Project Mage

Roselle and Runebelle turned in alarm, their eyes widening at the sight of their sister being attacked. Roselle raised her massive cannon, ready to defend her fallen sibling, while Runebelle's gaze shifted to one of concern as she rushed to Risebelle's side.

The attackers remained hidden, their identities shrouded in secrecy as they continued their assault. Risebelle groaned in pain, struggling to regain her footing after the unexpected attack.

Risebelle' strained with pain as she struggled to sit up. Her frustration boiled over. She shot a glare at Rosell and spoke with irritation. "You idiot," she hissed, "You should have stayed hidden. Now they know where we are."

Suddenly, another the barrage of light energy blasts were sent towards them. Risebelle's sharp instincts kicked in. She quickly spotted the source of the attacks and shouted to her sister in urgency.

"Roselle, dodge!" Risebelle cried out as she grabbed her sibling. With a burst of agility, Roselle and Risebelle leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding the deadly energy blasts.

The blasts struck the forest floor where they had been standing moments before, creating small craters in the earth and scorching nearby trees.

The barrage of light energy blasts suddenly began to come at them from multiple directions. Roselle and Risebelle found themselves in a tough situation.

Runebelle, seeing the danger her sisters were in, knew that she had to act quickly. Derermined, she stepped forward, her blue and pink hair swaying as she raised her arms. She summoned her magical powers, focusing on the elements around her. She focused her magical energy and summoned three pillars of energy to shield her sisters and herself.

The ice pillar shimmered with a cold, frosty aura, freezing the incoming blasts on contact. The fire pillar crackled with flames, incinerating any energy projectiles that came too close. The earth pillar stood firm and unyielding, acting as a sturdy shield against the attacks.

The mages, their faces concealed by light cloaks, emerged from the shadows, surrounding Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle. They stood in a semi-circle, their presence imposing and their intentions clear.

One of the mages stepped forward. "I am the representative of the Elite Mage Abner, the Chosen One of Light," he declared, his words echoing through the forest. "By his mercy, we have been tasked with delivering justice to those who disrupt the balance of our world."

The representative continued, his gaze fixed upon the sisters. "You are creations of Dr. Kintovar, who seeks to upset the harmony of our world. Your actions have not gone unnoticed, and the consequences are clear. You will face the judgment of the Chosen One."

Risebelle raised her cannon once more with a glare, but the mage's words seemed to carry an air of finality.

The representative of Abner concluded his speech. "Your fate is sealed. Surrender peacefully, and your death will be swift. Resist, and you shall face the full wrath of the Elite Mage."

"This was an ambush, and we fell right into their trap," Risebelle said. Her eyes scanned the cloaked mages, and she could see that their options were narrowing by the moment.

The cloaked mages, agents of the Elite Mage Abner, stood ready to enforce their judgment. The forest around them remained silent, a tense stillness settling over the clearing as the sisters faced a difficult decision.

Risebelle, with a cautious and calculated tone, addressed her sisters, "Let's play along for now." She then turned her attention to the cloaked mages, who represented the Elite Mage Abner.

Risebelle spoke to the lead cloaked mage, "These terms are unfair. Surrendering means destruction, and resisting means the same fate. It doesn't leave us with many options. If anything, I would like to meet this so called 'Elite Mage Abner' atleast before you destroy us."

The mage who had been delivering the speech on behalf of Elite Mage Abner suddenly paused, as if a realization had struck them. They glanced at their fellow cloaked mages, and there was a moment of awkward silence.

Then, with a slightly sheepish tone, the lead cloaked mage cleared their throat and admitted, "Well, you do have a point. It does seem a bit unfair to pass judgment without a proper introduction, doesn't it?"

Risebelle couldn't help but smirk slightly at the mage's response, her confidence returning. She nodded and said, "Exactly. So, where can we meet this Elite Mage Abner? We'd like to have a word."

The lead cloaked mage turned to their companions and exchanged whispered conversations with them. After a brief discussion, they turned back to Risebelle and her sisters.

"Very well," the lead mage conceded, "You shall have the opportunity to meet Elite Mage Abner. Follow us, and we will take you to our leader, but you are to leave your weapons here."

Risebelle nodded in agreement, her tone indicating a willingness to cooperate "Understood," she replied as she puts her cannon to the ground.

Roselle and Runebelle exchanged uneasy glances but followed Risebelle's lead. They reluctantly placed their weapons on the forest floor.

The lead cloaked mage approached Risebelle, Roselle, and Runebelle, their movements methodical and precise. With a sense of caution, they placed light cuffs on the wrists of the sisters, ensuring that their magical abilities would be suppressed.

The mage then addressed them, their tone firm but not unkind. "These cuffs are necessary for everyone's safety. They will temporarily suppress your magical abilities. Please understand that we are taking precautions to ensure a peaceful meeting."

Risebelle, though not thrilled about the restraints, nodded in understanding. She exchanged a glance with her sisters, silently communicating with them.

With their weapons left behind and their magical powers temporarily suppressed, the three sisters prepared to follow the cloaked mages to meet Elite Mage Abner, uncertain of what the encounter would bring.

Risebelle, Roselle, and Runebelle were escorted by the cloaked mages to a clearing in the Mystic Forest where they met Elite Mage Abner. The tall man with striking white hair and a youthful appearance stood at the center of the clearing, holding a book in his hand. His presence commanded attention, and his emerald eyes held an air of wisdom.

As they approached, the cloaked mages bowed respectfully, acknowledging Abner's presence. Risebelle, Roselle, and Runebelle followed suit.

Abner nodded in acknowledgment of their arrival. When he spoke, was calm and measured. "So, you are the ones who disrupted our mission to protect the Mana Extractor. I must say, it is a pleasure to finally meet you troublemakers. I shall dispose of you."

Elite Mage Abner's emerald eyes held a hint of amusement as he addressed Risebelle, Roselle, and Runebelle. "Your actions have led you to this 'interesting' predicament," he commented, his tone laced with a sense of curiosity. He thought for a moment before speaking once again, “Actually, before I officially decide on your fate, I have a few questions for you."

The head cloaked mage, who had initially delivered the speech, exchanged a glance with Abner, clearly surprised. Nevertheless, they remained respectful and silent.

Elite Mage Abner stood in the center of the clearing, his emerald eyes surveying the three sisters before him. He began to speak with authority.

"In this world, the balance between magic and technology has always been delicate. For centuries, we have upheld the sanctity of magic, ensuring that it remains the dominant force, guiding humanity towards a harmonious existence. Magic is the essence of our world, and it must always reign supreme."

He continued, "But the actions of Dr. Kintovar have disrupted this delicate balance. Her reckless pursuit of power and disregard for the harmony of our world have led to the creation of beings like you—creations that challenge the natural order."

Abner's eyes bore into the sisters as he continued, "You see, maintaining the balance is not a matter of choice; it is a necessity. Magic is the lifeblood of our world, and it must be protected at all costs. Dr. Kintovar's experiments, such as yourselves, threaten to upset this balance, and that is something I cannot allow."

He paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in before he posed his question, "Now, I have one question for you. Where is Dr. Kintovar's lab? Tell me its location, and perhaps we can come to a mutually beneficial arrangement."

Risebelle, Roselle, and Runebelle exchanged uneasy glances.

Risebelle, with a sense of caution, asked, "What exactly do you intend to do with Dr. Kintovar's lab? And what about us?"

Elite Mage Abner considered the question for a moment before responding, "Our primary goal is to destroy Dr. Kintovar's lab and put an end to her experiments. The lab is a significant threat to the balance of our world, and it must be eradicated."

He continued, "As for your fate, I must be honest with you. You are creations of Dr. Kintovar, and your existence disrupts the harmony of our world. While I am open to negotiation, I must also consider the greater good. However, I am willing to offer you a proper execution rather than a hasty one. You will have the opportunity to say your farewells."

The cloaked mages, who had been observing the conversation, remained silent but attentive. Risebelle, Roselle, and Runebelle exchanged glances once more.

Risebelle then asked Abner, "And what if we refuse to cooperate and reveal Dr. Kintovar's lab's location?"

Elite Mage Abner's emerald eyes held a hint of disappointment as he responded, "Refusal to cooperate would lead to a swifter and less merciful end. I would prefer to avoid such a regrettable outcome."

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 curiousity. "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, her tone unwavering, "I hate humans. Every last one of them. 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, her words directed at them as well, "And third, Abner, you are about to be killed by one of Kintovar's creations, right here and now."

Risebelle's words hung in the air, leaving a tense silence in their wake. The cloaked mages exchanged glances, revealing surprise and uncertainty at her bold statement.

Elite Mage Abner, on the other hand, maintained his composure, though his emerald eyes held a hint of curiosity as he considered Risebelle's words.

Elite Mage Abner's composed demeanor wavered for a brief moment. His emerald eyes held a tinge of regret as he spoke, "It is regrettable, but I will have no choice."

He continued, his words measured, "I do not take pleasure in actions such as these, especially when it involves children… But the balance must be maintained, and the threat brought about by Dr. Kintovar's creations cannot be ignored."

The cloaked mages remained silent, their faces hidden beneath their hoods, but there was a sense of unease among them. Risebelle, Roselle, and Runebelle exchanged glances, understanding the gravity of their situation.

Abner, with a heavy heart, gave a signal to one of the cloaked mages, who began to step forward with an unreadable look. It was clear that their decision had been made, and they were prepared to carry out their duties,

In a hushed and urgent tone, Roselle whispered to Risebelle, "Please, Risebelle, Please tell me you have a plan... "

Risebelle asked Roselle, "Didn't you get my signals? Don't worry.. I thought this through. I wouldn't make such a claim unless it was true."

Runebelle, her usual sad face deepening, spoke up, "Are we really going to die like this?" She glanced at the light cuffs that prevented them from using their powers or moving freely.

"Stay calm and wait for the right moment. Just trust me."