It started to make sense. I still hated where this explanation was going.
“Then as a result of that the seal on Loic contains all the magic together, making it so that unless the seal is removed, he can’t be freed, but then if it is removed then the Formless can feed on and use all of his power, potentially creating the most powerful Formless that has ever existed. Even more so then Rakesh, who has possibly become a Formless himself."
The words were nails in Loic’s coffin. "But Rakesh is aware of himself, he's not like those monsters?"
"Well, his fate may have been a willing arrangement. Possession is different from a contract, Rayne." Chase sighed.
The bottom dropped out of my stomach. I wanted to believe that Loic could be saved, but Chase was making it sound impossible. He looked me in the eye and knew what I was thinking.
"Rayne, I know what you are thinking. Loic is…I told you his bond may be set in stone. It's not as simple as you think it is."
"He saved me, Chase. I can't just abandon him. It was supposed to be me."
I could sense it. I could sense Chase almost saying that it was better Loic than me. But he wouldn’t say it. Even just thinking about that made me feel horrible. It may have been true but that didn’t make it any less horrible.
Even if it wasn’t possible to save Loic, I couldn’t give up. If I could be saved from all the stuff I had been through, then so could he. Somehow.
I stood and made a promise in my heart. Loic had to be saved. I would not leave him like that. He saved me, and I had to help him. I couldn’t just leave him like that. A life for a life. I wanted Rakesh's life in exchange for Loic's. I knew he was still alive, fighting him off even now.
I wasn’t sure how, but I could feel it. Then there was the proof that he had Luna as well.
"What about Luna? You saw her too, didn't you, when you looked in my mind. It had to be her."
Chase thought for a moment and sighed.
"I don't know. It seems she didn't shatter after all. He has her trapped." His fists clenched.
Isha’s face sagged, and she held me tight.
“Isha…”
“It’s all right.” She took in a breath. “What did he say to you, about her?”
“Rakesh said…. your pleas to bring her back, put her soul back together. She just…couldn’t make it back to you…” I felt the tears building up. Isha hugged me closer. I felt her own tears fall on my neck.
“It’s fine Rayne, it’s all right.… My baby didn’t shatter, she didn’t,” She couldn’t finish her thought, gripping me tighter.
Chase sat in silence putting his hand on Isha’s back. She pulled away from him, wiping her tears away.
“It’s good to see her whole, but at the same time, this is inexcusable." Chases voice dropped lower with anger.
"Wait, what did happen to Rakesh? He was in front of us then…"
"He escaped. His Formless were destroyed by your light attack, but he took Loic and fled." Isha elaborated.
I cursed in my head and looked down. Did I even manage to hit him at all? Why wasn’t I strong enough?
"He will be after you again, Rayne. You drove him off for now, but he will return to finish this."
"To get the Mirror Stone."
"Yes. It's still unclear why he wants it. To break the curse or at least cause a massive paradox."
He definitely wanted the paradox. 'To destroy both worlds and remake them in his own image.' were his exact words to me.
"And the stone is what he really wants, right?" I questioned again. It seemed he had other motives, considering he got another Formless out of the exchange.
"He still needs one other piece of our curse. Sadly, or rather thankfully, that's never been located." Chase paused a bit and looked at me. "The Night Mirror."
I saw it, the night I was pulled through the lake. The boundary between the worlds. Was it a physical thing that he could actually find?
"You mentioned it before. You said it was a spell, right?"
"More of a portal of sorts, set in place by a spell. That book said that the Night Mirror was located in the transition between our worlds and if the stone comes in contact with it our curse could break or destroy both as we mentioned before. It was the only record of it I could find. Even after years of studying, I had never known that much about it."
"You said the Night Mirror probably wouldn't break the curse. But what if it did, wouldn't that be a good thing?"
"Not necessarily. Back then it was normal to have a Reflection, it would have been, but it's been centuries since then. It would be scary to suddenly be together again; I would see it in a way tearing apart the world another way. Humans, by nature fight things they don’t understand, so we could have a war on our hands, on a much larger scale then what the last few years have been. There are no telling individuals still wouldn’t paradox if it would even work. It could just collapse both worlds into each other and create a paradox large enough to destroy both worlds."
I kind of understood. Our options were total world paradox where no one knew what happened, a world scale war between Bases, Reflections and Formless all at once or Rakesh uniting the worlds and becoming supreme magical dictator. Brilliant. I nodded, my head aching as I tried to process everything.
"So, we need to keep him from finding the Night Mirror. Noted."
"Yes. That was the third job for Loic and I. To stop Rakesh at all costs."
I stood up, lost in thought. I thought about Loic; I thought about Luna and the future. I looked out the window and saw the glass city. I closed my eyes and saw the museum and the Venice skyline. Was I going to be responsible for protecting these worlds? Was that why Luna kept me safe all these years? I Turned around and Chase jumped up.
"Rayne?"
I turned to the back of the room where there was a large door size mirror. I closed my eyes for a second and took a breath. I hadn't looked in a mirror willingly since I was a child. Inside I was still afraid of what I would see, even though I now knew Luna created my fear, to begin with. I waited, trying to picture Loic beside me, giving me strength like he had promised to. I opened my eyes and looked into the mirror. To my surprise, I didn't see Luna in the mirror. I saw me. I looked around to confirm I was at Isha's house. Why didn’t I see my Reflection self? Was it because I was aware of our connection? I saw that and looked at the image again. I saw me, as Rayne.
I actually got a good look at myself for the first time in years. My hair, half falling out of an already messy bun. Chestnut brown just like dads. And my eyes seemed bright. Before my eyes were a dull grey-brown, at least in pictures. Now they were clear like milk chocolate. There was something else too, a slice of gold at the center of my eyes, where the color met my pupil. Gold? Like the gold in Loic’s eye? Did Loic’s magic do that? Chase had mentioned when one’s magic ability fully awakened, some eye or hair colors would change. Loic mentioned my eyes turning hazel when I used magic so I tried it, gathering blue aura in my hands and sure enough both of my eyes turned from brown to light hazel, but there was that slice of gold in them but it brightened. Did his last contact fully awaken some power? Or did Loic leave a bit of him behind with me? He did share his memories with me before I passed out. He had left a mark on me after all.
I heard Chase behind me.
"Rayne!"
I clenched my fists and stared at the mirror for a good few minutes. I shook, but I forced myself to look. All of these years of being helpless and afraid melted away. I had to get stronger. I would not leave Loic in Rakesh's hands. He would keep his promise to me. I would not let his world get tarnished.
"Chase, I'm ready.” My voice was confident. “Tell me how I can stop Rakesh. Tell me how I can protect our worlds."
Chase didn't say anything at first. Then he smiled at me in the mirror.
"Well, I'd say it's time, Rayne.”
“Time for what?”
“Time for me to arrange a meeting bet
ween you and Elijah.”
Isha gasped, staring right at Chase in shock.
“But he’s…” Isha couldn’t quite get the words out. Had she thought her husband was dead all this time?
Chase looked back at her and bowed his head slightly, opening his mouth showing a small rune on the tip of his tongue. Isha flinched back and looked almost scared.
“Chase….”
What was that rune? Why did Isha seem so panicked about it?”
“I apologize, my queen, I was sworn to secrecy up till now for everyone’s safety.” He admitted.
Secrecy? Is that what the rune meant?
“It’s finally fading so I can speak freely about him now.”
“And just who is he?”
He came over and whispered in my ear.
“The hidden monarch, king of Rorrim Egami, Elijah Thgilniar.”
EPILOGUE
♦
Hidden
SOMETIME AFTER THINGS CALMED down, I went back to my apartment. Juliet was waiting for me. Beside her was West and his brother. Her bruises were all bandaged, and she was looking much better than when I last saw her.
"Welcome back, Princess." Kasem bowed slightly.
"Please call me Rayne. I'm not your princess."
Juliet looked around and then to me. Her face was still like a puddle of water. Any added movement would shake her. I wasn’t sure if that would be good or bad.
“Juli…are you okay? I didn’t get the chance to see you yet.” She leaned against the wall by the bed. She came closer to me but avoided the two men and stood on the opposite side of them.
She looked at me and her eyes shifted. First to me, then to the other two. I’m sure she noticed how strange they looked. They both had the miss matched eyes and the strange uniforms on from before. Both of them had a few reflective medals on them as well as brandishing Christal daggers on the vests. West, in particular, fiddled with the handle of what looked like a glass sword. I could see why she would be wary. She settled her gaze on me.
I thought a bit about what happened. Why did Rakesh let her go? What did he say to her? That look he had in his eyes at that moment. He was almost scared. I didn’t think Juliet had any idea nor was this the time to be grilling her.
She finally relaxed.
"I’m extremely confused and scared to be frank Rayne. However, I won’t get into it now. I’m just glad you’re okay.” Her lips quivered as she spoke. I could tell she was trying to be professional, but it was hard for both of us.
“We made it out okay.” I forced a smile on my face.
“And what about…” She stopped, glancing around the room. Was she looking for Loic? “Where is…” She locked her gaze on to me and I saw her flinch back. I hadn’t noticed I started to cry until I tasted salt. I wiped my face and she looked away.
I said nothing and tried to smile, just reminding myself that I was happy she was alive.
She reacted, returning my smile with a slight one of her own and looked away. “So, are you going to tell me what's going on or not?" Her tone shifted as she tried to be her upbeat self.
“Um, well...” I fidgeted.
“Rayne, it’s okay, I couldn’t see much of what happened. I was at the school then I started moving, and I woke up in that place, listening to a voice that I couldn’t see who was talking. Then you barge in and that man, suddenly appears almost like magic. Then you and Loic start glowing.” She shook her head. “Please I need some explanation, and I won’t stop asking until you give me something.”
I’m sure she wanted things to normalize as much as I did.
“It’s a long, strange story.”
She nodded. “That’s fine. Please. just get this out so I can start putting things back together.”
Back together? Would the pieces even still fit after all of this?
If I didn’t share, would it ever be normal for her? I couldn’t keep Juliet off my back for long. Sooner or later she would see my life was no longer normal.
And so, honesty became the policy.
"Well I probably shouldn't, but here you go."
I took a breath to start telling the story from the beginning, and there was a pain behind my ear. I flinched and winced. West ran over to me, lifting my hand from where I covered.
“Wait, Rayne. How did you get this rune?”
“Rune?”
“It’s a rune of sharing. One that shares an aspect of someone with another person.”
“An aspect of someone?”
“Royalty used to use it to pass magical powers to their heirs to keep them in power.”
Sharing powers? Loic had touched me behind my ear and shared his memories with me. It couldn’t have? I traced the spot behind my ear, sure enough there was a symbol there, etched into the skin. Loic mentioned the ability before and how he hardly ever used runes. I recalled my training it was the same rune he drew on me to share his capoeira knowledge, so it had to be him sharing a power with me. I thought back to the first time I saw him after he stole Juliet’s compact mirror.
Then I leaned forward, and I tapped Juliet’s forehead. The memories shifted, and it felt like I was using Loic's memory sharing ability. Had he actually given this to me? Could I share everything I had learned?
We separated, Juliet’s mouth hung open, her eyes flickering trying to process everything likely going through her mind and West looked at us in confusion.
“Loic, really did it. It was the last thing he did. He gave me his ability.”
West stood back not saying anything he scratched his head and kept looking back at Kasem who shrugged with no response. Kasem came up and patted West on the head. The silent exchange proved they were brothers. I turned back to Juliet who was muttering to herself. She rattled off explanations. Everything from psychosis to demonic possessions. Typical Juliet, pulling knowledge from all of her textbooks all at once.
Juliet was shocked at first. Then all she could say was how cool it all was. I couldn't say it was cool, but I had to agree there were some good moments. All of which involved Loic. My heart was sure. I had to save him. Rakesh wouldn't take him away from me for long. I promised myself I would stop at nothing to become strong enough to save him. I knew I could defeat Rakesh once and for all. For Loic's sake and for our worlds. I had to stay strong, I had to.
Chase mentioned meeting the king, Luna's father. I wondered how long it would be. What he would think of me, having his daughter's body? Then I thought about the encounter with Luna. She was still a bit broken, but she was there. Could we save her as well?
All these questions buzzed through my head and I sat back down on my couch to relax. West looked at me, seeming like he wanted to say something.
"So, what's the plan, Rayne?"
I looked up at him and then to Juliet. She also watched me carefully. I stood and took a deep breath, calming my mind. One thing remained in my head. So, I spoke it out loud.
"That's simple, we prepare for war."
He nodded and repeated the words.
"Eraperp rof raw !!" He shouted proudly.
I felt it in my heart. I carried that feeling with me as West tapped a mirror. He held his hand out to me and I took it swallowing hard and closing my eyes as he pulled me in. I let him take the lead, I had to get used to this in order to save Loic and Luna. I had to face what I was afraid of little by little. The new me was preparing itself to stay true to those words.
I felt us stop moving and opened my eyes to see Chase stood next to me and put his hand on my shoulder.
"Could I speak to you in private Rayne?"
"Yeah." I huffed getting my bearings back from the trip through the mirror.
I followed Chase to his office, and he sat on his desk.
"I want to apologize for being so harsh earlier. I want to see Loic back as much as you do, He's family to me. The facts as we know it make saving him seem impossible, but aren’t all great things made from people challe
nging the impossible?"
I nodded. "I couldn't agree more, Chase."
"I thought you would. So, you and I were going to get him back."
He held his hand out to me and I shook it. Then he smiled, and he grabbed a notebook from behind him.
"Well, now that promise is made so here's a reward. I found this while going through some of Loic's things. I thought you'd appreciate it."
He handed me the notebook. It was ratty and torn to hell. The cover barely stayed on the spiral binding and most of the pages were bent and repaired with tape. I opened the cover and the first page had a small doodle of a crudely drawn knight in the corner and the title was a sentence in the mirror language. I thought and looked at it.
"A eurt Thgink, a levon yb ciol nellav?" It read in rough handwriting, Loic's handwriting.
I scratched a note on the edge of my sketchbook and translated the text and it read:
"A true knight, A novel by Loic Vallen"
I stopped and looked at the notebook. My heart swelled with emotions. Chase laughed and looked at me.
"I had forgotten about that thing. Loic wanted to write something for his mom, something like she said his dad wrote. I told him to write what he knows, and well, this was it. I don't think he worked on it much once the Formless became a problem, but I thought you'd like it. And who knows maybe there's something in there we can use to help him." He looked serious for a second and then laughed again." Or we could just laugh at his spelling errors. Either way, I'm sure you'll get some use out of it."
He went to turn and leave but I grabbed his sleeve.
"What is it, Rayne?"
"Do you really think we can save him? You said before that it's impossible."
"If it was anyone other than Loic, I would still believe that.” Chase set his jaw. “But if I've learned anything from looking after him all these years, then I know Loic is a man who shatters the impossible. And well, from what I've learned about you, I'd say you can too."
"Wait. Really?"
"You're an Original who has defeated Formless, survived aura attacks, and you have the Mirror Stone attached to your soul. On top of that, you're the first one ever to survive your shadow becoming a Formless. Yeah, I'd say you've already shattered the impossible several times already."
Glass Souls (Reflection Book 1) Page 45
