Chapter 11: Shadows and Farewells
The aftermath of the battle in the mirror house left a silent tension hanging in the air.
Zirak flicked his fingers, releasing a spiral of ghostly blue sigils that shimmered into existence across the broken floor. In moments, the shattered glass reassembled, the damaged maze restored as if nothing had happened.
Then, without a word, Ravi's shadow expanded and curled around the three of them. In a blink, they vanished from the Illusory Mirror House—leaving no trace behind. The guardians and children inside the aqua dome never even realized what had transpired.
The middle-aged man with brown hair returned to inspect the area. Seeing no casualties and only faint remnants of the earlier chaos, he exhaled in relief.
"No damage … no questions," he muttered to himself. But the tension in his eyes lingered. It was time to move the business again, he thought bitterly.
In a quiet, rain-slick alley, Ravi, Zirak, and Zaara emerged from the shadow in a deserted alley. Zaara still clung to Ravi's grey cloak, her small hands trembling.
Ravi knelt and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay now. You're safe."
Zaara's voice came out thin and shaky. "I-I was scared … back there … "
"You weren't scared," Ravi said firmly, looking her in the eyes. "You were surprised. That's different. That thing had just caught you by surprise, but next time … don't let anything catch you off guard."
Zaara wiped at her eyes with her sleeve and gave a small nod.
Zirak, glancing around with sharp eyes, said quietly, "Let's go home."
Back at the house, the storm outside had only grown heavier, but Zaara's spirit had lightened. As if forgetting the trauma, she began animatedly describing how she had discovered the chimaera doll.
Ravi and Zirak listened in silence. But outside, thunder rumbled.
Suddenly, Ravi's expression shifted. He looked at his teacher. "You feel that?"
Zirak gave a faint smile. "I do. I was wondering when you'd notice." He stepped toward the window, rain streaking down the glass.
"I want to see how far you've come, Ravi. Let's see what you've learned in my absence."
Before Ravi could respond, Zaara pointed up through the glass. "Ah! The mosquitoes are back!"
One of the creatures buzzed into view—a grotesque, mosquito-like beast the size of a clenched fist. More followed, a dark swarm blotting the sky. The trio stepped outside the house.
People outside reacted instantly, drawing weapons as the insects swooped in. From the nearby Academy, warriors emerged—clad in black armour over crimson robes, the symbol of a red owl gleaming on their sleeves.
The first mosquito lunged straight at Ravi. Its stinger shot forward—only to stop inches from his forehead.
With no visible movement, a jagged shadow spike erupted and pierced the creature mid-air. It dropped dead to the muddy ground.
As the rest of the swarm turned toward them, Ravi vanished in a flicker of white.
Blinding white beams slashed through the rain, weaving an intricate tapestry of glowing lines across the stormy sky. The mosquitoes fell in droves—severed mid-flight, their bodies thudding into the swampy dirt.
In less than a second, it was over.
Ravi reappeared in the same spot, motionless, calm.
Around them, stunned townsfolk stared in disbelief at dead mosquitoes. No one could quit what had just happened and who did it.
Zirak's eyes narrowed, unreadable. Then he gave a small, approving nod. "…You've improved," he said. "A lot, really."
The trio returned home. Zaara, wide-eyed with admiration, wouldn't stop asking questions.
"How did you move so fast? What was that white light? Can I learn that, too?"
But Ravi didn't answer. His usual calmness had returned, but his silence felt heavier than before.
Later, as they played with toys on the floor, Zaara looked up at him with sudden seriousness.
"Where's Dad? Why he didn't come back this time, again!?"
Ravi paused. His voice was soft but steady. "He … couldn't make it. But I did. I came to see you. And to tell you something important."
Zaara tilted her head. "What is it?"
"I'm going on a long journey. It might be a very long time before we see each other again."
Zaara blinked, her big eyes glimmering. "You're leaving already?"
Ravi smiled faintly and reached into his robe. He pulled out a thick black book, its front surface engraved with a golden ring from which lines branched outward like sunrays.
He placed it gently in her hands. "This is for you. It'll be helpful when the time comes. Be a good girl … and study well, Zaara. Also, don't forget about the prayers. Give your big brother your best wishes."
Before she could reply, his form dissolved into shadow—vanishing like a ghost into the storm.