Chapter 4 – Mirrors and Arguments

Sayako Nightbringer


I waited until everyone had gone to bed that night to call for Leon again. Sitting on the top bunk amongst my stuffed animals, I sighed in my head.

'You awake?'

Have been for a while. Where the heck did you run off to? He demanded, sounding accusatory.

'Hey, I'm not the one that interrupted you In the middle of a conversation with people who know nothing of this.' I grumbled back, glaring at my window lightly.

Like I was supposed to know? Where'd you get the idea that I knew you were talking to other people? Don't you think I'd have left you alone if I had known?

As much as I didn't like it, Leon did have a point there. He'd had no way of knowing I'd been busy talking to people. I also wanted to ask about Chaltier, but I had no way of putting it right now that would make him think I thought Chal was a person instead of a sword.

I sighed and picked up a tiny round mirror that had been tossed into the huge heap of stuffed animals who-knows-when, staring at it blankly.

Then I nearly shrieked and dropped it, but I held on at the last second.

The reflection looked really startled too.

"Please tell me I'm dreaming..."

"I don't think you are." The reflection replied back. This time me hearing it instead of it resonating in my head.

"You're at a mirror too?" I asked, still wary that my mind was playing tricks.

"Of course I am, idiot." Leon grumbled, glaring at me. I had to look away a little, thankful that my room was dark right now. "What's wrong with you all of the sudden?"

I laughed weakly. "I don't know if I want to believe I'm sane just yet. I mean, nothing out of the ordinary happens in my life for 16 years and suddenly this happens." He raised an eyebrow at me. Then he stared at my throat where the necklace rested.

"The necklace looks different then what we saw in that dream."

Now it was my turn to raise an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?" I asked, reaching up with my free hand to hover over the pendant. Leon frowned.

"Don't do that, I can't see it enough to describe it to you otherwise." I lowered my hand. "Better. Well, what we saw was a plain black cloth necklace with a plain gem on it, but now it has some sort of light blue embroidery along the bottom of the cloth and the top of the cloth is a stripe of the same color. The gem has some sort of legless dragon curled around it, I think. The wings are half folded on either side of the gem and dragon. It doesn't look right to me really, but that's what it looks like. It's too dark over there to tell what the gem looks like now." Leon explained, crossing his arms.

I looked down, trying to see the necklace. Unable to see it still – though it was obvious before I even tried – I instead reached up to brush my fingers along the dragon. On the other side of the mirror, Leon jumped a little, his hand flying to his throat.

"I said don't DO that! How many times do I have to tell you that?" he half-yelled. I flinched at the volume. We'd kept relatively quiet until now.

"Quiet!" I hissed back at him, dropping my hand again. "I don't need either of us waking my family up and having them wonder if I've finally lost my sanity!"

Leon was the one to flinch this time. "Don't remind me. I'm lucky that the blond idiot can't wake up even if his life depended on it. The Lens Thief and her partner I'm worried about though."

I frowned. He hadn't said anything about Phillia. "Is that all of the people with you? Or is there more people? Like the person who said hi to me yesterday... Chaltier was it?" Good, I got that out there.

Leon shrugged. "A priestess, but she's nothing to worry about. She's too timid that even if she did find out, she wouldn't bring it up. As for Chaltier, he's not a person. He's my sword." He told me, lifting Chaltier for me to see. I stared at the swordian for a moment then grinned.

"That's a well-made sword. So you said he can talk?"

Leon nodded. "Yeah, but only those who can wield them, Swordian Masters, can hear them. I don't think you could."

I jumped a little when a small tired yawn came out of the air around Leon. Startled, I locked eyes with him.

"What the heck was that?" Leon seemed to fight the urge to tilt his head in confusion. Because his eyes were extremely confused.

"That was Chal- Wait... You heard him?" He looked down at his sword then secured it back to his belt. "We'll have to test that another time when he's awake." he spoke when I hadn't responded out of shock. I just nodded dumbly, looking away from the mirror.

"Um... I... should probably let you... go to bed now..." I nearly stuttered, fidgeting a little.

Leon looked back up at me then nodded again. He didn't seem to understand why I was so nervous all of a sudden, but I was inclined to keep it that way. I set the mirror down a little away from me, watching the light fade and return to reflecting my ceiling.

After watching it for a while, I cursed under my breath and climbed down to my bottom bunk to curl up in my blankets.

"What the hell am I doing?"

-x-

I groaned when morning came around, watching the numbers on my clock turn to seven o'clock in bright green lights. Yawning a little, I sat up and hugged my knees, glaring at my feet hidden underneath my blankets. I hadn't slept much, waking up around five or so. There had been something nagging at me, but I hadn't been able to pinpoint it.

"Erica- Oh! You're awake." I heard my mother say from my suddenly open door. I looked over at her, shrugging with tired eyes.

"I don't want to be. Slept only a couple of hours."

She looked worried, but then noticed my necklace. "Oh that's cool! Did one of your friends give that to you?"

I reached up to touch the necklace, but stopped before I did. "Um... you could say that."

My mother raised an eyebrow, but didn't ask and further questions about it. She walked over to my bed and sat down, watching my face carefully. Just as carefully as I kept up a blank mask.

"You've got bags under your eyes," She chuckled, reaching up and rubbing her thumb underneath one of my eyes, forcing it closed.

I sighed and pulled away from her. "I figured that. Though I don't feel too tired. I'll probably crash early tonight though."

Oi.

It took all I had to keep myself from freaking out at the sudden greeting, failing anyway.

"WAH!" I yelped, flailing for a moment and startling my mother.

"Erica? You okay?" she asked, panicked.

'WHAT THE HELL?' I yelled back at Leon, still shaken up.

Whoa! What's you're problem now? He grumbled, having no way to understand what just happened.

"Erica?" My mother asked again, touching my shoulder. I jumped a little and focused back on her.

"Sorry, just... um..." I looked at my feet, unable to think of an excuse. "Just being crazy, I guess..."

She tilted her head worriedly. "Crazy? That hardly counted as crazy, honey. Something obviously startled you. What happened?"

Are you there?

'Shut up for a moment, okay?' I snapped, glaring at my feet. 'I've got to somehow avoid my mother finding out that I'm talking to you!'

There was silence on the other side of my head, so I looked back up at my mom. "I'm okay now. I really don't want to talk about it."

"Erica, what's going on?"

"Mom, just trust me and don't ask, okay?" I pleaded. "It's going to sound crazy if I told you, and I can't risk anything."

This seemed to be the bad choice of words, because her eyes narrowed. "Risk? Alright, young lady, what's going on. Where did that necklace /really/ come from?"

I felt like shrinking back into my pillows, realizing how stupid I'd been. 'Crud...'

What did you do now? Leon asked, sounding like he dreaded the answer.

'Well, the secret isn't going to be a secret anymore. Time to let my mom in on it. Just be ready in case I have to show her the mirror thing.'

If there's no way out of this predicament you put us in, then fine. He replied, going quiet.

I took a deep breath then looked at my mother square in the eyes. "This necklace came from a dream."

Mom looked skeptical. "Oh really now?"

I flinched at her tone, but nodded anyway. "I don't remember too much of the dream, but it was in a place with a lot of snow and trees. On top of the frozen lake was where I found this necklace. There was a person in my dream too, but I didn't figure out who it was until yesterday."

"When did you have this dream?" she asked, crossing her arms and watching my face carefully.

"Friday. But I didn't get this necklace until yesterday from some sort of cryptic old lady." I replied. She sighed, shaking her head.

"I thought you knew better than to talk to strangers."

I waved my hands in front of me a little. "No! That's not it! It was while you were gone at work and I'd been taking trash out," I had to omit the part where I'd been out there of my own accord or I'd probably be grounded. "She had been sitting on the grass in her cloak then she spoke to my mind."

Mom raised an eyebrow at me, focused on me again. "Spoke to your mind? Are you sure you didn't dream this up?"

It was my turn to sigh. "I'm absolutely certain I wasn't dreaming. But she said some really cryptic stuff and then spoke about me leaving something behind in the dream. When I remembered the necklace, she gave it to me. Though, now the necklace won't come off."

She tilted her head and motioned for me to move closer. I did and pulled my hair over my shoulder so she could see there was no seam on the back of the necklace.

"Have you tried cutting it?"

I flinched at the thought, confusing my mother. "I don't think that's a good idea. See, every time I touch this necklace, my mind buddy feels it. I don't want him thinking that I'm trying to sever his head from my world."

A skeptical look crossed my mom's face again. "So... if I'm getting this right, that necklace is letting you talk to someone from another world?"

"Yeah. The same person who'd been in my dream. He told me that he'd had the same dream. I think he remembers more of it than I do though."

She placed a hand on my forehead for a moment then sighed. "Have I been neglecting you? Is that why you've come up with this story?"

I gaped at my mother, having to take a few seconds to fully take in what she'd just said. When it sunk in, I leapt to my feet, glaring at her. "Do you have any idea what it's like having to juggle a mind conversation without making everyone think I'm strange? I just found out last night that we can communicate though mirrors! Why don't you believe me?"

"Now listen here, young lady. How in the world do you to expect me to believe something like this? When you don't even remember too much of what's been told to you?"

I stood there, feeling heat rush though my veins along with a rush of anger. "You know that I don't like remembering conversations. I've told you all that I can. Now I'm telling you that I can prove this to you if you'll just give me a chance!"

"Are you two okay in there?" My brother's voice came from the doorway. My mother looked up and smiled at him, but I kept my gaze on my feet, ignoring him.

"We're fine in here. Your sister is just a little tired this morning," She replied, standing and walking over to the doorway while my brother left to go get on his computer, probably. I could tell that she looked back at me, because her voice sounded directed at me. "When you've fully woken up, come and tell me what's wrong, okay?" And with that parting sentence, she shut my door behind her.

I stood there for a moment then sunk to my knees, fighting the urge to slam my fists into my floor. Instead I touched the gem on my necklace, hearing a startled yelp from Leon.

What the he- Hey. What's up with you? I heard him ask, probably being able to sense some portion of my frustration.

'My mother didn't even listen to a freaking word I said. She ignored everything and didn't even listen when I said I could prove that this is real!' I snapped back, fighting tears.

There was silence on the other side, but I paid it no mind. He was probably relived that we didn't have to pull up the mirror trick again...

I can't say I've had better.

I blinked, looking up at my wall for something calm to look at. 'What do you mean?'

Leon sighed. I tried to explain to Chal, but it won't come out right, so he's just worried that I haven't been sleeping well. Although, I'm not really surprised. This sort of thing would be extremely against what I'd usually do.

'Well, the mirror trick would probably work on him. But I'm not sure I want to try right now.'

Why?

'When I get frustrated, I have to try not to cry. If I try to talk about it now, I'll probably cry.'

Do you really have anything better to do? Who knows, Chal might be able to help.

'You're weirdly nice today. Did you eat something wrong?' I teased, feeling myself smile a little at Leon's spluttering response.

I have the ability to be nice sometimes! I'm not a stuck up brat!

I laughed out loud at that one. 'So, you've been paying attention to whatever teasing you hear then? I didn't know you cared that much.'

I don't! Now find a stupid mirror before I find a wall to hit my head on!

Giggling to myself, I got the small mirror from my top bunk then sat against the wall on my bottom bunk. I stared at it for a moment, then frowned.

"How the hell do I turn this thing on- Ah!" I grinned a little as the mirror switched to show Leon's glaring face. "Nice to see you too."

"Yeah, that'll teach me to be nice to you again," He grumbled, looking down at Chaltier I assumed. The mirror wasn't big enough on either side I assumed to see him completely.

"Chal, say something, she's here."

"Really?"

Chaltier appeared in a transparent version of his human self, watching me carefully. His gaze drifted to the necklace then he grinned.

"So Bo-chan wasn't lying! I'm glad."

"Chal, just say hello, that'll really get irritating soon."

Chaltier smiled back at Leon. "Sorry." He turned back towards me and bowed slightly. "My name is Chaltier like you probably already know. You're Erica-san?"

"Um, yeah..." I replied, nodding. It was odd, being able to talk to the swordian. Actually, once I thought about it, it was confusing.

"Any ideas on why I can hear you? The way Leon said it, it seemed like not many people can."

Chaltier shrugged. "I don't really understand it myself. All of the swordian masters have been found, but you're not from our world, so I don't know if it applies to outside our world."

"Ah."

I sighed and put the mirror next to me where I could still see it, but so I could hug my knees. I rested my head on my arms, watching Leon and Chaltier whisper about something. My thoughts drifted while they talked, slowly trying to drag me back into my earlier frustration. Biting my lip, I bury my face in my arms.

"Erica-san?" Chaltier asked from the mirror beside me, sounding worried. When I didn't look up, I could hear him call Leon back over to the mirror.

"Oi. What's wrong with you now?" Leon asked, his tone a little frustrated.

"Hey, Erica?" my mother's voice came from the suddenly open door. I jumped, my head snapping up to stare at her with wide eyes. My heart dropped to my stomach as I tried to think of a quick way to hide the mirror.

"Yeah mom?" I asked, glancing at the mirror with wide eyes. Leon was keeping Chaltier quiet, watching me carefully.

Mom sighed, crossing her arms. "I just wanted to see if you were feeling okay enough to explain what's going on."

I felt the frustration come back full force, and suddenly my vision was blurry as I glared at my mother. "I'm not lying! This necklace is real! Why don't you believe me?"

"This again?" She asked, looking worried. "Erica, things like that don't happen. We've talked about this kind of stuff before when you talked about that Leon guy."

My stomach now decided to freeze on me as dread settled in. Why did she have to bring that up now of all times?

Leon kept quiet, which I was thankful for, but I'd probably get an earful later. I bit my lip and focused my now clear gaze on mom.

"I still believe it's real. I'm not crazy, and I'm not lying."

"Erica... you know my opinion on this. I know you don't like hearing this, but they're not real people."

I looked at my knees and closed my eyes tightly. "...Go away..."

"Erica... Come on, sweetie." my mother tried coaxing. I didn't even bother to try bringing up the mirror, but it was brought up against my will.

"Why aren't you listening to her?" Leon's voice came from beside me.

"Who's that?" My mom asked, startled. I raised my head and looked at the mirror, surprised a little myself. Why was he...?

"The person your daughter said she's talking to. She's telling the truth."

I picked up the mirror. "Are you sure about letting other people know?"

Leon nodded, crossing his arms. Chaltier had disappeared at some point, but I wasn't complaining. "She doesn't seem to believe you otherwise. Show the mirror to her, we'll prove that you're not making things up."

I smiled a little, then turned the mirror towards my mother, who was sitting on the bed now and watching in confusion. "But... how?" she asked, looking at me.

"Like I said. It all started with the dream. We don't know how this all happened, but it did. And there's something big that's going to happen, I'm sure of it," I said.

"All of the proof is here. This isn't something three people can dream up." Leon added.

Mom sat there for a moment then reached forward and pulled me into a hug, which surprised me.

"Eh?" I struggled to look up at her, but after a moment decided to look down at the mirror where Leon had his own confused look.

"I'm sorry... I just-"

"Hey, mom. It's okay. I understand. Seriously, I do." I interrupted her, patting her shoulder before pulling away. I had to admit, it was the quickest and most interesting argument between us yet.

"I don't understand you two..." Leon sighed, making both of us laugh.

"Well, how do we work with this?" Mom asked, looking at me.

I tilted my head, thinking hard. "I'm not too sure. I-"

My vision wavered suddenly, so I held my hand against my eyes for a moment before pulling it away...

And yelping in surprise.

Right there, for the three of us to see, was my see-though hand. Mom and Leon traded glances, then both started to panic – Leon less visibly than my mother – when the rest of my body started to follow my hand's example.

I groaned. "You've gotta be kidding m-"

"ERICA!"

I felt my world disappear from around me, pulling me into the cold feeling of unconsciousness. I'd never fainted before, so it was strange to me. But I could comprehend one thing before my mind was lost:

My adventure had begun.


Sayako: *looks around* Do I have to say I don't own Tales of Destiny every time a chapter is put up?

Naiyo: Unfortunately.

Sayako: *sighs*

Nova: Sayako doesn't own Tales of Destiny.

Sayako: When did you get here?

Nova: Just now. You just weren't paying attention.

Sayako: Go back to your story! *pushes away*