As water surged through the laboratory, rapidly filling the space, human clones, skeletal remains of ancient beasts, and human skeletons surrounded Luisa, their menacing presence a chilling sight to behold. Undaunted, she readied herself for the impending battle, her resolve unwavering in the face of danger.
"With this much water, I might just have an advantage," Luisa thought, recognizing the potential of her surroundings. Her unique ability to manipulate water, granted by her Water Hera power, allowed her to freeze the rapidly rising water, trapping the human clones and skeletal creatures in solid ice.
Seizing the opportunity, Luisa rushed to the Thorenzians who had been destined for cruel experimentation, quickly releasing them from their restraints. There were eleven Thorenzians, and with Luisa, they made a group of twelve.
One Thorenzian, bewildered by the chaotic scene, questioned their sudden freedom. "What's happening here?" He looked around, trying to make sense of their predicament.
Luisa, focused on their escape, handed him a knife for self-defense. "We must get out of here at once."
Another Thorenzian, noticing the moving skeletons, voiced his confusion. "What's going on with the skeletons? How are they moving?" The others turned to witness the macabre spectacle.
"I'll explain as we go," Luisa promised, her urgency mounting. "Right now, our priority is to leave this place!"
As Luisa worked to free the remaining captives, one Thorenzian made a futile attempt to flee, only to discover the locked door. "It seems we're trapped. Do you have the keys?"
Determined to overcome the obstacle, Luisa responded, "If we can't find the keys, we'll just have to improvise."
With her Water Hera ability, Luisa transformed the ice back into its liquid form, the water rising once more. As the skeletons and clones closed in, she skillfully commanded the churning waves, launching their adversaries into the walls and doors with tremendous force. The doors shattered, and the clones and skeletons were reduced to fragments.
One Thorenzian, awestruck by Luisa's incredible display of power, exclaimed, "Wow! That was amazing!"
As the group prepared to escape, they noticed that one of their fellow Thorenzians remained motionless, apprehension etched on his face.
Luisa, sensing his hesitation, inquired, "What's wrong?"
He voiced his concerns, grateful yet wary of Luisa's intentions. "Why are you helping us? Why would a Vylonian risk so much for Thorenzians?"
Luisa, aware of the centuries-long conflict between their people, tried to reassure him. "I know trust is hard to come by, but I promise to explain everything once we're safe. For now, we need to move quickly."
Despite his skepticism, the Thorenzian decided to place his trust in Luisa, and together, they fled the laboratory, their freedom won through unity and determination.
In the halls where the Generals had clashed, Princess Athena remained on the ground, her pained gasps echoing through the chamber.
"It seems we have no choice but to eliminate Lady Athena," Sir Kraken declared, his voice tinged with regret.
Sir Leviathan sighed, acknowledging their grim task. "Indeed, our options have run out."
"Silence!" Princess Athena snapped, her tone biting despite her weakened state.
The two Generals turned to face her, surprise etched on their features as she struggled to stand, using her sword for support. Gasping for air, she repeated, "I said, shut the hell up!"
Sir Kraken raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Your tongue is still as sharp as ever, Lady Athena."
Princess Athena's eyes blazed with fury. "Aren't you both sworn to protect and serve the Royal household? Yet here you are, blindly serving that witch who's destroyed everything we hold dear! What happened to the sense of duty and pride you once held so high?"
Sir Leviathan's tone was stern, his words a warning. "Lady Athena, we'll overlook your disrespect towards Lady Sariel this time, but never again."
Her anger mounting, Princess Athena continued, "That witch is using you, and when she's done, she'll dispose of you like you never existed!"
Sir Kraken's fury bubbled over, his voice barely restrained. "What did you say?"
Princess Athena held her ground, her defiance unwavering. "You heard me."
In a sudden transformation, both Generals began to change, their teeth sharpening into beast-like fangs. Sir Leviathan became a massive serpent, the legendary creature known as Leviathan, while Sir Kraken sprouted multiple arms, his form shifting into the mythical Kraken.
"What? I thought only the failed experiments transformed!" Princess Athena exclaimed, shock and confusion mingling in her voice. "How can you both transform? Did the experiment fail on you as well?"
Sir Kraken scoffed, his tone dismissive. "The failed experiments transform involuntarily, losing their sanity and lives within a year. But when the experiment succeeds, it not only grants us imperviousness to physical attacks but also unique abilities. This is the result for Sir Leviathan and me."
Sir Leviathan's voice grew cold, his words a chilling promise. "Lady Athena, your insolent attitude towards Lady Sariel cannot be forgiven. Prepare yourself."
In a flash, the Generals vanished. Princess Athena's gaze shot upwards, just in time to see Sir Kraken lunging towards her. A powerful punch sent her hurtling backward, the impact immense. As she flew through the air, Sir Leviathan's tail lashed out, sending her flying even farther. All she could do was cover her head with her hands, bracing herself against the overwhelming force.
Outside the palace, the Thorenzians and the El Zoranda clan gathered together, awaiting the arrival of their remaining allies. Banabas, their leader, surveyed the group with a mixture of concern and determination etched on his face.
"Is everyone accounted for?" he asked, his voice betraying a sense of urgency.
"Yes, we're all here," replied a member of the El Zoranda clan, their tone resolute.
"Very well," Banabas acknowledged. "I will go and check on the Shield. You must remain here until I return." With that, he turned and made his way toward the halls through which the Shield had ventured earlier.
Moments later, Luisa emerged from the palace, accompanied by the Thorenzians she had rescued from the laboratory. Her eyes searched the crowd, seeking out their leader. "Where is Banabas?" she inquired, her voice tinged with concern.
"He went into the palace to check on the Shield," the assembled Thorenzians answered in unison, their expressions a mix of determination and apprehension.
Luisa nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I will find him. Stay vigilant," she instructed, before disappearing into the same halls Banabas had entered earlier.
Meanwhile, the members of the Shield continued their pursuit through the separate halls, each focused on their individual objectives. As they pressed on, each of them encountered a member of the 7 Days, the confrontation echoing throughout the palace.
In one hall, Saturday casually greeted Orion with a wave, a smile playing at his lips. In another, Friday sat in a relaxed pose, welcoming Elara with a remark on her apparent solitude. Yet another hall saw Thursday standing before Caius, his words tinged with curiosity at the Shield's confidence.
Wednesday, observing from a high vantage point, leapt down to confront Isolde, her bow in hand and quiver at her back. The sound of his landing caused her to halt, and his smile betrayed his eagerness for the challenge.
Thane, encountering a bomb set as a trap, executed a swift somersault to evade the explosion, his reflexes impressing Tuesday as he appeared from the shadows. Meanwhile, Princess Alexandra's cautious approach, born of a sense of foreboding, led her to a wary confrontation with Monday.
Finally, Valerus found himself facing Sunday, a blue flame splitting around him, summoned by his enemy. Valerus' skillful counterattack drew a remark from Sunday, and the intensity of the battles increased.
As if on cue, the Shield chorused, "The 7 Days!" in unison despite being in different halls
Back in the hall where the Generals had clashed, Sir Leviathan, now in his true form, and Sir Kraken, transformed into a monstrous creature, moved with deadly intent. Princess Athena lay on the ground, her pain evident in her eyes, as the two Generals loomed over her.
"What a shame to see our beautiful Princess in such a pitiful state, wouldn't you agree, Lady Athena?" Sir Leviathan taunted, his voice dripping with malice.
"This wouldn't have been necessary had you not insulted Lady Sariel," Sir Kraken added, his tone cold and unyielding.
"Now, to finish you off," Sir Leviathan declared, his intention clear.
As the Generals lunged toward the unguarded Princess Athena, a powerful voice rang out from the shadows. "Arrow of unstoppable might, pierce through the defenses of our enemy! Lightning Arrow!" Banabas commanded, his presence revealed at last.
A crackling arrow formed in the air, striking Sir Leviathan and Sir Kraken with devastating force. The impact sent the two Generals flying, buying precious time for Luisa, Princess Athena, and Banabas.
Luisa, cradling Princess Athena in her arms, asked gently, "Are you okay, Athena?"
"Yes, I'm fine," Princess Athena replied, her voice strained but resolute. "But they're not dead! Nothing seems to hurt them..."
The sinister laughter of the Generals echoed through the halls as they regained their footing, mockery lacing their words. "Did you honestly believe a mere lightning bolt could kill us?" Sir Kraken taunted, his eyes narrowing with malice. "We're invincible now! No one can defeat us!" Sir Leviathan exclaimed, their hubris on full display.
In the face of such terrible adversaries, Luisa, Princess Athena, and Banabas could only stare back, their expressions a testament to the gravity of the situation they now faced.