wars more than any other city in Jancito. The instability it brings allows you to manipute the ey, trolling the prices of vital resources, and ultimately, expanding your wealth and power. It may not be an official policy of the cil, but it’s clear that you have vested is in maintaining this turmoil.”

  Prince Vuldht his hands together. “We ’t deny that there are those who be from the flicts, but even so, we have to what we have to do in order to best maintain order.”

  Rawna remained skeptical, “Maintaining order or maintaining trol? The South has suffered enough, and I won’t allow it to tinue. I’ll get to the bottom of this, and the West won’t be spared from destru if it’s deemed guilty.”

  Prince Vuldo’s face hardened. He leaned forward to meet Rawna’s intense gaze. “Rawna, I’ve known you for a long time, and I respect your dedication to your own city, but I assure you, we are not the ones behind the brea the barrier. In fact, we’re w diligently to tain it and protect our territory.”

  Their versation was interrupted by a servant roached the table. “Is everything to your satisfa, Yhness?”

  Prince Vuldo nodded, and the servant quickly retreated, leaving the two in a tense silence.

  Prince Vuldo’s words struck a chord with Rawna, and her face softened.

  “Rawna, I know you’ve been through a lot, especially with your...mother,” Vuldo began cautiously.

  The moment he mentioned her mother, Rawna’s gaze turned as lethal as a razor-sharp bde. It was a kind of look that could slice through steel, but heless, he tinued, “Ever sihen, it’s like you’ve closed your heart to everyone, even to me right now you are holding back. You’re different, and I worry about where this path might lead you.”

  Rawna’s eyes fell to the table. After a moment, She g Vuldo and said, “You’re right, Vuldo. I’ve ged, and it’s not just because of the spear. My mother’s as, the amount of darkness I’ve seen in this world... It’s made me questiohing.”

  Vuldo nodded. “I only imagine how difficult it must be, Rawna. But I want you to remember something, no matter ath you choose to walk, you don’t have to take it by yourself. You have friends, allies, and people who care about you. You also have the power to make a differenot just as a wielder of the Spear of Destru, but as a force for justid truth.”

  Rawna wao fide in Vuldo about her true pns, but uainty g her. Could she trust him with such a revetion? What would he do if he knew?

  Taking a deep breath, Rawna began, “Vuldo, I want to... I want to tell you something important...”

  Prince Vuldo’s eyes remained locked onto hers. “Rawna, you tell me anything. Whatever it is, I’m here to listen.”

  Rawna looked up at Vuldo, flicted. “Vuldo, I... I want to….”

  She paused and thought, ‘No, you idiot! If you say that, you might make an enemy out of him.’

  Rawna shook her head, clearing her mind. “I want to find out the truth,” she tinued with her voice being steadier. “But I need your help to do it. The West ’t keep using these situations for their own gain. We o uh the South.”

  Vuldo’s eyes softened. “I agree, Rawna. The stant strife only weakens us all. If we work together, we uhe truth and bring the peace back between our nds.”

  Vuldo, with a calm demeanor, tinued, “As a matter of fact, I am currently w on a peace treaty between the Eastern aern Jancito. It’s a step towards ensuring that our territories no longer pluo war every time mystical creatures breach the magical forest. I believe this should serve as proof of our iions.”

  Rawna listened ily. “That sounds like a good idea, but what about the south?”

  Vuldo stammered. “Well, I didn’t really... I mean, until...”

  Rawna raised an eyebrow. Soon, a smirk appeared on her face. “Until I showed up, you had no pns of uniting the South a, did you?” She poked at his head, making Vuldo grin nervously.

  “Alright, you got me,” he admitted, scratg the back of his head. “But now that you’re here, let’s make it happen. The South deserves peace too. I will aim for a prehensive peace, ohat involves all the regions of Jancito for oiful warrior.”

  Rawna found something charming about the way he said that. A small blush appeared on her serious face. Vuldo noticed this, and said, “Is that a blush I see, Rawna?”

  She quickly shook her head. “You’re seeing things, Vuldo. Don’t get ahead of yourself. Me? Blush over you? Pft…”

  Vuldo smiled. “I look forward to seeing you again, Rawna.”

  Rawna got up and turo leave. “I’ll bring the Sed Kintovar tomorrow. I’ll be expeg some answers.”

  Vuldo rested his hands under his . “Very well. Until then, Rawna, and perhaps ime, we go on a date in a more fitting location.”

  Rawna’s cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, but she tried hard to maintain a serious tone. “Don’t hold your breath, Prince.”

  With those parting words, Rawna made her way out of the Dark Castle.

  Meanwhile at Henry’s house.

  Osaly cradled Timmy in her arms in her room. She spoke softly. “Timmy, did you have any fun today, even with everything that happened?”

  Timmy, looking up at his older sister with a smile, nodded. “Yeah, Osana, I did. You know what? Roselle is so cool! She do these amazing things with her powers, and her lightning po like ‘shhk’!!”

  Risebelle had taken refuge in Molly’s room. Haras joined her, sensing her unease in this unfamiliar space. She ed her arms around Risebelle and held her close.

  Molly, sitting on her bed, watched them for a moment before breaking the silehis is nid all, but why do they gotta sleep in here? It’s not like I have three beds.”

  Risebelle shot Molly a death gre that could have melted steel.

  Molly raised her hands in surrender. “Alright, alright, I’ll shut up now.”

  In Timmy’s room, Roselle cuddled with Runebelle, who had reverted to her usual gloomy face. Roselle’s gentle and g nature prompted her to ask, “Runebelle, what do you think about all of this?”

  Runebelle looked down at her hands. “I don’t know, Roselle. I know the sadhat be brought by losing a family member. I’m gd… that didn’t happen today…”

  Roselle listeo Runebelle’s words with . “Runebelle… did something really bad happen to you in your past life?”

  Runebelle’s gloomy eyes met Roselle’s, and she sighed softly. “It goes much deeper than just losing someohe overwhelming sadness and pain I’ve experienced in my past life is likely what led to me being created the way I am. But, Roselle, there are things I … I just ’t tell you yet.... It’s…for your own good you don’t know them...”

  Runebelle’s cryptic response left Roselle with many questions. She reached out aly squeezed Runebelle’s hand. “I don’t know what happened in your past, Runebelle, and I won’t push you to tell me. But you’ve mentioned Sadie before, and I’ve always wondered about her. It seems like whatever happened in your past, it’s deeply ected to mio us, in some way. I’m here for you, Runebelle, no matter what.”

  Runebelle’s gloomy face softened slightly. She leaned in aly rested her head against Roselle’s shoulder.

  Roselle spoke softly, “I think I get it now. I get your sadness. Your sister, your mother, and probably even your father. You lost them all, didn’t you?”

  Runebelle didn’t respond to Roselle’s words, but her eyes filled with water. Roselle held her close and spoke in a way that was tender. “I told you before that I would be with you until the days when you smile normally. And I meant it.”

  With that, the two of them led into bed with arms ed around each other. They drifted off to sleep.

  The day, Runebelle slowly stirred awake in Timmy’s room. She was locked in Roselle’s arms, which brought a sense of warmth and fort; however, wheuro face Roselle, her normal gloom deepened. She reached out to check Roselle’s systems, but this time, a message greeted her –

  [System Message]

  “Status: offline.”

  Runebelle’s heart sank. She whispered, “Roselle…”

  In the living room, Kintovar stirred from the couch where she had worked tirelessly through the night. Despite the fatigue that g to her, she had mao finally repair Roselle’s massive on. She rubbed her eyes and yawned.

  Henry and Oakley slowly awoke from their rooms and made their way to the living room. They were greeted by the massive on Kintovar just repaired.

  Kintovar took a step forward with a hint of pride. “That massive on belongs to Roselle. It’s her primary on when she o defend herself or others.”

  Henry had been puzzled by the presence of the on, but now he wore a ptive look. He turo Kintovar and said, “So, my suspis were right. These girls, they’re your creations, aren’t they?”

  Kintovar nodded. “Yes, Henry. Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle are indeed creations. I’ve poured my heart and soul into them, and they’re more extraordinary than you might realize.”

  Runebelle suddeered the living room. She stepped infront of Kintovar and filed her arms out. “Kintovar, Roselle isn’t waking up…Her systems are offline…”

  Kintovar’s eyes widened in arm. “A…are you serious?”