With chilling precision, she pulled the trigger.

Rendered unable to either dodge or retaliate, Hyperion was forced to take the shot. With a wave of heat, and an explosion of energy, the area around what would be considered a human’s chest were carved open, revealing a floating, spherical core amidst the already healing wound, inhibited only by the still-burning embers eating away on its edges. Various colors swirl within the core, creating a mesmerizing sight as it shifts from dark blue, then the familiar light blue of the skies within the dome, before red-purple tints enveloped it to give way for the colors to shift back to dark again.

Then, Pestilence rushed forward, planting her sword onto the core until the blade went through it, graying out all the colors, pinprick cracks slowly blooming on its surface.

“Hah… so you were strong. I should never have underestimated all of you,” Hyperion coughed out, pain evident from their strained voice. Unlike them, there was no blood, no visible proof that they had stabbed the life out of them - there was only pain, the dying gasp of what was eternal, perfection shattered before their eyes.

“You all have no gratitude, perhaps a failure of the Primeras’ Stewardship system–”

“You still refuse to acknowledge your faults in this situation, up even to the very end of your life,” a familiar voice spoke up. “Your companions didn’t answer me, so, say, how does it feel to be at the receiving end of becoming a statistic, all to build a paradise none desired?”

Hunter, Pestilence, Baskerville, and T all turned around towards the source of the voice. Cecilia has landed on the ground a few meters away from them, carrying a grayed-out, glass-like sphere they all could recognize from moments before. With a nonchalant expression, she threw the broken core, letting it roll on the ground until it reached Hyperion. “I think you may recognize this.”

“Is that… really Theia of the Brilliance?” T asked.

“Correct,” Cecilia answered, then, she looked at T from top to bottom. “You don’t look like an inhabitant of the domes. Are you skewing the Number Distribution in favor of your Mirror Avatar?”

“Incorrect. You can consider me a guest to the whole spectacle, if that’s to your liking,” T responded. “One thing is clear, though, I’m not going to be a hindrance to you, or your mission, for that matter.”

“Theia… No, you are–” Hyperion was croaking, their last grasp on life failing. “Heh… so, this is the end, taken out by the lowly inhabitants capable of nothing but strife and destruction without guidance…”

“Unless you want me to speed things up, answer my question,” Cecilia warned.

“Why…? Guh—“ Hyperion grunted in pain, as the cracks enveloped the surface of their core. “You should already know— Now I get it. I see why all of you bore a reminder of the dark past. Theia— if only you—“

Cecilia narrowed her eyes, the pitiful sight etching such a deep, unbidden frustration that seeped into her body language. Beneath her massive armor, she was trembling, not in fear, but in unexpressed anger that threatened to spill at any moment. Even a fool would know, without words, her behavior suggested a personal grievance that the armored lady was not likely to reveal, yet, the others could understand - after all, almost every single person standing in this place shares the same objective, the same desire for freedom, the same distaste for the guards holding their gilded cage. Her folded wings twitched behind her, a silent sign that she was close to take to the skies and kill the downed Primeras once and for all.

“Tell me, Hyperion!”

“I don’t think getting personal here is going to result in anything productive, Brecher.”

Izabel could feel something in her pocket start to shake, and then, a card flew out of her pocket. Even with a glance, Izabel could see the card belonged to Eye, one of many she has obtained from their deal with one another. The card fluttered to the ground, and then, a P-doll appeared right on top of it, assuming the doll’s default, pink-veined effigy look before shifting into the familiar form of Eye. Unlike their first meeting, the Mirror Avatar appeared as a solid form this time, not as a partly-transparent follower of her host.

For a moment, Cecilia didn’t respond. Her eyes were trained on Hyperion. A few seconds passed, and then, as they did not answer, she hissed in disdain, right as the colors and shine of Hyperion’s core truly faded, never to be seen once more.

“All of you playing savior are the same, single-minded, not even bothering to acknowledge your actions. When we see each other again...”

Then, Cecilia turned her attention to Eye.

“I believe I’ve told you that I prefer you call me Ruĝa, didn’t I?” Cecilia looked at the pink-haired woman in slight disdain. “Not to mention, I’ve warned you not to interfere. I don’t have time for playing dollhouse with you, Eye.”

Eye waved her hand, summoning a few more cards from Izabel’s pocket. The cards fluttered to the ground, unaffected by Izabel’s attempt to hold the cards back or keep the pocket shut. Each card formed a generic P-doll, three forming a chair and a footrest, and the other two standing guard on both sides. From Eye’s long, thin fingers wrapped in white gloves, pink threads made of light, around as thick as human hair, could be seen, the ends all attached to the effigies she manipulated with ease. With an ever-present smile, Eye sat on the effigies, her movements slow and confident, as if Ruĝa’s anger didn’t bother her at all.

“I only wanted one thing from you, Brecher. That is, your cooperation.” With a flick of her wrist, Eye produced the card, the one she asked Izabel to bring as part of their deal. With the card held between her index and middle finger, she continued. “I simply want information, and in just a few seconds, I will be one step closer to the root of the Primeras and eradicate these pests. If you want…”

A tangible pause.

“I can even turn them into little living trinkets for your amusement, ready to mewl and grovel at your feet.”

Cecilia narrowed her eyes at that remark.

“I may not like them, but I’ve never liked your type, either. You act as if by virtue of being born from a higher lineage, your every movement qualifies as a gift from a higher being laughing at our misfortune, that disgusting, saccharine sense of entitlement wrapped in a veneer of politeness.” Cecilia spat, her grip on her two spears tightening as she spoke. “We might have the same objective in the end, but I would rather plummet to my death than work with you.”

“Say what you want, but let me remind you, there are more of these dolls where they came from,” Eye replied, a meaningful smile gracing her face. “All I want is your information, and I won’t repeat myself.”

Izabel could feel something heavy, something dangerous all around her. Her body tensed, an instinctual move in an attempt to protect herself from an invisible threat.

“Izabel. Don’t move!”

“I should’ve known not to trust that woman,” Izabel gritted her teeth. 

“No, I should have warned you, too. I merely held back due to lack of evidence.” 

“It’s quite an easy choice, Brecher. You see, you can either assist me, or wait while I–” Eye glanced at Izabel with a meaningful smile, “Finish the deal that someone was supposed to do on my behalf, hm?”

Cecilia’s grip on her spears trembled, she bit the bottom of her lips.

“Eye, don’t you involve other people in this.”

“I don’t - unless you count punishing someone, who entered a deal on their own volition, for not keeping their end,” Eye answered, as she played with the card between her fingers, “So, how is it, Ruĝa of the Linnurata Frontline?”

It was enough. Izabel raised the gun on her hand, intent on shooting the woman. Then, the voice of her companion spoke in her mind.

“Do not. There is power in those cards. It is possible to take their combined attack then retaliate, however, you will be vulnerable, and the risk is not worth it.”

“But–”

“I understand your frustration, being used as bait is unpleasant, but it is safer to hold your anger right now. We can settle the score when we are in a less vulnerable position.”

“Don’t look at me like that, Brecher. You see, the only things likely unaware of your existence are lower-tier worlds within your jurisdiction. Besides…” Eye dangled the card in front of her, daring Cecilia to take it, “Assisting me to eliminate the Primeras also helps with your mission. Who knows, perhaps I’ll meet your companions on my way.”

“How much do you know?” Cecilia asked.

“Oh, that is just elementary-level extrapolation. Considering the Primeras are still spreading their influence unimpeded, it was easy to assume that something happened to the Frontline. Perhaps they perished, or something has happened that took them out of the picture.”

Cecilia gritted her teeth at the answer. It seems that at least some of Eye’s extrapolations hit the mark. 

“Fine, you win. Hand me the card, and let’s get this over with.”

“That’s what I’d like to hear,” Eye smiled and gave the card to one of the P-dolls standing guard next to her. Without a word, the effigy walked towards Cecilia and handed the card to her. The card glowed in a white-pinkish light as soon as Cecilia’s fingers brushed on its surface, and then, it disappeared right as Cecilia handed the card back to the effigy.

“One more thing, next time, have the decency to show up yourself, or–”

A third crimson spear materialized in the air, then, with a speed faster than anyone there could perceive, the spear pierced and drilled its way through Eye’s body along with the other effigies, tossing shrapnels in every direction. Rendered broken and unusable, Eye’s form warped, turning into the form of a P-doll, then all the other dolls slumped to the ground, crumbling into the ether, with some fragments turning into a confetti of torn-up cards.

“-the next time we meet, it will be through your actual skull.”

With the disappearance of Eye’s form and the effigies, the tense feeling surrounding Izabel dispersed as well. A quick pat of where she placed the cards revealed that the cards in her pocket has disappeared too, likely returning to their master. 

“Damn it. Cecilia… or Ruĝa, was it? I’m sorry for that.”

From the distance, Baskerville was about to open her mouth, before shaking her head and settling with a barely audible sigh. In the end, there was nothing to be done, and even though a part of her ached for being right this time, she would have gained nothing even if she expressed it. 

All in all, a reprimand would have done nothing to someone who already realized their mistake, nor would it rectify the situation.

“You all, too. I was just–” Izabel shook her head, “No, no matter what, I landed her in this situation.”

“Relax, Hunter,” Pestilence spoke first, her tone sing-song and carefree. “You’re trying to do your best. Besides, if you ask me, there’s reason to be wary of them.”

“That is correct,” Baskerville added. “As much as I hate for this to happen, risks without a chance of failure is not a risk. Not to mention we’ve completed one of the tasks we were given, and gained valuable information of what lies outside the dome. All in all, this was not a bad deal, and Adler would probably appreciate this.”

“Think nothing of it. I wouldn’t fault you for her behavior,” Cecilia said. “If I recall correctly, you have a mission to do here, right?”

“Right, the spire,” Izabel turned to look at T, “Have you found it?”

“Ah, yes, about that… Give me a second,” T said, as he walked back to the spot he was looking at earlier. With his tendrils, he sifted the ground back and forth, until he saw the tip of a rock jutting out. With one good smack from his hand, static electricity fizzled on the rock, then, a beam of blueish-white light extended from it, going up towards the skies.

“This is the spire you were looking for.”

“What now?”

As if waiting to answer the question, they felt a notification from their Mirror Device.

[The Section E spire has been found.]

[Initializing changes…]

The beam of light was flickering, its color shifting from blue, to red, to black, then fading completely for a split second, before shining again in a brighter azure color. 

[The spires of this dome has been altered. Connection with other domes can now be established.]

Soon after the notification, a mail icon appeared in front of Izabel’s eyes.

[Congratulations, teams of Section E, for finding and altering one of the spires. A notification will be sent when all the spires are found. In the meantime, rejoice and rest, for this is a first step to our victory.

We may not know each other, but I will keep all of the Mirror Avatar holders safe. Even if the Primeras react, do not worry, I will take care of them.

Regards, 

Cordis]

“Cordis sent a message?” T asked.

“How did you know?”

“A hunch. Regardless, congratulations are in order. You’ve finished your task and helped with my objective,” T said. “For now, I have nothing to give you, but…”

He paused for a moment, thinking.

“I will consider this a favor. Give me time, there are still things I need to confirm. For now, let me help you return. What section are you from?”

“It’d be convenient if you can help us return to Section E of Dome 15,” Izabel replied.

“Let me check…” T looked around the area, closing his eyes while his tendrils slithered around the place. After a few minutes, he stopped at a spot close to a broken, scratched-up stone pillar. He studied the spot for a moment, then, with a wave of his hand, a hole was torn in reality, similar to the hole they went through before. “Here you go. Once again, thank you, and…”

He paused, giving all of them a meaningful look.

“See you.”

“I’ll go first, there are things I need to discuss with my team,” Baskerville said. “All in all, Hunter, Pestilence, it’s a pleasure to work with the two of you. Regardless of what happened, the fact remains that you two cleared the mission.”

Baskerville looked at Cecilia.

“You, as well.”

Without further ado, Baskerville stepped into the portal, and disappeared.

“Well, I’m beat,” Pestilence said. “I’m going to get rest too, and tell Barnett all about what happened later. You too should get going, Hunter.”

“Thanks for the concern, Len.”

“You still remember that? See, you agree Pestilence is quite a mouthful,” She smiled. “See you later, Hunter.”

“I still have some business here, so I’ll be staying. Don’t worry about me,” Cecilia said.

“Oh, right, hey, Cecilia, what is the Linnurata?”

Upon hearing the question, Cecilia went silent, then, after what felt like an eternity, she answered. It was clear from her tone that she was holding a lot of things back, the sigh she exhaled a sign that it was a topic she preferred not to discuss.

“Those who failed at their duties, and now, their current location is unknown… I have to go. See you around, Hunter.”

“Wait!”

With that cryptic hint, Cecilia took to the skies and quickly disappeared from view.

“Failed at their duties…” Hunter murmured in Izabel’s mind. “So even they were affected…”

“Hunter, what are they?”

“I’ll explain later. We may have a problem on our hands.”

When Izabel was about to ask more, T called out to her.

“Hunter?”

Izabel looked at T, and now that she got a good look at him, she realized that his form was still blurry, incomplete in some parts. Even though unlike before, no blood gushed out of his wound, the incomplete, flickering parts of his body served as a reminder that he did not emerge from the battle unscathed. He gave Izabel a small smile, then, with one of his tendrils, he sliced open a rift in reality and took out a small ring, a silver band with a blue stone resting on top.

“This is… an Imitator,” T explained, putting the ring on his ring finger, then brushing the stone with his thumb. With a flash of light, a blade materialized on his hand, the same combination of blue and silver as the ring itself. He gave the blade a practice swing, then swiped on the ring’s stone again, letting the weapon disappear. “It will take the form of whatever weapon you find most comfortable to wield. Though its power isn’t enough to combat the Primeras, I think you might find this sufficient for the monsters outside the dome.”

With a tendril, T removed the ring from his finger and offered it to Izabel.

“Why are you offering this to me, though?” Izabel asked. “Why not the others?”

“As a thank-you, and you might find it less… ah, taxing to use than your current weapon,” T gave a small smile. “I won’t force you to use it, but please, take it at least?”

“The weapon does not seem to contain any traps.” Hunter said. “I find it a fascinating bauble. It should be safe to take the weapon with us and test its capability in battle.”

“If you don’t mind, I suppose there’s no reason to refuse.”

“I’ll take it,” Izabel nodded. “Thank you, T.”

The ring felt cold as it slipped into her finger. The stone exuded a faint glow for a moment, almost too fast to notice.

“You’re welcome. I’m the one who should thank you, rather.” T smiled. “The rift will stay open for a few more minutes. Oh, you should adjust that device.”

Right.

Her arm was still numb, however, feeling has started to return on the tip of her fingers. It seemed like whatever poison Hyperion used, he had no intention of getting into a serious fight, and it was only meant to incapacitate. 

[Mental Integrity Number Distribution]

[30 - 70 (Mirror Avatar)]

[WARNING!]

[Adjustment reaching critical thresholds!] 

[Rebalance requested! Critical imbalance may result in permanent side-effects!]

Now that she was once again aware of it, Izabel realized the sense of urgency the device was conveying. Muscle memory allowed her to navigate the interface without much issues, and luckily, the Mirror Device conveniently projected the numbers in front of her eyes.

[Mental Integrity Number Distribution]

[30 - 70 (Mirror Avatar)]

[40 - 60]

[45 - 55]

[...]

As the numbers tick down, the power in her veins started to decrease, her hair and body regaining its former form and colors. 

[65 - 35]

[ERROR -  Invalid adjustment value!]

[Recalibrating…]

For a moment, the numbers froze.

“What happened?” Izabel couldn’t help but ask out loud.

“The earlier battle may have caused some errors,” Hunter offered.

T only stared at Izabel, not saying anything.

[Recalibration complete]

[75 - 25]

[90 - 10]

[ERROR -  Invalid adjustment value!]

[Recalibrating…]

[Recalibration attempt failed!]

[Recalibrating…]

[Recalibration complete]

[Mental Integrity Number Distribution]

[100 - 0 (Host)]

“I suppose you’ve finished,” T nodded. “Try the Imitator, it should come in handy. Now, go back and rest, it looks like you needed it. Besides, there’s no telling if or when the Primeras’ collective will send someone here again.”

“How about you?” Izabel asked back. “You also look like someone tried to shove you into a cutting machine.”

T smiled at the comparison, “This just looks bad, but not really. I still have things to do here. Now go, besides, we’ll meet again. I promise you that.”

“He is correct. We have achieved the first step, and we should recuperate for the moment. Nothing good will come if they caught us in a wounded state.”

“Okay, in that case,” Izabel nodded. “We’ll meet again, T”

“See you.”

With the happiness of their first victory, Izabel stepped into the portal.