Chapter Three-History
The silver haired girl gazed out the window, looking toward the ocean, apparently taking no notice of anyone as she spoke in a low, serious tone, her eyes the only spark for telling her emotions.
"I grew up in the H.I.V.E., where my powers developed slowly. I supposed they still develop to a degree. I have illusionary powers, and can make my illusions temporarily real if I choose to do so, even permanently real, but that takes more energy and time that I can normally allow.
"As I grew older my powers grew stronger than the others and almost too strong for myself. I could alter other's memories, and them to believe themselves to be in places they weren't. Despite my formidable reputation in magical combat, I was defeated in a private battle between myself and another student. Word never got our, but from that day forth Brother Blood trained me rigorously in physical combat.
"Soon, I was invincible to any within the Academy. I was Blood's protégé. Last night, things went wrong...or more wrong than they normally are, at least. He asked me to flank him as second in command, my final test to be stealing a priceless and deadly artifact. I declined, knowing the potential the item held."
At this point in Mirage's retelling, Robin held a gloved hand up to stop her.
"What was the artifact?"
A haunted look sprang into Mirage's eyes as she caught his gaze. "It is a ring that looks no different from any other piece of jewelry...an emerald stone and gold band. But an ancient magic that the druids captured inside the jewel gives the wearer power to enhance his or her own. In my case, the ring would allow me to control reality completely, and to bend to my will the memory of all. In Brother Blood's case...free will would not exist...his power would know no limits. According to him, I was to steal and take possession of the ring, but I knew this would not last long. Sooner or later, by one hand or one life, he would take the Emerald.
"Brother Blood attempted to force me to assist him, mainly by his brain washing skills. I have never felt such fury and power as I did when he used all his skills as he did that day, or days, as it were. I don't like people trying to control my mind any more than anyone else would, so I left quickly, when I could break away from him. His quest in controlling me has exceeding far beyond recently. The pursuit was heavy...I am surprised you did not receive a distress signal faster than you did. They wore me down to the point of recapture, and that is where I lost consciousness."