Night had fallen over a modest café. Most customers were weary workers winding down after long shifts, but in the deepest corner of the shop, a particular trio nursed the sting of recent defeat.
—I'm cold...—The Blue Demon muttered as he loosened his scarf to sip steaming cocoa.
—Isn't that your default state?— he mage countered, slouching in her chair. Twenty-four hours had passed since Shoun and Kaze's victory, and after stewing in their cramped hideout, they'd sought refuge in this café for a change of scenery.
—Suppose so—Jace tugged his scarf back up. Despite the layers and the café's mild temperature, an unnatural chill kept his fingers trembling.
The Three Jacks lapsed into silence again, picking at their food with vacant stares, until the Red Demon suddenly slammed his cup down.
—Tch... This is infuriating—His companions turned as Jack kept muttering, eyes burning into the table—If we'd just had backup... Why did that thing have to ally with someone that strong? And that smug, self-righteous, Next time we meet, I'll—
—Jack.
—What!?
—You're raising the temperature—Only then did Jack stop staring at the table, noticing Joy was visibly sweating while his brother seemed pleased with the rising heat. Knowing this would soon affect other customers, he took a breath and calmed down, lowering the temperature—Fuuuuh... Sorry.
—It's always the same with you...but you know what? I get it. That thing defeated us completely, and Shoun is basically an impossible opponent for you—The mage still remembered the fear she and Jace felt when facing the masked one. Nothing they did worked, every attack, spell or tactic was effortlessly overcome, to the point of driving them to despair—Though to be fair, I don't think the outcome would've changed if we'd switched opponents. In fact, we might have lasted even less time.
With Joy's words, the Red Demon had to glance at his quiet brother. Jack had been the architect of their strategy. After analyzing Shoun, he'd determined Jace was actually the most effective counter, ironic since Joy didn't excel in solo combat. Meanwhile, as an ice demon, Jace's abilities made him uniquely suited against Shoun, ice being an element Shoun couldn't absorb. Despite being C rank, many would have sent Jace after Shoun...but the Red Demon couldn't bring himself to do it.
Not because he didn't trust him, but because he understood the danger they faced. As a B rank ability user, Jack knew the monstrous gap between ranks. Everything Joy had reported about Shoun closing a dimensional rift single-handedly suggested one thing: Shoun was nothing short of lethal. That's why he couldn't send his brother, his love prevented him from making the tactically correct choice. Even sending Jace against the masked one had been a gamble, but since they didn't know his true strength, it was still better odds than certain death against Shoun.
—(In the end, that doesn't matter...As Joy said, no matter what combination we tried, we would have been defeated by Shoun and that thing).
—Anyway, didn't you mention something about requesting backup? I thought you demons cared too much about glory to ask for help.
—Tch, you know Jace and I aren't like that. For us, glory might as well be garbage— The Red Demon spat while pushing his plate away.
—I figured. Still, it's frustrating not being able to call for reinforcements.
—Tell me about it. That damn bastard broke one of my sabers and I can't even request a new one.
—Weren't your sabers supposed to have an effect that made them more durable than common apprentice artifacts?
—You're right. And yet he bent and snapped it like a damn pencil.
—Haaah... It's frustrating having to do everything alone— The mage sighed while staring at the ceiling.
—What if we quit?— Jace suggested, gazing at the fogged window beside him that showed a distorted version of the streets outside.
—You know we can't do that... No matter how frustrated we feel, we need to eliminate that thing. Otherwise, the prophecy will come true.
—It's true, we have no choice. But how exactly can we defeat Shoun and that thing? Not to mention we might have to face their other friends...—With that last phrase, he briefly remembered the smiling Sein, but quickly shook the thought away, focusing on their objective.
—We need to become Dominators before they do. With a higher rank, it won't matter if they counter our abilities, we'll crush them through brute force—That actually sounds like a plan. But are you forgetting there are barely any remnants left in the outskirts? If we rely solely on that, it'll take forever. And it's nearly impossible to claim a rift right when it opens, even harder considering we'd need to clear it alone to maximize points, which is beyond our current strength.
—Aaaaah... Is there really no way to get stronger in this damned world!?—Jack shouted loudly. During their conversation, most customers had already left the café, and the waitresses had grown accustomed to ignoring the usual noisy chatter. So everyone generally turned a deaf ear to Jack's outburst...except for one person, who now approached The Three Jacks' table, immediately noticed by the mage and Red Demon. Jace remained lost in thought.
—Good evening, folks. How are you doing?— asked the mysterious figure, a human with neatly trimmed brown hair and cream colored skin, wearing round glasses and a suit that made him look more like a scholar than a businessman.
—Who are you?— The Red Demon shot back, instantly wary of the stranger.
—I'm the help you've been asking for. You sounded quite desperate when you realized you couldn't defeat your targets at this rate... Children of the Prophecy.— At that final term, The Three Jacks immediately tensed up, going on full alert.
—That's classified information. How would a human know that?—On high alert, they carefully inspected the mysterious man, realizing the scholar was just an Apprentice like them, yet they kept their guard up.
—Well, I'm a history enthusiast. It's only natural I'd know these things. Like how Jack has a birthmark on his right shoulder, Joy has one at the base of her neck, and Jace's is right above his heart—The moment he said this, they all instinctively tried to cover their already concealed birthmarks. The three birthmarks were highly unusual, shaped like a mask split half white and half black, with two dots representing eyes in the opposite colors—But how rude of me not to introduce myself. After all, I already know all your names while you don't know mine. I'm Kai Zeud. Pleasure to meet you.
None of the youths responded immediately, shocked that a mere human knew so much, not just about their prophecy but intimate details about them, especially since they always kept their birthmarks hidden.
—What do you want?—Jack demanded, still on guard.
—What do I want? Well, I simply want you to fulfill your prophecy. And for that, I have a proposition. Care to hear it?
—...—Jack turned to look at his companions. Joy seemed hesitant but ultimately nodded at the scholar's offer. Jace just looked at his brother and shrugged. Out of options and desperate, Jack let out a sigh—Haaah, fine. What's your proposal?
—You wanted to become stronger to defeat your enemies, right? Then I offer you a new place, one filled with vestiges ready to be slain by you—The scholar stood up and began walking away, but turned back before leaving completely—Coming?
Jack moved to follow but was stopped by Joy.
—Wait. Are we seriously following a stranger to gods-know-where?
—What choice do we have?...I hate admitting it, but we're weak right now. We need to strengthen your ability's connection, refine our combat style. None of that happens without vestiges. I'd sell my soul to whatever entity if it meant completing our mission—Jack's father had raised him as a warrior, strategy and victory burned in his blood. He'd already identified their weaknesses the moment the vestige shortage was resolved.—(Still need to build Joy's confidence and stop Jace from fearing self-injury... One problem at a time, Jack... One problem at a time).
With no alternatives, The Three Jacks paid their bill and followed, remaining alert to the situation's strangeness. The mysterious apprentice eventually stopped in a dark alleyway.
—Prepare yourselves. The first journey always disorients—They waited for something to happen...but seconds passed with no change.
—Are you going to start soon?—The Red Demon asked impatiently.
—Start? I've already done what needed to be done—Confused, the group began looking around, noticing the changes, the entire sky now glowed with unnatural white light. All colors had vanished except white, black and gray. An oppressive sensation rose from the soles of their feet up to their throats— Seems you've realized where you are.
—W-what is this place?—The mage asked nervously, staring at the world they now found themselves in.
—Hehe, this is the Mirror World, a new realm full of tremendous dangers, but equally great rewards. Here you'll never lack for vestiges to fight, and you'll grow stronger quickly... I'll expect your thanks—That last part fell on deaf ears as they processed their situation.
—(Why did I ever think following a stranger through a dark alley was a good idea!?)—The strangeness of their surroundings and the oppressive atmosphere made him doubt his earlier decision, but quickly composing himself, he responded—Hmmm... I suppose I should thank you, Mr. Kai. Though I have a couple questions.
—I'm all ears, boy.
—First, what do you gain from all this?
—I already told you, I want you to fulfill your prophecy. And if that answer doesn't satisfy you, then know that I'm an enthusiast of knowledge and history. Witnessing the culmination of a thousand-year prophecy with my own eyes would be fascinating, to say the least—The scholar explained. Jack looked at his companions, who appeared just as confused as he was.
—I suppose that counts as an explanation. My second question, how do we enter and exit this world?
—I'm surprised you'd ask that before inquiring about this special place's features. But very well, the answer is simple. You must pass a trial, similar to a rank ascension. The three of you will slay a vestige and earn passage rights.
—Wait...by what you just said, we can't leave—the mage pointed out.
—Indeed. You can't exit until completing the trial. Hadn't I mentioned that before?—The scholar asked shamelessly, making Jack boil with anger, Joy look worried, and Jace seem thoroughly annoyed by the whole situation.
—Argh... guess we've got no choice. Let's get this damned trial over with.