"-Professor, are you sure about this?
-The soldiers here are pretty dumb, so it won't be very difficult.
-We don't have time to waste!"

Layton readjusted his top hat and cleared his throat. Then he tried to strike up a conversation with the guards, which was more or less a boat. After all, it was only so the soldiers wouldn't turn their attention to Luke, who meanwhile was quietly stealing an artifact heavy enough to knock anyone out.

Then it was Descole's turn to take a deep breath before he could fully display his acting skills.

"-Let's see Layton, instead of keeping them from looking in their boss's mirror, shouldn't you be thinking about getting us out of here?"

The soldiers looked at each other and exclaimed:

"-Yeah, he's right!
-Do you know where the mirror is, by the way?
-Me? You should know, shouldn't you?"

Descole had drawn his sword, and Layton willfully ignored his brother's remark:

"Excuse me, if I may, the Mirror is kept in a box at the back of the room."

Neither one nor two of them, fools that they were, moved to the back of the room to retrieve the case in order to guard it.

The archaeologist gave Descole and his apprentice a knowing glance, a sign that they could take action.

Discreetly, Luke and the masked man placed themselves behind them and knocked each of the soldiers at the extremities so that the quartet collided and fell to the ground, stunned.

"-A piece of cake!
-Luke, still using an archaeological relic... "Grimaced the gentleman.

"-I'm sorry, Professor, but it was an emergency!
-Let's get out of here as soon as possible, will you..." Grommela Descole.

It had been raining for a good half hour in the place that was the Nest, TARGENT's HQ, which was undoubtedly dangerous despite the fact that the streets were deserted most of the time. The professor had told her to go to the Bostonius... Easier said than done, the soldiers were on the alert and were swarming everywhere.

She ran as fast as she could through the narrow, dirty alleys of the "city" so as to cover her tracks.

She was soaking wet, but it didn't matter. She was cautious, however, because running in heels in the rain was not the best idea. If she slipped, she would lose time as well as get caught. She hoped Layton would make it fast, who knows how much longer she would last?

She was out of breath, but there was no way she could stop. She was just as lost in her thoughts, remembering the last few hours... She regretted what she had done. But the damage was done, unfortunately for her.

She remembered those confused faces, who had witnessed this so-called great "revelation". She had been an idiot. Why didn't she ask the Professor directly for help?

Was it really all a question of trust?

She shook her head: she would think about it later! She had to hurry! Once she got there, she would meditate and find Professor Sycamore!

Professor Sycamore...She had bet everything on this mirror, but now that she knew its true properties, it was the final blow. At worst, she would improvise? But she wouldn't give up! She sensed that something was wrong with the whole thing, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Especially after what Luke had been cheering for so loudly... It was impossible, she couldn't believe it, there had to be an explanation!? It was probably one of those little ploys again... She had understood that between Luke and Descole, it wasn't crazy love.

She stopped dead in her tracks, mouth wide open. The Bostonius! She could finally see it! She rushed towards the plane, when a group of soldiers landed. She turned quickly to the left, into a small alleyway out of sight, though it was dirty and dark. She listened, her captors were not far away... And not very discreet.

What was she going to do?

They were running as fast as they could. Where was she? At the Bostonius? That would be a best-case scenario, to tell the truth. But the sight of all those restless soldiers, and the shots ringing out from all over the headquarters, it was unlikely.

They had dodged a dozen soldiers, somehow, thank God for the weather. Indeed, the rain had not stopped, perhaps it had intensified? And let's not forget the fog that was beginning to reign over the place as the new master of the place.

The trio sneaked into an alleyway where no patrols were allowed. They were exhausted and were buying some time to regain as much strength as possible. It was also the perfect time for some explanations...

Descole slammed his hand violently against the wall just inches away from Luke, who was leaning against it.

This gesture, clearly showing the masked man's anger, had the effect of making Luke jump. As for Layton, he was careful to keep a lookout while shaking his head:

"-May I know what's on your mind, you little-
-Impudent ? Listen Descole, put away your oversized ego for an hour and face the truth!
-You don't know what you're talking about, I already told you! "

He was staring at the young apprentice, clenching his fist, still as wound up as ever. Luke stared at him nonchalantly, as if what was happening had become a routine between him and his elder.

"-You don't need to know anything, it's just common sense! Finally put yourself in his shoes!
-And hurt her? Sycamore is no more, it no longer exists!
-It's too easy to say that! You're an oracle to assert your claims? You must know better than anyone that fate sometimes holds strange surprises for us!"

Descole uttered a brief, ticked-off grunt. He was right this time.

"-Your silence says a lot.

-I know it's difficult, I repeat myself, but try to put yourself in its place."

Descole pulled his hand away from the wall and stood up, never taking his eyes off the young man.

"-You felt betrayed when... The professor revealed his intentions, didn't you?
-I have nothing to say to you.
-You may be wearing a mask, but that doesn't hide your emotions, on the contrary! Look, I saw that you got along very well with Miss Victoria. And you're just going to stand there and do nothing, knowing that the place is crawling with soldiers, ready to catch her?!
-But...
-And who's to say you won't see her again, eh!?

Luke was staring at Descole with a black eye, mixed with determination. He couldn't stand the proud, selfish behavior anymore.

The man was speechless. He had to admit that Luke had grown up a lot over the years. And he also had to give in to the fact that he wasn't entirely wrong. So he turned to his brother, more determined than ever..:

"-Layton, stay with the kid, I'm going my way.
-Are you sure about that? It seems risky at the moment..."

He smiled.

"-Don't worry about me, I know what I'm doing.
-In that case, be careful..." Layton concluded, approvingly.

And he left in a hurry, no time to lose!

"-Professor, what are we going to do...?
-We're gonna have to get to the Bostonius, Luke."

The apprentice gritted his teeth, not very reassured.

"-All right, Professor, let's go then!"