System Status: offline (48 hrs)

  Lifefor/A

  Magi/A

  on Charge: 0%

  Timer: N/A

  Location: Unknown

  Threat Assessment: N/A

  Project Rua Colle: 55% plete

  In the depths of her mind, Runebelle found herself in a realm of digital sciousness, surrounded by the familiar, cheerfulness her System. It’s something that guided her through tless battles and challenges now spoke to her with a tone of happiness and warmth.

  "Project Ruhe System excimed. “gratutions! You've do! You've harhe power of your stro emotion and unlocked the incredible potential of Project Rune! You've proven that your sadness be your strength, and your resolve which has brought you to this moment of triumph!"

  The System tio speak. “Your power lies not just in your abilities, but in your heart. Embrace your emotions, both the highs and the lows, and use them to keep fueling your strength and proteg your sisters!”

  Runebelle was feeling happy about herself, even if it was just a little but something still bothered her. "Speaking of my sisters," she began, "will they alright now that I've defeated Arlysa?"

  The System's response was straightforward. "I ot provide you with that answer, Project Ruhe fate of your sisters is unknown to me."

  Runebelle felt a pang of worry in her heart. She had fought so hard to save them, but did she do the job? Did she fail? She needed reassura found none in the System's response.

  "Why didn't you tell me about the 48-hour shutdown after using Project Rune?" Runebelle questioned, her tone holding frustration. "I could have been more prepared for it..."

  The System held a hint of remorse in tone as it replied, "I apologize, Project Ru was an ht on my part. I should have informed you about the cooldown period. It seems that in the excitement of your transformation, I fot to mention it."

  Runebelle sighed, her motions now showing a touch of annoyance.

  "I promise to be more vigint and informative iure, Project Rune. Your well-being and success are my top priorities!"

  The System began cheering, but then stopped immediately and said, "Runebelle, I've detected another Fragment of your memory. Would you like to view it?"

  Runebelle, intrigued by the possibility of unc more of her past, responded, "Yes, please show it to me."

  The System seemed pleased with her response, "You've made great progress, Project Ruhe st time we discussed this, you might have hesitated due to the sadness it could bring. "

  Runebelle responded, "You've taught me, System that even in my sadness, there's strength to be found. Every memory, no matter how painful, has a purpose, and I've learo seek that purpose."

  The System's cheerful tone resonated with approval, "You've truly embraced the wisdom that your emotions be harnessed as a source of strength, Project Rune! Now, let's uhis memory together."

  With those words, the System began to restruother fragment of Runebelle's past, unveiling a new piece of her life's puzzle.

  Runebelle's world seemed to crumble around her as she found herself in the legal meeting, a stark and sterile enviro pared to the warmth of Ms. Lorraine's home. The room was filled with unfamiliar faces, wyers, and officials, all discussing her fate.

  She sat there with her heart heavy with uainty. The legal proceedings were filled with discussions about custody, guardianship, and the rights of her birth mother, Ruhe words were like a blur, and Runebelle struggled to prehend the plexities of the situation.

  While court tinued, Runebelle's mind raced, searg flimmer of hope amidst the legal plexities that threateo tear her away from the family she had e to love.

  Just then, the Judge, a stern-looking man with a -shaven head, observed Runebelle with a solemn look, "Runebelle, please step forward."

  Runebelle, her face marked with sadness and uainty, slowly rose from her seat and made her way to the front of the courtroom. As she walked, the hushed murmurs of the onlookers filled the air.

  The Judge smmed his gavel down with a resounding thud, sileng the murmurs. He then turned his attention to Runebelle.

  "Runebelle I uand that this is a difficult situation for a young girl like you. You are here to provide your testimony, and your feelings matter. Please speak openly and holy, and remember that the court is here to ensure your well-being."

  Runebelle nodded, her heart pounding like a drumbeat in a thuorm. She surveyed the courtroom.

  On one side of the courtroom stood her mother, joined by her wyer.The woman who had once been a pilr of strength and love now had a chilling aura of fury and instability. Her eyes which were once warm and f, now bore into Runebelle with a fiery iy. Her mother's features torted with rage casting a shadow over the familiar memories Runebelle cherished.

  While oher side, Mrs. Lorraihe woman who had been a mure to her, stood with her own wyer in her defense.

  Runebelle took a deep breath. She felt the courtroom’s gaze upohe decision she was about to make was of immense importance, and it tore at her heart just by thinking about it. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she finally spoke, "I... I want to go with Mrs. Lorraine."

  Runebelle's mother erupted in a fit of manic rage, her voice crag through the courtroom like thunder. "Your Honor, I must objey daughter's statement! She doesen’t uand what she’s saying. She’s just a child! I am her biological mother, and it is my right to have her with me!" Her eyes bzed with a wild iy.

  For a brief, terrifying moment, Runebelle's mother's fa?ade of posure cracked, revealing a glimpse of the sadness underh."Runebelle, please," she pleaded hoarsely with her tone shifting from fury to desperation. "I 't lose you too. I'm sorry for everything, but I ge. Just give me a ce. Please, please e with me!"

  Her words were punctuated by a chilling smile that flickered across her face which was ulio Runebelle.

  Runebelle looked between Mrs. Loraine, who was a loving and stable presen her life, and her mother, who leading for a sed ce.

  Tears streamed down Runebelle's cheeks. She struggled to speak and she began to cry Words barely came out of her mouth. "Why... I... love you both… this is tearing me apart!"

  The judge, Runebelle's visible distress, intervened decisively. "Bailiff, please escort Runebelle out of the courtroom. We will take a brief recess to allow her to pose herself."

  Runebelle was led out of the courtroom.

  In the courtroom lobby, Runebelle found herself in versation with Mrs. Pearl, Mrs. Loraine's friend and defeorney. Mrs. Pearl was a young, capable wyer with a mark on her face. She was known for her quick thinking and clever strategies in the courtroom.

  Runebelle's tear-filled eyes met Mrs. Pearl's. "Mrs. Pearl, I don't know what to say I... Why do I have to do this...?”

  Mrs. Pearl sighed. "I uand, Runebelle. This is a difficult time for someone ye. I wish I could make it easier for you, but the court's decision will ultimately decide where you'll stay."

  Runebelle wiped away her tears. "I just wish there was a way for me to be with both of them. Isn’t there any other way to do this?"

  Mrs. Pearl put a reassuring hand on Runebelle's shoulder. "I know this is tough, but remember, whatever happens in that courtroom, it doesn't ge the love you have for both your mother and Mrs. Loraine."

  Mrs. Pearl leaned in closer to Runebelle, "Runebelle, there’s also something I want you to know… Something doesn't add up with this case. Your mother's aowards Mrs. Loraine seems to e from a deeper pce, something uo the court case. They were ohe closest of friends, and this sudden ge is troubling. I just… don’t have any evide this up in court."

  Runebelle nodded but held one hand onto an arm. "I've noticed it too. It's like something ged between them when Mrs. Lorai that letter about the court case. But what could be the cause of all this?"

  Mrs. Pearl sighed with frustration taking her face. "That's the million-dolr question, Runebelle. I feel like there is just not something we’re seeing here, something important…I just wish I knew what that was.”

  The courtroom was filled with murmurs until the judge banged his gavel.

  "Ladies alemen, we will now revene."

  Mrs. Pearl stood up fidently, "Your Honor, repared to make our final statement at this time."

  Runebelle's mother, visibly agitated, stood up. "Obje, Your Honor! This is irregur. How they present a final statement without hearing Runebelle's testimony first? This goes against the standard procedure!"

  The judge pted the obje for a moment before responding, "Mrs. Pearl, expin the reasoning behind your request."

  Mrs. Pearl nodded respectfully. "Your Hiven the sensitive nature of the testimony and the emotional strain it may cause Runebelle, we propose that hearing our final statement will provide text and crity. We assure the court that Runebelle's testimony will be fully addressed within our statement."

  “Obje overruled. You may proceed, Mrs. Pearl.”

  Mrs. Pearl cleared her throat. “Ladies alemen of the court, Your Honor, and members of the jury, I stand before you today not merely to present a defense for Mrs. Lorraine, but the plexities that have shaped this family's turmoil. The rift betweewo women, Runebelle's mother and Mrs. Lorraine, is not a simple dispute as it seems."

  Mrs. Pearl carried a measured yet impassioone as she tinued, "Throughout these proceedings, we have witnessed raw emotions and bitter flicts. We have seen the pain and anger between two figures Runebelle loves deeply, but what if I told you that beh this turmoil was something deeper?"

  She stopped deliberately, "What if I told you that Mrs. Lorraine, despite the accusations, has been a pilr of stability and unwavering support in Runebelle's life? What if I urged you to sider the years of nurturing care and selfless dedication that Mrs. Lorraine has provided, not out of obligation, but out of genuine love for Runebelle?"

  Mrs. Pearl's gaze swept across the jury, each member looking captivated .

  "Ladies alemen of the court, Your Honor, esteemed members of the jury," Mrs. Pearl tinued, "We must aowledge the facts before us. Runebelle's mother, absent for months, now seeks to recim custody. While we uand the plexities of familial bonds, we ot ighe impact of prolonged absen a child's well-being."

  She paused for a moment before tinuing firmly, "Runebelle has thrived under Mrs. Lorraine's care, a stable presen her life during her mother's abse is not a matter of vindictiveness, Your Honor, but of safeguarding Runebelle's best is."

  Suddenly, Runebelle's mother erupted, "How dare you accuse me of abando! I never abandoned my child! I had reasons I wasn’t able to m—"

  The judge intervened, his gavel striking the bench sharply. "Mrs. Rune, you will refrain from interrupting sel. Mrs. Pearl, please tinue."

  Mrs. Pearl nodded respectfully to the judge before addressing the courtroom again. "Your Honor, we aowledge that Mrs. Rune has returned, seeking to re-establish her retionship with her daughter. However, we must sider the stability and tinuity that Mrs. Lorraine has provided during her absence."

  She turo face the jury with her arms opened wide."This case is not about casting bme but about ensuring Runebelle's tinued well-being. We urge you to sider the evidence impartially and to prioritize what is truly in Runebelle's best is."

  After Mrs. Pearl cluded her impassioatement, Runebelle's mother immediately leaped to her feet.

  "All of that is bull!" she shouted and smmed her hand down on the prosecution’s desk. "Mrs. Lorraine couldn't possibly care for Runebelle the way I do. She's just a caretaker, not her mother!"

  Runebelle's mother tinued, "Mrs. Lorraine may have been there physically, but emotionally? Mentally? She 't possibly uand what Runebelle needs!"

  Mrs. Lorraine rose from her seat with ached upon her face. "I don't know what has gotten into you, but these accusations are baseless," she retorted, “I have loved and cared for Runebelle as my own. You weren’t in her life for the past month, so how the hell could you know that, huh?! HUH!?"

  The judge banged his gavel. “Order! Mrs. Rune, you will refrain from making unfounded accusations. Mrs. Lorraine, please return to your seat," he instructed firmly.

  “Mrs. Pearls, do you have anything more to add?”

  Mrs. Pearls produced a single bck card adorned with a stark white 'S'. Mrs. Pearls's voice echoed through the silence, "Your Honor, this is my final piece of evidence. I found this card in Mrs. Lorraine's possessioly. Its significe may shed light on undisclosed matters that could affect this case."

  Runebelle's mother’s eyes wide with arm, shot to her feet, "This is absurd! What evidehat card means nothing!"

  Mrs. Lorraine, usually posed, now visibly distressed, also stood up and trembled slightly, "Your Honor, this is preposterous! I have no idea how that card got there. It's baseless and irrelevant to this case!"

  The judge gnced betweewo women and then at Mrs. Pearls. "Mrs. Pearls, do you have any substantiated evidence linking this card to the case at hand?"

  Mrs. Pearls hesitated for a moment, then replied, "Your Honor, I admit there's no crete proof linking the card directly to the custody dispute. However, it raises suspis that there's more to this story than what we've heard today. I believe further iigation is warranted."

  While Mrs. Pearl's gained a murmur from the crowd, an elderly wyer representing Runebelle's mother wore a self-assured smirk. Her grey hair framed her face, and her pink suit stood out promily in the courtroom. She grinned while preparing to make her stance for the first time in this case.