The streets of the Eastern Jancito city welcomed Bob, Becky, Lina, and Sybil who arrived after traveling a considerable distance from North Jancito.

  Becky, sporting a new look, now wore a striking white and rose dress-like tank top that she had acquired from the locals in the North Jancito city.

  Sybil, on the other hand, retained her signature schoolgirl uniform, but this attire was no ordinary uniform. Crafted by Dr. Kintovar herself. It boasted magical resistance, providing an extra layer of protection against potential threats.

  The group navigated through the lively streets. Lina admired the city's unique charm. She turned to Bob with a playful smirk.

  "Well, Bob, this place is certainly different from the North. Got any plans for us in this vibrant city?"

  Bob chuckled, scratching his head. "Well, we're here for the tournament, right? Dj's gonna be around, and I've got a feeling it'll be one heck of a show."

  Becky, overhearing the mention of Dj, grinned and cracked her knuckles. "Oh, it's not just a show, Bob. It's a chance for me and Sybil to prove ourselves. We're entering that tournament, and we're gonna kick some serious ass!"

  Sybil nodded. "Absolutely, Becky. We've got a lot to learn, but what better way than diving into the thick of it?"

  However, their lively talk was abruptly disrupted at the chilling presence that swept over them. Becky's eyes widened, and her fists clenched involuntarily. She turned her gaze to the source of the disturbance, and there, emerging was Dark Whirlwind.

  Memories flooded back to Becky and Sybil—the frozen helplessness in the North whileDark Whirlwind tore apart Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle. Becky’s was seething with anger she barely kept contained. The desire to confront this malevolent force boiled within her.

  Sybil found herself grappling with dark feelings she thought she had overcome. Dark Whirlwind's presence stirred a desire for justice, but also a struggle against the shadows that lurked within her.

  The streets of Eastern Jancito transformed into a chaotic scene as people fled in terror at the arrival of Dark Whirlwind.

  Civilians rushed past with pleas and cries filling the air. "Please, Dark Whirlwind, spare us!" a woman begged with fear. "Don't ruin the Eastern Annual tournament! We've been looking forward to it for months!"

  Others joined in the chorus. "Think of the children! Spare the city! The tournament is about to begin, don't destroy everything!"

  But Dark Whirlwind paid no heed to their desperate pleas. Instead, a wicked grin crossed her face. Some civilians, unable to escape in time, felt the merciless force of her power as buildings crumbled and fell right ontop of them.

  "Becky, Sybil, we need to get out of here!" Bob shouted. "Dark Whirlwind is way too powerful. We'll head to another side of town. It's the only chance we've got!"

  Lina nodded in agreement, following Bob's lead and paying no mind to Becky and Sybil.

  Ignoring Bob's warning, they two veered off in the direction of Dark Whirlwind, confronting the malevolent force that had brought destruction to their lives once before.

  "Are you sure about this, Becky?" Sybil asked

  Becky clenched her fists” Hell Yeah, Sybil. We can't let her ruin everything again. We've got to stand up to her. It's now or never!"

  Meanwhile, Aliana was already on the scene infront of Dark Whirlwind.

  "Stop this!" Aliana cut through the chaos with her eyes fixed on Dark Whirlwind.

  Dark Whirlwind turned faced her with a dark grin. "Did you say something?"

  Aliana's gaze remained unwavering. "Who are you?"

  Dark Whirlwind chuckled, a chilling sound that sent shivers down the spines of those nearby. "I am Dark Whirlwind, the harbinger of chaos and destruction. And you… You should know better than to stand in my way."

  Gaiza whispered to Aliana, "Her magical energy... it's far beyond anything I've ever felt. The entire city could be in danger if we don't stop her."

  Becky and Sybil arrived on the scene, standing boldly in front of Aliana and Gaiza. Aliana's eyes widened. "Becky? Sybil? What are you two doing here?"

  Becky grinned, "Well, well, if it ain't the Ice Princess Aliana herself. We heard this witch here is causing trouble, and we can't let that slide."

  Sybil, usually more reserved, nodded in agreement. "We've faced her before in the North, and we're not about to let her wreak havoc here."

  Aliana squared her shoulders and addressed Dark Whirlwind. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Queen Aliana, one of the six now Legendary Sword Gods who have mastered their Sword Magic entirely."

  Becky smirked. "Wow, the Ego really went to your head, huh, Aliana?"

  Bee stepped forward, standing defiantly in front of Becky. “Hey, you can’t talk to Aliana that way. She’s the Queen now and super important!”

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  Becky looked down at Bee with disdain. “The hell? Who’s this little baby? They shouldn’t be here. This is where grown-ups handle the bad guys.”

  Bee’s eyes narrowed. “Well, I can fight too! I’m Bee Tysukiyomi, Student of Aliana and a future Ice Ruler. I’m not just some kid!”

  Aliana glanced at Bee with concern, then turned back to Becky. “"I'll explain everything later. Right now, we need to deal with Dark Whirlwind."

  Dark Whirlwind addressed the citizens of Eastern Jancito. "There's only one reason I'm here. All of you, hand over your valuable items. I've given you enough time to move about, but anyone who starts moving from this moment on will be killed on the spot."

  The tournament announcer, on his break and in the midst of enjoying a sandwich dropped it upon hearing Dark Whirlwind's ominous proclamation. He let out a high-pitched shriek.

  The citizens began to comply with Dark Whirlwind's demand and handed over their Money, jewelry, and clothing around her.

  But Dark Whirlwind's eyes blazed with dark energy. "That's not enough! I want the 7 Star Crimson Blade—the so-called Goddess item you plan to use as a tournament prize. Such a weapon shouldn't exist to threaten my power. Hand it over, and I just might spare this pathetic city from being destroyed."

  Dark Whirlwind, fueled by impatience, strode over to the trembling tournament announcer. "Where is the 7 Star Crimson Blade?"

  The announcer, still in a state of shock, stammered, "I-I'm just the announcer! I don't have any control over the tournament prizes. The blade is likely kept in a secure location until the tournament begins."

  Dark Whirlwind, unimpressed, raised an eyebrow. "Secure location? Take me there. Now."

  The announcer nervously pointed towards the tournament arena. "It's likely in the tournament storage room, near the arena. Please, spare me!"

  Dark Whirlwind’s eyes flared with dark energy. “I’m not moving from this spot. If you don’t take me to the exact location of the 7 Star Crimson Blade, I’ll start making an example of everyone here.”

  The announcer’s face turned pale. His hands shook uncontrollably. “But I don’t know the exact location! I only know the building where it’s stored, near the tournament arena!”

  Dark Whirlwind’s anger boiled over. With a sudden, violent motion, she summoned a dark blade from the swirling vortex around her. The blade crackled with dark energy, sending ominous shadows stretching across the ground. “

  Dark Whirlwind’s frustration rose. She surveyed the cowering crowd. Her dark blade crackled with malevolent energy. With a swift, dismissive motion, she turned towards a nearby young boy clutching onto a stuffed animal in fear.

  “Disappointing,” Dark Whirlwind declared coldly. “It seems I’ll have to start making examples.”

  The crowd gasped as a dark blade flew from her hand, aimed directly at the trembling child.

  In an instant, Aliana sprang into action. Her sword met the dark blade mid-air, deflecting it with a precise, fluid motion. An icy wind exploded from her blade, sweeping through the area briefly.

  A sinister smirk came to Dark whirlwind’s lips. “Do you have a problem with what I’m about to do, Ice Queen?”

  Aliana responded with a glare. "I do have a problem, Dark Whirlwind. I cannot allow you to harm my people. Not now, not ever.”

  The crowd, however, was in turmoil. The citizens, though visibly relieved by Aliana’s intervention, were also gripped by fear. They began to murmur among themselves.

  A few stepped forward with concern. “Please, Queen Aliana, don’t risk your life for us! We know you’re strong, but Dark Whirlwind is a force we can’t measure. You’ve just been crowned Queen; we can’t afford to lose you now.”

  Another joined in, “We’re grateful for your bravery, but is it worth risking your life against someone so powerful?”

  Aliana looked at the anxious faces surrounding her. Her face softened slightly. “I understand your fear, but turning away now is not an option. If I back down, who will protect you?”

  The murmurs of fear continued to ripple through the crowd. “Queen Aliana, maybe if you bow and offer Dark Whirlwind whatever she wants, she might leave us alone,” one person suggested while trembling.

  Another added, “We can’t risk losing you. Just do what she says. It’s better to save your life and let her take the blade.”

  The suggestions and fearful pleas fueled Bee’s rising frustration. The young swordsman’s fists clenched. It was at this point that they stepped forward and shouted out loudly, “What’s wrong with all of you?! Why would you bow to someone like Dark Whirlwind!? We’re facing a threat, and instead of fighting back, you’re talking about surrendering! Is this really the way of the East!?”

  The crowd fell silent, turning to look at Bee with confusion “Who is this outsider,” someone asked.

  Bee straightened up. “I am Bee Tysukiyomi, the child of the Sword God Cassandra Tysukiyomi. I’m not an outsider!”

  The revelation had an immediate impact. The crowd, already moved by Bee’s passionate outburst, began to murmur among themselves.

  Faces that had been marked by dread now showed glimmers of hope. Aliana, sensing the shift, looked at Bee with gratitude.

  Bee’s rang out with defiant clarity. “No matter how powerful Dark Whirlwind is, we have to stand up for ourselves. We’re not going to be intimidated into submission! Fight! Even if the odds are stacked against us, even if we are at a disadvantage, we are supposed to be a city of fighters, home of the Eastern Sword School! It’s time that we lived up to that name!”

  The words struck a chord with many in the crowd. Faces that had been painted with fear began to shift towards confidence. Whispers of realization spread as people recalled their own abilities, their training, and the magical prowess that had once defined their city.

  “I’ve got sword magic too!” one person shouted. “Why are we just standing here?”

  “Yeah, we’re fighters! We shouldn’t be cowering!” another added.

  A few people, initially paralyzed by fear, began to step forward. “We’ve been given magic for a reason,” someone said, clenching their fists. “We’ve trained to protect our home. Why should we let her walk all over us?”

  Seasoned warriors from the Eastern Sword School stepped forward. The toughest among them, men with broad shoulders and weathered faces, drew their swords and faced Dark Whirlwind.

  “I can’t believe a kid’s got more guts than us,” one of the fighters declared with a fierce tone. “We should be the first to stand against this threat. We’re the ones trained to protect this city.”

  With a unified clanking of swords being drawn, the group of warriors formed a protective line in front of Bee and Aliana.

  “Get ready, Dark Whirlwind,” the leader of the group shouted. “We’re not backing down!”

  Dark Whirlwind, observing the sudden shift, raised an eyebrow in amusement. “So, you’ve decided to fight back. How delightful. I’ll be sure to enjoy this.”

  Bee stepped forward to the front of everyone. “I’ll lead this charge. Everyone, follow my lead!”

  Aliana’s eyes widened in concern. “Bee, that’s a reckless move. You’re not ready to face Dark Whirlwind directly. Her power dwarfs yours, even though you’re impressive for your age. I should take the lead and confront her first.”

  Bee’s gaze remained steady. “I’m sorry, Aliana. But I want to take the lead this time. I can’t hold back.”

  Aliana studied Bee’s face. She saw a reflection of someone she deeply respected—Bee’s mother, Cassandra Tysukiyomi. A flicker of admiration crossed Aliana’s features.

  “Very well,” Aliana said while momentarily closing her eyes in solemnity. “If you’re set on this, then stay alive. You have the spirit of a warrior, but remember to be careful.”

  With that, Aliana and Bee readied themselves for the clash. Aliana took a moment to check her sword and the icy aura surrounding her, while Bee prepared their blade.

  Dark Whirlwind’s sinister grin widened. “Well then, Ice Queen and the brave little warrior. Let’s see if you can back up your words with action.”