Roselle’s heart raced. The ground beneath her trembled from the force of the light blasts. Each explosion sent shudders through her body. Her eyes darted around the clearing. What she saw was hundreds of cloaked figures emerging from the shadows.

  "Runebelle! It’s an Ambush!" Roselle shouted with urgency.

  Runebelle’s face, usually marked by her melancholic look darkened further. "This... this is bad, Roselle…”

  "No kidding," Roselle muttered through gritted teeth.

  The mages began firing their spells. Roselle leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding a blast that left a sizable crater where she’d been standing. A piercing shriek tore from her throat when she saw the ground’s violent reaction.

  "Runebelle! Get ready!" Roselle yelled, turning to see her sister’s cannon already raised and was spitting rapid-fire energy in every direction. The bursts from Runebelle’s cannon were raining down on the mages like a hailstorm. Several of them staggered back. Despite her efforts, there were too many—Roselle could feel the pressure building.

  Roselle raised her own cannon at the nearest mage. Her shot rang out with an earth-shattering blast, sending them flying back with a hole in their chest. Their body collided with a tree before crumpling to the ground.

  Another mage unleashed a burst of light that blasted toward Roselle. The blast created a massive crater where she’d been standing and sent her tumbling to the ground.

  "Roselle!" Runebelle cried out while trying to hold back an oncoming barrage with her rapid-fire shots.

  Roselle pushed herself up. "I’m fine, Runebelle!" she called. She wiped the sweat from her brow and steadied her cannon. With a roar, she released a concentrated beam of magic that blasted through the air like a comet. The blast hit its mark, incinerating several of the mages completely.

  But just when they were making progress, the mages formed a tighter circle around them. The more Roselle and Runebelle fought back, the more the mages pushed forward.

  "We need a plan!" Roselle yelled with her cannon sending another mage flying.

  Runebelle glanced at her. "We’re not leaving here until we take them down, Roselle." She raised one of her arms and summoned three pillars of energy. The ice pillar shimmered with a cold, frosty aura that froze the incoming blasts on contact. The fire pillar incineratedany energy blast that came too close. The earth pillar stood firm and unyielding as a sturdy shield against the attacks.

  But despite her best efforts, the energy was too much due to the sheer numbers they had. She moved the pillars and shifted them between herself and Roselle, but even then, her hands trembled. ‘I’m not fast enough,’ she thought bitterly.

  Roselle noticed Runebelle’s struggle, but before she could do anything, a bolt of light suddenly descended from above that pierced through the air with blinding speed. Runebelle’s pillars flickered for a moment before they shattered under the overwhelming pressure and the holy bolt struck both of the sisters with a devastating force.

  Roselle cried out loud from the bolt that seared through her side, sending her crashing to the ground with a heavy thud. Runebelle was thrown backwards with her head slamming into the earth.

  Roselle’s vision blurred. She opened one eye. The other one felt too heavy to lift. She saw her cannon beside her, just within reach. Her hand trembled while reaching for it, but before she could get a firm grip, a voice rang out.

  "You are truly a persistent lot, aren’t you?" The mage stepped forward with one hand raised high. A light aura swirled around him. "I am the representative of the Elite Mage Abner, the Chosen One of Light. By his mercy, we have been tasked with delivering justice to those who disrupt the balance of our world."

  Roselle’s breath hitched. She struggled to sit up and managed to make it to a sitting position on the ground.

  The mage continued with a deepening speech on every word. "You are creations of Dr. Kintovar, the one who seeks to upset the harmony of our world. Your actions have not gone unnoticed, and now the consequences are clear." He lifted his chin. "You will face the judgment of the Chosen One."

  Runebelle’s heart raced. The word ‘Judgment’ felt like a noose being placed around her neck.

  "You've caused enough destruction," the mage said. "Surrender, and your deaths will be swift. Resist, and your suffering will be far worse."

  Runebelle’s pulse quickened at his words. The word ‘surrender’ echoed in her mind. She had heard it before, when she couldn’t protect herself in the past. A growing darkness that had always been there came to the forefront. She realized that the world would never give them peace. Her eyes were cloudy, yet still, there was a quiet resolve.

  She aimed her cannon, ready to fight again despite the pain that stabbed at her body.

  However, before Runebelle could pull the trigger, Roselle shouted, “Runebelle! Don’t…”

  Runebelle turned to Roselle, who was still sitting on the ground. Roselle was shaking her head slightly with a slight pout pulling at the corners of her lips.

  “You know,” Roselle muttered with a small huff, “it’s kind of unfair, don’t you think? If we fight, we die. If we surrender, we die. Seems like the mage here doesn’t exactly believe in fair play.”

  The mage’s eyes narrowed but he didn’t make a move.

  “What is she up to?” Runebelle murmured to herself. She glanced between the mage and Roselle, who was now sitting upright with that familiar defiant look in her eyes.

  Roselle spoke again. “Before we die, don’t you think it’s fair we meet this ‘Chosen One’ ourselves? After all, he’s the one making all the big decisions, right?”

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Runebelle’s brow furrowed and she thought, ‘Meet him? What’s Roselle playing at now?’

  The other mages around them seemed to lose their composure. They whispered among themselves until one of them barked out, “This is absurd! We should just destroy them now, stop wasting our time!”

  But the representative who had been speaking all along raised a hand to silence the others. He spoke thoughtfully. “Abner did say... he might have an interest in meeting these ‘Abominations’.”

  He paused with narrowing eyes. The mages waited for his next command tensely. Finally, after a minute, he turned back to Roselle and Runebelle and said, “Fine. You will meet Elite Mage Abner, then. But do not mistake this for an act of mercy. It is the judgment of the Chosen One, and it will be final.”

  The mage gestured to his companions. “Prepare them for transport. We leave immediately.”

  Runebelle stiffened as two mages stepped forward. Their hands glowed with faint golden energy. In an instant, bands of light wrapped tightly around her and Roselle’s wrists. The glow pulsed once before settling into a dull sheen.

  “These cuffs,” one of the mages explained in a measured tone, “ensure your magic is locked. You will not be able to use even a fraction of your power.”

  Runebelle glanced at them, turning her wrists slightly. She didn’t feel anything—no pull, no suppression, no sense of being weakened. She opened her mouth to say as much but then—

  “Ah! My power!” Roselle suddenly wailed with a loud gasp. “I can feel it leaving me! Draining away! You monsters! What cruel devices have you cursed us with!?”

  Runebelle blinked.

  The surrounding mages flinched slightly at the outburst, some eyeing Roselle with suspicion while others merely frowned. The representative, however, remained stoic as Roselle doubled over.

  Runebelle sighed. “Maybe that’s a little too dramatic...”

  Roselle gave her a quick, sideways grin and whispered, “No, no, no. You’ve got to sell it, Runebelle. Otherwise, they won’t believe anything’s happening to you.”

  Runebelle sighed again but didn’t argue.

  The lead mage rolled his eyes. “Enough stalling. Move.”

  Roselle and Runebelle were escorted into another section of the forest. They soon saw a small group of mages, and Roselle’s heart sank when she saw a familiar figure.

  “Risebelle!” Roselle called out. Risebelle sat slumped against a tree. Her arms were bound in the same glowing cuffs. She looked battered with her uniform torn in places. Her face was smudged with dirt.

  “They caught you too, huh?” Risebelle said with exhaustion in tone but still carrying her usual edge.

  Roselle nodded. She glanced at Runebelle who stood quietly beside her.

  “Well,” Risebelle said with a bitter laugh. “Congratulations on getting caught. Hope you’ve got a plan.”

  Roselle sighed. “You’re normally the one with the plan.”

  “Not this time,” Risebelle muttered.

  The guards nudged the three of them forward, forcing Risebelle to her feet. They moved as a group deeper into the forest until they reached a clearing.

  It wasn’t an ordinary clearing. The trees arched back, creating a perfectly circular space. The grass was unnaturally glowing faintly under the soft light of the midday sun and the magical energy of the mystical forest. Standing in the center of the clearing was a figure who commanded attention.

  Even without being told, Roselle could feel the weight of his presence. He radiated an aura of divine authority. His emerald eyes sparkled with a serene confidence. His face was delicate, yet carried a sternness that made him look like an untouchable saint.

  His golden hair was pulled into a single braid that fell over his shoulder, and his uniform was a combination of gold and deep blue which resembled the robes of a holy figure.

  When he spoke, it was melodic and yet carried an undertone of unshakable power. “Welcome. I am Abner, the Chosen One of Light.”

  Roselle’s knees buckled slightly.

  “I see the creations of Dr. Kintovar stand before me,” The Chosen one continued. His eyes scanned each of them. “The ones who dare to disrupt the balance of our world.”

  Roselle tightened her fists. Risebelle stiffened, though she kept her face neutral. Runebelle lowered her head slightly to avoid his gaze.

  Abner’s gaze lingered on Roselle. “Tell me, what do you have to say for yourselves after killing the Forest guardian?”

  Roselle tilted her head and gave him a small smile. “Well, for one... that’s quite an introduction. You really went all out there!”

  Risebelle placed herself between Roselle and Abner with her eyes slightly lowered. “Ignore the idiot. If you wanna talk, talk to me. I’m the leader here.”

  Roselle blinked. “Hey—”

  Risebelle didn’t look back at her.

  Abner tilted his head and then gave a slight nod. He stepped forward and then clasped his hands behind his back. “I see. Then let us dispense with formalities and get to business. I will offer you a deal: Reveal the location of Dr. Kintovar’s laboratory… and I will grant you mercy.”

  Risebelle’s jaw tightened.

  Abner continued. “You may think this is a negotiation. It is not. Your resistance has been noted, your defiance… expected. But I am a patient man. A reasonable one.” He smiled. “Give me what I seek, and in return, your suffering will end here and now.”

  Roselle, still behind Risebelle raised an eyebrow. “Wow. You make death sound so generous.”

  Risebelle shot her a sharp look which was like telling her to ‘shut up’.

  Abner’s attention remained solely on Risebelle. “What will it be, leader?”

  Risebelle took a deep breath. She knew that would be like calling a game over to give him that information. "Come now, You and I both know that I can't give up the location of Dr. Kintovar's lab, but there are actually three reasons why I wouldn't do it personally."

  Abner raised an eyebrow with curiosity. "Do go on."

  "First," Risebelle began, "Dr. Kintovar is our creator. We owe her our existence, and for that much, I can’t betray her."

  "Second," Risebelle continued with her face scrunching up. "I hate humans. Every last one of them, including you. I have seen the darkness within their hearts, and I have no desire to aid them in any way. I would rather die than help any humans other than my creator at all."

  She then shifted her gaze to the cloaked mages who stood with Abner, then back at him. "And third, Abner, you are about to be killed by one of Kintovar's creations, right here and now."

  The moment Risebelle finished speaking, the gathered mages bristled with fury, gripping their staffs and weapons with intensity.

  “You dare speak to the Chosen One in such a manner?” one mage spat furiously while stepping forward. His white cloak billowed upon him raising his staff with golden inscriptions glowing along its length. “Your impudence is beyond measure! Allow me to execute them now, my Lord! Insulting the Chosen One is unforgivable!”

  He slammed the bottom of his staff into the earth, and a surge of magic flared outward in waves of holy energy.

  But before the spell could fully form, Abner shouted, “Elon! You may not act until I have given the order.”

  His words stopped the furious mage in his tracks. The golden energy dissipated at once. Elon took a begrudging step back, bowing his head. “…As you command, my Lord.”

  Abner exhaled slowly and closed his eyes briefly before turning his gaze back to Risebelle. His emerald eyes softened, just slightly “I do not take pleasure in this, especially knowing what Kintovar has done in shaping you. Creating you to be… children. It is a cruel thing, truly. To forge weapons in such a form.”

  Roselle frowned.. Risebelle, however, didn’t so much as blink. “Spare me the pity. You’re not fooling anyone with your bullshit.”

  “Perhaps not,” Abner admitted. Then, after a moment, he spoke with a colder edge. “But regardless of how you feel about me, or how I may feel about you… the fact remains. I have my orders.”

  He took a slow step forward and rose one hand.

  Roselle whispered to Risebelle, "Please, Risebelle, Please tell me you have a plan... "

  Risebelle whispered back, "Don't worry. I thought this through. I wouldn't make such a claim unless it was true."

  Runebelle’s usual sad face deepened, but Risebelle spoke reassuringly. "Stay calm and trust me, sisters. No filthy human is gonna kill us."

  Project Mage