—Haaah...haaaah—The demon gasped heavily. Before him stood a brute in the form of a stone golem, its rocky body melting under the hellish inferno the dome had become.
Jack bled from multiple wounds, surviving only because the golem was somewhat clumsy, yet overwhelmingly strong. A single blow could shatter large sections of the already fractured battlefield.
—(I can't prolong this any longer)—Jack finally conjured his great flame sword, born from his apprentice ability. With it in hand, he charged at the golem in a surge of controlled fury.
The vestige didn't remain passive. It confronted the demon head-on, each step making the ground tremble, shrinking the already limited space between them.
The vestige and the apprentice collided. The golem threw a punch meant to bury the demon, but Jack dodged sideways, dragging his scorching blade across the brute's rocky surface, causing it to sink and melt under the slightest touch.
Even so, the golem didn't retreat, relentlessly pursuing an exhausted Jack who craved respite. Yet he refused to lose focus, the slightest misstep meant death.
At one point, the vestige raised its leg to crush the demon. With his spiritual energy nearly depleted, Jack staked everything on a risky maneuver. Inspired by Shoun's "Balanced Voltage Impulse, he used his own flames to propel himself away from danger at high speed. Sword in hand, he drove it straight into the creature's chest, and, burning every last drop of spiritual energy in his core, unleashed a firestorm that momentarily engulfed the entire dome.
Both Jace and Joy watched anxiously from the other side, praying and pleading for their friend to survive. After tense seconds, they rejoiced as the flames gradually subsided to reveal an exhausted Jack, smiling at the codex notification:
[You have slain "Rocky Construct" a brute]
[You have completed the Ascension Trial! Congratulations, Dominator!]
***
That Friday, mere days after Kaze became a Dominator, the masked one, Sein, and Shoun lounged comfortably on the latter's sofa. The youngest two chatted animatedly while watching TV, while Shoun absently flipped through a book, catching fragments of their conversation.
—(Hmm...I sometimes forget Kaze is barely older than Sein...Given his circumstances, it's hard to believe he's managing at just 16)—The masked one's voice sounded slightly higher-pitched, not as childlike as Sein's, but not quite as mature as the other Clover Flush members—(Well, technically we're all adults thanks to being codex bearers...though these two's inability to live independently disqualifies them as real adults)—His musings were interrupted when his and Sein's phones buzzed simultaneously.
—Robin's really excited, huh?
—Seems so. But honestly, from their perspective, how couldn't they be?— Shoun muted his phone, already anticipating the scientist's barrage of messages.
—Yeah, but thinking about it...isn't it too early for the decryption to be done? Their estimate said it'd take two more weeks— Sein asked as Kaze kept watching TV with visible contentment.
—Didn't they tell you?...Wait, they probably did and you weren't paying attention. Basically, one of the books, the one with inscriptions in our language, is in a different language than the others we brought. Plus, those two books matched writings from ruins dating back...12,000 years? But those had already been partially deciphered long ago, so the program worked faster with their help.
—Wow... Don't you think it's weird that an extinct language appears in books inside a strange structure in the mirror world?
—Nothing surprises me much when it comes to the mirror world anymore. But out of curiosity, I asked Deuz about it. He said not to worry and that everything would probably become clearer once it's all revealed.
—Yeah! Now I'm excited too about the results of Robin's hard work!—Exclaimed the youngest before turning his attention back to the TV with Kaze. Shoun, meanwhile, checked his phone. Amidst Robin's many messages insisting they meet at their house in half an hour to examine the books' contents live, he noticed a missed call from Deuz and a voice message, which puzzled him. He made the other two lower the TV volume to listen clearly:
—Shoun! I just saw something terrible! While walking down Ashford Street to Robin's place, I spotted The Three Jacks in the distance. I followed them and overheard them whispering about releasing 'something.' Then they entered an alley and disappeared, right when it happened, I got the codex notification we always receive when traveling to the mirror world! They must be planning something really bad. We have to stop them! Also, that Jack guy ascended, he's a Dominator now. I tried calling and messaging Robin but got no response. Since I'm nearby, I'll head to their house myself. You guys go ahead and try to intercept them! We'll catch up right away!
Everyone heard the boy with the beret's message perfectly. Without needing to exchange words, they sprang from the couch, Kaze activating his Clover Bracelet's rank-concealing effect, and bolted toward Ashford Street.
—What's the plan, Shoun!?—The youngest asked while running alongside the others, deftly dodging pedestrians.
—Simple. We take them by surprise and defeat them. We've trained for this, Sein.
—Yeah, but we didn't account for Deuz and Robin not being here! Plus, Jack's a Dominator now!
—I know. But Kaze's also a Dominator, and I basically counter Jack. We can do this, Sein. I won't let anything happen to you... You ready, Kaze?
—...Yes. We need to stop them. I have a feeling they might know more about me than they've let on. And I can't let people who want to hurt my friends go around plotting evil— declared the masked one resolutely, his mask reflecting a determined, almost angry expression. The three youths kept running, soon reaching their destination.
***
In the mirror world, the three young men waited patiently until the enthusiast appeared with a broad grin.
—Fantastic news, boys! They took the bait! One of their friends spotted them here and told them to come. Luckily, it'll just be those two youths and that...thing. Their reinforcements will take time to arrive. It'll be tough, but that's why you're here, I know you can do it!
—Thank you, Mr. Kai. What will you do?
—I'll position myself on higher ground. I'll support you from above, probably climb one of these tall buildings, so you might not sense me. If I'm slow to assist, be patient and don't lose hope. Even without my help, I know you can succeed.
—Alright, get ready— Jack commanded. Everyone nodded. The enthusiast vanished into the colorless landscape of the mirror world as the three youths drew their weapons, preparing themselves physically and mentally for what might be their final battle to fulfill their destiny. Jack had just become a Dominator, but he rushed the confrontation fearing Shoun might ascend too. The red demon conjured his flames—though he'd been surrounded by fire since birth, only now as a Dominator could he perceive a new dimension to them. With just a thought, the flame in his palm changed color and shape, easily morphing into any weapon he desired. Even so, his apprentice ability hadn't become obsolete; it had grown more powerful than ever.
—Phew...honestly, we're lucky to have Mr. Kai on our side, don't you think, Jace?
—Yeah. Thanks to his ability, we can come here. Plus, his other skills let us learn that whole group might show up too.
—...Actually, that explains why Sein and Shoun ascended so fast. I mean, their speed wasn't unheard of, but people who achieve that level usually come from families tied to organizations—The mage and blue demon kept talking to calm their nerves. Both knew this fact. At one point, they glanced at the red demon, still engrossed in manipulating his flames—...Are you nervous, Jack?
—...Of course I'm nervous, I'm afraid they'll hurt you. That even as a Dominator, I might lose to that thing and that damn Shoun Foster. But nervous or not, I'll give it my all—you can count on that.
Moved by their leader's words, the two steeled themselves and waited patiently for their opponents' arrival.
Suddenly, space warped as three figures appeared. Instantly, Jack hurled the flame in his hand, it erupted into an overwhelming firestorm, only to dissipate moments later as if it had never existed.
—Hah! That could be considered a "warm welcome"— joked an overcharged Shoun, prompting an amused head-shake from Sein. Both Kaze and the younger boy already held their weapons ready—To what do we owe the pleasure of such a fiery greeting, you three stupids?
—You already know. Must we really spell it out?—The red demon replied, exasperated.
—No, but I suppose it doesn't hurt to ask. Anyway, I assume you want to cut to the chase?— The question fell on deaf ears. Aside from the grinning (yet pained) Shoun, everyone else was tense—Let's recap: You want to kill my friend because you think he's a world-destroyer. Unfortunately, you're mistaken. This boy here is just a unlucky one who had his identity stolen, no face, no name, no past. Show them, Kaze!—Urged the young man. With visible hesitation, Kaze removed his mask, revealing his featureless void of a face to The Three Jacks, equally shocking and unsettling them. It lasted only a moment before he replaced it—Surprise! Whatever, or whoever, did this to him, we know that with each ascension, he regains fragments of his humanity. Now as a Dominator, he's reclaimed some expressions. I mean, you can see how his mask shifts to convey emotions. And if you'd bother listening, you'd hear he's just a youth, not much younger than any of you.
—Why tell us all this, Shoun Foster? You know we won't back down. We'll do what's necessary to fulfill the prophecy. This thing must die.
—Oh, I know perfectly well you're hollow-headed fools who won't listen to reason. But I also know you let me monologue so Joy could prepare a spell, which, by the way, did you really think you could hide that from me?— Instantly, all ambient spiritual energy vanished, converted to electricity and absorbed by Shoun's overloaded core, though this wouldn't last. Deprived of energy to fuel her spell, the mage was forced to cancel it—To be brutally honest, you stand no chance against us. So, final warning: Are you sure you want this fight?
Instead of answering, the usually calm Jace stomped the ground, unleashing massive ice pillars, easily dodged by Clover Flush.
—Haha! I'll take that as a no.