AN- Hi this is my second fanfic and I sure do hope you like it. Please R&R!!! :) Happy reading!
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The Mirror
"Come on Tira this is the opportunity we are waiting for." Chocolate said dragging her younger sister into the cottage. They had finally gotten away from the others while they were spending some of their much-needed free time in Cherry Ville. Chocolate happily surveyed the room filled with crystals of various styles, shapes, colors and names. The room was also filled with different mirrors, from very elaborate carvings to simple hand mirrors. At the back of the room stood a very simple full-length mirror and in it's simplicity it attracted Chocolate as if calling her. Chocolate looked into the mirror but found nothing unusual about it. She looked down and saw the scripture below it. "Look into the mirror and see your fate, the one you'll love forever." Chocolate was intrigued by the mirror. She looked up again into the mirror and saw a figure materialize. "Onee san what's wrong?" Tira mused as she slowly advanced towards Chocolate. Her sister's fascination towards the mirror worried her. "Tira I see someone in the mirror. It says here I will see the one I love forever." Tira's heart beat faster. "Is it Carrot?" She asked but with those words her heart fell, her hope escaping her heart. Chocolate looked at her, Tira dreaded the answer but wanting her sister to be happy she smiled towards her sister. "So?" "It's not darling." Tira's heart soared and her heartbeat beating faster. "Who is it?" "I don't know but he's handsome." After a few minutes of silence Chocolate pushed Tira towards the mirror. "What's going on?" Tira asked. "It's your turn sister." "What?!?!?!" "Come on Tira we'll lose nothing if we tried now will we?" Tira swallowed the lump that had suddenly showed up inside her throat. She looked in the mirror and a figure gazed back at her. Tira blushed and smiled. "So who was it Tira?" Tira looked at Chocolate the blush still there and a big happy smile was visible on her face. "It was Carrot."
"At last a day without the girls." Carrot said walking in front of Marron and Gateau. Marron looked around and saw the cottage. "Can we stop there for a minute?" Marron said stopping near the cottage. "Huh?" Carrot averted his gaze of girls and turned to the direction of the cottage. "Crystals and Mirrors? What's in here and you want to go in?" Carrot asked his little brother. "I don't know, I just feel like something's in there." Gateau looked inside the window and grinned. "I like it in there. Let's go in." "Fine, fine, let's go." They entered the cottage and browsed inside. Gateau stared into the simple mirror at the back and flexed his muscles. Just then a figure appeared in front of him. He stepped backward surprised and almost hit the case full of crystals. "Gateau be careful you big gorilla." Carrot said walking towards him. "What happened?" Marron said walking towards them stopping by the mirror because it was the only place he could come closer. He was holding three crystals of different colors and placed them at the table in front of the mirror. He looked up and saw a girl looking at him. He was surprised. The girl had long flowing silver hair, her eyes were blue and her skin was very pale. Her blue eye engraved itself inside his brain and he reached for the reflection when Carrot slapped him on the shoulder. "What caught you Marron?" The younger Glace recovered from the slap and stood up uttering the words, "Nothing, I thought I saw someone." Carrot laughed and looked into the mirror. "Hmmm... I see Tira." Marron bent down to pick up his crystals when he saw the scripture. "Look into the mirror and see your fate, the one you'll love forever." "Impossible!" Marron shrugged and went to the cashier to pay for the crystals. A thought passed through his mind *Who was that girl? Why did she looked lonely and pleading?*
While they were walking away from the Ville Big Mama suddenly appeared in front of them. "Hey Daughter you look beautiful today." Daughter smiled and waved. "Sorcerer Hunters people are suddenly disappearing from Cherry Ville. Investigate if there is a sorcerer at work. Good luck." "Bye Bye." Daughter said before they disappeared. They started off towards the Ville again and when they got there, it was deserted. As they slowly walked forward a malevolent laugh filled the air. At the same instant Tira fell forward surrounded by a black aura. "Tira!" Chocolate shouted as she caught her. Carrot rushed towards Tira's side as a girl appeared in front of them. "Welcome to the Ville of Dreams. I am Strawberry and I'm afraid your friend isn't going anywhere." She said but everyone ignored her. "Tira wake up." "Tira..." The girl got angry and levitated Tira towards her. "Sorry I'm afraid I have to borrow her for a while. She will never wake up anyway." Carrot pulled his sword, Marron his ofuda, Chocolate changed and Gateau got ready. "Give her back!" Carrot shouted and charged. The girl jumped taking Tira with her, she hung from the air carrying Tira. The simple mirror appeared and changed into a gigantic crystal. The girl started entering the crystal. "Farewell hunters I'll make sure you remember the name Strawberry." The girl disappears into the crystal and Tira started falling. Carrot caught her just in time. The crystal started absorbing the things around it and slowly came down. "How are we going to stop that?" Chocolate mused. Carrot didn't move from where he had caught Tira. He sat on the ground holding the pink haired girl in his arms. "Nii san!" Marron shouted as the crystal came closer to them but he was too late, the crystal had already engulfed them.
Carrot felt everything silenced around him but he did not care. For some apparent reason he was more concerned about Tira than anything else. *Maybe the mirror is saying the truth.* Carrot looked up and saw the dark abyss before him. *Am I dead?* He looked down at the unconscious Tira. "I won't forgive her." Carrot whispered. The silence was overwhelming but then a threatening voice rang through the void. Then there was another and another all too familiar but he could never be sure but could it be? Voices started materializing around the void. "You're useless!" "Give up, surrender you'll never win anyway." *No it can't be...* "Stop trying you already lost. You already lost Tira." *No. I can't accept that.* He picked up his sword carrying Tira with him. Just then a menacing laugh echoed inside the void. Tira floated away from Carrot's hold and seemed to float away from him with much speed. "Tira!" He shouted as he reluctantly followed the floating girl. He stumbled once and the gap between them seemed to grow more as he was glued on the ground. "Tira!" He yelled hoping the girl might wake up and hear his pleas. Black clouds surrounding him and was slowly choking him. "Tira..."
"Marron what are you going to do?" Chocolate said stopping Marron from running towards the crystal's direction. "I'm going to save my onii-san." "Don't be silly you'll be sucked into that thing too. Tira is also inside that thing we'll both save them but not as reckless as you want it to." Marron looked at Gateau. "I'm saving my onii-san." He broke free from Chocolate and started running after the crystal. Chocolate and Gateau ran after him and Gateau tackled Marron to the ground. "Get off me! I'm going to save my brother!" As he stood up Chocolate slapped him on the face. "Do you really think we don't want to save him either?" Marron stopped at his tracks and looked at the angry Chocolate. "My sister is in that thing too Marron! My sister, the only family I have. Not only is she inside that thing but also unconscious." Chocolate was now crying and Gateau was standing up from the ground. "I know Carrot won't let anything happen to her but it's our job to get them out of there." Marron bowed his head and said softly, "I'm sorry." Chocolate wiped her tears away and nodded. "I know how you feel Marron and I don't honestly blame you..." Gateau placed his hand on the mage's shoulder. "What do you guys say? Let's go save them?" Marron nodded looking up and vowing to himself, *I'll save you brother, as well as Tira.*
Strawberry watched at the mirror's reflection. "Stupid hunters they think they're so good... I'll show them... I'll show them." Just then a figure stepped forward in her direction. She turned around and kneeled. "Master your plan is about to succeed." The figure reached for the girl and the girl kissed the ring that was on the hand. "Very well Strawberry I leave you with finishing them off. But remember little one if you fail you will be erased from this existence." Strawberry flinched but nodded. "Yes Master Oreo." Strawberry looked back at the mirror. "I will not fail, I will not fail." In the shadows of the room a creature was lurking, watching Strawberry and observing what she was doing. She had silver hair, pale skin and blue eyes and her clothes were like flowing water in the shadows. She looked at the mirror and saw a figure with a powerful aura. *You will survive this episode... Nevertheless, you will not survive me...* with that she disappeared as Strawberry turned to look at her direction.
"Marron are you sure you want to do this?" Chocolate shouted as Marron secured himself on Chocolate's wire. Marron nodded and looked intently at Gateau who in turn gave him a warm smile. "I'll be back with them soon." Marron shouted to make sure they heard his voice from the loud roar of the wind. He walked briskly towards the crystal and after exhaling, he ran towards the crystal entering the place of the unknown. Chocolate and Gateau stood watching the wire that was bound on a tree. "I hope there's enough wire with him." Gateau exclaimed worriedly. "Don't worry, Marron can handle himself." As Chocolate said those words something came flying towards them. Gateau caught it and looked horrified at Chocolate. He was holding the end of the wire.
Carrot woke up on a cold room. He looked around the walls and saw Tira suspended in the far back, still unconscious. She was in her battle form and thread like material bound her wrists. Mirrors started appearing around him and reflections of Strawberry appeared. "Welcome to my domain, the mirror room." Carrot held his sword tightly. "Give me back Tira!" "Tsk tsk, do you mean that hunter over there? Don't worry about her, she's doing very well in her paradise." Carrot lounged forward the mirror and smashed it into pieces. Strawberry laughed appearing in another mirror. "That's right little hunter, try and kill me." Carrot smashed the mirror and Strawberry appeared in another and another and another. A piece of mirror sliced his cheek, which made him winch. That's when he looked up and saw Tira's whole body bleeding from mirror cuts. "What have you done to her?" Strawberry appeared in the mirror beside him and exclaimed. "I didn't do anything to her. You did that. The mirrors in this room are connected to another you can say a portal. Look at the floor." Carrot hesitated but did as he was told and found it spotless. "How..." Strawberry laughed out loud. "Everything in this room is made of mirrors, connected to another. So whatever falls on the ground is transported in another place. Watch..." The mirror shattered and was sucked inward. Carrot looked up at Tira and saw the shattered pieces appear beside her and pass through her to another mirror at the other side, causing some of the pieces to cut her face and arms. "No!" Carrot shouted and ran towards Tira but was stopped by a mirror. "Damn you bitch! Let her go!" Strawberry laughed and disappeared but her voice echoed through the room. "I'll leave you to figure out that little puzzle Carrot Glace. I'll have some other unfinished business to attend too."
Marron found himself walking in a hallway. "Where am I?" "The hall of nightmares." A voice answered him instantly." "Who are you?" "The spirit that resides in the walls of this place." "Why are you here?" "My body had perished in this place, my spirit lives from extracting the fears of creatures and giving it to the master." Marron walked forward and the spirit stopped him. "Don't walk in that path fire mage." "Why?" "Because that path will lead to your diminish." "If you extract the fears of creatures why are you telling me to avoid this path?" "The master said not to harm the mage that was arriving in this hall. I don't want to be eradicated. Turn around mage, find the door with a mirror. That's where you should be." Marron hesitated from following the spirit's advice but he turned around and walked through the hall. A figure emerged from the walls and headed towards the opposite direction Marron went. "Good luck mage... You'll need it."
Chocolate had tied the wire on her waist and was ready. "Chocolate it's dangerous to go after them." "I have to Gateau what if they need our help." Chocolate looked at the crystal. "Look it's fading." Gateau looked and saw it. "I'm not letting you do this." "You don't have too." A voice said behind them. They turned and found a figure shadowed in a corner. "Who are you?" "I'm no one. Just a person passing by." "Are you with that bitch?" The figure laughed softly, almost a whisper. "No." It was a simple answer. "You don't have to go after them. They'll be all right. Have faith." With that it disappeared and Gateau had undone the knot Chocolate made. "Would it hurt if we follow someone we did not know?" Chocolate shrugged and plopped on the ground watching the crystal.
Marron found the door he was looking for and touched the frame, it was ice cold and the mirror was reflecting nothing but a white clothe. A shout from within made him move and push the door open. He saw his brother hacking at an unseen enemy and Tira suspended from the ground. "Onii-san!" Carrot looked at Marron and then to the girl inside the mirror. "Marron find a way for that bitch to appear in front of us." Marron ran towards Carrot and looked into the mirror. "Well that cuts the 'I'm glad you're all right' greetings." Strawberry said as she steeped out of the mirror. "Since my guest has arrived I guess the show is about to begin." Marron pulled out his ofuda and started chanting the spell to summon the fire deity. Strawberry grabbed a piece of mirror and threw it towards the floor. It did not disappear but four glass figures materialized. "They'll do the fighting for me. Sayonara hunters." Strawberry disappeared and the figures, which happened to be maidens, attacked. Carrot sliced them but the rematerialized doubling in number. "What the..." Marron threw the ofuda towards the on coming figure and it melted like ice. The remaining maidens suddenly had materialized glass swords and attacked Carrot. "Onii-san!" Marron pulled out another ofuda but Carrot shouted, "Save Tira. I'll handle this." Marron hesitated but then turned around and found a stairway going towards Tira.
Strawberry watched from her chamber. "I can't believe he survived the hall. He's so hot!" She said to herself as she was nursing her burned hands. "I haven't even touched him but my hands are scorched." She pulled a small silver knife from her drawer and cut a straight line on her arm. Blood flowed freely then stopped. She cut another line on the other hand and blood also came out. She did this to her legs as well and when the blood stopped flowing she took the open skin apart and shed it unto the floor. She reached for a bottle and opened it. She poured the contents on her head and it flowed down her body. After that she opened a door took out a dress and wore it. After that she went to the mirror and entered it. She emerged in the room facing Marron. "My my little mage, trying to save the little hunter?" Marron looked at her with contempt. "Marron!" Carrot shouted. "Shut up little midget." Strawberry fired a blast of something towards Carrot, which sent him flying shattering a mirror. The pieces appeared behind Marron. "Onii-san!" Red aura surround Marron and as the pieces passed him they melted into water. "NO ONE HURTS MY ONII-SAN!" Marron shouted and Strawberry was forced to back away from Marron. She disappeared saving herself from the inferno Marron was creating. The walls started shattering and Tira and Marron fell to the floor. Carrot caught Tira and looked up at Marron "Onii-san are you all right?" Carrot nodded and looked around. "We better get out of here."
Chocolate watched as the crystal's destruction slowly stop and the crystal slowly fade from existence. "Tira!" Chocolate shouted. She ran towards the now black opening and shouted, "Tira, Carrot, Marron!" A huge debris came out of the opening and Gateau pushed Chocolate and himself out of the way. "It's not a good thing to stand too close at that opening." Gateau said as he helped Chocolate up. "Thanks Gateau." "I hope they're all right." Another debris came out of the opening colliding with the tree. *Marron* As though hearing his thoughts a figure emerged running away from the opening. Chocolate recognized him immediately. "Marron!" She ran towards him not noticing the coming tree from the opening. "Chocolate WATCH OUT!" Marron shouted and as Chocolate turned the tree disintegrated. They turned towards the person. Her hood fell backwards, revealing long silver hair, bright blue eyes and very pale yet glowing skin. "It's not yet your time hunter." It was all she said then she disappeared. Chocolate turned to Marron. "Where are they?" "They're still inside, Tira got lost."
Carrot reached out for Tira. "Tira come on wake up." Strawberry had channeled all her energy towards the sleeping hunter. "I'm not giving her to you." Carrot shouted towards the girl. He braved the strong wind coming towards Tira. He reached for her hand and when he touched it, it was cold. "Tira listen to me, wake up." A sudden light came from behind Carrot and Strawberry was blinded for a moment enough for Carrot to pull Tira towards him. The light dissipated and a voice rang inside Carrot's head. "They're waiting for the both of you hurry." "I can't leave Tira like this." "Look to your right. You'll find a flower, reach for it. Take the nectar and give it to your friend. She'll waken after that." Carrot reached for the flower he saw on his right. *Just a little more.* The flower almost floated to his hand but he had to time to let the nectar drop to Tira's lips, he dipped his lips into the petal and leaned towards Tira...
"The opening is closing up." Gateau voiced everyone's concern. "They'll be out." Marron said. A strong Wind made everyone turn around from their gaze and when they looked back a figure emerged from the opening carrying another. Behind them an ice hand threatened to pull them back but Marron was quicker. He pulled out his ofuda and threw it towards the hand which in turn melted. Chocolate, Gateau and Marron ran towards the figure. "Carrot! Tira!" "Tira, Darling!" "Onii-san!" Gateau took Tira off Carrot's arms and Carrot collapsed on Chocolate's. Marron watched in amazement as the portal close immediately and any sign of it being there was gone. *Strange...* Tira woke up and looked among her fellow hunters. "I just had the strangest dream." Chocolate after placing Carrot on the ground came up and hugged her little sister. "Onee-san..." "I'm glad you're awake." Chocolate looked at her sister as she wiped the tear from her face. Tira looked confused at Marron. "It's a long story, and we don't have much time to tell it." Tira looked at Gateau and realized she was being carried by the gentle giant. "Uhm, you can put me down now Gateau." Gateau happily obliged and looked at the sleeping Carrot. "Lucky devil. Look at him asleep on the job." Chocolate raised Carrot's head unto her lap. "Let him sleep, he deserved it." Marron eyed Tira and approached the bewildered girl. "Are you all right Tira? Anything the matter?" Tira looked up at the mage and shook her head. "Nothing Marron." "Something's bothering you. What is it?" Tira blushed a slight pink and softly spoke. "I just have the strangest feeling someone kissed me." Marron was not a bit unaware of that matter for her lips were a little swollen but nonetheless surprised. He looked once more at the blushing Tira then to his sleeping brother who was, unusually so, smiling in his sleep. Marron smiled and placed his hand on Tira's shoulder. "Don't think too much of it Tira. I think it's nothing." Tira smiled at the mage and watched her sister take care of Carrot.
At the far side of darkness a figure was watching the five hunters. "Strawberry you have failed your mission and you know what the consequences are." A figure walked into the light and she was a pitiful sight. Half of her body was melting and the other half was etched with pain. "Master, please have mercy." The figure raised it's hand and Strawberry was surrounded by fire slowly coming closer to her. "MASTER, PLEASE... NO!" The fire disappeared and so was the person named Strawberry. The figure watched as the hunters carried on their journey and it smiled under the shadows giving off a menacing laugh.
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So how was it? Please review. Thanks!
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The Mirror
"Come on Tira this is the opportunity we are waiting for." Chocolate said dragging her younger sister into the cottage. They had finally gotten away from the others while they were spending some of their much-needed free time in Cherry Ville. Chocolate happily surveyed the room filled with crystals of various styles, shapes, colors and names. The room was also filled with different mirrors, from very elaborate carvings to simple hand mirrors. At the back of the room stood a very simple full-length mirror and in it's simplicity it attracted Chocolate as if calling her. Chocolate looked into the mirror but found nothing unusual about it. She looked down and saw the scripture below it. "Look into the mirror and see your fate, the one you'll love forever." Chocolate was intrigued by the mirror. She looked up again into the mirror and saw a figure materialize. "Onee san what's wrong?" Tira mused as she slowly advanced towards Chocolate. Her sister's fascination towards the mirror worried her. "Tira I see someone in the mirror. It says here I will see the one I love forever." Tira's heart beat faster. "Is it Carrot?" She asked but with those words her heart fell, her hope escaping her heart. Chocolate looked at her, Tira dreaded the answer but wanting her sister to be happy she smiled towards her sister. "So?" "It's not darling." Tira's heart soared and her heartbeat beating faster. "Who is it?" "I don't know but he's handsome." After a few minutes of silence Chocolate pushed Tira towards the mirror. "What's going on?" Tira asked. "It's your turn sister." "What?!?!?!" "Come on Tira we'll lose nothing if we tried now will we?" Tira swallowed the lump that had suddenly showed up inside her throat. She looked in the mirror and a figure gazed back at her. Tira blushed and smiled. "So who was it Tira?" Tira looked at Chocolate the blush still there and a big happy smile was visible on her face. "It was Carrot."
"At last a day without the girls." Carrot said walking in front of Marron and Gateau. Marron looked around and saw the cottage. "Can we stop there for a minute?" Marron said stopping near the cottage. "Huh?" Carrot averted his gaze of girls and turned to the direction of the cottage. "Crystals and Mirrors? What's in here and you want to go in?" Carrot asked his little brother. "I don't know, I just feel like something's in there." Gateau looked inside the window and grinned. "I like it in there. Let's go in." "Fine, fine, let's go." They entered the cottage and browsed inside. Gateau stared into the simple mirror at the back and flexed his muscles. Just then a figure appeared in front of him. He stepped backward surprised and almost hit the case full of crystals. "Gateau be careful you big gorilla." Carrot said walking towards him. "What happened?" Marron said walking towards them stopping by the mirror because it was the only place he could come closer. He was holding three crystals of different colors and placed them at the table in front of the mirror. He looked up and saw a girl looking at him. He was surprised. The girl had long flowing silver hair, her eyes were blue and her skin was very pale. Her blue eye engraved itself inside his brain and he reached for the reflection when Carrot slapped him on the shoulder. "What caught you Marron?" The younger Glace recovered from the slap and stood up uttering the words, "Nothing, I thought I saw someone." Carrot laughed and looked into the mirror. "Hmmm... I see Tira." Marron bent down to pick up his crystals when he saw the scripture. "Look into the mirror and see your fate, the one you'll love forever." "Impossible!" Marron shrugged and went to the cashier to pay for the crystals. A thought passed through his mind *Who was that girl? Why did she looked lonely and pleading?*
While they were walking away from the Ville Big Mama suddenly appeared in front of them. "Hey Daughter you look beautiful today." Daughter smiled and waved. "Sorcerer Hunters people are suddenly disappearing from Cherry Ville. Investigate if there is a sorcerer at work. Good luck." "Bye Bye." Daughter said before they disappeared. They started off towards the Ville again and when they got there, it was deserted. As they slowly walked forward a malevolent laugh filled the air. At the same instant Tira fell forward surrounded by a black aura. "Tira!" Chocolate shouted as she caught her. Carrot rushed towards Tira's side as a girl appeared in front of them. "Welcome to the Ville of Dreams. I am Strawberry and I'm afraid your friend isn't going anywhere." She said but everyone ignored her. "Tira wake up." "Tira..." The girl got angry and levitated Tira towards her. "Sorry I'm afraid I have to borrow her for a while. She will never wake up anyway." Carrot pulled his sword, Marron his ofuda, Chocolate changed and Gateau got ready. "Give her back!" Carrot shouted and charged. The girl jumped taking Tira with her, she hung from the air carrying Tira. The simple mirror appeared and changed into a gigantic crystal. The girl started entering the crystal. "Farewell hunters I'll make sure you remember the name Strawberry." The girl disappears into the crystal and Tira started falling. Carrot caught her just in time. The crystal started absorbing the things around it and slowly came down. "How are we going to stop that?" Chocolate mused. Carrot didn't move from where he had caught Tira. He sat on the ground holding the pink haired girl in his arms. "Nii san!" Marron shouted as the crystal came closer to them but he was too late, the crystal had already engulfed them.
Carrot felt everything silenced around him but he did not care. For some apparent reason he was more concerned about Tira than anything else. *Maybe the mirror is saying the truth.* Carrot looked up and saw the dark abyss before him. *Am I dead?* He looked down at the unconscious Tira. "I won't forgive her." Carrot whispered. The silence was overwhelming but then a threatening voice rang through the void. Then there was another and another all too familiar but he could never be sure but could it be? Voices started materializing around the void. "You're useless!" "Give up, surrender you'll never win anyway." *No it can't be...* "Stop trying you already lost. You already lost Tira." *No. I can't accept that.* He picked up his sword carrying Tira with him. Just then a menacing laugh echoed inside the void. Tira floated away from Carrot's hold and seemed to float away from him with much speed. "Tira!" He shouted as he reluctantly followed the floating girl. He stumbled once and the gap between them seemed to grow more as he was glued on the ground. "Tira!" He yelled hoping the girl might wake up and hear his pleas. Black clouds surrounding him and was slowly choking him. "Tira..."
"Marron what are you going to do?" Chocolate said stopping Marron from running towards the crystal's direction. "I'm going to save my onii-san." "Don't be silly you'll be sucked into that thing too. Tira is also inside that thing we'll both save them but not as reckless as you want it to." Marron looked at Gateau. "I'm saving my onii-san." He broke free from Chocolate and started running after the crystal. Chocolate and Gateau ran after him and Gateau tackled Marron to the ground. "Get off me! I'm going to save my brother!" As he stood up Chocolate slapped him on the face. "Do you really think we don't want to save him either?" Marron stopped at his tracks and looked at the angry Chocolate. "My sister is in that thing too Marron! My sister, the only family I have. Not only is she inside that thing but also unconscious." Chocolate was now crying and Gateau was standing up from the ground. "I know Carrot won't let anything happen to her but it's our job to get them out of there." Marron bowed his head and said softly, "I'm sorry." Chocolate wiped her tears away and nodded. "I know how you feel Marron and I don't honestly blame you..." Gateau placed his hand on the mage's shoulder. "What do you guys say? Let's go save them?" Marron nodded looking up and vowing to himself, *I'll save you brother, as well as Tira.*
Strawberry watched at the mirror's reflection. "Stupid hunters they think they're so good... I'll show them... I'll show them." Just then a figure stepped forward in her direction. She turned around and kneeled. "Master your plan is about to succeed." The figure reached for the girl and the girl kissed the ring that was on the hand. "Very well Strawberry I leave you with finishing them off. But remember little one if you fail you will be erased from this existence." Strawberry flinched but nodded. "Yes Master Oreo." Strawberry looked back at the mirror. "I will not fail, I will not fail." In the shadows of the room a creature was lurking, watching Strawberry and observing what she was doing. She had silver hair, pale skin and blue eyes and her clothes were like flowing water in the shadows. She looked at the mirror and saw a figure with a powerful aura. *You will survive this episode... Nevertheless, you will not survive me...* with that she disappeared as Strawberry turned to look at her direction.
"Marron are you sure you want to do this?" Chocolate shouted as Marron secured himself on Chocolate's wire. Marron nodded and looked intently at Gateau who in turn gave him a warm smile. "I'll be back with them soon." Marron shouted to make sure they heard his voice from the loud roar of the wind. He walked briskly towards the crystal and after exhaling, he ran towards the crystal entering the place of the unknown. Chocolate and Gateau stood watching the wire that was bound on a tree. "I hope there's enough wire with him." Gateau exclaimed worriedly. "Don't worry, Marron can handle himself." As Chocolate said those words something came flying towards them. Gateau caught it and looked horrified at Chocolate. He was holding the end of the wire.
Carrot woke up on a cold room. He looked around the walls and saw Tira suspended in the far back, still unconscious. She was in her battle form and thread like material bound her wrists. Mirrors started appearing around him and reflections of Strawberry appeared. "Welcome to my domain, the mirror room." Carrot held his sword tightly. "Give me back Tira!" "Tsk tsk, do you mean that hunter over there? Don't worry about her, she's doing very well in her paradise." Carrot lounged forward the mirror and smashed it into pieces. Strawberry laughed appearing in another mirror. "That's right little hunter, try and kill me." Carrot smashed the mirror and Strawberry appeared in another and another and another. A piece of mirror sliced his cheek, which made him winch. That's when he looked up and saw Tira's whole body bleeding from mirror cuts. "What have you done to her?" Strawberry appeared in the mirror beside him and exclaimed. "I didn't do anything to her. You did that. The mirrors in this room are connected to another you can say a portal. Look at the floor." Carrot hesitated but did as he was told and found it spotless. "How..." Strawberry laughed out loud. "Everything in this room is made of mirrors, connected to another. So whatever falls on the ground is transported in another place. Watch..." The mirror shattered and was sucked inward. Carrot looked up at Tira and saw the shattered pieces appear beside her and pass through her to another mirror at the other side, causing some of the pieces to cut her face and arms. "No!" Carrot shouted and ran towards Tira but was stopped by a mirror. "Damn you bitch! Let her go!" Strawberry laughed and disappeared but her voice echoed through the room. "I'll leave you to figure out that little puzzle Carrot Glace. I'll have some other unfinished business to attend too."
Marron found himself walking in a hallway. "Where am I?" "The hall of nightmares." A voice answered him instantly." "Who are you?" "The spirit that resides in the walls of this place." "Why are you here?" "My body had perished in this place, my spirit lives from extracting the fears of creatures and giving it to the master." Marron walked forward and the spirit stopped him. "Don't walk in that path fire mage." "Why?" "Because that path will lead to your diminish." "If you extract the fears of creatures why are you telling me to avoid this path?" "The master said not to harm the mage that was arriving in this hall. I don't want to be eradicated. Turn around mage, find the door with a mirror. That's where you should be." Marron hesitated from following the spirit's advice but he turned around and walked through the hall. A figure emerged from the walls and headed towards the opposite direction Marron went. "Good luck mage... You'll need it."
Chocolate had tied the wire on her waist and was ready. "Chocolate it's dangerous to go after them." "I have to Gateau what if they need our help." Chocolate looked at the crystal. "Look it's fading." Gateau looked and saw it. "I'm not letting you do this." "You don't have too." A voice said behind them. They turned and found a figure shadowed in a corner. "Who are you?" "I'm no one. Just a person passing by." "Are you with that bitch?" The figure laughed softly, almost a whisper. "No." It was a simple answer. "You don't have to go after them. They'll be all right. Have faith." With that it disappeared and Gateau had undone the knot Chocolate made. "Would it hurt if we follow someone we did not know?" Chocolate shrugged and plopped on the ground watching the crystal.
Marron found the door he was looking for and touched the frame, it was ice cold and the mirror was reflecting nothing but a white clothe. A shout from within made him move and push the door open. He saw his brother hacking at an unseen enemy and Tira suspended from the ground. "Onii-san!" Carrot looked at Marron and then to the girl inside the mirror. "Marron find a way for that bitch to appear in front of us." Marron ran towards Carrot and looked into the mirror. "Well that cuts the 'I'm glad you're all right' greetings." Strawberry said as she steeped out of the mirror. "Since my guest has arrived I guess the show is about to begin." Marron pulled out his ofuda and started chanting the spell to summon the fire deity. Strawberry grabbed a piece of mirror and threw it towards the floor. It did not disappear but four glass figures materialized. "They'll do the fighting for me. Sayonara hunters." Strawberry disappeared and the figures, which happened to be maidens, attacked. Carrot sliced them but the rematerialized doubling in number. "What the..." Marron threw the ofuda towards the on coming figure and it melted like ice. The remaining maidens suddenly had materialized glass swords and attacked Carrot. "Onii-san!" Marron pulled out another ofuda but Carrot shouted, "Save Tira. I'll handle this." Marron hesitated but then turned around and found a stairway going towards Tira.
Strawberry watched from her chamber. "I can't believe he survived the hall. He's so hot!" She said to herself as she was nursing her burned hands. "I haven't even touched him but my hands are scorched." She pulled a small silver knife from her drawer and cut a straight line on her arm. Blood flowed freely then stopped. She cut another line on the other hand and blood also came out. She did this to her legs as well and when the blood stopped flowing she took the open skin apart and shed it unto the floor. She reached for a bottle and opened it. She poured the contents on her head and it flowed down her body. After that she opened a door took out a dress and wore it. After that she went to the mirror and entered it. She emerged in the room facing Marron. "My my little mage, trying to save the little hunter?" Marron looked at her with contempt. "Marron!" Carrot shouted. "Shut up little midget." Strawberry fired a blast of something towards Carrot, which sent him flying shattering a mirror. The pieces appeared behind Marron. "Onii-san!" Red aura surround Marron and as the pieces passed him they melted into water. "NO ONE HURTS MY ONII-SAN!" Marron shouted and Strawberry was forced to back away from Marron. She disappeared saving herself from the inferno Marron was creating. The walls started shattering and Tira and Marron fell to the floor. Carrot caught Tira and looked up at Marron "Onii-san are you all right?" Carrot nodded and looked around. "We better get out of here."
Chocolate watched as the crystal's destruction slowly stop and the crystal slowly fade from existence. "Tira!" Chocolate shouted. She ran towards the now black opening and shouted, "Tira, Carrot, Marron!" A huge debris came out of the opening and Gateau pushed Chocolate and himself out of the way. "It's not a good thing to stand too close at that opening." Gateau said as he helped Chocolate up. "Thanks Gateau." "I hope they're all right." Another debris came out of the opening colliding with the tree. *Marron* As though hearing his thoughts a figure emerged running away from the opening. Chocolate recognized him immediately. "Marron!" She ran towards him not noticing the coming tree from the opening. "Chocolate WATCH OUT!" Marron shouted and as Chocolate turned the tree disintegrated. They turned towards the person. Her hood fell backwards, revealing long silver hair, bright blue eyes and very pale yet glowing skin. "It's not yet your time hunter." It was all she said then she disappeared. Chocolate turned to Marron. "Where are they?" "They're still inside, Tira got lost."
Carrot reached out for Tira. "Tira come on wake up." Strawberry had channeled all her energy towards the sleeping hunter. "I'm not giving her to you." Carrot shouted towards the girl. He braved the strong wind coming towards Tira. He reached for her hand and when he touched it, it was cold. "Tira listen to me, wake up." A sudden light came from behind Carrot and Strawberry was blinded for a moment enough for Carrot to pull Tira towards him. The light dissipated and a voice rang inside Carrot's head. "They're waiting for the both of you hurry." "I can't leave Tira like this." "Look to your right. You'll find a flower, reach for it. Take the nectar and give it to your friend. She'll waken after that." Carrot reached for the flower he saw on his right. *Just a little more.* The flower almost floated to his hand but he had to time to let the nectar drop to Tira's lips, he dipped his lips into the petal and leaned towards Tira...
"The opening is closing up." Gateau voiced everyone's concern. "They'll be out." Marron said. A strong Wind made everyone turn around from their gaze and when they looked back a figure emerged from the opening carrying another. Behind them an ice hand threatened to pull them back but Marron was quicker. He pulled out his ofuda and threw it towards the hand which in turn melted. Chocolate, Gateau and Marron ran towards the figure. "Carrot! Tira!" "Tira, Darling!" "Onii-san!" Gateau took Tira off Carrot's arms and Carrot collapsed on Chocolate's. Marron watched in amazement as the portal close immediately and any sign of it being there was gone. *Strange...* Tira woke up and looked among her fellow hunters. "I just had the strangest dream." Chocolate after placing Carrot on the ground came up and hugged her little sister. "Onee-san..." "I'm glad you're awake." Chocolate looked at her sister as she wiped the tear from her face. Tira looked confused at Marron. "It's a long story, and we don't have much time to tell it." Tira looked at Gateau and realized she was being carried by the gentle giant. "Uhm, you can put me down now Gateau." Gateau happily obliged and looked at the sleeping Carrot. "Lucky devil. Look at him asleep on the job." Chocolate raised Carrot's head unto her lap. "Let him sleep, he deserved it." Marron eyed Tira and approached the bewildered girl. "Are you all right Tira? Anything the matter?" Tira looked up at the mage and shook her head. "Nothing Marron." "Something's bothering you. What is it?" Tira blushed a slight pink and softly spoke. "I just have the strangest feeling someone kissed me." Marron was not a bit unaware of that matter for her lips were a little swollen but nonetheless surprised. He looked once more at the blushing Tira then to his sleeping brother who was, unusually so, smiling in his sleep. Marron smiled and placed his hand on Tira's shoulder. "Don't think too much of it Tira. I think it's nothing." Tira smiled at the mage and watched her sister take care of Carrot.
At the far side of darkness a figure was watching the five hunters. "Strawberry you have failed your mission and you know what the consequences are." A figure walked into the light and she was a pitiful sight. Half of her body was melting and the other half was etched with pain. "Master, please have mercy." The figure raised it's hand and Strawberry was surrounded by fire slowly coming closer to her. "MASTER, PLEASE... NO!" The fire disappeared and so was the person named Strawberry. The figure watched as the hunters carried on their journey and it smiled under the shadows giving off a menacing laugh.
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