"Waitaminute," Runebelle began."I haven't even mastered the first stage, and I can only handle it for 10 minutes, and that’s thanks to Kintovar’s devices... Are you sure I'm ready for a Stage 2?"

  The Cheerful System responded with an encouraging tone."Absolutely! You don't need to master Stage 1 to access Stage 2. In fact, Stage 2 builds upon your experience in Stage 1. The transformation is unique, Runebelle. In Stage 1, you harness your sadness, turning it into power. But in Stage 2, that sadness becomes one with you, empowering you even further."

  Unlike Stage 1, Stage 2 won't drain you further. It relies on the mastery of Stage 1 to sustain itself. Consider it a natural progression, an evolution of your inner strength. This transformation embraces the inner beauty that resides within you."

  Runebelle floated in contemplation. The memories of her experiences in Stage 1, the acceptance and the fleeting smile it brought, lingered in her thoughts; however, her sadness returned to her face.

  Runebelle accepted things as they were, however she questioned, "Is Juliana our enemy? I mean, in the memory fragment, she seemed to know everything, yet she's with us in the present and acts like nothing happened. Kintovar even freed her from jail because Juliana is Kintovar's grandmother. Here I was watching this happen with no knowledge of her nature until the memory fragment. It's confusing."

  The System responded with a thoughtful tone." Ah, Juliana. She's a complex figure. In the present time, she travels with you, seemingly unaware of the past events; however, you've witnessed a fragment of the past, and yes, it raises questions even for me. Maybe she holds knowledge of the past but acts as if it never happened?”

  Runebelle contemplated the information. At that time, the Cheerful System asked, "Are you ready, Runebelle? There's one more thing you need to do before you awaken fully." The system guided Runebelle to an area in her mind, revealing a game-like battle stage.

  The battle stage was reminiscent of a dreamscape melded with a digital realm. The ground was a shifting mosaic of colors. Floating platforms surrounded the area. On this stage, the Cheerful System materialized as a cheerleader version of Runebelle while Runebelle herself transformed into her Sleuth of Shadows persona. Runebelle observed the surroundings in confusion.

  The Cheerful System explained, "Now, Runebelle, I'm going to attempt to take over your Soul. Remember our earlier conversation. Let the sadness you felt fuel your drive. Are you ready?"

  Runebelle’s anger began to boil. The surreal battle stage resonated with the intensity of her Rage."You said you weren't going to fight back! You promised I could decide whether to destroy you or leave you alone! You promised...you wouldn't try to take control of my soul! I... wanted to save you...why..."

  The Cheerful System's holographic cheerleader flickered. It’s eyes wide went wide with a hint of hurt. "Runebelle, there's been a major misunderstanding," it said gently. "I promised I wouldn't force a merger, and I stand by that, but I never mentioned anything about the possibility of our complete separation because that... well, it could mean your destruction."

  Runebelle's eyes narrowed. "Destruction? What are you talking about?"

  The Cheerful System hovered closer, the digital dreamscape shifting with its movement. "Without this integration, Runebelle, you risk destabilization. Your current state is unsustainable. If you and I don’t become one, then one of us will have to go. It’s as simple as that!"

  Runebelle felt the frustration surge like a tidal wave which crashed through the dreamlike arena.She trembled with her rage rising. "I’m tired of your lies! You tricked me into completing that memory fragment, knowing there was no other way. You’ve manipulated me on every word you said!"

  The Cheerful System's cheerful fa?ade twisted. It’s digital form shifted to a darker color, yet maintained Runebelle’s make-up. "Come now, Runebele, your entire life has been a series of illusions. You were built to harness your sadness as strength. But if you can't do that, what right do you have to be Project Rune anymore?"

  Runebelle's anger erupted in a deafening scream. She summoned her small cannon to her hands. Simultaneously, a mirror image of the same cannon formed in the hands of the Cheerful System.

  The battle commenced, and Runebelle's cannon released rapid shots with incredible speed. The Cheerful skillfully hopped around and fired.

  Runebelle navigated the environment. She found cover behind structures. The Cheerful System, maintaining its cheerleader appearance, showcased an unexpected prowess, effortlessly evading Runebelle's relentless assault.

  Runebelle repositioned herself and let her cannon spit out rapid shots with blistering speed. The Cheerful System danced around the battlefield and evaded with effortless grace.

  Runebelle ducked behind a structure. She peeked out, carefully aiming her cannon while using buildings for cover. She strategically fired to force the Cheerful System into a defensive position. Despite her tactical approach, the system twirled out of the way of it.

  The Cheerful System shot out a volley of attacks. Runebelle narrowly evaded them while darting from cover to cover. .

  Seeing a brief chance, Runebelle charged forward. She raised her cannon to unleash a focused shot. At the same moment, the Cheerful System seemed to recognize the opportunity and surged towards Runebelle, forcing her to clash with her.

  Their weapons collided in a burst of energy. Both Runebelle and the system struggled to overpower the other.

  "Why do your movements feel so different from mine,” Runebelle shouted. “They’re nothing like my own! It’s like you’re dancing around me, while I’m stuck trying to match your rhythm!"

  The Cheerful System, twirled gracefully out of the clash with Runebelle, firing shots with precision. "This is the language of acceptance," it replied. “Every shot that connects, every move I make, is a step towards harmony. Your style is rigid and driven by hatred. Almost like your sister, Risebelle and Project ZAB. Her influence is driven deep within your fighting style!"

  Runebelle’s frustration flared, but each shot from the Cheerful System found their marks. With every hit, her once-solid appearance grew translucent. Pieces of her essence floated upward, shimmering briefly before vanishing into the void.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  "You know," the Cheerful System raised one hand under their chin. “Your defeat against Dark Whirlwind was a turning point for you. You tried to protect your sister, gain unity, and prove yourself. But after that loss, you’ve been drifting, merely copying the styles of others, unable to find your own."

  Runebelle’s eyes flashed anger. She could feel the fragments of her essence slipping away.

  "Stop it!" Runebelle shouted. "I’ve fought for more than just copying others! I’ve fought to find my place, to be stronger—"

  "Yet here you are," the system interrupted, "losing your essence with each passing moment. Your lack of acceptance and rigidity have kept you from truly evolving. What you see as strength is merely a reflection of your inability to accept and adapt."

  Runebelle growled. She began to reflect on the pieces of herself that were slipping away. A sad memory flashed before her: her presumed abandonment by her mother. She remembered her mother fighting in court for custody, eventually winning the case, only for both of them to be captured by Shadowcroft.

  Shaking off the haunting memory, Runebelle tried to focus. She fired shots rapidly, but the system seemed to glide effortlessly, making avoidance look almost effortless.

  Suddenly, the system closed in, and with a cheerful smack of its weapon, sent Runebelle crashing into a nearby building with tremendous force. While she was dazed, another painful memory surfaced: her, her mother Rune, and Sadie trapped in tanks created by Shadowcroft. The memory was a dark reminder of their captivity and suffering.

  Trying to push through the haze, Runebelle struggled to move. She glanced over at the system, which began conjuring pillars of ice, fire, and earth. Those pillars are the very moves Runebelle were capable of using in combat.

  "How...?"

  Runbelle focused intently, summoning pillars of her own, but they were weak and unstable. One by one, the system’s pillars struck her. Each hit made her appearance fade further into translucency.

  The pain from the attacks brought forth her most agonizing memory. In the midst of the battle with Dark Whirlwind, she recalled Risebelle losing her temper. Despite Runebelle’s attempts to unify them, Roselle, gripped by fear, questioned if she was merely a copy of Dark Whirlwind. Runebelle took the lead being the only sister who could transform at the time without risking magical rupture and yet, she was swiftly defeated. This left Roselle defeated and Risebelle with a gaping hole in her body from Dark Whirlwind's onslaught.

  The system began to walk over. "Runebelle, your Soulforce is at 10%. Soon, I'll be in complete control. The dance is reaching its crescendo, and acceptance awaits."

  Runebelle got up and frowned. "Soulforce? What are you talking about? I've never heard of that."

  The system spoke surprisingly coldly. "Soulforce is the measure of my takeover. When it reaches 0, I become the conductor of this symphony, and you become a fading note in the background."

  Runebelle trembled. "But... you said—" She stopped herself, realizing the futility of her protest. "I get it now. All your promises were lies."

  Her shoulders sagged. The grief and disillusionment overwhelmed her, and she broke down, tears. "I tried so hard," she whispered. “I wanted to believe in you, to believe that there was a chance for us to coexist... but it was all a lie…You never wanted us to stay together!"

  The Cheerful System paused momentarily. Then, it clapped its hands together with a heightened cheerfulness. "Congratulations, Runebelle! You've found the honest truth."

  Runebelle looked up with her eyes red and weary. "What are you talking about?"

  The system's tone was almost mocking in its brightness. "As a reward for uncovering the truth, I'll tell your sisters a tale of your bravery. I'll recount how you fought valiantly against the darkness, and how I, the Cheerful System, tried to save you. But alas, my efforts were in vain—I couldn’t reach you in time."

  Runebelle’s face hardened “You think a fabricated story will fix what you’ve done? My sister’s won’t trust you once you destroy me… they will know…"

  The system’s digital form seemed to flicker with annoyance. “The story I weave is genuine, crafted from the very essence of your struggle!"

  Runebelle spoke sharper. "It might be real to you, but it’s only going to be a lie…”

  Runebelle looked down. Despite her tone, she felt hopeless. A sudden tap on her back startled her. She turned to find Roselle standing behind her with a face of concern. Runebelle blinked.

  "How...?"

  Before she could continue to process this, Risebelle appeared behind her with her usual seriousness. She placed a steady hand on Runebelle’s back and grumbled something.

  Runebelle stared at them for a long moment and thought back to the past. Everytime she had awakened in the present, Roselle was always there, offering her help and support. Roselle tried to lift her spirits even when Runebelle herself was shrouded in gloom. Despite Roselle's moments of silliness, her genuine effort to make Runebelle smile was undeniable.

  Runebelle remembered the promise Roselle had made—to be at her side until the day she could smile freely. Even in the darkest moments, Roselle’s presence was a reminder of that promise.

  Turning her gaze to Risebelle, Runebelle saw something else. Risebelle, once cold and merciless towards humans, had demonstrated a different side during their encounters outside of the battlefield. The fierce leader who had shown no mercy to their enemies had also shown a deep care for her sisters.

  Runebelle’s heart ached with the realization. Despite everything, her sisters have been here. Tears welled up in her eyes.

  With a shaky breath, Runebelle looked at Roselle and Risebelle and trembled. “I... I see now. I see how much you both been there for me…. I thought I was fighting this system alone, but you’ve always been here, haven’t you?”

  Roselle smiled. “We’re always here for you, Runebelle. We always will be.”

  Risebelle gave a firm nod. “We fight together, always.”

  With renewed confidence, she stood tall and shouted, “Project Rune!”

  When she said those words, meaning of the Project spelled itself out in the world around them:

  Rhythm

  Unexpectance

  Nature

  Experience

  A soft, greenish glow emanated from Runebelle’s body. The entire landscape began vibrating. The system commented, "Drawing power from Project Rune? Interesting, but I can do everything you can do. I’ll just draw on the same power!"

  However, when the system tried to tap into the energy of Project Rune, an error message appeared in its digital interface. "Access Denied."

  The system’s cheerful facade began to falter. It’s tone was replaced by one of intense frustration. "What the hell?! This isn’t supposed to happen!" the system snarled. "I was designed to control and manipulate everything within this realm. How is it that I can't access that power?!"

  Runebelle met the system’s gaze with a glare. “No more lies. No more tricks. I control this body and this system!”

  The system’s eyes widened. “Wait…. Is that… Gia's Radiance, your stage 2 ability….?! "

  In a sudden burst of panic, the system's digital form started to glitch uncontrollably. It screamed loudly. “No! I refuse to be deleted! I refuse! I--!”The system fired its cannon wildly.

  Runebelly dropped her cannon, closing her eyes. A soft melody began to play in her mind. Runebelle began to move with a grace and rhythm reminiscent of the system’s own movements. She approached the system while avoiding the shots with her moves.

  When she was within striking range, Runebelle summoned her cannon once more. She fired a single, precise shot. The shot erupted with a tremendous explosive impact. The blast was so powerful that it covered the entire area in a radiant glow.

  In the aftermath, the landscape began to reform. Where the chaotic battleground had once been, a serene park emerged. It was the same park the system had used to form around them, except now it was more peaceful in display.

  The cheerful System was left with only half of itself and devoid of clothing. It’s pom-poms were gone, and it dissolved slowly. “Well done, Runebelle. You’ve managed to rid yourself of me…I must admit, your ability to harness Gia’s Radiance is impressive. I... can’t deny it. I guess… this is the power of a soul…”

  The system vanished completely after it’s words, leaving no trace behind.

  Runebelle looked at the empty space where the system had been with gloom. She spoke aloud, though the system was long gone. “No, you idiot, you had a soul of your own, but some souls are just not seen…I’ll miss the guidance you gave me, but I’ve accepted that I won’t ever see you again.”