The brain suddenly awakened. “OH, my stars! I feel like I’ve been snoozing for ay in this jar. But now, the brain warden is ready to shake things up!”

  The brain spoke at a higher pitch. “Ahh! Hello, Varta Kintovar! I must say, it’s simply delightful to be ba a. What a peculiar journey I’ve had. But now, I’m here to assist you in every way I !”

  Kintovar’ trembled while speaking. “Mother, I had no idea. I’ve fihe creations you started – Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle. They were projects stolen by Father, and I had no clue what I was truly creating…”

  The brain’s tone shifted with anger. “Mages, huh? Always causing trouble, those self-righteous sorcerers. They just ’t resist making things difficult for stists like us. They’re always starting trouble and meddling in things they barely uand!”

  The brains grew more intense while tinuing. “You don’t have to feel any guilt for your father stealing the dots. He kly what he was doing. He probably khat either you or I would end up like this. It was a deliberate choi his part to ehe work would tinue even if he had to sacrifice others.”

  Kintovar absorbed the brain’s words though her heart felt heavy. After a moment of ption, Kintovar looked at the brain with . “Mother, are you alright with being... just a brain?”

  The brain seemed to sider this for a moment before responding with a pyful tone. “Oh, absolutely, Varta! When I first woke up without my body, it felt a bit... strange. I remember thinking, ‘This feels weird,’ and then I tried to move around, only to realize that I couldn’t move at all. It was quite the adjustment!”

  There was a brief pause before the brain tinued. “And then I remember the scream. It was a bit arming at first, but I’ve growo it. After all, it’s not every day you bee a disembodied brain with a personality!”

  Kintovar chuckled softly, feeling a sense of relief and fort. “I’m gd to hear you’re adapting well. It’s just... it’s a lot to take in.”

  The brain responded with a f tone, “I’m more than tent to be the brain warden, watg over you and my knowledge.”

  Juliana, however, interjected. “Nonsense, Julia! You deserve more than to be a brain in a jar. We’re going to build you a new body, ohat house your brilliand tinue your work.”

  The brain chuckled. “Juliana is absolutely right. She needs something to occupy her brilliant mind. In that cell, she practically gave up and accepted her circumstances without a fight. If it had been me? I would have takehe entire jail, proving that teology is far from weak.”

  Juliana’s eyes shoh intrigue. “And what would you have doer taking over the jail?”

  The brain responded fidently, “I would have moved on to the city if necessary, Juliana.”

  Juliana ughed heartily. “That’s my girl! You’ve always been ambitious. Your fideivates me even more!”

  Kintovar watched the exge between Juliana and the brain with a satisfied smile.

  Later that night, as Kintovar and Haras peacefully slumbered, Juliana spoke to the brain alohe two of them discussed the phase of their pn in whispers.

  Kintovar stirred in her sleep, half-sciously aware of the hushed versatioween Juliana and the brain. With a quiet yawn, she pushed her sungsses up to rest on her head and peered over at the pair.

  Juliana and the brain seemed deeply engrossed in their discussion. Kintovar couldn’t make out the details of their versation. After a moment, she decided to settledbato the couch, closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep once more.

  The m came with a glow over the dark castle of the Westerory. Ihe foreboding structure, King Maizen, a man eared far youhan his position would suggest, sat in his throne room. His sharp features, framed by a mane of schorly brown hair, seemed almost ageless. He was a Royal bck battle armor.

  A soldier, adorned in the kingdom’s armor approached the throh measured steps. He kneeled before King Maizen and began to speak. “Your Majesty, we have received a most unusual request from a ‘Dr. Kintovar.’ She sought to bail out one of the top 10 criminals in the realm, Juliana Kintovar.”

  King Maizen leaned forward. His eyes seemed to pee the very soul of the soldier. “Dr. Kintovar, you say? An intriguing request, indeed.”

  The soldier tinued, “Your Majesty, this Dr. Kintovar has already paid the substantial bail required to release Juliana Kintovar. She has the means to do so, and it appears she is i on ensuring Juliana’s freedom.”

  A subtle smile curled upon King Maizen’s lips, and his gaze remained fixated on the soldier. “And what do you make of this, soldier? What could be Dr. Kintovar’s iions in bailing out one of the kingdom’s most notorious criminals?”

  The soldier lowered his head slightly. “Y-Your Majesty, it is not for me to specute on her motives. But I thought it prudent to inform you of this unusual development.”

  King Maizen reed upon his throne. His fingers lightly tapped the armrest and amusement appeared within his eyes. “Very well, soldier. I shall sider this matter carefully.”

  The soldier hesitated for a moment before responding. “Your Majesty, there is one more thing. On the paperwork for the bail, it indicates that Juliana Kintovar is iion to this Dr.Kintovar. There seems to be a familial e between them.”

  King Maizen ’s face shifted from mild amusement to one of ption. He leaned forward, and his eyes bore into the soldier. “A familial retionship, you say? This situation grows more intriguing by the moment.”

  The soldier shifted uneasily, then tinued, “There is more, Your Majesty. We received a letter this m addressed to you from Dr. Kintovar. I thought it prudent t it to your attention.”

  King Maizen’s i iqued. He extended a hand to receive the letter. He unfolded the letter and began to read. Upon reading the tent, a faint, amused smile curled upon his lips. He tilted his head and raised one hand to the side of his face. “This is quite amusing. It seems Dr. Kintovar has a fir for the dramatics with the way she worded this letter. What do you think, soldier? Should we grant her an audience?”

  The soldier hesitated. “Your Majesty, again, it is not in my pce to say this; however, from the information I’ve gathered, there’s something suspicious about this euation. It might be wise to keep a close wat them.”

  King Maizen’s smile widened. He leaned ba the throne and said, “Indeed, we ot afford to leave this unchecked. I shall arrange for an audieh Dr. Kintovar. After all, curiosity is one of the many pleasures of ruling.”

  Meanwhile, In Henry’s cozy living room, Juliana Kintovar, her distinct green military suit and b coat gave a casual salute to everyone who currently resided within and spoke in a tohat resonated with both authority and youthful energy. “Greetings, everyone. I’m Juliana Kintovar, and it’s a pleasure to finally meet all of you.”

  The room fell silent for a moment. The diverse group took in the appearance of this unassumi clearly extraordinary individual. For Roselle and Risebelle, this was the first time they had met Juliana. Her unique presence left them in awe.

  Meanwhile, amidst the chatter and introdus, the brain had undergoransformation. It noeared as a small fish swimming gracefully in a rge tank of clear water.

  Young Timmy was transfixed by the fish. With wide eyes, he leaned closer to the tank. Mesmerized by the gentle movements of the aquatic creature.

  The fish suddeed a cheerful bubble. It then spoke in a surprisingly clear and friendly tone, “Greetings, little one! I am Julia, the fish. Isn’t it wonderful to meet you?”

  Timmy’s eyes widened with fasation, and a small smile spread across his face. “Wow, a talking fish! That’s so cool!”

  Juliana gnced over with a slight smile. “Ah, I see Julia is making new friends already.”

  Henry chuckled softly after notig Timmy’s fasation with the fish. “Oh, that’s not just any fish, Timmy. It’s a mystical creature. It’s harmless, though, so o worry.”

  Osana, Timmy’s older sister raised an eyebrow. “Iing choice for a pet, don’t you think, Molly?”

  Molly had a phone opened up. She barely looked up from her phone and spoke ft with little intrigue. “Yeah, it’s cool or whatever.” With a shrug, she added, “I’m heading out. Don’t get too carried away with the talking fish.” She turned aed the door in her dark attitire.

  Henry had time to put the pieces together. He turo Oakley with a subtle nod. The name “Kintovar” was now starting to make more seo them.

  He spoke in a hushed tone, knowing that Timmy was still present, “I know she’s one of the top 10 criminals, but look at her. She seems harmless.”

  Before the discussion could delve further, a sudden kno the door interrupted the group’s musings. Henry hurried to the door. He ope to find a guard standing outside. The guard spoke with a serious tone, “King Maizen wishes to see Dr. Kintht away. She is allowed t up tuests with her and no more.”

  Henry inquired, “How would the King even know she’s here?”

  The guard’s responded with narrow eyes. “We ake our eyes off Juliana Kintovar. She’s one of the top 10 criminals.”

  Henry reyed the message to the group.

  “This is uedly fast,” Kintovar noted. “I only just submitted the request about an ho.”

  Henry merely shrugged

  Haras shook her body around nervously and said, “Only three, though? That’s not fair. One of them has to be me, right?”

  Kintovar shook her head. “No, Haras. I’m taking Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle with me. I hem by my side. I never know what might happen, and they are my creations.”

  Juliana chimed in. “Smart move, Kintovar. For all you know, this could be a trap granted how quickly this was granted.”

  Haras couldn’t hide her disappoi. Kintovar pced one hand on her shoulder. “Haras, this is the most strategic move. If anything happens to me, you’ll still be around. You’re just as intelligent as I am, and I trust you to hahings in my absence.”

  Timmy approached Roselle and said, “Goodbye, Roselle. Oh! By the way, I have a cool game I want to show you when you get back. My father got it for me the other day when you were sleeping for so long, and I didn’t get a ce to show you!”

  Roselle smiled warmly at Timmy. “Sure. I look forward to pying that game with you when I return, Timmy. Be good while we’re gone, okay?”

  The group, sisting of Roselle, Risebelle, Runebelle, and Kintovar, made their way to the imposing Dark Castle. Ohey arrived, guards statio the castle gates allowed them to pass, reizing Dr. Kintovar.

  However, when they were about to enter, a vigint guard stepped forward eyeing Kintovar with suspi. “Hold up. Dr. Kintovar, don’t you dare try anything funny! We won’t hesitate to kill if you do.”

  Kintovar raised one hand and smiled. “o worry. We’re here for a meeting with King Maizen. We won’t cause any trouble.”

  The group proceeded into the castle. They followed a guide who had been assigo escort them to their meeting with King Maizen.

  Soon, they reached a dark elevator, unlike any ventional ohey had ever seen. This elevator owered by magid the interior was shrouded in a mysterious ambiance. A single magical light bulb was the only light source within it.

  Kintovar, Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle stepped into the elevator, ready to embark on their meeting with the king.

  The group reached the entrao the throne room oop floor of the Dark Castle, they were greeted by the four imposing members of the Elite Guard who each wore a golden tag carrying their names on their outfits:

  Bashido: A tall, bald-headed man iern armor who had an air of authority and seriousness. He stood there with a mean look glued to his face. He spoke in a deep, ominous tone, “Watch your asses and follow the protocol in the presence of King Maizen.”

  Prince Vuldo: This regal figure with white hair. He had one vibrant red eye and one purple eye. He was a , a flowing red cape, and bck armor. He carried a sheathed sword by his side. With an air of authority, he spoke, “Wele to the throne room. You may proceed.”

  Princess Anitina: Dressed iire of a princess, adorned in shades of pink, she offered a polite smile and said, “Hello there. Please, follow me to the audience area.”

  Muiler G: She had purple hair and pierg purple eyes. Muiler G wore a unique and revealing purple battle armor. She carried various sheaths and a sword sheath on her back. She had a soft-spoken but dangerous demeanor and smirked at the group. “You have an audieh the king. Stay on your best behaviors now.”

  The group, guided by the Elite Guard, followed the regal procession toward the heart of the castle, where King Maizen awaited their arrival.