In the hall where the Generals clashed, the transformed figures of Sir Kraken and Sir Leviathan towered over Luisa, Princess Athena, and Banabas, their menacing presence casting a shadow of impending doom. As the trio braced themselves for the inevitable assault, Banabas' eyes widened with curiosity, his voice betraying a hint of disbelief. "What do you mean, nothing hurts them?"
Luisa, ever the nurturing mother, helped her daughter to her feet, concern etched on her features.
"Precisely what it sounds like," Princess Athena declared, frustration seeping into her voice. "Neither physical attacks nor Hera can harm them. Our assumptions about bypassing Project Paragon were misguided."
The Generals erupted into sinister laughter, their mocking tones echoing through the hall as they relished in their adversaries' despair. "How foolish and naive," Sir Kraken taunted, his words cutting through the tension. "You honestly believed Project Paragon only granted us imperviousness to physical attacks? This is why you'll never surpass Lady Sariel, Luisa."
Princess Athena's anger boiled over, her hands balling into fists as she prepared to unleash another assault. "How dare you!"
Luisa, ever the voice of reason, urged her daughter to maintain composure. "Athena, stay calm."
"But Mother, they insulted you!" Princess Athena retorted, her frustration mounting.
"Ignore their taunts," Luisa advised, her voice steady and reassuring. "We must focus our efforts on discovering a means to defeat them."
Despite her irritation, Athena relented, a soft click of her tongue the only indication of her lingering annoyance.
Drawing a deep breath, Luisa turned to her companions, her voice dropping to a hushed whisper. "What if we combined our attacks? Water Hera and Lightning Hera together? It could prove effective, considering the human inability to withstand such a union."
Banabas, his eyes brightening with cautious optimism, replied, "Indeed, such a combination might be our best chance."
"Very well, let us attempt it," Princess Athena agreed, her resolve renewed.
The trio assumed their battle stances, their combined power palpable in the air.
Sir Kraken's voice rang out, his confidence unshaken. "Your efforts are futile. Project Paragon remains invincible!"
Undeterred, the trio launched their combined assault, their voices joining in a chorus of determination. "Thunder Dragon King Wave!"
The force of their unified attack sent the Generals flying, their forms hurtling through the air as the hall reverberated with the echoes of the powerful strike.
"Did we succeed?" Princess Athena questioned, her voice tinged with hope.
"I pray that we have," Luisa replied, her gaze fixed on the Generals' fallen forms.
A heavy silence settled over the hall, the quietude interrupted only by the ragged breathing of the trio.
Then, like a sudden clap of thunder, the Generals' sinister laughter pierced the air as they rose to their feet, their mocking tones sending a chill down the spines of their adversaries.
"We warned you, did we not?" Sir Leviathan gloated, his arrogance on full display. "No matter your efforts, nothing can harm us now."
The trio of Luisa, Princess Athena, and Banabas stared in shock and disbelief as the Generals remained standing, seemingly unscathed by the formidable combined assault. Their eyes wide with incredulity, Banabas voiced the question on all their minds. "I cannot fathom how they still stand after such a powerful attack. What is the truth behind Project Paragon?"
Luisa took a deep breath, her voice somber as she prepared to divulge the dark history that had shaped their world. "Project Paragon was an ancient scientific endeavor, born from the depths of Vylonian ambition."
Her words painted a vivid image of a bygone era. "Countless centuries ago, a Vylonian scientist sought to enhance the might of the Vylonian military through groundbreaking research. The endeavor, then known as Project Hyperion, had a singular goal: to dethrone Thorenzia, the reigning power of the world. Yet, time and again, the experiments failed, and Thorenzia's dominion remained unchallenged, their victories resounding. Generation after generation, the research was passed down, each new scientist determined to unlock the secrets that had eluded their forebears."
"In the tenth generation," Luisa continued, "a descendant of the original researcher finally achieved success, renaming the endeavor Project Paragon. With this newfound power at their disposal, Vylonia at last triumphed over Thorenzia, capturing its people and subjecting them to lives of servitude and suffering."
The weight of Luisa's words settled heavily upon their shoulders, the implications of Project Paragon casting a pall over their struggle against the Generals. Banabas, his brow furrowed in thought, pondered their predicament aloud. "So, does this mean these Generals are truly invincible?"
Luisa's voice held a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. "No, there may yet be one technique that could prove effective."
Princess Athena, understanding the unspoken message in her mother's eyes, chimed in, "I see. I understand."
Turning to Banabas, Luisa issued a decisive order. "Banabas, I need you to trust me. Attack with every ounce of strength you possess."
With a nod of acknowledgement, Banabas readied himself for the coming assault.
The Generals, their sinister laughter echoing through the hall, seemed unperturbed by the trio's determined silence. "No matter your plan, it is useless," Sir Leviathan taunted.
Sir Kraken joined in, his tone mocking, "You cannot hope to bring us down!"
Undeterred by the jeers, the trio stood their ground. Suddenly, crackling energy filled the air as lightning enveloped Banabas' blade. With a mighty cry, he lunged at the Generals, striking them down with a powerful blow. "Lightning Blade!"
The Generals lay on the floor, their forms writhing in pain as their heartbeats quickened. Confusion and disbelief clouded their features as they struggled to comprehend their sudden vulnerability. "How did that attack work?" Sir Kraken gasped, his voice tinged with agony.
"What have you done to us?" Sir Leviathan demanded, his gaze fixed on Banabas.
"But all I did was attack as before," Banabas replied, surprise evident in his voice.
"I thought Project Paragon was unbeatable?" Luisa interjected, her hands forming a mysterious sign in unison with Princess Athena's, as if harnessing water hera.
"Hera? But how?" Sir Leviathan questioned, his eyes widening in shock, while Sir Kraken mirrored his disbelief. "You are not even manipulating water."
"Are you still unaware?" Luisa asked, her tone laced with a hint of amusement. "Allow me to enlighten you. While it is true that we are not currently controlling water, we are indeed employing Water Hera."
"Impossible!" Sir Kraken exclaimed, a hint of horror creeping into his voice.
"Overdrive, the second stage of Hera, grants immense power to its user, ensuring a swift and certain demise upon contact," Luisa revealed, her words uncovering a hidden depth to her abilities. "A technique I developed myself, I was only able to teach Sunday and Athena before my banishment from Vylonia, orchestrated by Queen Sariel."
As the horrifying truth sank in, Luisa and Princess Athena took control of the Generals' blood, their agonized cries filling the hall. Slowly but surely, their heartbeats faltered and finally ceased, their lives extinguished in a display of immense power and unwavering determination.
Luisa's voice reverberated through the halls, calling out to her ally, "Banabas, return to our people. Athena and I will pursue the Shield and ensure their safety."
With a nod, Banabas acknowledged the plan. "Stay vigilant," he cautioned before departing, his footsteps fading as he made his way back to the Thorenzians.
Luisa and Princess Athena exchanged a determined glance before racing deeper into the palace, their shared mission to find and rescue the members of the Shield.
"Athena," Luisa said, her voice firm yet gentle, "we will separate and enter through different doors. We must seek out any who require our aid."
"Yes, Mother," Princess Athena agreed, her resolve unwavering.
As they reached the open area surrounded by numerous doors, the mother and daughter duo parted ways, each disappearing through a different doorway.
In the depths of the palace, Princess Athena stumbled upon a harrowing sight - Princess Alexandra, lying face down and eerily still.
"Alexandra!" she cried, her voice echoing through the empty hall as she rushed to her side. "What has happened to you?!"
With growing desperation, Princess Athena called out once more, her concern mounting as she feared for her fellow Shield member's well-being. "Alexandra, please answer me!"