| A Tale of Three Sisters

Arc 1 | A Detectives End

Phase 1 | The 13th Star Etched In History

"That should be the last one."

Grasping the scent of smoke and ash, Luna exhales elegantly through her blissful mouth. That was what a cindertaur would smell like. An overcooked steak that's been basting in its grill for many days without any attention to it whatsoever, leaving it to be burned until only smoke and ash remain as its corpse's residue underneath the arc of the moonlight. "But if he didn't send the cindertaurs, then who did?"

Luna was situated too far away from the mansion, but it was still within eyeshot. The man she was with earlier admitted he wasn't the one behind the cindertaurs rampage; he teleported elsewhere, leaving Luna completely on her own away from the mansion.

The mana elixir she drank earlier was still in full effect, so she blasted a beam of light, making contact with anything that it was shining on. Mostly trees. Everything transformed into the pearl color of its original form, entirely covered in a sheet of ice overlapping the tree's physical properties. Shattering everything in a blink of an eye, everything broke down, clearing a path to the mansion.

To describe its effect, it was comparable to a snowflake making contact with the ground, reaching a fall speed that creates turbulence, and then shattering it. Luna glided herself along the icy road she created with her beams.

Majestically skating through the mist of ice that dissipated from what were once trees, she was still a mile off from the mansion, but at her current juncture, she'd be there in no time.

The moonlight danced on the frozen surface, casting an ethereal glow that illuminated Luna's path. As she gracefully continued her journey, the anticipation of reaching the mansion grew stronger with every passing moment.

1148~

"WHAT THE HELL IS THE MEANING OF THIS KO?"After bashfully speeding around the mansion inside and out, Daphne finally caught wind of what happened to Tsubasa after her impending battle against another cindertaur. Which to Daphne came as a shock that there even was another; they were all initially under the impression that there was only one cindertaur.

Daphne found Tsubasa in the main room. The same room where they had played games and held the meeting before encountering the cindertaurs. Tsubasa herself was seen unconscious and in the arms of Ko.

The very reason why this all even started to begin with She held her hostage, holding a serrated blade. Despite how petite Ko and her sisters physically appear, it was not shocking to see Ko wielding a blade that was almost her height.

Daphne proved that these sisters were not so ordinary; although they didn't use magic or possess any Divine abilities, they were still remarkably strong compared to normal people. Seeing Yo and Ro with battle axes was what got Daphne. The trip was not to be taken lightly.

"S-stand back!" "I'll kill her here and now if you take one step closer!"

She wasn't kidding; she held the blade, impaling Tsubasa's throat enough for a drop of blood to pour out. Dammit, what are you trying to pull?" Hearing them shout, the other two sisters, Ro and Yo, showed up.

Their expressions couldn't begin to describe what they were feeling. Shock. Terror. Melancholic. "Sister, please put down the sword." Ro spoke up, gesturing to her elder sister to drop the sword to the ground. Ko refused. "These people are trying to hurt us—to hurt you guys!" Yo stepped forward, her voice trembling with concern. But, sister, violence won't solve anything!"

[Daphne]: "What?"

[Daphne]: "What do you mean they're trying to hurt us? We haven't done anything to them!" Daphne interjected, her voice filled with confusion and disbelief. The sisters exchanged worried glances, realizing that there must be some misunderstanding or hidden motive behind the strangers' aggression. They needed to find a way to defuse the situation and protect themselves without resorting to violence.

[Daphne]: "Stop screwing around! Do ya think we'd send these beasts here? When I can already beat you to a pulp, no problem."

Any closer, and Tsubasa's throat would be cut clean off; luckily, Yo intervened and held Daphne back. Furiously, she reacted to how Ko assumed that the three of them were trying to hurt the sisters.

They were at an impasse; neither could go against the other, as Tsubasa's life depended on how Daphne, Ro, and Yo approached the situation. Their own sister. Yo was holding back her pool of tears from seeing her sister go completely insane. Thinking their guests would try to harm them. Just like that time long ago.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

In a very small village nestled amidst rolling hills and vibrant meadows, there lived three triplet sisters: Ko, Ro, and Yo. From the day they were born, it was evident that each sister possessed a unique charm and a sparkle in her eyes that set her apart from the others. They were adored and cherished by their tight-knit community, their laughter and harmony bringing joy to all. Yo was the most cheerful one, always smiling, being expressive about herself, and helping everyone she could in the village. Ro was the second eldest and the most mature one of the three; she mostly kept herself composed and relaxed, as was Ko, who is the eldest and bears the most responsibility. Their parents passed away when they were young due to an unnamed illness. Despite the tragedy they faced at a young age, Yo, Ro, and Ko managed to create a loving and supportive bond that helped them navigate life's challenges.

Together, they became pillars of strength for their community, inspiring others with their resilience and compassion. Ko felt the need to look after her two sisters on her own. In their growing years, the three sisters encountered many unfortunate events.

Good morning, my cute sisters!" *Bleh. Yo barged herself into the kitchen and banged her head against a wall full of energy. Despite the occasional mishaps, Yo's infectious energy and determination never wavered. Her boundless enthusiasm often served as a source of motivation for her sisters, reminding them to stay positive even in the face of adversity. As they grew older, Yo's exuberance became the driving force behind their shared goals and dreams.

"Yo-chan, how many times have we told you to look where you're going". Ro was reading a book in the kitchen when she attended to Yo. Ro sighed, accustomed to Yo's habit of getting lost in her own world.

She closed her book and gently reminded Yo to be more mindful of her surroundings, hoping that one day her sister would learn to balance her energy with a sense of awareness. "That looked like it hurt, you dumbass".

Yo's exuberance had always been a double-edged sword, bringing both joy and concern to those around her. Despite Ro's frustration, she couldn't help but worry about Yo's well-being and wished for her sister to develop a better sense of self-preservation.

Despite how passive-aggressive Ro can be, she was gently patting Yo's head like a pet cat in need of affection. "Thank you, Ro-chan." *sniffs. See, now you're making us worry over you again, Yo-chan". Ko was by the stove, cooking their breakfasts using a bundle of fire stones for heat.

As the aroma of sizzling food filled the air, Ko's culinary skills never failed to impress. Their breakfasts were always a delightful feast, providing comfort and nourishment for the trio.

However, amidst the delicious smells, Ro couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for not being as skilled in the kitchen as Ko. She often relied on their sibling's cooking expertise, secretly wishing she could contribute more to their shared meals.

"Sowy, I didn't mean to". Yo was sobbing a bit, but not entirely because of the pain she felt from charging her head against a stone wall, but because having her sisters worry for her meant she would only be a distraction to them; their trust in one another was what made these sisters formidable.

Despite Yo's feelings of guilt and inadequacy in the kitchen, she knew that her sisters never saw her as a burden. They valued her presence and support just as much as she valued theirs. In moments like these, Yo realized that their bond was not solely based on individual skills but on the strength they derived from each other's love and care.

The amount of care they had for each other couldn't be the same as the number of books you could write about their bond. "There, it's ok now; stop crying, and let's have breakfast, Yo-chan", Ro started to nuzzle their heads together, smiling.

Ro's gentle gesture and comforting words eased Yo-chan's pain, both physical and emotional. The sisters shared an unbreakable bond that went beyond words, a connection that was built on unwavering support and love. As they sat down for breakfast, Yo-chan couldn't help but feel grateful for having such caring sisters by her side.

[Ko]: Ah, Ro-chan, could you get the tea, please? I think it's done boiling right about now."

[Ro]: Ok, I'm on it". Ro let go of Yo and took the boiling pot of water aside to cool off. Yo-chan watched as Ro-chan carefully handled the pot of boiling water, appreciating her sister's attentiveness and consideration. As she poured the tea, a sense of warmth and contentment filled the room, reminding Yo-chan once again of the love and support that surrounded her.

[Yo]: "W-what are you having this morning, Ko-chan?" Yo was still a bit sniffy but managed to make a coherent sentence.

[Ko]: "Bunyip pancakes, Glicharlan bread, and we still have some Chimaera cheesecake from last night."

[Yo]: "YIPPE YAPPA."Yo was ecstatic and back to her normal self after hearing they were having a delicious feast early in the morning.

Ro wasn't too surprised since she had helped Ko with the food preparations, but she still showed hints of ecstasy as well. They all pitched in and helped settle the food on the dining table together. HMMM, the smell is so exquisite, sisters!"

She was prancing and dancing up and down, and she almost hit her head again. Yes, yes, we know," Ro and Ko said in unison, looking at each other like it was the obvious response because of how well they knew their youngest sister Yo. They dug into the food.

The aroma filled the room, tempting their taste buds and making their mouths water. Each bite was a burst of flavor that delighted their senses, leaving them craving more. The sisters exchanged satisfied glances, knowing that their hard work in the kitchen had paid off.

[Yo]: "Delishhhh!"

[Ro]: "It really is, isn't it? It is a bit weird to have cake in the morning."

[Ko]: "We have no choice; it will be a waste if we don't eat it, Ro-chan."

[Ro]: " I know."

[Yo]: "So what will you guys be doing?"

[Ro]: "I'll be helping out with the community houses and stuff to earn more denarios."

[Yo]: "That's nice; well, I'll be helping with the children today again; what about you, Ko-chan?"

[Ko]: "Hmm, I guess I will deliver supplies from the other nearby villages; we are running low on them."

Ko is eyeing the empty sacks that once held potatoes and other staple foods needed for everyday consumption. "Good luck, sisters!"

All three of them departed and moved their own separate ways toward their designated jobs. Since they all had very different jobs, they normally returned home at different times. Yo and Ro always arrive together due to being in the same community sector.

While Ko's delivery with a horse carriage can vary depending on which other neighboring villages she delivers and receives goods from, Their young days would always be like this routine; taking care of three young independent individuals was not easy for them, and they all took on jobs to make their lives better and better.

One day, their peaceful days were disturbed forever.

[Yo]: "Say, Ro-chan, what do you think Ko-chan will make tonight? I heard she would be home early!"[Ro]: Hmm, I'm not really sure, nor does it matter to me."

[Yo]: Hmph, will you at least look at me when you talk? You're always glued to another book! Make room for me too."

[Ro]: Yo-chan, be careful, please! This is the library's book, not mine!"

[Yo]: "Kidding! I'm just messing with you."

[Ro]: Well, I hope Ko-chan makes something delicious. It's always a treat when she cooks for us. [Yo]: Yeah, she's an amazing cook. I can't wait to see what she comes up with tonight.

[Ro]: "Right, eh, do you see our house door broken?" Yo and Ro were only a few miles away from their house, only to see that its wooden door was slammed down in the front yard. Wait, Yo-chan, something's not right." They both halted themselves and proceeded to act cautiously towards the debris.

[???]: Dammit, there's nothing here; where do they keep the damn money?"A bandit? We need to get away from here safely. Ro grabbed Yo's arm tightly and attempted to dash off the scene to report the crime to the local authorities, but a twig by Yo's feet snapped, loud enough for the bandit to hear. Startled, the bandit turned towards Yo and Ro, his eyes filled with rage.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" he sneered, reaching for a weapon at his side. Yo's heart raced as he realized they were trapped with no way to escape. They had no fighting capability, and the bandit had a disfigured dagger held tightly in his hand in an attacking stance.

A stance ready to kill. Running over towards the two, they screamed in despair; no one could help them since their house was situated farther away than others in the village. The bandit was scrawny, but that made him light but fast enough to impale Ro and Yo's guts.

"You shouldn't have seen me! NOW DIE-". Ro and Yo's hearts pounded in their chests as the bandit's menacing words echoed through the air. Fear gripped them tightly, knowing that their lives hung by a thread.

The bandit's disfigured dagger glinted ominously in the dim light, adding to their sense of impending doom. What was thought to have been the end, or at least a hospitalized reality for the two sisters, Ko rushed to the rescue, bumping the bandit as hard as she could to get the sisters the time to leave hastily.

Ko's unexpected intervention caught the bandit off guard, causing him to stumble backward. With a newfound burst of courage, Ro and Yo sprinted away, their hearts still racing with adrenaline.

As they escaped into the night, they couldn't help but feel grateful for Ko's selfless act of bravery. "GO!" Ro grabbed Yo tightly, sprinting as fast as their little legs could carry them, leaving Ko behind.

"You will regret doing that, you punk!" The bandit had no remorse over what he was punching continuously; any cute young girl would never go through something like Ko had. Beating Ko to a pulp and casting his dagger aside was a fate forever engraved in Ko, a sign of weakness and inferiority.

Being unable to do anything for herself at the moment, she took hit after hit until she spat out her own saliva filled with blood. The beating didn't stop until the local guards finally caught up to apprehend the bandit.

He didn't notice the guards; all his pent-up anger was solely directed at Ko for foiling his pathetic attempt to rob their house. Now she is somehow responsible?

When the punching stopped, then came the kicks to her stomach as she lay in agony on the ground, squealing in distress but without a hint of terror or fear. She had felt that what she did was righteous and noble; protecting her sisters was more important, but she wanted to seal off this pathetic excuse of a man from their memories; This was the reality she never wanted to show them, the kind that shows how the world really worked.

Ro and Yo were both so innocent, and Ko's loving sisters were ones she wouldn't replace for the world. No regret. No self-appathy. Only the safety of her beloved sisters was what stood in her mind while being beaten up. Finally, the pain stopped.

Ko slowly opened her eyes, her body aching and bruised. She mustered a weak smile, relieved that the torment was over. As she looked at her sisters' worried faces, she knew that enduring the pain was worth it to shield them from this harsh reality.

[Local guard]: "Stop right there!"

Tsk, when did they get here?"The bandit was arrested and taken away; he had not noticed the guards taking him away; beating up Ko was all he wanted to do. Was it post-traumatic stress disorder? Yo and Ro came to Ko, bawling their eyes out with an endless stream of tears. This was only the beginning of how their lives changed forever.

A few months later Ko had fully recovered from her facial and rib injuries, but the encounter with the bandits also affected her psychologically. Ko always knew from her younger years that the world was a cruel place to exist in. But she never would've thought that cruelty would somehow touch her sister's life. Now what she lusts after just as much as her sister's safety and well-being is the obsession to gain power.

[Ro]: "Have you guys heard? A terrorist group has been raiding villages lately and holding them hostage for slavery."

[Yo]: "That's awful; you don't think they would come here, right, Ko-chan?"

[Ko]: "Who knows? But we should leave if that even is a possibility—actually, let's leave today; pack your bags, my sisters."

Ro and Yo did nothing but agree to that statement; ever since the incident a few months ago, Ko hasn't been the same. She was more cautious and restrictive than her sisters.

She even limited the number of hours and days they worked. The three sisters were all so identical, with short hair but all in different hues; their most distinctive trait was their distinct personalities. One was happy, one was smart and reclusive, and the last one was mysterious.

[Ro]: Ok, is that everything? Food? Clothes? Supplies?

[Yo]: YYup, yup, yup, everything is checked off!"

[Ko]: OK guys, let's use my horse to head to the capital city of Hoyura; the city should be the safest place to lay low for a while until this invasion dies out."They all packed their things in multiple bags and sacks, then stowed them on the horse carriage.

[Ko]: "Ah, I need to get my Denarios deposit from the bank; I'll be back shortly. Just stay close to each other, got it?"

[Ro]: Got it; we'll stay together and wait for you. Don't take too long, though; we don't want to draw any attention.

[Yo]: Yeah, we'll be right here, keeping an eye out. Be safe, and hurry back!

To live in the city, one would require a precarious amount of Denarios, the international currency used to exchange goods and services. It was a money system, to put it simply. Ko had her majority of Denarios in the bank, which was the reason why the bandit never found it in the first place. "C'mon, we need to live before nightfall!"

Approaching the local bank a few steps closer would have been fatal, as would a loose leg. An explosion erupted, decimating the building. Ko's worst fears were realized: it was too late; the raid had begun, and time was of the essence.

Ko dropped the idea of getting her Denarios instantly; she could always find another bank, so money was no problem. But the entire village was in peril, and she could and would only save herself and her sisters alone.

There were already children screaming in the madness. Without a doubt, this was the work of the unnamed terrorist group rumored across the continent. Many in the village didn't believe in it. Now, because of their ignorance, they were paying the price of admission.

Terrorists were occupying the streets and roads, leaving no stone unturned. "When did they get here?", Ko barreled herself into the bushes and straight into the forest to shortcut herself to her sisters; it was the only place that wasn't occupied by the terrorists. Tripping over in a panic left her leg bruised. "Shit"

[???]: "Oh my, that looked painful."[

Ko]: "Ack"

[???}: "If I'm not mistaken, you lust for power, correct?"The man, out of nowhere, was speaking to Ko. How did he get there? And how did he understand my lust for strength?

[???]: "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lord Valerian, an Apostle of the Demon."The man, Lord Valerian, bowed his head. He was wearing a rather distinctive and formal suit with commemorative decorations embedded in it. He continued

[Lord Valerian]: "You seek power to protect the ones you love, yes? I can grant you that."

[Ko]: "What are you talking about?"

[Lord Valerian]: "No need to be shy about it; c'mon, what do you say?" He lent out his hand. Ko was desperate; this invasion of terrorists was beyond anything like that bandit a few months ago. Her best bet was to be given great powers to fend it off. But something felt off about Lord Valerian. Who was he?

[Lord Valerian]: "Those terrorists are pretty strong, y'know, and there are no guilds or swordsmen around."

[Ko]: Is this guy making fun of me? thought to herself

[Lord Valerian]: No, I'm not making fun of you, Ko-chan."

[Ko]: "DONT CALL ME THAT, ONLY MY SISTERS CALL ME THAT"

[Lord Valerian]: "My apologies; I didn't mean to offend you or your sisters." He backed off.[Ko]: "What exactly did you mean about granting me powers?" He did not say anything but lent out his hand once more, hinting at Ko to shake it.

[Ko]: Fine. " If it's to protect my sisters, I'll do anything.

Ko reached her hand out to shake his. A dark crimson-red color overlapped Ko's veins. As their hands touched, a surge of energy coursed through Ko's body, causing her to gasp in surprise. Lord Valerian's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he whispered, "With this power, you will become unstoppable." "WHAT IS THIS? WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME". The veins would spread all around her body like a virus slowly infecting her bloodstream. The process was painful; Ko was sprawling all over the ground. She was trying to fight it or at least endure it.

"If you survive, then you are compatible; that is the price; It seems you weren't, though; what a waste for a young girl". Lord Valerian turned his back, presuming Ko was good as dead. As Ko lay on the ground, writhing in pain, she mustered all her strength to speak through gritted teeth. "You won't get away with this," she managed to say, her voice filled with determination. Lord Valerian's cold laughter echoed through the room as he disappeared into the shadows, leaving Ko alone to face the consequences of his twisted experiment.

"Blood Veil: Life-force Manipulation"

[Lord Valerian]: "What the?"

Ko's eyes turned crimson upon reciting this unnatural spell, which bound Lord Valerian from moving, choking him to death without touching him. His body was drained at an exponential rate, and his skin turned dark and wrinkly until not even the color of his blood was visible.

She let go of him. Ko herself was confused by this newly awakened ability; it wasn't like a Divine aptitude; something was dark about it but powerful. Right now, that's what matters to her—power.

She made no hesitation to rush to her sister's side; before, she was a bit curious about Lord Valerian, but that was unnecessary. The house and carriage were now visible. Launching herself out of the forest and back on the open road, she was met with a group of terrorists approaching the house. Ko reattempted to use her newfound ability, but before she could, A swordswoman arrived at the scene, slashing the terrorists down one by one with ease.

Ko recognized this stature and presence. "Malica Van Astrea, the current Sword Saint". Ko's crimson eyes disappeared as she could not keep up with Malica's speed. It was truly cadaverous compared to Theresia, whose sword style was more elegant. But this was her master. There were two Sword Saints.

This was possible by splitting its true power into two individuals; either one could never be at full power, but that did not mean they were any less powerful compared to others. Malica's swift movements were a testament to her exceptional training and skill as the current Sword Saint.

Ko had heard stories of Malica's legendary battles, where she effortlessly defeated formidable opponents. Despite not being at full power individually, both Malica and Theresia commanded immense strength and were considered unparalleled in their own right.

A single afterimage of Malica slaying the terrorists was magnificent swordplay. Her cuts and slashes were precise, annihilating her opponents with ease. She was using a normal sword, having her dragon sword at its hilt completely sheathed, only to have it unsheathed by worthy opponents. Everyone across all five continents knew this. Within a matter of minutes, she successfully saved the village from further turmoil. Several years later, Ko and her sisters served the Astrea family voluntarily. Ko saw unrivaled power and was inspired by Malica. She was ruthless and didn't talk much without pointing out her sword in front of her. But again, would Ko have been able to save her sisters had it not been for Malica? That question remained in Ko's hollow mind to this day. She was grateful to Malica and saw her as a real hero. That was the first and last time Ko used her ability until now.