Waving over Seth, Solace pulled everyone aside further from the cabin home. They stopped near the treeline, by which point Isolde summoned her Tome in a flash of crackling pale blue light.
Flipping it open to a specific page, she channelled Ether into its core. The moment the spell took hold, silence blanketed their surroundings. All sound—birds, rustling leaves, even the distant crashes of lightning—vanished in an instant. The world around them blurred, smearing into indistinct shapes of colour.
Cassilyth's voice broke the quiet, a serene melody in the weightless stillness. "An Obscura Spell on top of a Silence Spell? What exactly are you trying to keep hidden?"
Solace answered by raising his hand, revealing a ring. Its shape was both elegant and untamed as if sculpted by the very currents of the Arcane.
Forged from silver that gleamed like liquid moonlight, the band bore delicate, windswept etchings filled with a deep cerulean hue. Small, jagged spines jutted from it like the branches of an ancient tree, each tip cradling a glistening sliver of the same eerie blue material.
Holding the ring aloft, Solace pointed it toward the centre of the group. A shimmer of Ether twisted through the air, and with a pulse of unseen force, a mirror materialized before them. The mirror was fashionable and sophisticated in design, much like those one would normally find in the rooms of young noble girls or many of the beloved idols of Leydrithia.
Instead of revealing the world as it was, the mirror twisted reality, distorting their surroundings into something darker and corrupted. The grass at their feet turned withered and black, shifting unnaturally as if trapped between states of being.
Seth stepped forward, his expression unreadable. Though his posture remained composed, his sharp gaze flicked over the mirror's surface with quiet scrutiny. "Where did you find this?"
Sumi, staring into the reflection, noted that she remained unchanged. Only the world around her had warped. She frowned. "What is it?"
Solace folded his arms. "A Mal-Empirica."
The name itself carried weight, and the air around them seemed heavier as he spoke it. "All I know is that they're dangerous artefacts used in the distant past to connect the living world to the Outer Mirror. Supposedly, Mages and Arcanists once experimented with ways to traverse the Outer Mirror without relying on the Spires. That research led to the creation of occult objects—the Mal-Empirica—which were eventually outlawed across the world."
He turned his gaze to Seth. "But I bet dearest brother here knows more."
Isolde crossed her arms, fixing Seth with an expectant stare. "Care to explain, brother?"
Seth let out a slow breath, glancing around at the others before finally speaking. "Fine. But on one condition—not a word of this reaches Aunt Cecily, at least not yet." His eyes darkened. "And don't ask me why."
A brief silence fell over the group as they exchanged glances. After a moment, they each gave a slow nod.
Satisfied, Seth stepped closer to the mirror, running a single finger along its smooth surface. The moment he made contact, a whisper curled through the air, too faint to make out. A ghostly afterglow trailed his touch, pulsing with an eerie rhythm before fading.
"Like Solace said, these are illegal artefacts," he murmured. "They tether themselves to the Outer Mirror's energies, granting the wielder greater access to its power. But there's a cost." His eyes flicked to Solace. "Using them strengthens the Outer's hold on our world."
He paused as if considering his next words carefully. "After the first Category-6 Spatial Fract—now called the Coded Event—mages realized how dangerous these things were. To prevent another disaster, they designed fail-safes into the Mal-Empirica—one of which is its ability to function as a gateway."
Sumi stiffened. "A gateway?"
Seth nodded. "These artefacts allow creatures to enter the Outer Mirror. But more importantly… with the right inversion of Ether, they can let something out."
A cold silence settled over them.
"For that reason," Seth continued, "these artefacts were outlawed, and most were lost, hidden, or exchanged. Only a few still exist today." He hesitated, then exhaled. "However, there's something else you should know."
He met each of their gazes in turn. "The Mal-Empirica would not exist without one—Cecily Acustes."
The name hung in the air like a hammer waiting to fall.
"It was her discovery of the Adaptive Rune that made them possible," Seth admitted. "And without that same discovery, the entire industry of Arcanum Studies wouldn't exist as it does today."
Cassilyth asked, "Well if they're so dangerous, why weren't they disassembled?"
Sumi added, "Did they have some unforeseen consequences?"
Seth nodded, "The Artifacts were now bridges between the Living Multiverse and the Outer Mirror and, for that, became indestructible." He took a step back from the mirror. "Now that you know what it is, I'll ask again—where did you find it?"
Solace exhaled, rubbing his temples. Over the next few minutes, he and Isolde explained everything.
As they spoke, the distorted reflection in the mirror remained still, as though listening.
---
After leaving the garage, Altha took a long bath. He lost track of time, letting the warmth of the water lull him into a trance. Was he thinking? Perhaps. Pondering? About what? He didn't know.
When he finally stepped out, wrapped in a towel and rubbing at damp bundles of hair, he barely noticed Sumi standing outside the door—until he bumped into her.
"Oh—uhh, hello…"
Sumi startled slightly, gripping the book in her hands. "H-hello…"
For a moment, silence settled between them in the dimly lit hallway. Then, as if remembering herself, she cleared her throat. "So, how has Cecily been treating you? Have you made any progress with the lessons?"
Her voice was even, but Altha caught something beneath it—hesitation, maybe? Or was he imagining it?
She stood before him in a delicate two-piece loungewear set, the soft, ribbed fabric hugging her form. White with scattered cherry prints in soft pink and red hues, it gave her a casual elegance. The tank top's thin straps rested lightly on her pale shoulders, mirroring the high-waisted shorts that accentuated her slender waist and toned thighs.
Altha forced himself to look away, rubbing the back of his neck. "If I'm being honest, I have no clue. I'll just have to wait and see, I suppose." His gaze flicked to the book in her hands. It didn't seem like the same one from yesterday, but still, he asked, "Planning on doing some late-night drawing?"
Sumi glanced down at the journal, brushing her thumb over the cover. "Just felt like writing a little." For a moment, her eyes softened, a distant memory flickering through them. Her cheeks flushed faintly, but she quickly composed herself.
Altha gave a small nod. "Well, I won't keep you. I've got a few more basic rune incantations to cram into this noggin of mine." He gave her a lazy wave, stepping aside.
"But you haven't eaten all day," Sumi blurted out.
Altha blinked.
She shifted, clutching the journal a little tighter. "Studies show that the brain needs sugar to function at its best. It wouldn't hurt to eat something, would it?" Her voice came out a little croaky, rushed, as if she hadn't meant to speak so quickly. "Even if it's just cereal… or if you're too busy, you could ask Cassilyth. She's in the kitchen right now, making herself a midnight snack."
Something about the way she said it—the way she stumbled through her words—made Altha's stomach feel oddly light.
Was this… care?
Did she care?
Or was he just fooling himself into thinking she did?
Clearing his throat, he nodded, pretending not to notice the warmth creeping into his own face. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt… if it puts your mind at ease. I wouldn't want to stress you out, now would I?" His lips twitched slightly at his own words.
Sumi's face brightened with a radiant smile.
Altha turned away before she could see how much that smile affected him. Heading back to the garage, he grabbed the Eidolimancy Script and briefly told Cecily he was going to get breakfast. She barely acknowledged him, too focused on connecting the bracelet she had crafted to the exoskeleton of a watch Cassilyth had built. As the monitors scanned for anomalies or error codes, she simply nodded at him and continued her work.
The kitchen was well-lit, the warm glow of a single hanging light casting soft shadows across the room. The faint scent of toasted bread and crisp bacon lingered in the air.
Cassilyth stood by the counter, subtly shaking her hips, dancing to some distant tune humming in her head, as she stirred something in a bowl. She wore pyjamas similar to Sumi's, or perhaps Sumi wore pyjamas similar to hers.
Hearing the door creak, she turned, her face lighting up in amusement. "Knew you'd show up eventually," she said, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "Even weirdos need to eat. I would know."
Her voice was melodic, a teasing lilt in her tone that immediately put Altha at ease.
She pulled out a chair for him before he could even ask, and he accepted it gladly. Placing the Eidolimancy Script on the table, he flipped to a chapter titled Rune Placement: Coherency.
His fingers idly traced the text as his eyes flicked to the table—a hundred-piece puzzle lay scattered across its surface. On one of the countertops, a Rubik's cube sat, half-solved.
Cassilyth slid a bowl toward him. "Eat first. Read later. Give the books a breather"
Altha smirked. "Bossy, aren't you?"
"Call it guidance." She winked.
Serving him food, Cassilyth settled into her seat, and the two ate together in comfortable silence.
Not long after, Sumi emerged from the bathroom, hair slightly damp, her journal tucked under her arm. Without a word, she slid into a seat beside them. Together, they began piecing together the hundred-piece puzzle that had been left out.
The soft clatter of puzzle pieces filled the quiet kitchen. Occasionally, one of them would sigh in triumph at finding a match, or quietly curse when a piece refused to fit. It wasn't much. Just a simple, peaceful moment. But to Altha, it felt like something more.
For the first time in a long while, he felt… comfortable.
And maybe, just maybe, cared for.
By the time the puzzle was complete, the night had deepened into quiet stillness. They cleaned up together, washing dishes and wiping down the counters before retreating to their rooms.
---
3 Days Left
Altha woke to the soft rustling of pages beneath his cheek. Blinking groggily, he lifted his head from the open book, its pages slightly crinkled from where he had pressed against them in his sleep.
To his right, Solace snored softly, sprawled across his bed. To his left—empty air.
Sitting up, he stretched before trudging toward the garage. The moment he entered, he found Cecily already at work, looking as sharp as ever. which was to him strange, considering he'd never seen her sleep.
"Morning," she greeted, giving him a casual wave before diving back into her notes.
For most of the day, they alternated between survival tactics and Eidolimancy Script. At some point, Cassilyth joined in, her presence adding an ease to the intensity of the lessons.
Meanwhile, the others had set out to cull more of the Tenebicula population. By sunset, they returned, hauling in twelve more corpses.
As Altha retired for sleep he found Solace strangely awake that night.
"So, only two days left after today, huh?" Solace murmured. His voice carried that rare, contemplative tone—the kind that usually led to conversations one couldn't walk away from.
Altha exhaled. "Is it even possible for someone to feel ready for something like this?"
Solace smiled faintly, his gaze still fixed on the ceiling "Fair enough, I suppose. The future is uncertain, after all. I mean, look at Icarus. He thought he had everything figured out—until time caught up with him." He shifted slightly, turning toward Altha. "Ambition carried him too far too quickly. It made a cautionary tale of him."
For a moment, the room was still. The dim ember-glow of the lamp cast soft, flickering shadows against the walls.
Altha rolled onto his back, staring up. "Not to worry. There are no grander goals at play for me. Just… surviving. Escaping the Outer for a second time."
Solace hummed. "Ambition isn't that simple, Altha. You never know when it'll come peering around the corner."
Altha closed his eyes briefly before sighing. "I know." He reached for the Eidolimancy Script, shutting it and placing it on the bedside table.
A pause. Then—
"But I believe in you," Solace said, his voice even softer this time. "Sumi believes in you. Cassilyth believes in you. Even my Aunt. And I say—" He turned his head slightly. "You won't be just another Icarus, you'll make it back, even on scorched wings if you must."
Altha didn't answer right away.
Instead, he let the words settle, let them sink into the parts of himself that had doubted, that had questioned.
"…Thanks."
And with that, they drifted into quiet, their hushed conversation fading into the steady rhythm of sleep.