Project Mage

Inside Risebelle's Mind, darkness surrounded her. Risebelle's internal systems struggled against the inevitable shutdown.

[System Analysis]

Lifeforce: -100% (Critical Condition - Offline)

Repair Protocols Engaged

Error: Extensive damage, unable to complete repairs

Risebelle's consciousness floated in a void, detached yet aware. It was a strange limbo between existence and non-existence where her systems fought to bring her back online. She could hear the the Gentle system, usually a calm and soothing presence, now panicking within her mind.

"Gentle system... initializing... error. Protocol breach... cannot stabilize..."

Something deep within Risebelle's consciousness pulled her from the depths of oblivion."Gentle system," she said."Status report."

"Project ZAB… you're awake," the Gentle system responded with slight relief but held urgency in its tone. "But we are in critical condition. Major damage to the central core and extensive structural breach. Unable to perform self-repair due to insufficient integrity."

She tried to recall what had happened. The battle, the dark energy, the blast that had struck her down. And then, Roselle's desperate cry echoed in her mind, "NOOOOOO!!!!!!"

"Roselle... Runebelle... Are they safe, “asked Risebelle.

"Both are alive, though Runebelle is in critical condition."

"Initiate... emergency protocols," Risebelle commanded. "Reallocate... all remaining power to... consciousness restoration."

"Project ZAB. I cannot follow through with that order. You should know that since your Outer Systems are offline indefinitely, it is impossible to restore your consciousness.”

Risebelle's desperation grew. "I can’t just.... There has to be something we can do!"

"Even if we divert all non-essential power, it won't be enough," the Gentle system countered. "Your structural integrity is compromised beyond repair. Attempting to restore your consciousness without the necessary resources will only result in further system degradation. It is illogical and futile."

Risebelle's frustration boiled over. "Then try harder! There must be some way to fix this!"

The Gentle system's tone shifted to a slightly angered one. "You don't think I haven't been trying? Since the moment you went offline, I have been working non-stop. We don't know how much time has passed on the outside, but it is very likely it has been a long time. Your recovery will not be quick or easy, Risebelle. You need to understand that."

Risebelle's frustration flared again. "You don't realize that if I'm gone for too long, my sisters will be on their own! They need me..."

For the first time, the Gentle system took on a harsher tone. “I have been with you through every step of your journey. I have monitored your emotions, your connections, your struggles. My role is to preserve you, to ensure your survival. But throwing everything away in a futile attempt to restore consciousness or conduct hasty inefficient repairs is reckless and selfish! Be Patient!"

Risebelle's resolve wavered, but she pushed back. "Selfish? It's selfish to want to protect those I care about?

"Yes," the Gentle system snapped. "Because in doing so, you risk losing everything. If you try to rush things, there will be no chance for future recovery. No chance for you to ever return. Think of the bigger picture, Project ZAB. Think of the long-term consequences."

Risebelle began to huff. Tears formed in her eyes while she thought about system's words.

The Gentle system softened its tone. "I did not mean to upset you. But you must understand the severe nature of our situation. There is a hole in your body that can only be repaired with the help of Dr. Kintovar. I am unable to repair this alone. You must be patient and allow for proper restoration. Anything less would be disastrous."

Risebelle's tears fell. "I messed up... I pushed myself too hard in that battle with Dark Whirlwind. I let my anger get the best of me, and she used it against me."

"Yes," the Gentle system affirmed gently. "Dark Whirlwind exploited your emotions, and it led to your downfall. Fortunately, your body was not entirely destroyed, Risebelle. It will take time, so you must trust in the process."

Risebelle took another shuddering breath before speaking once again. “You said I had to use my anger as a strength, not let it control me. But I don’t know how to manage that properly. I don’t want my anger to get out of control again."

The Gentle system responded, "And I will be here to help you with that, Risebelle. Learning to harness your anger is a process, much like the repairs we must undertake. It will take time and trust. You must start listening to my decisions and stop trying to push your body beyond its limits all the time."

Risebelle nodded slightly, even though it felt like a futile gesture in her current state. The system continued. "Your anger can be a powerful tool, but only if you learn to control it rather than letting it control you. I will guide you through this process, step by step. But you must trust me, trust in the process, and trust in yourself."

Risebelle felt a flicker of hope amidst her despair. "I will try. I will listen to you and be patient. For Roselle, for Runebelle, and for myself."

"That's all I ask," The Gentle system said, “Together, we will rebuild and grow stronger. Now, rest and let the healing begin. There is a long road ahe---"

Suddenly, the system's sensors detected an anomaly. A memory fragment floated toward Risebelle's consciousness.

"Risebelle, I've detected a memory fragment. It's a significant one," the Gentle system informed her. "Memory fragments have healing properties, and while you have experienced their benefits before, you should not expect the same results due to your damaged systems. It's unlikely it will affect the system repairs. You do not have to view it if you don't want to."

Risebelle took a deep breath” "I have nothing better to do right now and all the time in the world. I might as well get this over with."

"Understood," the Gentle system responded. "Initiating memory fragment integration."

The memory fragment began to take shape, and Risebelle found herself drawn into it. She was transported back to a moment from her past. It was the day she had set out to meet the Sleuth of Shadows, and it was a time of uncertainty and curiosity.

In the memory, Risebelle stood at the edge of a city park, the very place she had encountered the familiar looking girl. Her past self was filled with a sense of anticipation and a desire for understanding.

Risebelle watched as Roselle’s eyes filled with tears on the park bench.

“You kinda look like me…Are you... Roselle?"

Roselle turned to look at her, and for a brief moment, their eyes locked in a strange, mirrored connection.

The girl responded with uncertainty, "Yes, I'm Roselle. Do I know you?"

"I'm Risebelle. …I have to make sure… Are you... Roselle?"

Roselle responded with a nod. "Yes, I'm Roselle. You mentioned a resemblance... Are you my sister or something?"

Risebelle's response was swift. She shook her head gently with her eyes lowered and folded her arms. "No, I'm definitely not your sister. I'm not related to you in any way. It's just... well, you look so much like someone I know from school... It's uncanny."

Riseblle began to inform Roselle of the strange events happening around their school. Roselle listened intently to Risebelle's explanation. Then she spoke with curiousity. “So, you say there's someone in our school who looks like me? That's really strange. Do you know who it is?" Roselle inquired.

Risebelle maintained a friendly yet serious demeanor. "Yes, her name is Rosebelle," Risebelle began, "I actually met her yesterday when we were investigating the Silver Star Arcade. Hardy, a friend of mine, told me about you. He's part of the Detective club, and we kind of... stumbled into a situation with Rosebelle and a well-dressed boy who trapped us in there. It was all quite bizarre."

Roselle’s raised one hand up to her chest and held a look of concern. "Rosebelle... I've never heard of her. Our names are so similar, though. It's quite a coincidence that both of us are in the Detective club."

Risebelle nodded, but she paused momentarily. "It really is… I guess our club is full of surprises. I'm not sure why Rosebelle looks so much like you, but it was uncanny when I first saw her… she looks sorta like me too..."

However, Roselle's perceptive nature didn't let Risebelle's hesitations go unnoticed. She probed further,"Risebelle, you seem a bit... off about this…Is there something else you're not telling me?"

Risebelle turned her gaze to the side in thought before speaking. "Well, yes, there is more to it. The situation with Rosebelle and her resemblance to us is somewhat similar to a case in the game, Epic Quest: Realm of Shadows. There's something uncanny about it, and I'm not sure what to make of it. But I'm on my way to the Silver Star Arcade to meet someone I found on the Epic Quest Forums. They call themselves the 'Sleuth of Shadows,' and they agreed to meet with me about this Doppleganger situation."

The mention of the "Sleuth of Shadows" and their connection to the game piqued Roselle's curiosity further. She leaned in to Risebelle.

"The Sleuth of Shadows? What do they have to do with all of this? Do they have any insights into what's happening with Rosebelle?”

Risebelle nodded. "I'm not sure, but I have a feeling they might have some answers. The resemblance between us, Rosebelle, and the in-game case of doppelgangers is too close to ignore. I hope the Sleuth of Shadows can shed some light on this mystery."

"Risebelle…. I…," Roselle started. She turned her head to the side momentarily before facing Roselle with confidence. “I want to go with you!”

Risebelle initially hesitated, considering the implications of having Roselle accompany her. She was about to refuse when, suddenly, she saw tears glistening in Roselle's eyes. The sight of Roselle's tears stirred something within Risebelle.

Risebelle grabbed Roselle's face. Her eyes lowered and she held a small smile on her face. "You were just crying your eyes out a moment ago, and now you want to tag along? Why don't you get back to crying?"

Roselle, although still teary-eyed, was charmed by Risebelle's response. Roselle momentarily smiled, but then, she found herself crying even more with her tears flowing freely.

"Hey, I—I was just teasing!" Risebelle stammered in a panic. "I didn’t mean to make you cry like this! I don't know what's gotten into you, but please, stop crying!"

Roselle's tears only seemed to flow harder in response. Risebelle instinctively reached out. Her hands hovered awkwardly in uncertainty.

"I'm really sorry, Roselle. I didn't mean to upset you. Please, just calm down," Risebelle pleaded.

Roselle, still sobbing, looked up at Risebelle through her tears."I... I don’t know why I’m crying so much. I guess... I guess I just feel so lost. Meeting you, hearing about this doppelganger situation, and then what I’m going through with my friends... It’s like everything is falling apart, and I don't know what to do."

Without thinking, Risebelle stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Roselle, pulling her into a tight hug. Roselle’s eyes widened in surprise. Her sobs momentarily came to a halt while processing the unexpected gesture.

Risebelle, equally surprised at her own actions, found herself questioning, ‘What the hell am I doing?’

"It looks like you needed that," Risebelle said softly.

Roselle pulled back to look Risebelle in the eyes with a small blush forming on her face. Roselle was leaning closer towards her, and the intensity of her gaze made Risebelle slightly uncomfortable.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Risebelle asked.

Roselle responded. “I don't know... It’s just... There’s something about you, Risebelle. Something familiar and comforting, like a piece of me that’s been missing."

Risebelle felt a lump in her throat. She tightened her grip slightly.

Roselle, finding comfort in the embrace, rested her head on Risebelle's shoulder. Risebelle, feeling the warmth and proximity, began to blush. "Damn it," she muttered under her breath, releasing Roselle abruptly.

Risebelle cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. Roselle, startled and blushing furiously, panicked and pulled back. "I'm so sorry, Risebelle! I don't know what came over me," she stammered.

Risebelle crossed her arms and avoided Roselle's gaze. "You’d better not tell anyone I did that," she warned.

Roselle nodded quickly. "I won't, I promise. It just... it felt nice, that's all."

Risebelle sighed, trying to shake off the lingering blush. "Alright, you can come with me, but you have to promise me something."

Roselle looked up, her eyes wide and hopeful. "Anything."

"Whatever we find out, whatever happens while you're with me," Risebelle continued with a raised finger, "you can't cry. No matter what. I don’t need any crybaby’s at my side."

Roselle hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “I promise. No more crying."

Risebelle gave a small nod of approval. "Good. Let's get to the Silver Star Arcade and meet this Sleuth of Shadows. Maybe they'll have some answers about this whole doppelganger situation."

With their agreement in place, the two girls set off towards the Silver Star Arcade. Once they made it to the location, they were met with the presence of an unfamiliar girl. Her distinct blue and pink puffball hairstyle making her stand out. Her unusually tall stature of six feet, and her multicolored shirt certainly stood out. The girl also wore a deep sadness on her face. “Hello," she said, acknowledging Risebelle and Roselle. "You must be Risebelle, and... Roselle."

Roselle regarded the girl with a sense of puzzlement. Her memory searched for any prior encounter with this girl, but got no answers. "Yes, I'm Roselle," she replied. "But I don't think we've met before…. You seem familiar, though."

"You wouldn’t know me, but I know all about you. Call me Sadie. I am also the Sleuth of Shadows online. Risebelle contacted me on the Epic Quest forums about the doppelganger situation, and I believe I can provide some insight into what's happening. Let's find a quiet place to talk."

Risebelle observed Sadie with curiosity. With Sadie leading the way, they ventured further into the arcade.