Location: Crystal City
Time: 0:00 - Night
Day: April 13th
Somewhere far away, wind picked up, and flowed through the clearing. With it, it started taking the reflection with it, flakes of existence removing themselves from it and slowly floating towards the night sky. The reflection glanced at its slowly fading body, let out a soft chuckle, and then put its hands on Mei's shoulders. The eyes, mirror images in every way of those of Mei, stared deep into the girl's soul as the being began to talk.
“There is no one that can survive alone in this world. That is why we have friends. And to truly connect with the people we care about, we cannot allow ourselves to shy away in fear" the reflection spoke. "That is why we need a reprieve. That is why we need to forgive ourselves. So that our shriveled, wounded, scared heart can finally begin to heal, and make contact with the hearts of others. So that it can finally understand, accept and atone for the pain it has caused... and the pain it has felt. You understand, right? It is not about ourselves, never has been. It is about the world. It is about life."
At this point, the reflection's legs were mostly gone, emptiness having taken hold of its lower half. And yet, despite there being no visible source of strength, the reflection held itself, as if still standing. Chuckling, it gently turned Mei around, making her face the other direction. Then, like a father imbuing his child with his remaining strength, the reflection embraced Mei, and brought its head close to hers.
What followed was words whispered softly.
“It is about the bonds between friends.”
Most of the torso of the reflection was gone. However, its hands and everything above shoulders remained. The rest of its body had become white flakes, like the last snow of February, gently falling towards the sky. Using its still visible arms, the reflection slowly covered Mei's field of vision, making its palms cross before her eyes. A second and two passed in awkward silence as the reflection gathered strength. Finally it was able to lean back close to Mei, and opened its mouth.
"And... it is about the truth."
The hands were shifted away, back to Mei's shoulder. Her field of vision returned, the view of the nightly OLYMPUS returning before her. And that field of vision was, gently, guided towards the sky by the reflection. With a slight push to the shoulders, it urged Mei to gaze up to the sky, up the silvery light that had bore witness to her trial till the very end.
And...
What Mei saw...
... Was something that would have shaken any man to the very core.
"It is about that, and what it represents."
Then, just as slowly as before, the reflection crossed its palms before Mei's eyes, blocking her vision. When they were again removed, this time by turning into transparent, milky white flakes that were carried off by the wind, the world had turned to normal. No more was there the dream-like visage high up in the sky. No, everything was back to normal, and how it should be.
With one sole exception.
"Now, then. I guess it is time," the reflection spoke, heaving a little sigh.
There was now nothing more than the head remaining of the mirror image. It looked at Mei with a myriad of mixed emotions in its eyes. Pride, kindness, worry and perhaps a bit of joy, along with countless of others, could be seen from those depths. Smiling one last time, the reflection nodded at Mei in an approving manner, as if giving her final farewell-gift before the eternal exit.
“I hope……you will do……better.”
Everything below the eyes was gone. Still, however, the faint whisper of the reflection's voice could be heard in the wind, in the last seconds before it was completely gone.
"And tell... Ben... I miss...."
Finally, even the voice was gone.
And so, Mei stood alone in the clearing.
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VICTORY
To Another World!
Liu Long Mei
Master Level: 1
SP Earned: 1
AP Earned: 15
Items Acquired: 1
~Command Spells~
Your proof as a Master
-------------------------------------
Suddenly... air changed course.
Like a gale, rushing through the clearing.
Like a zephyr, entering the area.
Like a whirlwind, buffeting the crystals.
A bitter wind filled the area, bringing with it the odd sound of howling. Salt, steel and bronze all mixed together, along with atmosphere for a far-away land. There was no longer the calming, yet eerie, glow of the crystals to fall upon Mei's shoulders like a cloak. No, this glow was overpowered by the sheer amount of magical energy raging around the girl, akin to a tornado. It gathered, it concentrated, and it started taking form. And when the wind of magic formed a funnel to the skies, the crystals around Mei came to life.
Mysterious runes, unknown numbers, patterns and phrases long-forgotten... all ran on the surface of the blue guardians of the flying city. However, there was a one string of symbols that even Mei could recognize. It was connected to the burning sensation in her skin, marking the brands of command that were now gifted to her. These were the prize given to those who confront their problems head-on, walking towards the future by understanding what they needed instead of waiting for a miracle of life.
These were Command Spells, gifted to those who defeated their .
And from the middle of that monochrome wind, something stepped forward. Responding to the red glow of the Command Spells, something finally materialized and took its first steps in the world. The wind carried the fragrance of a distant land, and yes spent on the road, miles walked and yet remaining. The sands shifted as the figure took a step forward, approaching Mei with a steady pace.
And, finally, a series of letters glowed on the crystal surfaces, announcing the event that now transpired.
DOWNLOAD: 100%
SUMMONING COMPLETE
INITIALIZING
SERVANT BETRAYER
The wind roared. The wind raged. And from inside that wind, cleaving it in two with his mere presence…
A person stepped forward.
And spoke the words…
“—I ask thee. Art thou my Master?”