Chapter 9: Mirror House
Rain still fell as twilight painted Antiarena in deep indigos and flickering gold. Lanterns bloomed to life along the winding paths, casting blurred reflections in puddles. At every corner, candles burned undisturbed by the rain, their flames unwavering, as if the town itself was used to defying weather.
People moved along the drenched paths with ease—umbrellas raised, raincoats fastened. None seemed bothered. Almost all of them carried weapons like ornaments: from delicate daggers tucked into boots to massive greatswords and greathammers slung casually across backs. It was a strange kind of elegance—violence wrapped in routine.
Ravi stepped beside Zaara, offering her a warm smile. "Are you enjoying yourself? Tell me—where do you want to go?"
Zaara's eyes sparkled. "I want to go to the Illusory Mirror House, Big brother!"
Ravi blinked, puzzled for a moment. Behind him, Zirak spoke up with a calm tone, "It's a playhouse for children—recently opened in town."
Ravi nodded. "Then let's go."
Zaara's smile bloomed wide. She had heard about the Mirror House from her friends at the Academy and had secretly wished to Allah to let her visit there. Now, her wish was coming true.
The trio moved with practised ease down the muddy trail, puddles splashing beneath their boots. A sudden gust of wind swept past them, rattling the windchimes above a shuttered tea house. One chime—a cracked shard of mirrored glass—broke free and fell, landing with a soft splash in a puddle. Zaara turned, her small fingers curled tightly around Ravi's hand.
"What was that?"
Ravi narrowed his eyes.
"Just wind," he said, though his voice had tightened.
Eventually, they reached a shimmering, dome-shaped barrier. Rainwater struck its surface, creating a constant ripple—yet not a drop penetrated within. The trio stepped through it easily.
Inside stood a rectangular structure made entirely of glass panes, forming a shifting maze. A middle-aged man with short brown hair and a neat beard stood behind a counter, smiling beneath the soft glow of the dome.
"Three copper Rykan for an hour," he said cheerfully.
Ravi handed over three coins stamped with a tree emblem. As the man nodded, the frontmost glass pane silently slid away, allowing Zaara to enter the mirror house. She darted in with gleeful laughter.
Zirak and Ravi didn't join the other guardians seated on benches nearby. Instead, they stood in a far corner near the edge of the dome, keeping a quiet watch on Zaara through the transparent walls.
Inside, reflections danced and multiplied. Children's images flickered in every direction, making it difficult for most onlookers to track the real ones. But Ravi and Zirak had no trouble spotting Zaara as she moved deeper into the maze. They waved at her, and she responded with a wide smile.
Some walls could be passed through—illusory. Others were solid. The glass shifted constantly, altering the maze in subtle, seamless ways. Hidden within were rewards: chests filled with small treasure toys. Zaara wandered with a determined glint in her eyes on a quest to find a treasure.
Ravi's gaze lingered on her. His voice dropped into a quiet murmur.
"Teacher ... she's able to hold two distinct aspects?"
Zirak sighed, his mouth and nose veiled by his white cloak.
"Yes. I trained her. She's a monster—just like you and your brother. But not in the way you think. She wasn't particularly nimble, nor a fast learner. Her hand-eye coordination was average at best. But her talent for essence manipulation is ... astounding. She's already surpassed you in that regard.
"When I trained her, I found that her true gift lay in timing. She could instinctively recognize the perfect moment to strike—especially during blocks and defensive moves. Sometimes, she grasped killing techniques even before I finished demonstrating them."
Ravi's expression grew serious. He glanced around, ensuring no one was close enough to overhear.
"A man from the Order of Cards tried to capture me last night either dead or alive."
Zirak gave a slight nod.
"I know. I felt the commotion. I was planning to hunt him down myself, but he slipped out of town before I could act."