Olaysa's throne hovered in the room with a dark aura surrounding her and the chair. "Dr. Winter, Kintovar here serves me now. She agreed to work for the one who rules the South Jancito, and in return, she has secured her friend's safety."

  Dr. Winter’s eyes widened with astonishment. "Is this true, Kintovar? Did you make a deal with this devil!?"

  Kintovar met Dr. Winter's gaze. "Yes, it's true. I had to do what I had to do in order to rescue Haras."

  Dr. Winter muttered to herself, "This is a nightmare. How could all this happen so quickly?"

  Olaysa eyed them all with a smirk. "Hye hye, it's a new era, Dr. Winter. Kintovar now serves me, and Shadowcroft is under my shadow. You should all consider yourselves lucky that I've decided not to obliterate you. At least, not yet."

  Dr. Winter could only look at Kintovar and Haras with a sense of despair. Kintovar's curiosity was piqued. She said, "Actually, how did you manage to bypass the security measures of Shadowcroft? It's well-guarded and heavily fortified."

  Olaysa grinned with a hint of malevolence. "Ah, that's thanks to the spell I placed on you, Kintovar. It's not just a tracking spell; it also has a teleportation function, allowing me to appear wherever you are, provided I have the necessary magical energy to do so."

  Kintovar's eyes widened "That means…you must have known…. You already knew something was going to happen here. You had this all planned out from the start."

  Olaysa nodded with a wicked smile. "Hye hye, exactly. I'm not one to leave things to chance. After I met you face to face, I knew an opportunity had presented itself to seize control of Shadowcroft. It was all part of my grand design."

  Dr. Winter, still on her knees, whispered to herself, "This is a nightmare, indeed."

  Olaysa's throne descended to the ground, and she looked down at Dr. Winter, her tone sinister. "You should thank Kintovar for sparing your lives. Now, as my loyal servant, Kintovar, you will accompany me, and we'll see this new era through together."

  Olaysa's dark laughter echoed through the cell. She cast a disdainful glance at the confined Kintovar and Haras.

  “What is Kintovar doing still in a cage? Is this how you treat someone under my protection? From the moment I said she served me now, you should have been working on freeing her. This is one of the reasons why I’m contemplating destroying Shadowcroft right now. “

  Dr. Winter, still on her knees, looked up with fear. She responded, “Olaysa… I… I was just…We had no idea…we need to process--”

  Olaysa's gaze turned icy. “Enough of your excuses. Release Kintovar and Haras immediately, or I will destroy you and this facility without a second thought.”

  Dr. Winter's face turned ashen. She nodded slowly. “Alright, alright. I’ll release them.”

  Dr. Winter moved to unlock the cell door. Olaysa's malevolent smile re-appeared on her face. “Good. Now, about your judgment, Dr. Winter. You’ve made quite a mess of things, haven’t you?”

  Dr. Winter's hands shook. “I… I’m sorry. I didn’t anticipate…”

  Olaysa interrupted with a cruel laugh. “Oh, but you see, you’ve failed in ways I could never have imagined. And now, as a token of my displeasure, I must ensure you understand… but don’t worry, I haven’t decided your fate just yet. I’ll leave you to ponder your failures while I deal with other matters.”

  The guards of shadowcroft swiftly moved to carry out her commands. Kintovar and Haras were led out of the cell.

  Olaysa floated around on her darkened throne. “You’re free to travel West, but understand this—you will be operating under my orders. To ensure compliance, I’ll be sending my daughter, Rawna, with you. Your task is to break Juliana Kintovar out of captivity.”

  Dr. Winter, recovering from her shock, looked up with fear. “No…That would make them wanted criminals. They’ll be hunted by both the authorities and the public!”

  Kintovar’s eyes met Dr. Winter’s calmly despite the preposition. “I’m aware of the risks. But I have a condition of my own. While Olaysa owns the South, I want some power here in Shadowcroft. I want to control this facility.”

  Olaysa’s lips curled into a knowing smile. “Ah, I foresaw that question coming. That’s why I didn’t destroy Shadowcroft. I anticipated you might want to negotiate. I have no issue granting you control over this place, provided you fulfill your task. It will be yours to command, but remember—it will be under my dominion.”

  Olaysa turned her gaze back to Dr. Winter, her voice dripping with menace. “Do you understand your position now, Dr. Winter? Your fate is in the hands of those you’ve wronged, and your facility now serves a new purpose. Reflect on this as you continue to be my plaything.”

  Dr. Winter’s face was pale and she held her head down in defeat. She could only nod in resignation.

  Olaysa, still seated on her imposing throne, issued her other commands. "Release her creations, but Mystimona will stay behind. I won't have such a powerful mage accompanying my daughter. It would raise unnecessary suspicions."

  Kintovar spoke up, "I won't leave Mystimona like that."

  Olaysa, with a wicked grin, proposed, "How about this: we release Mystimona, and he will head to East Jancito on his own."

  Kintovar was concerned about Mystimona's ability to navigate the city without her guidance. She explained, "Mystimona can't make it there without me. I'm new to this city, and while he's powerful, he's not as knowledgeable about the world."

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  Olaysa responded. "He won't be alone. There's someone I can send with him. She might be annoying, but she's a girl named Mari, and she can guide him to East Jancito. If he can make it to the location I have in mind, the only thing he'll have to worry about is his own 'temptation.'"

  Kintovar was both curious and concerned about this new development. She asked Olaysa, "What do you mean by 'temptation'? What is Mari like?"

  Olaysa laughed villanously. “Mari is a user of sword magic, but she's also a temptress. She has a way of ensnaring the minds of those around her. Mystimona will have to keep a strong mind and not fall under her influence, or he might end up doing things he'll regret."

  Kintovar nodded. “Very well.”

  Kintovar and Haras began to follow Olaysa and her daughter Rawna. Dr. Winter shouted, “WAIT!”She directed her question to Olaysa. "What is your plan, Olaysa?"

  Olaysa paused for a moment, then said, "The time is soon coming for the five goddess items to come together. Legend has it that when they do, a being of incredible power will be born, and this world will be plunged into a new age."

  Dr. Winter's eyes widened in realization.” You plan to challenge the goddess?"

  Olaysa merely grinned. “Hye hye. The time has come for the era or my rule. Shadowcroft, like the entire world, will bow to the power that is soon to come."

  Meanwhile…

  In a cell that looked more like a children's playroom than a jail, Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle sat surrounded by toys, games, and colorful decorations. It was a bizarre and unexpected sight, considering they were supposed to be prisoners.

  Roselle, gazed at a teddy bear with wide, innocent eyes. Risebelle, her older sister, sat nearby with arms crossed and a disapproving look on her face. Runebelle, the youngest sister of them all, sat in a corner with her gloom.

  Roselle, holding the teddy bear close said, "Oh, Mr. Teddy, what do you think we should do next? Should we plan an escape or just wait for the nice people to come and rescue us?"

  Risebelle glanced at her younger sister with frustration. "Roselle, what on earth are you doing? You're talking to a teddy bear. We’re in a serious situation, not a playhouse."

  Roselle looked up and moved the teddy bear towards Risebelle. "But Mr. Teddy needs to know what we’re thinking. It helps me figure out what we should do."

  Risebelle rolled her eyes. "You should be old enough to know that teddy bears don’t talk back. It’s just a toy."

  Roselle pouted slightly. "Well, technically, we’re all only months old. I need something to keep me sane in here, and if talking to Mr. Teddy helps, then so be it."

  Risebelle raised an eyebrow, "If you needed someone to talk to and hug, you could have just chosen me."

  Roselle and Risebelle both looked at each other with wide eyes.

  Roselle eyed Risebelle from head to toe, her gaze shifting curiously around her sister. Risebelle, slightly unnerved by Roselle’s intense scrutiny, finally asked, "What are you doing now?"

  Roselle giggled softly and shook her head. "I just didn’t think you’d ever say something like that. You’re always so serious. It’s a nice change to hear you being... well, kind."

  Risebelle's eyebrow twitched in mild irritation. "Do you really think I’m serious all the time?"

  Roselle nodded vigorously. “Yes! You’re always so serious. Like, when you talk, you sound like this.” Roselle stood up and tried to imitate Risebelle’s usual stance. She lowered her eyes, folded her arms, and with the sway of her head, she said, “‘Idiot.’”

  Risebelle raised an eyebrow and struggled to suppress a smile. “Do I really sound like that?”

  Roselle shook her head. “No, not exactly. Maybe you should lighten up a little. Life’s not all about being serious.”

  Risebelle let out a small chuckle. “Alright, alright. Maybe I can afford to be a bit less serious now and then.”

  Roselle’s eyes sparkled with relif. She suddenly wrapped her arms around Risebelle in a tight hug. Risebelle stiffened but didn’t pull away. After a few seconds, Roselle pulled back slightly.

  “I’m sorry, Risebelle,” Roselle murmured.

  Risebelle looked puzzled. “Why are you apologizing?”

  Roselle trembled slightly. “You let me take the lead, and because of that, we all got arrested. I feel like it’s my fault.”

  Risebelle appeared slightly sad. "You couldn't have known this would happen, Roselle. If I were leading this time, I might have made the same call as you did. You've got good leader instincts, just like me. Ayana of Shadowcroft is definitely hiding something. We need to figure out what it is.”

  Roselle responded. "Every time I get near Ayana, there's something that goes through my heart, like a heartbeat. It affects me briefly, then goes away. It's not normal."

  Risebelle raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure it's not just her perfume or something like that?"

  Roselle shook her head. "No, it's not that. It's something different….ngh… I don’t really know how to explain it…"

  Risebelle shook her head. “In any case, we could have destroyed this cell by now. Shadowcroft probably knows how easy it would be. They’re likely monitoring us closely, just waiting for us to make a move so they can pin something against Kintovar. For now, all we can do is wait.”

  Risebelle remained silent for a moment. After a few seconds, her heightened senses detected a powerful presence approaching. She clenched her fists and turned to her sisters.

  "On your guards… something dark’s coming this way," Risebelle whispered.

  Roselle and Runebelle looked at her in worry. Before anyone could react, they heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps drawing closer.

  Then, through the corridor, the violent-haired woman Rawna came into view, her fierce demeanor and dark aura unmistakable. Risebelle's anger flared upon recognizing the woman who had attacked Shadowcroft.

  Olaysa, Rawna, and Kintovar arrived at the cell, Roselle's face brightened at the sight of Kintovar, and she exclaimed, "Dr.Kintovar!"

  Risebelle, however wasted no time in speaking. "What is ‘she’ doing here?" Risebelle pointed at Rawna with her face turning into a scowl. "She nearly destroyed Shadowcroft wrecked Roselle's cannon. What's the meaning of this?"

  Kintovar raised a hand in a calming gesture. "I know its confusing. I understand you will have questions, and I promise to explain everything. It's a complex situation, but we're here to release you. There's been a change in circumstances."

  Olaysa, with her wicked tone, added, "And it's all part of the grand plan, dearies."

  Kintovar continued, "Olaysa has agreed to a temporary alliance with our group. We don't have much of a choice but to act together now."

  Risebelle's anger seemed to subside, albeit reluctantly. "Explain everything. We want to know what's going on."

  After Kintovar explained the situation and the unlikely alliance with Olaysa, Risebelle, although still cautious, seemed to accept the necessity of their current circumstances.

  The group moved on to Mystimona's cell, where they found him in a meditative position, surrounded by an entirely white space. He opened his eyes as he sensed their presence.

  Mystimona looked at the group and smiled. "Welcome, everyone. I see you've made some unexpected friends."

  Kintovar nodded. "Yes, Mystimona. We've formed a temporary alliance with Olaysa to deal with my mission. Together, we are going to collect one of the Goddess items. It's a complex situation, but we need to work together."

  Mystimona closed his eyes briefly. "I understand. I trust Kintovar's judgment. If she believes this is the best course of action, then I'm on board."

  Mystimona and Rawna locked eyes after Mystimona opened his own and a tension filled the air. Their auras, one purple and the other black, were visible for a moment.

  Mystimona's gaze held curiosity and wariness. "Part of me still wants to finish what we started," he admitted, addressing Rawna. "Our fight was cut short by Shadowcroft's intervention, and it left things unresolved. What about you... don’t you wanna finish that fight… right here, right now?”