Runebelle’s eyes widened in surprise at Juliana’s question. She gnervously at Kintovar and Haras before fog ba Juliana. “How... how do you know about that? I haven’t told anyone about Sadie or my e to her…”

  Juliana’s gaze remaieady. A knowing smile came to her lips. “I’ve done my research, Runebelle. The fusion known as ‘Sadie’ was an intricate and highly secretive project. If my calcutions are correct, your soul being one of its pos would be signifit.”

  Runebelle’s trembled slightly while speaking. “Yes, it’s true. My memories... they hold fragments of Sadie’s existence…”

  Runebelle hesitated to tinue for a moment a moment and looked at them all momentarily. She then resumed. “My mother, Rune, rotective and, at times, violent on my behalf. She didn’t wao be a part of that fusion. My sister, Sadie, was forced to work iigations for the police, using her skills as a hacker even while she was still in school. The fusion itself was a difficult and painful time for all of us, but I don’t remember… I don’t know the exaent, but I know that I died…”

  Runebelle’s eyes now held with uears. “When that happened, Sadie and my mother, Rune, left. They moved on from that painful existence, leaving behind the memories of the fusion and the life we had known. When I woke up again, I was here, created by you, Kintovar. I was no longer part of the fusion, but I still carried the memories aions of Sadie, Rune, and myself. It was like being rebor I could still feel the same way I did in the past stantly.”

  Juliana, who had been listening attentively now had a somber look. She turned her gaze to Kintova. “Varta, your creations carry the echoes of a tumultuous history, and their existence is only possible thanks to your innovation. You all carry heavy burdens. The echoes of your pasts are iwined in the present in ways that are both unique and profound.”

  Kintovar raised one hand to her . “I’m not sure I uand, grandmother. What do you mean?”

  Juliana Kintovar expined, “My research, my life’s work, was stolen from me when I was arrested. The dots, the teology, the knowledge that I had gathered over the years—it was all taken from me. I hought I would see it again. But you, Varta, you mao plete my research. You recreated the teology that was lost.”

  Kintovar’s eyes widened in realization. “You mean... the system, the creations, the fusion teology... it all came from your research?”

  Juliana nodded. “Yes, my dear. It all inated from my research. This work was stolen by your own father, Vartan Kintovar, before the authorities could get their hands on it. He must have known that he would , even if it meant that I would remain in jail.”

  The depth of the revetio Kintovar in awe. Her owions, the systems, the fusion teology—it was all a tinuation of her grandmother’s research.

  Julia out a sigh. “I may have lost many years of my life in this cell, but I’m grateful that my legacy lived on through you. You’ve carried on my work, and you’ve achieved things I could only dream of.”

  Kintave a prideful look “I’m... hoo have tinued your work, but I also want to uand more about it. you tell me about the teology and the research that was stolen from you?”

  Juliana’s tone shifted to a more serious one. She looked at Kintovar with iy. “Before I reveal the details of my researd teology, there’s something more pressing, Varta. You o be ready for what’s ing. The world is a plex and dangerous pce, and you, yourself, o be prepared for battle. Your battle will be soon.”

  Kintovar took a deep breath and asked, “What do you mean? Why do I o be ready for battle?”

  Juliana responded. “There’s a possibility that, once your life is lost, you could lose everything. It’s a harsh reality, but one you o front. You’ve been seeking a way to get stroo take trol of your destiny, and I help you achieve that.”

  Juliaended her hand through the cell’s bars, it to Kintovar. “I guide you, train you, and provide you with the knowledge and power you o not only keep the trol of your owions but to reshape the world. We rid it of the wretched mages that currently dominates aablish a new order.”

  Kintovar looked at her grandmother’s outstretched hand. She sidered the offer and then said, “My goal, grandmother, is not just to rise above magic but to asd beyond it. I want to be at the top, not just of magic, but of all existence.”

  Juliana’s face shifted from surprise to a thoughtful sideration of Kintovar’s words. Kintovar tinued. “I uand the cept of destru, and I know that it’s often a necessary part of creation. But my vision is different. The destru I seek is not the wholesale annihition of everything in its path. It’s a precise, calcuted destru that targets only what stands in the way ress and ge. I want to reshape the world, not reduce it to rubble.”

  Juliana ughter filled the air. When the ughter subsided, Juliana spoke. “You have a unique perspective, Varta Kintovar, and I must admit it’s a refreshing ohe cept of precise, calcuted destru for the sake ress is a different path from what I had envisioned, but it has its ow.”

  Juliana leaned closer to the cell bars. “Listen closely, Varta Kintovar. The five goddess items are a sourmense power, and they are items necessary for reshaping the world. All five of them will be present in the Eastern Sword Tour, and I guara with absolute certainty. This is your opportunity to cim them, to research their secrets, and to harhe power they possess.”

  Her words took on a sinister uone while tinuing, “This world, inated and spread thin by magieeds to be destroyed to make way for the new order we seek. The so-called ‘goddesses’ who created these items may have their own purposes, but the power people ascribe to them is real. With these items, we bring about the ge this world so desperately needs.”

  Kintovar listened ily trandmother’s words. She took a deep breath and then spoke. “Before I agree to your offer, I have one dition. All teology and research that you created, including the fusion teology, must belong to me. I want full ownership and trol over it.”

  Juliana’s eyes sparkled with admiration. “Ah, Varta, you truly are my granddaughter. Thinking five steps ahead is a trait I admire greatly. You have a sharp mind, and it’s clear that you uand the value of strategitrol.”

  A genuine smile pyed on Juliana’s lips. “I respect your demand, and I agree to it. The teology will be yours to and. After all, it was my work that paved the way for your innovations. You deserve to wield it as you see fit.”

  Kintovar She reached her hand through the cell bars to shake Juliana’s hand. “I was going to collect the goddess items anyway, though not for the same reasons you may be thinking of.”

  She withdrew her hand from the cell bars.” You, grandmother and that brain will be ing with me out of this cell as a part of my team. The world outside is a pce where we achieve oals and you have knowledge and experiehat will be invaluable.”

  However, before the versation could tinue, Rawna, who wielded the spear of destru, spoke up. “How do you know that I will show up at the Eastern Sword School Tour? Do you really think you get your hands on the Spear of Destru?”

  Kintaze shifted to Rawna, uurbed. “Well, you are the one esc us there. Of course you are entering that tour. I know you wouldn’t disobey your own Mother’s orders.”

  Rawna’s eyes narrowed. “And what makes you think I won’t stop you before you evearted? I heard everything you’ve discussed. I could destroy yht now a you out of my way.”

  Juliana’s face turhoughtful. She responded calmly. “Oh, ‘Mother’ you say? I know Rawna’s mother well. The wicked witch of the south, yes? She made a deal with you, Varta Kintovar, in exge for meeting me, didn’t she? That’s why Rawna is here.”

  Kintovar nodded. “Yes, a deal was made in exge for access to you. My purpose is clear and I will honour my end of the bargain by participating iour.”

  Juliana grinned. “I don’t know the specifics of your deal but I do know that your mother despises having her ‘minions’ treated poorly, despite her own wiess. She has a vested i in ensuring they are respected and valued.”

  Rawna’s eyes narrowed further. “I don’t want you two getting in my way. If you cause any trouble, I’ll deal with you myself.”

  Juliana regarded Rawna with a calm yet dising gaze. “Rawna, are you pnning to challehe goddess with that spear of yours?”

  Rawna’s face fshed with surprise. “How could you possibly assume that?”

  Juliana’s wore a smile. “It’s all in your body nguage. Despite your formidable on, you exude a ess and distahat speaks volumes. The Spear of Destru is a tool of immense power, capable of obliterating cities, yet you wield it with a calcuted purpose. Your demeangests that you’re aiming for something beyond mere destru.”

  Rawna’s eyes flickered with defiance. “You’re observant, I’ll give you that. But don’t presume to uand my iions. The spear is mio wield as I see fit, and I have my own pns.”

  Juliana’s gaze remaieady while addressing Rawna. “Ralease. What’s discussed in this room remains here. We have mutual goals, and I assure you, we won’t reveal your iions to a’s not as if anyone will hear us here.”

  Rawated, but after a moment, she spoke with resolve. “I’ll sider parting with the Spear of Destru only once I’ve found a with the goddess of this world. Only then will I give it up. If you attempt to take it from me otherwise, I’ll destroy you both without hesitation.”

  Juliana turo Kintovar with a questioning look. “Varta, are you okay with this arra? It seems Rawna has ditions that might dey our pns.”

  Kintovar spoke calmly. “I haven’t met this ‘goddess’ figure yet nor do I know much about them, so I see no problem with the arra. Our primary goal is to secure the goddess items. Since we suspect they will all be at the tour, I am sure we e to an agreement here.”

  Juliana nodded. “Then it’s settled.”

  Rawna eyed them both warily. “Just remember the deal.”

  Juliana’s eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief. “Of course, but remember not to get in our way either, or we won’t hesitate to snatch the spear and deal with you accly.”

  Raened her mouth to respond, but Juliana interrupted smoothly. “Before you think we ’t, remember we have the teology and means to overpower even your Spear of Destru.”

  Kintovar added, “This is true. In the South, you were overpowered by Dr. Winter and my bined efforts.”

  Rawna stepped closer to the cell, her gaze locked onto Juliana’s with one of her mea looks. “I don’t like you.”

  Julia her gaze evenly, unfazed. She smirked.

  Kintovar stood before the imposing figure of the Bail Officer, a stern-faced official who held the power to grant or deny Juliana Kintovar’s release. The Bail Officer regarded Kintovar skepticism.

  “Are you absolutely and pletely sure you want to post bail for Juliana Kintovar?” the Bail Officer inquired. “This isn’t just anyone we’re talking about. She’s a top 10 criminal in Jancito and her as have had far-reag problems on this world.”

  Kintovar met the Bail Officer’s gaze resolutely. “I’m fully aware of who she is, but I have my reasons for wanting to post bail for her. It’s crucial that she be released into my custody.”

  The Bail Officer tio scrutinize Kintovar. “Even if I approve the bail, she won’t be allowed to leave the West without the explicit approval of King Maizen. Do you uand the ditions and responsibilities that e with this decision?”

  Kintovar nodded firmly. “I uand, and I’m prepared to meet those ditions. It’s imperative that she’s with me.”

  The Bail Officer responded. “Very well. If you’re sure about this, I will process the bail, but know that you will be held responsible for her as. You will ao King Maizen for any missteps.”

  Kintovar replied, “I accept that responsibility. Thank you franting her release.”

  The heavy metal door of the cell creaked open. Juliana Kintovar, apanied by a pair of guards, left the cell. She ushing a cart, and upon it rested the Brain, the se, teological marvel. The Brain’s monitor dispyed a sense of relief. “Finally, we’re out of that hellhole,” the Brain said.

  Juliana chuckled. “Yes, the cell was starting to make me zy, wasn’t it Brain? But you k was only a matter of time.”

  The Brain responded, “Indeed I did, Juliana. Now, with phase 2 of your pn beginning, we move forward with our true goals.”