-Beckley Woods, England, 9:20 pm-

The woods were nearly twenty minutes from the town of Rye, a perfect place to set up the meeting spot for the group. Selen-ja had picked up Blair before parking the Porta Hub in the woods. Since they had arrived, the duo waited outside for the arrival of their allies for the past five minutes. Another minute went by when two spheres of light fell before them. A brief flash of light erupted for a moment before fading, revealing the Radiant of Fire and Terra. Jake looked around before centering on the duo. He walked forward and waved.

"Hi."

"Jake Ishida." The canokian elegantly strolled forward, shoulders back, her voice a soothing tone. "We finally meet, fire warrior."

The two exchange handshakes. However, he blushed when the woman grabbed his face and looked at him from side to side, eyeing his features.

"Uh..."

"Just curious... ah. Luka was right; you do a little mole behind your right earlobe."

"And that is important because?"

"One little detail can keep you alive. I was nearly eliminated by a doppelganger or two. A wrinkle or a mole can tell from friend or foe."

The bandanna teen nodded. "She can tell the length of my scar."

"The shade of my eyes." added the girl.

"Sorry." The member of Guardian stepped away. "It's to be ready for duplicates or another anomaly that might play a ploy on the mind. A lesson held in my heart. It is also something you should know, too."

The spiky raven nodded. "I understand."

"Good." The canokian closed her eyes; a frown now displayed on her. "Then let us begin." She shifted her attention in the direction of Rye. "As you have been informed. The count sent a hypnotic human to Blair's house, informing her to come to Ypres Tower. He wants us to bring this artifact." She pulled from her pocket a small crystal box. "The three of them need to touch the 'King's Pride' to set us free."

The fire warrior nodded. "So that artifact held you hostage. Where did he find it? Was it summoned?"

"He discovered it in a chest underneath a cathedral where there was a report of a robbery."

"And what do you know about the Count?"

"He claims to have been locked away by his brother a millennia ago after gaining his power. How he gained his power is unknown. I believe he may have found an artifact, or... similar to Mistress M."

The trio appeared confused. Only Jack was the first to say something. "Similar to the Mistress? What other way, other than an artifact or born with mana?"

Selen-ja shook her head with disapproval. "They should have told you and not wait until the nine of you unite. For now, let's focus on the current threat."

Knowing they would not get another word, the trio remained silent.

"As for the town, I used my ability to spy on the town. It's... odd."

"Odd?" The spiky raven had a frown. "What do you mean?"

The woman glanced at them. "The town, it's beautiful. However, the people, let me say this. You know humans have a lower mana affinity, enough mana to live their lives." She faced them. "Every human and those with lower mana affinity feel like a dull ember. The people here do have it, but it feels like sporadic aggression.

"What does sporadic aggression mean?" The Terra Radiant folded his arms. "Is it bad?"

"Correct." Her soothing voice turned harsh like a scolding mother, her eyes narrowed. "They don't appear to be under a spell, or else the user's signature will overlap the recipient."

"What are we expecting?" asked Blair with worry.

"I don't know, but we need to force the Count to talk." She clasped her hands, her soothing voice returning. "Transform, and we can fly over."

Jake nodded. "Then let's go!" He quickly raised his fist in front of him. "Call of the Elements!"

"Call of the Elements?" The shadow warrior sent him a confused look. "Is that a summon?"

"It's the rally call." responded the rock warrior, sighing while appearing a little embarrassed. "Ryu thinks it's needed."

"A rally call is necessary for the call to action." chuckled Selen-ja. "No matter how it sounds."

The fire warrior glared at the rock warrior. "It's not that bad. Just transform! Raging Fire!"

"Erupting Terra!"

"Lulling Shadow!"

"Ignite!"

Reinstar nodded at seeing the transformed teens. Blair wore the same uniform as the others, colored black. When the dark-clothed girl turned to the fire warrior, he saw her posture appear more forward than her timid demeanor from before.

"Are you all ready?"

The group perked up at the voice of Jin. The dual-haired woman nodded to him.

"Jin, I hope you have fully recovered."

"I regret being felled to the beast. Fortunately, my body has fully healed and ready to face foes for the Emperor."

"You have my appreciation." The canokian moved toward the Porta Hub. "We're keeping the comms on."

"And the others are at Hub on standby."

"Good, let's go." Selen-ja ordered.

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The small party quickly entered the vehicle. Inside the cockpit, Selen-ja initiated the engine and operated a few of the controls before firmly grabbing the steering wheel. The machine effortlessly levitated off the ground, blending into the surroundings as it activated camouflage mode. With that, the machine flew off. It did not take too long to reach the town. The dual-haired canokian landed the vehicle near the piers of the town. Once it shut off, the door opened. Selen-ja stepped out and looked around. She fully stepped out and marched forward. The Radiant stepped out, feeling a bit uneasy. Geo's attention shifted to a man fishing on the dock. He narrowed his eyes.

"I don't like this feeling in the air. We should be on guard." He gruffly spoke. "I can barely feel his mana."

The dark warrior critically eyed the man. "That is what erratic feels like? Feels... like a heartbeat."

"A very slow heartbeat." muttered the fire warrior. "If that is the best description for what the Count did."

"Yes." The older woman nodded. "That should describe it. It's faint, barely noticeable, but it's there." Her eyes shifted ahead, spotting the Ypres Tower. "Come."

The group jumped away from the pier, leaving the man alone. The man at the pier raised his and stared in the direction the group raced off, with black covering the sclera. Meanwhile, the party swiftly ran across the town, bypassing a few people walking around the night air. Everyone remained the vigilante, feeling something off about the town. Once they made it to the front of the tower. The member of Guardian knocked on the door.

They remained silent for a moment. Blaze grimaced.

"Why knock?"

Feeling embarrassed, the woman placed her hand on her cheek, acting dainty. "It's a habit; noblesse oblige tells me to be polite. It's why I don't receive stealth missions."

"Don't forget your hair." The Shadow Radiant casually said with a smirk. "Pink and red are great for sneaking around."

"Don't be cute, dear."

Blaze leaned to Geo. "Does Kali seem... different?"

"People build a different persona based on circumstances." informed the warrior in brown. "We all do. Sometimes it's subtle, other times overt."

Understanding what he meant, the warrior in red nodded. "Alright." He focused on the door. "We should bust it down, he's expecting you."

"This is a landmark, Blaze." The warrior in black shook her head. "We can't destroy historic property."

"I know, but environmental damage happens."

"... Please don't try to cause severe damage."

"He said the Courtyard." reminded the warrior in brown. He calmly, with caution, moved away from the door. "We don't need to walk in."

The group shrugged and moved to follow the Terra Radiant around the castle. While walking, they felt the mana of the Count. When they entered the courtyard, it was an herb garden. Near the wall, the Count patiently stood like an unmoving gargoyle statue, only moving his head when the party was in sight. Hung across the wall next to him was a twelve by twelve feet mirror. Blaze narrowed his eyes; the creature reminded him of a vampire.

"You came with company." He spoke with a refined and venomous tone. "I recognize one, but the boy in red... so there are more children with unnatural powers." He scoffed. "I guess child soldiers are still necessary, no matter the century."

"Circumstances brought the power to the children." sighed the Guardian woman. "But you wanted us here, Count."

"Count Edgar." The man sneered at her. "Every encounter, I notice details about you. Your posture, your mannerisms. Are you a noble? Why have you allowed yourself to engage in commoner work?"

"My house believes in standing with commoners." Her face showed a mocking smile as she proudly replied. "Your inquiry is correct; I engage in commoner work."

He glared at the Radiant. "Commoner work, indeed. Before we continue, I would like to know your true name."

"Selen-ja is all you need to know." She raised her hand, holding the orb. "Now then, do you want to be free?"

His eyes widened. "So you have it; that makes things much easier. Yes, but let's declare a temporary truce."

"Noted." Selen-ja narrowed her eyes. "Ready, Kali?"

The Shadow Radiant nodded. "Yes."

"Blaze, Geo, be vigilant."

The boys nodded in agreement. The warrior in brown, however, fixed his gaze on the mirror positioned beside the Count. Something about it rubbed him the wrong way. He rubbed his eyes before diverting his attention to the trio. The Count and the petite warrior extended their hands toward the artifact. The older woman's eyes emanated a soft magenta hue as a magenta circular pattern manifested beneath her feet. Her aura manifested on her body before channeling into the artifact, forcing it to react. The artifact emitted a bright glow, followed by a beam shooting skyward. It struck what looked to be an invisible barrier, shattering it into pieces. After the barrier broke, three sparks of light flew from the trio before disintegrating in specks of light. The group moved from the other instantly. Selen-ja smiled, sensing a shift in her mana.

"The curse has been lifted."

The Count stared at his hand. "Indeed." He glanced at the trio. "You have my thanks."

"But you are still arrested." Selen-ja manifested a bo staff. "Don't take us for fools; there is a ploy here, Count Edgar. You did something to this town. The people here feel different."

He chuckled. "You feel the difference. Tell me... do you believe a mirror reveals the truth of a person, similar to the eyes?"

The warrior in brown shot a glare at the mirror. His eyes widened at seeing ripples appearing. "The mirror!"

Emerging from the mirror was a replica of the Count. It stepped out with the same posture and smile, but his eyes were pure black, holding an emptiness as if staring into the abyss.

"What is?" Selen-ja readied herself. She perked up at the mana from the creature and compared it to the rest of the population. "What did you do?"

A dangerous smile crawled on the villain's face. "The set up of my new kingdom. I was given an interesting tool courtesy of the Piper's rodents."

Shock emerged on the boys' features. Geo growled while grasping his face. "What did that idiot do?"

"Now, now." The Count waved his finger. "He was a useful fool. I will never join him, though if he did achieve his goal, there may have been a partnership. However, a lowly man with nothing to lose is an insect who deserves oblivion as a reward." He glanced at the mirror; it glowed eerily. "Gifting me a piece of glass that slowly grew into this work of art. My research led me to this town where a baron somehow enchanted this glass to open the door to what was believed to be the soul of the world." He hummed. "An obscured legend that was easily overlooked." He chuckled. "Those who have weak constitutions are taken into the mirror and are replaced by replicas. Those who are strong can survive from the inside. My dream is to have my own kingdom. Rye will be the starting point, and then I will rule all of England from this Mirror Dimension."

Blaze grimaced. "A shadow government?"

"In a way." The Count turned his head slightly. "I will act as the master of England."

"And what about the people?" shouted Kali with anger. "Where are they?"

"Inside, alive and acting as fuel for the replicas." He walked forward and grasped the replica's shoulder. "Remarkable." He chuckled.

The replica melted down and wrapped around the Count's chest, acting as a silver breastplate. He faced them with his arms crossed. "You are welcome to join me in this world. Selen-ja, you could become my wife."

"I decline. Love is required, and I don't share that affection."

The man chuckled. "Status and image trumps love. I require an heir and nothing more."

"Disgusting." Kali manifested a pair of sais. "You don't deserve her!"

The count glared at the dark warrior. "You are a child; you will know better that maintaining an image is important as you age."

"I don't care!" Kali roared. "I know enough!"

Blaze smirked. "I have seen enough. Surrender, Count!"

The Count chuckled. "Then join me." He raised his arms before jumping into the mirror, where it rippled as if it was water.

Selen-ja grasped the dark warrior from running. "We need to plan carefully. We should not jump in yet."

"Selen-ja, there is an unusual spike at your location."

"Spike?" Geo muttered, then his eyes widened as ripples manifested in the mirror. "Move!"

Large glass-like hands shot out of the mirror toward them. They leaped away before they were caught.

"We need to regroup!" shouted Selen-ja.

The group ran out of the garden, only to meet the entire population before them. Their blank, dark eyes faced them with no readable expression.

"Is this the entire town?" gasped Blaze.

"Everyone is a replica!" said Kali with horror on her face.

Selen-ja eyes narrowed. "Jin, did you listen?"

"Of course."

"Good, we need to pl-ah!"

Unfortunately, the group's attention was on the replicas, leaving them vulnerable to the mirror's grasp. After being caught, they were swiftly yanked toward the mirror.

"Jin! We're pulled into the mir-." She was cut off when she and the others were pulled into the mirror.

"Selena-ja!? Jake! Blair! Jack! Damn it!"

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Jack: height - 5'6

Lina: height - 5'3

Blair: height - 4'11