"Mirrors are Not for Reflection"

Present Day

28th May 595 UY, Tokyo, Japan, Mirainr

It's the fourth period of the day; still two more to go. I'm attending the English class now. The class is calm and the teacher is doing her job in peace. Some were taking notes while others were paying heed to her speech. I rested my cheek on my palm and took a look at the teacher. I didn't notice and I started to stare at her. I didn't budge my eyes. She was writing on the board, explaining grammar.

Explain... that's right, why am I here; in the military? Is it because I survived on my own 6 years ago; because I had nowhere to go? Because I am alone so they can use me?

I felt a sudden chill throughout my spine but it didn't ruin my posture.

Now that it's been 6 years let me think- in this war of mages and Demons, I'm just a human; first to do so. I have nothing special for which they'd let me join and even if they'd let me, the best thing I could be used for is cannon fodder. Letting me work aside the most powerful person in Pendragon and letting receive such service like the training; the 'special' training at Stuttgart just... doesn't add up. So does that mean they forced me to join for a purpose too great?

"Is everything alright?" The teacher asked me.

I tried to respond. No use, I've lost conscious. I'm again in Oblivion. Only my subconscious is telling what's happening around me. It feels like, something's trying drag away my senses.

"Do I have something on my face?" The teacher asked again.

Oh yes, I am still staring at her. Of course she got spooked at it.

"Uhm, Raye?" Michelle placed her hand on my shoulder.

Her hand felt like an electric shock on my skin, "HUH!" I shrieked. I shrieked so hard that my throat muscles got a nasty stretch. I started to pant. My conscious started to work in a sudden behaviour. Blood shot through the veins on the back of my neck. It shot so hard that my nerves got also stretched. I placed my hand on the back of my neck and gripped it but the pain won't go away. I started to squeeze tighter for nothing. I felt a little explosion in my head. A headache started to form from it.

I brought my head up and looked around. Everyone was laughing pointing their fingers at me. I was still breathing heavy with my eyes open like an owl’s. My head's throbbing. I can't feel my hands. I can't hear.

Michelle got out of her seat and came in front of me, "-----" She said something but I couldn't hear her. My eyes are wet. I didn't get her lips too.

"-----" The teacher said something and started to walk towards me. I caught a little sound at the end of her sentence. My ears are starting to work again.

"Come, let's go to the nurse." Michelle suggested.

She placed her hand on my shoulder. I shoved it off and said, "Don't worry, I'm fine." I removed my glasses and wiped my eyes. My breath calmed down.

"Is everything alright?" The teacher asked.

"I'm fine miss. I'm sorry to cause a scene." I apologized to drop the subject.

"Are you sure?" She hesitated.

"I'll be fine." I assured her with a forced smile.

Before she could say something the bell rang thus ending the class.

The teacher looked out the window. Trying to figure out the time of the day then she looked at me again and said, "Well then, take care." She tapped on my shoulder and left the room.

"Let's go Raye." Michelle offered.

"You go on. I'm heading to the library." I said putting on my glasses again.

"Oh, okay then, see you later." She picked up her bag and left. She is still worried about me though.

I packed my file case and slowly walked out of the class. I saw Michelle walking along the corridor on the right. I kept looking until she went to the other floor. I turned left and started to walk for the library. Everyone was walking around changing classes. I walked past them and entered the library on the third floor. I didn't come here to read any book. I came here for a bit of isolation. I picked up a random book out of the shelf then took a sit. I flipped open the book and stared out of the window. It was red outside. The library isn't the most popular place. Actually, the school isn't that crowded. After all, it only houses mages.

My peace didn't last long. Someone intruded and sat in front of me. I looked at the person. It was Lars.

"So what are you up to?" He asked while flipping the book he brought.

"English literature." I replied.

"That's politics." He implied to the book I brought.

Oh, I didn't notice I brought that.

"The politicians are a fine poet with silver words." I replied.

"That's some way to put it." Lars commented still looking at his book.

"Mirainr has a political system even after the king is supreme leader of this turf. Irony I guess." I replied.

"You know, there were similar systems like this before Euntritia." He said.

"Hmm, the past isn't that interesting. From what I've heard it just sounds like a sibling rivalry; a big scale sibling rivalry which runs to this very day." I said.

"Yeah, that's true." He said while flipping the pages.

I was still looking outside the window. He brought his head up and looked at me.

“You look dreadful. What happened to your eyes? Did something happen?” He asked me.

"The headache's killing me. I really want to leave this place." I said.

"Go to the nurse's office. Sleep and then go home." He suggested.

I could do that alright but I’m not in the mood.

"No, I'm heading out." I said.

"Huh?" Lars asked.

"I'm bunking classes." I said and stood up.

"Wait, what? Y-you can't go." He protested but I already put the book back and started to head out.

"Aya'll kill you if she finds out." He said.

"That's an ‘if’ Lars. Keep your mouth shut and no one gets hurt." I said to him.

"But-" He started to stop me.

"I know you can do it. See you later." I started to walk out.

"But where are you going." He asked.

"Don’t know. I’ll come back before school ends." I replied while walking out. Not sure if he heard me nor did I wait for his response.

Lars walked back into the library. He sat and started to read his book again. While he was reading, a click noise caught his attention. It came from the phone in front of him. He picked it up and realized it was Raye's.

I ran down the stairs fast and came to the entrance of the academy building but before I could step outside to the grounds, someone stopped me. Yuki popped out in front of me. I had to put a hard break and remove the expression on my face.

She looked at me with a smile gesturing as if asking a question.

I kept a straight stoic face and didn’t budge while staying silent; trying to be as calm as possible.

“So… where are you going?” She asked while tilting her head.

“To the office.” I said without any hesitation.

“And you?” Then I asked her.

“Oh, I’m just coming from there. I’m heading towards class now.” She replied.

“Well then. I’ll see you later.” I tried to escape her and started to walk again.

“Hey, can you tell me why they called you?” She asked.

I stopped on my track. I said, “I don’t know.”

“Strange… I didn’t see them talk about you when I was there. When did they exactly tell you to come to office?” She asked.

“I don’t know. I checked the message after the class ended.” I said.

“When was it sent?” She asked again.

“I didn’t notice.” I replied.

“Then-“ She again started.

I blocked her in middle of her sentence with a bit loud tone, “Yuki! You’ll get late for class.”

“Oh, right. Sorry to keep us waiting. See you later then.” She started to walk away whilst waving her hand.

“Yes, see you later.” I replied while turning my neck.

I once again started to walk out. The ground was empty so was the front gate. I walked out then took a turn to the right and started walking. Well then, what should I do?

“High commander Agnvik sir, the target has left the school without anyone to supervise. I repeat. The target is vulnerable.” Said a man; he is standing on the opposite side of the road.

“Copy that, soldier.” The high commander said to the man.

The man put the phone back in his coat and started to walk in the opposite direction of Raye.

I kept walking the street. Though it's been quite a while, it still feels new that I'm outside of my father's mansion as if it's unreal. I mean, after all the attempt of my parents to keep me away from this world and war now I'm being dragged into it. No human was ever taken in this war and here I am just a part of it. I wonder if there's any special reason for me to be here. If it's that way, then what could it be that they're keeping me away from it? What could be so important that despite it's about me, I'm being kept away? Or, maybe, I'm thinking too much about it. Maybe they wanted to start taking in humans and I was the first one among them. But then again, the fact they're breaking the law which is responsible for the emergence of Euntritia is just unacceptable. I think, maybe... I should just stop. Maybe I am over thinking. There's no point in this actually. I'm trying to figure out an answer without any proper context. It's too early for me to jump to conclusions. I should keep patience and wait this out.

I came to the crowded streets. Cars were passing by blowing horns. It was rush hour. Everyone blended into one another. I decided to go into some alleyway to catch a bit of silence. I found one on my left. I started to go along the path. It is a narrow alley and no one to walk the street. It is silent and chill here. Then I noticed, something's causing me a bit churn up in my chest. I feel weird like… my insides are screaming. Something is dragging me like a magnet to walk on this road. As I was walking, I saw someone standing in front of me just a few meters away. It was a tall guy wearing a heavy coat with shades. I couldn’t see his hands for they were inside the coat. I kept walking. I wonder why he is wearing such heavy clothing in middle of summer. Just as I was closing in, the man started to walk towards me. A few steps later, I got a clear look on the person’s face. I realized that I know this guy. It was the same guy I saw back in the hotel that day where I had that weird vision. I didn’t show any surprised expression. I just kept walking. Just as we were about to cross each other he pulled out his right hand. I was aware of it. He had a hatchet in his hand and tried to swing it on me. I strayed on my left. He didn’t stop. He charged on me again and tried to swing again. I dodged it again this time. He was still hiding his other hand; the left one.

"You're a fast one. I have to give you that." That person commented.

Actually, I was able to dodge because I was being careful of him but then again my reflexes are quite fast.

I didn't waste a second and took a leap to bring my heel down on his head. He dodged away moments ago as if he knew my move.

"I knew you would do that. No hesitation, no talks. I struck you and you'll strike back. I am right, aren't I?" He commented as if he knows what I'll do.

"Well then, let's do the talk. Why are you trying to kill me?" I asked while keeping my hands up for a defensive stance.

"Oh, nothing much only that... you're too good for this war!" He charged ahead and swung the hatchet horizontally targeting my neck.

I ducked. He tried to kick me in the face with a follow-up attack but I caught his leg and stood up on my feet. I tried to kick him in the stomach but he elbowed my hand before that and I had to let go. I stepped back and he pulled out his left arm and targeted me with the sawn-off shotgun he is holding. I got astonished looking at the fire arm and dashed quick to my right but I was late. He already made a shot and the wide spread round got a bit of my left shoulder. I clutched my shoulder and checked it to realize that it isn't that severe. I looked back at him again. The gun was emitting smoke from one barrel. It's a dual barrel shotgun that means it has two bullets. He has one more bullet left. He again tried to swing the hatchet at me but I ran off before he could do anything. There's a construction going on here on the right side of the street. I ran and opened the door which is not locked. I realized it's a house under construction. I again checked my arm. I was dripping blood as I walked. I took a quick glance of the dark floor. I figured a staircase in my front on the right side. I started to run towards it. The place was dark and I hid at a corner of the staircase's shadow. I saw the guy walking inside the house.

He stopped on the doorway and took a loud sniff then he ran towards me and said, "Ah! So there you are!"

Before I could move away he swung his hatchet and caused a wound on my leg. I shrieked a bit in agony and back off to check my leg. I can't make out the wound but it was hurting like crazy.

"You can't run from me now. I can smell your blood and it's stench" He smirked like a predator.

I ran up the stairs and reached the second floor. It was too dark in here. I kept walking the room. It was dark but I could see a bit. I stopped on my track. I peered in front of me. The platform is unfinished. There’s a void here. I peered down trying to figure out how deep it is.

"So there you are!" He screamed behind me.

I was aware of him so I rolled back behind him before he could do any harm.

"Sorry to be late but here's the introduction, I am Agnvik-hyeria Langley and I'm here to take your life." He interrupted in the middle.

I didn't pay attention and dashed to my left but before I could make a move he swung his hatchet making a half circle swing but I got behind him. I got a little window at the end of his attack and I kicked him on the shoulder joint because he bent himself on his knee while making the swing. He got up and tried to swing vertically but I strayed to my right. His hand was down leaving his face wide open and I made out a punch out of it. He lost a bit balance and stepped behind. I leaped to knee him on the nose. Before he could recover from the blow he swung his hatchet diagonally. He was off balance thus his strike was weak. I charged up my feet from the opposite line he was striking. His hand got thrown back and left him vulnerable. Without any hesitation I made a fist with my left hand and charged towards him to smack his nose but I soon realized it was a mistake. He brought forth his left arm and targeted me. I tried to move away but it was too late for he had already shot me. It hit me right on the stomach and I got thrown back and into the void.

Back at academy

Yuki entered the office. Aya is standing in front of the glass wall staring outside. Chini is having a tea while sitting on the couch. Jon is standing in front of Aya's desk like a statue.

Chini noticed Yuki, "Oh, hi there." Chini gave her a wide smile; real wide.

"Good evening, Chini-chan." Yuki greeted back.

Yuki walked in and took a look around, "Wh-where's Rai-kun?" She asked.

"Huh, Raye? I thought he was with you." Chini replied.

"Uh, no. Wasn't he supposed to be here since you guys called him?" Yuki looked at Aya.

Aya was hearing the conversation, "No, he hasn't come here." She replied while turning around.

"But, he said, you called him to come over." Yuki said.

Everyone went silent for a few moments then Aya turned her head to Chini.

Chini picked up the telephone on the table and called Raye.

*Ring*

"Hello?" The person on the other end answered.

"Hello, Raye?" Chini asked.

"Uh, no. This is Lars." Lars replied.

"Hey! Lars... how's it going? Tough classes lately?" Chini started to talk with him. She flailed her legs and started to make twists with the telephone’s wire.

Aya walked up to Chini and took the phone in her hand, "Lars, where's Rayemond?" Aya asked him.

"Oh. Raye... uhm, about that..." He started.

"Lars?" Aya sounded a bit angry.

"Uh, y-you see... the thing is... that... the thing is..." Lars stammered.

"Just, come over here with Raye." Aya disconnected the phone call.

Lars started to walk for the office. His heart is pounding hard. Lars entered the office a while later.

"Uhh... G-good evening." Lars greeted them.

Aya looked at him. She figured that Raye is not with him, "Where's Rayemond?" Aya asked her while crossing her arms.

"He... he isn't here?" Lars is scared.

"Lars, why do you have Raye's phone?" Aya hardened her tone.

After a moment of silent he started, "He... he skipped classes. He said he'll be here before school ends. I don't know anything else. He dropped his phone behind. I swear I haven't done anything." Lars blurted that out as fast as possible.

"You had let him do what?!" Aya was furious.

"I, I'm sorry. It wasn't intentional." Lars apologized while keeping his head down.

"Yuki!" Aya called her with a hard tone.

"Sorry, I know you told me to keep extra care on him and to ask his every movement but I… I-" Yuki got a bit spooked at it.

"Go home." She said.

“S-sorry!” Yuki left the place at once.

"Chini, call Masamune. Jon, take Lars back to the apartment and I'll deal with you later Lars." Aya ordered them.

Jon started to walk from his place. Chini took the telephone again from the table.

"I, I'm sorry." Lars apologized again. His legs are shaking.

"Just go home now." Aya said while walking to her desk.

Jon took Lars’s hand and they left the place.

Aya pulled a sliding drawer and picked up the radio walkie-talkie from it.

"Report." Aya spoke into it.

"Static The subject is inside the academy." A person talked from the other end.

"Give me accurate position." Aya demanded.

"He... he's still inside the classroom I presume." The person replied.

"Where is he?!" Aya sounded furious.

"We've been surveying the whole academy and grounds the whole day. We are certain-" The person couldn't finish his sentence.

"Do you mean to say your team has been slacking off for a while therefore they don't have the target's accurate location?" Aya asked the person.

"Ma'am, it's just-" He tried to talk again.

Aya turned off the device and threw it away aside.

"Masamune is on his way." Chini said.

Aya pulled another drawer and picked up another device. She turned it on and peered into it. The device turned o nit's display and showed the following, 'CONNECTION LOST'.

A few minutes later Masamune arrived. He asked, "What happened?"

“Raymond left the compound." Aya replied.

"Did you check the GPS tracker?" Masamune asked.

Aya brought up her hand and showed it to Masamune.

Masamune walked up to her and took it on his hand. He checked it, "But how? It was installed on the left side of his stomach.”

“I wish I had the answer to that.” Aya replied.

“Don't worry, I'll figure out the last known position of the tracker." Masamune assured her and left the place with the tracker.

Back at the construction site

*THUD*

How long was the drop? Twelve feet? It felt like one hell of a ride. Getting knocked back like that and falling into a thought to be void really scares the shit out. I fell on my head. It felt nauseous. My head felt like it began to shrink and might explode any moment. I tried to look through my eyes. They are wet, am i crying? I wiped my eyes with my hand. When I looked, everything began to turn white and suddenly all fade away. I tried to get a grip on my mind and body. Once I regained my senses I felt something warm rushing out of my left side of the stomach. I stretched my arm to check. It was blood. Of course, i was just shot... It’s flowing out relentlessly. I tried to look up. I can clearly see the dust forming cloud due to the impact though it was dark in here. I guess my eyes got adjusted to it. I tried to stand up but I couldn’t. I don’t have enough strength left to stand nor to move a muscle. At this rate I’ll bleed out. So, is this how it’s going to end? Without knowing the reason behind this? No way to fight back? No weapon at my disposal?

Waiting... standing still at the gate of Death. “Standing still”... Yeah, I remember now, those were my old man’s infamous last words. That reminds me, this is not the first time I’m in this kind of situation. Now that i think of it, am I cruel for not regretting what happened back then? I didn’t feel any remorse at that time. It’s not like it was my fault. But am I guilty for having no emotions over it? I wasn’t happy either. Frankly speaking, it felt like freedom.

I heard a noise. I think something dropped. I moved my eyes to look. It was him. He had jumped down. He wore off his coat and dropped it on the ground. He started to walk towards me. He stepped on my glasses and broke the lenses. I started to move my body.

“I never liked that attitude. You should try to comply if a person tries to start a conversation." He said while walking up to me.

I tried to move my hand but he stepped on it. He threw the hatchet at me. It struck on the wood and got struck few inches beside my face. He took his shotgun to the right arm and opened the bullet chamber. He reached for his pockets and picked up one round and slid it through the chamber and loaded the gun. I tried to raise my other hand but he kicked it away with another foot. He pointed the shotgun on my face.

“Good bye… Rayemond. I hope this is the last time I see you, forever.” He chanted the presumable last words I'll ever hear.

I didn't move. I looked at him and gritted my teeth. I soon let go off my body and laid down submitting defeat. I closed my eyes to listen for the sound.

*CLICK*

To Be Continued

Name(s), Character(s) & other element(s) are subject to change without notice. Many element(s) of this franchise might be taken over to another resulting a ban to this franchise.

20th December 2017