Seventeen

"Eloise, we found you!" Jade exclaimed, relief and joy evident in her voice.

Eloise, surprised and grateful, questioned their unexpected arrival. "Jade, Alice, what are you doing here?"

Jade's voice overflowed with determination. "We're here to save you, Eloise. We won't leave you behind."

Before they could fully reunite, the boss, lurking in the shadows, seized the opportunity to strike. In a swift motion, he knocked out Alice, causing panic to ripple through the group.

The boss, taunting Jade, reveled in his newfound advantage. "You're starting to annoy me. It's time for me to deal with you," he sneered.

Undeterred, Jade stood her ground, gripping her sword tightly. "I won't let you harm us," she declared, her voice laced with determination.

To Jade's surprise, the boss used his magic to seize the sword that Alice had been holding, claiming it as his own. Confusion mingled with anger as Jade questioned his actions.

"How did you do that?" Jade demanded, her voice tinged with frustration and disbelief.

The boss held on to the sword but a black magic started to come out of the sword and surrounded him.

" What is happening." said the boss in destress.

The atmosphere grew tense as the boss's body was overtaken by malevolent energy emanating from the sword. Horns sprouted from his forehead, and his eyes transformed into a blood-red hue.

"Now, I am free," the transformed boss proclaimed or more precisely the demon that had take control, his voice echoing with malice. "It's time for me to unleash chaos and destruction, starting with all of you."

Jade quickly freed Eloise from her restraints, their time together in captivity forging a bond of trust and loyalty. They exchanged worried glances, unsure of how to handle the situation.

Just as the transformed boss lunged at Eloise, Alana appeared, having arrived in the nick of time. She interceded, shielding Eloise from harm.

"Excuse me for being late, girls," Alana quipped, a hint of humor in her voice. "Leave it to me. It could be dangerous for you. Eloise, take Alice on your back and go outside. Don't wait for me."

Eloise complied, cradling Alice in her arms as she made her way to safety. Meanwhile, Alana faced off against the now-demonic boss, ready to engage in a fierce battle.

Their clash was intense, each move carefully calculated. Alana's confidence exuded from every fiber of her being, as she recognized the demon, Eiji, struggling to overcome her.

"Are you rusty, Eiji?" Alana taunted, a smug smile on her face. "I expected more from you."

Eiji seethed with frustration, concentrating his magical power to conjure a massive meteorite. The tension thickened as he launched the attack, aiming to obliterate Alana.

With a mixture of excitement and determination, Alana focused her energy, expertly dismantling the meteorite into mere dust. However, the destructive force of her counterattack inadvertently caused the building to collapse, bringing them dangerously close to Eloise and her group.

Jade, Eloise, and Alice observed the devastation unfolding before them, fear etching their features. Their relief was palpable as they witnessed Alana's arrival just in time to shield them from harm.

"Oh no, they've already caught up with us," Jade exclaimed, her voice filled with concern.

Eloise, ever the optimist, reassured her friends. "Don't worry, nothing bad will happen to us. We'll find a way."

The demonic Eiji attempted to strike Eloise, but Alana swiftly intervened, protecting her from harm. With her magical prowess, Alana held her ground, determined to buy enough time for her friends to escape.

"Eloise, Jade, go! Get out of here!" Alana shouted, her voice filled with urgency and concern.

Jade hesitated but ultimately followed Eloise's lead, prioritizing their safety. They fled from the crumbling structure, leaving Alana to face the powerful Eiji alone.

As they emerged outside, Jade marveled at her unscathed condition despite taking Eiji's attack head-on. A realization dawned on her, giving her an audacious plan.

"I'm still alive... and I know what to do," Jade whispered to herself, determination sparking in her eyes.

Jade sprinted back toward the crumbling building, ignoring Eloise's concerned protests. Her unwavering resolve propelled her toward Eiji, who remained focused on his battle with Alana.

"Eiji! Listen to me," Jade called out, her voice laced with conviction. "Why are you pretending to be evil when you're not?"

Eiji paused, momentarily caught off guard by Jade's audacity. Confusion and doubt flickered across his face as he questioned his own motives.

"What are you talking about? I'm bad... I'm going to destroy the world," Eiji retorted, his voice faltering.

Jade closed the distance between them, brandishing the sword she had acquired. The blade glistened with ethereal energy, signifying its connection to Eiji.

"You attacked me, yet I remained unharmed," Jade continued, her voice steady. "You're not truly evil. Accept the truth. Join us, and we'll treat you right."

Eiji wavered, his eyes betraying uncertainty and vulnerability. His gaze locked with Jade's, a flicker of longing shining through.

"I... I don't know why I did that," Eiji confessed, his voice filled with genuine confusion.

Jade extended the sword toward Eiji, offering a lifeline and a chance at redemption. "Accept who you truly are, Eiji. Be my mentor, and I'll wield this sword under your guidance."

Eiji's face softened, accepting Jade's offer. "Don't call me master. Just call me Eiji," he insisted, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

Jade nodded, a sense of purpose filling her. "Yes, I understand, Eiji."

With a renewed sense of purpose, Eiji retreated back into the sword, his true form and powers once again contained. Jade felt an indescribable connection, a bond forming between them.

Meanwhile, Alana, having successfully neutralized Eiji's attacks, sensed the shift in energy. She observed the interaction between Jade and Eiji, her eyes filled with intrigue and a touch of fondness.

"Jade, you're amazing. You're the first person Eiji has wanted to join," Alana expressed, her admiration evident.

Alana shrugged, a playful grin on her face. "Well, this girl is unique, isn't she?"

As the dust settled, Jade and Eloise regrouped with Alice, who had finally regained consciousness. Jade proceeded to explain the events that transpired, filling Alice in on their daring rescue mission.

" Where is the ring?" asked Eloise.