CHAPTER 1:
Long ago, a terrible raged between the forces of light and the armies of the shadow over a single prize- the chaos crystal, a gem said to hold the power to shape the fate of the entire world.
Whoever mastered its energy could bend destiny itself.
To protect the crystal from falling into darkness, four great mages built a towerung fortress aroumd it. Year after year they held the line, but the shadow hordes kept growing in number. At last, the mages knelt before the crystal and prayed for salvation.
The crystal answered.
Within the fortress garden, twelve buds sprouted at the crystal's base and blossomed into radiant roses. From each bloom a beam of light rose skyward, and the spirit of twelve ancient warriors stepped forth. These warriors climbed to the fortress battlements and together cast a mighty sealing spell, opening a rift that swallowed the enemy legions and dragged them into the abyss. With their duty complete, the warriors returned to the roses, leaving the flowers standing in silent vigil beside the crystal.
Years passed in peace.
One moonlit night, a young mage praying near the crystal noticed the roses glowing faintly beneath the silver moon. Startled, she watched as the light grew brighter until-like petals unfolding in spring-twelve baby emerged from the blooms.
Her fellow mages rushed to the garden, confused and awestruck. An elder tried to approach the crystal, but the gem shone a brilliantly and filled mind with a vision:
"The seal will one day brake. The shadow kingdom shall rise from the dephts, seeking to end this world. Only these twele children, born of the roses, can stand against them"
And so the girls were taken in and raised withing the fortress, watched over by the mages and the crystal alike.
5 years later
A town near the fortress burned undee a midnight sky, sceeams rising over the clash of steel. Shadow creatures swarmed the streets as soliders and townsfolk fought desperatly to hold them back. Half the enemy forces broke through the outer defenses and surged towards the gates, where the knights struggled to hold the line.
High above the chaos, two winged demons hovered, surveying the destruction.
Cecilia: "so much fire... so much chaos. Humans are fools to think they could ever resist us."
Cessiar:" come now sis, give them a little credit. Even if it's hopeless, at least they're trying."
Cecilia: (snort) "it would be faster if they simply surrender the chaos crystal."
Cessiar: "true, but since they won't... we might as well claim it ourselves while they're distracted."
Cecilia: ..."fine. Let's get this over with."
The two decended into the garden at the heart of the fortress, their eyes drawn to the crystal glowing serenely a its shrine.
Cessiar: "my, what a quaint little place..."
Cecilia: "Boring. Let's finish this and burn it to the ground."
As they approached the crystal, a lone mage stepped between them.
Alice: "Stop! You will not touch the chaos crystal."
Cessiar: "And who might you be?"
Alice: "I am Alice, protector of this sanctuary."
Cecilia: "we don't care who you are. Step aside."
Alice: (steeling herself) "Not going to happen. Leave now while you still can."
Cessiar sighed, shifting into a battle stance.
Cessiar: "we didn't come looking for a fight...but if you insist."
The clash was swift and fierce- fire meeting water, magic against magic. Alice summoned torrents to counter his flames:
"Oceans rise and water flows... Mystic Arts: Hydro Cannon!"
Ceasiar staggered as icy spear pierced his legs, forcing him to one knee.
Alice: "I told you- leave this sacred ground, or be destroyed with your army!"
Before she could press the advantage, a mocking voice cut in.
Cecilia: "you should choose your words more carefully mage."
Alice turned- and froze. Cecilia stood a few steps away, a small girl clutched in her arm.
Alice: "you monster! She has nothing to do with this-let her go!"
Cecilia: (smirking) "then stand down... or the child suffers."
Helpless to risk the girl's life, Alice lowered her hands. Cessiar limped to the shrine and reached for the crystal despites Alice's warning. The moment he lifted it, the ground rumbled, the sky darkened. Thunder splitting the heavens.
Alice: "you fool... the crystal's becoming unstable!"
Cessiar: "cecilia, i don't like this-let's get out of here!"
Seizing the moment, Alice lunged to snatch the crystal back. Cessiar held tight, both struggling for control. Cecilia's eyes flashed with impatience as she drew blade.
Cecilia: "if we can't have it... then no one will!"
With one vicious swing she struck the gem, splitting the chaos crystal in two. Alice could only stare in horror as the earth shook harder. Th demons each grabbed a half of the crystal.
Cessiar: "looks like our little date's postponed, mage. But we'll be back."
With a bitter laugh, they vanished into the stormy night. Alice hurried to return the remaining half to its shrine, but the sky continued to chrun ominously. Nearby the rescued girl wept in fear. Alice knelt, cradling her gently.
Alice: "it's all right. I'm here. Be brave, Asuka. Your sisters need you now more than ever. Protect them-promise me that."
The little gril nodded, wiping her tears, and ran to find the others.
Alice turned to the crystal, eyes resolute.
"My duty is to guard this garden and protect my childern. If the shadow kingdom holds half of the crystal, they'll return for the rest. Chaos Crystal... hear me. I offer you my life stream energy. Take my spirit, and send the children somewhere safe-somewhere the shadows cannot reach!".
The shard in the shrine blazed with light as Alice's body dissolved into pure energy, merging with the crystal. A radiant colum of light erupted skyward, engulfing the garden.
When the light faded, only a vast crater remained. The garden, the crystal and alice herself were gone-her prayer answered.