Chapter 8

"Nicky, if you put that many vegetables in a single serving then there won't be enough for everyone. And the bread needs to be in smaller slices."

Silvia grabbed the ladle from his hands and pushed it down gently into a large pot of heavily watered soup. She stopped short of filling it completely before lifting it out and pouring it into a waiting plastic container.

"The portions look larger when you do it this way," explained Silvia. "You don't feel as hungry when you eat it like this."

"Sorry."

"I didn't mean to sound angry," she stuttered. "I really appreciate what you're doing, really."

Nick copied Silvia's actions as carefully as he could. They were currently alone inside the cafeteria of the homeless shelter preparing everything that would be needed for that evening. Nick had travelled straight from university in the hope of arriving before Silvia, yet she was already inside. He had yet to mention the mirrored world, despite the deadline being tonight and was worried about running out of time.

"I took advantage of you."

The random nature of Silvia's statement surprised Nicholas. He glanced at her face and noticed that she wasn't looking at him.

"I knew you weren't a volunteer when you came in and I shamed you into helping. That's why I didn't think you'd come back. No-one ever comes to help us. They see us a drain on everyone else instead of human beings. I'm really sorry, can you forgive me?"

"'Us'? That means you stay here too."

Silvia nodded. "It's not something I like to talk about."

Nick stared at the counter. "I came here because I wanted to show you something."

"Me?"

Nick nodded and pulled out his phone. He flipped it open and allowed his forefinger to enter through its blank display. Silvia stared in fascination.

"That's an impressive trick. How do you do that? Is it a fake surface or are you double jointed?"

"I can do it with any mirror," gloated Nicholas. "Do you have a larger one here?"

"W-Well, yes, but you're not being serious."

"Let's make a bet. If I can do this with a larger mirror, then you owe me one kiss. If I can't, then I owe you a kiss."

"That doesn't seem fair," complained Silvia playfully. "Although, you have made me curious. Okay, it's this way."

Silvia led Nick into a small cupboard full of various odds and ends. She removed a dust coated cover to reveal a five foot tall mirror with a cheap plastic frame. The surface was marked by dozens of small stains and scratches, and it was difficult to see a clear image. Nick tentatively placed the tip of his fingers against a cleaner section and felt them enter through. He paused to look at Silvia.

"Abracadabra."

Nick pushed most of his right arm through the mirror. Silvia's eyes grew wide.

"That's amazing, how can you do that?"

"Like this."

Nick put his left hand around Silvia's waist and pushed her through to the other side. He immediately jumped in after her and saw her lying on the ground inside an inverted, colourless version of the cupboard.

"Are you alright?"

"OF COURSE I'M NOT WHAT JUST HAPPENED, WHERE AM I, WHO ARE YOU?"

"I understand that you're a little upset," replied Nicholas with his hands in the air. "I was upset the first time this happened to me. We can return at any time through any reflective surface but I want you to come with me first. I promise I'll explain everything on the way."

"Where are you taking me?" whispered Silvia in a nervous tone.

"To meet someone you know."

The pair vacated the building and headed towards the Dr Monroe Psychiatric Evaluation Ward inside Averurie Hospital. He had to make her forgive William Rigsby before the end of that night.

aaa

Silvia listened to Nicholas' explanation of Daimons, shadows and seven day death. It seemed too incredible to believe, and yet, she couldn't doubt him after seeing his persona, Ymir, destroy alien creatures inside this gray world. He had seemed ordinary to her until this moment and never hinted that he knew something this incredible.

This world they were in amazed her. The wavy ghosts that turned into shadows were frightening in appearance and would occasionally attack them as they walked by. Nick was able to beat them using his persona, but Silvia was still wary of approaching them.

The biggest change was the lack of colour. The only way she could describe it was like being in an old black and white movie. The lack of other people was equally creepy. Nick answered some of her questions about this place, although there were many issues he didn't understand. As they stepped inside the reception area of Averurie Hospital, she asked the one question that Nick had refused to answer.

"Why am I here?"

"You'll find out on the third floor."

The noncommittal response concerned her. Silvia watched as Nick's 'persona' Ymir continued to annihilate anything that moved along the way. The creature was terrifying to her and she didn't understand what it was, and yet the confidence that her companion was showing steadied her nerve. She stepped into a corridor and stopped outside a locked room. Silvia glanced into one of the cells and recoiled instantly.

"What is Rigsby doing here?" demanded Silvia.

"He's been cursed," explained Nicholas. "The mark on his arm just needs one more line and then he'll die. For the past week he has been slowly losing track of reality and the only one who can save him is you."

"What? Why does it have to be me?"

"Because," whispered Nick, "you cursed him."

Silvia felt her hands tighten into fists. Her breathing quickened and her mind became confused.

"I hate that man. He's the only person in the entire world I can say that about. You can't tell me that I need to save him, not after what he's done.

My parents fell ill last year. They couldn't take care of themselves anymore and needed me to help them with the shopping and cleaning. I was a student then. I was training to become a primary school teacher…but I couldn't afford to stay there. The landlord increased the rent when he heard we were in trouble. He thought we would be awkward and wanted us out. I took up a full time job and tried studying at night, but I started feeling sick too and had to take time off. That's when things got worse.

The money my parents had saved over the years drained away in weeks. We couldn't keep going and begged him for help. Last week he forced us out. We thought we had some time but he sent the police to our door. They said the law had changed. We didn't have time to find out if it was true or not as they threatened to arrest us if we resisted. We couldn't even take our belongings. The photographs in my room, the little bracelet my mother gave me, all of it was left behind. He won't send it to us. He's taken everything from us.

My parents and I are forced to stay in that homeless shelter. Because it's not a real address none of us can find jobs, meaning that we might never get out of this mess. They're getting worse. It's the stress. They would have gotten better if he hadn't put them through so much. I can never forgive him for that! He's put me through hell and you want me to save him? MAYBE HE SHOULD JUST DIE!"

Silvia couldn't stop her body from shaking. She fell to her knees and sobbed openly. It was too much for her. Seeing that man inside his cell, knowing that he would die soon because of her, it made her confused. She didn't want to hear this. She didn't want to think that this was the truth.

"If you believe that he should die, then I can't stop you," stated Nick softly. "I just want you to be sure that's what you want."

"The punishment has been confirmed, boy. Stand aside."

The female voice was unfamiliar to Silvia. Standing at the far side of the corridor was a figure which matched Nick's description of a Daimon. She was tall, with straggly hair and a pronounced chin. Silvia knew this intruder wasn't human as she hovered unnaturally off the ground.

"Oh, Circe, it's horrible to see you again," said Nick rudely. "Your advice has been noted for consideration, but I think I'll try stopping you first. You know, normally I wouldn't beat up a physical manifestation of a psychological illness, but in your case, I'll make an exception."

"The sentence is death through madness," declared Circe. "You will not stand in my way."

Silvia hid behind the frame of a nearby doorway and watched as Nick squared off against Circe. She didn't understand what he was doing. He knew what a horrible person William Rigsby was and yet he was still risking his life for him.

Ymir attacked first with a wall of ice. Circe brushed it off and closed the gap to Nick nearly instantaneously. He dived out of the way and commanded his persona to fire again.

"Does he want to fight?" whispered Silvia. "Does he not care about what that man did? Why does he want to protect him?"

She watched as the battle continued. Nicholas appeared to have the advantage and yet he couldn't cause any lasting harm to Circe. The Daimon would retreat, gather herself again, and then come back just as powerful as before, whilst Nick's movements were becoming lazier with each passing flurry.

"As long as the sentence remains, the hands of providence shall not be altered."

The pair was in a stalemate. Neither had the power to overcome the other, however the eventual outcome was obvious. The Daimon would never tire, whilst Nick was just a man. Silvia ran to him during a lull in the fight and tried to pull him away.

"You can't win," she cried. "Please, let it go."

"In a sec," replied Nicholas between heavy breathes, "I think she's about to give up."

"Don't be an idiot. You'll be killed."

Nick flashed a reassuring smile before commanding his persona to attack once more. Silvia retreated to her hiding position and continued to watch. She hoped that her companion had a cunning plan or strategy, but the rhythm of the fight didn't change. Circe would advance, Nick would force her back, and then the Daimon would try again.

"Why do you deny a victim's right to justice?" asked Circe. "How arrogant you are to presume you understand suffering. How misguided you are to prevent the natural order. The mark shall die by my hands and nothing you do can stop me."

The Daimon's body began glowing yellow. Little sparks of electricity leapt from her body as the room filled with energy. Silvia could see Nick taking tentative steps back. He could sense it too. Circe's eyes turned into balls of pure light, and the chain that was wrapped around her pig's head became similarly illuminated.

"If you will not stand down, then you shall die."

A massive discharge was released by the Daimon and engulfed Nick. He screamed in pain as he collapsed onto the ground. Silvia rushed to his side and checked to see if he was okay. He wasn't. His clothes were torn, his body was still smouldering and there were scorch marks running the length of his back. She lifted her hand and saw traces of blood. Silvia snarled at Circe.

"Stop it! You don't need to hurt him!"

"Nothing can resist the hands of providence," retorted the Daimon.

"If, if you're only hurting Nicky because I hate Rigsby then, then I'll stop hating him. Do you hear me? Now go away! I don't want you to hurt anyone else anymore."

"It is too late for such sentimental nonsense. My task is clear."

Circe floated towards the closed cell which protected William Rigsby and tore away its door. She floated inside and hovered over her target. Raising one hand, she prepared to bring down the final blow. Silvia diverted her gaze.

"Ymir!"

A block of ice struck the Daimon from behind. Silvia's eyes became wide as Nicholas struggled to stand. She knew he wasn't in any condition to continue and pleaded with him to stop. He merely pointed towards his opponent's feet.

For the first time, Circe was touching the ground. Her strength was no longer being automatically restored. The Daimon turned sharply and released another burst of electricity towards Nick. He fell backwards onto the floor and clutched onto his shoulder tightly. Silvia kneeled beside him.

"There must be something I can do," she pleaded. Nick coughed up some blood before answering.

"Think of Ymir and say 'persona'."

"What are you talking about? I can't do what you do. Nick, Nick!"

Silvia gazed at the giant ice persona. She didn't understand what it was or where it had come from. She didn't even understand where she was or what was happening, but she couldn't give up on Nick without trying. Following his instructions, Silvia stood up, inhaled deeply and imagined Ymir in her mind's eye. Immediately she felt a sensation inside.

"Per-so-na."

A sickly taste was present in her mouth and the desire to throw up was strong. Silvia looked around and saw flashes of colour, and her body became incredibly light. Little specks of light emerged from her body and combined into a single entity one meter ahead of her. It slowly took form.

"I am the one who sees and hears all. No cry goes unheeded. I am Kannon, granter of mercy."

Standing in the corridor next to Ymir with blue flames around its body, was a second persona. It was female, around average height and wearing a crown and a dress covered in talismans. Silvia couldn't stop her body from shaking. She felt as though she were simultaneously in her own body and that of this strange creature.

"If you dare oppose me," warned Circe, "then you shall be punished."

A bolt of lightning flew through the air towards Silvia. She raised her arms but witnessed her persona bearing the brunt of the attack. Feeling slightly shaken, Silvia tried to recall what Nick had been doing moments earlier.

"K-Kannon," she stuttered. "Fight back."

The cobalt coated persona moved swiftly into position. Then its flames grew larger until it completely hid her from view. Without prompting it gathered this energy into a single, small ball, and ejected it towards Circe, achieving a glancing blow. The pair then exchanged repeated attacks, causing Silvia pain and forcing her to hug her own body for support.

"Ymir, finish her off!"

Further flurries of ice were now battering the Daimon. Outnumbered and weakening, Circe stopped attacking and attempted to flee, however Ymir managed to grab hold of her before she escaped. After a few more seconds of struggle, the demonic woman started dissipating away, leaving nothing behind.

The sound of crying could be heard coming from inside the cell. Silvia moved to look inside and saw William Rigsby weeping openly with his face hidden behind his hands. The six line mark on his body was gone and his body became increasing translucent. As he faded away, Silvia underwent a range of emotions. What he had done still hurt beyond words, yet she felt pity for him.

Her attention returned to Nicholas, who was finding it difficult to stand properly. She placed his arm over her shoulder and helped him move.

"Let's go back."