Chapter 83

The weeks turned into a blur as Ace found himself in constant battle against the Mirror Monsters. Balancing the mundane realities of high school, a part-time job, and the extraordinary life of a Kamen Rider was proving to be quite the juggling act. Partnering with Koji and Yuri had become routine, as they worked together to track and defeat the monsters emerging from the Mirror World. Ace couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss, the absence of Grongi incidents was a welcome change, yet it felt like a prelude to something bigger, something brewing beneath the surface. Amidst the chaos, Ace and Koji's relationship had grown stronger, solidifying into a genuine friendship. It was common to see them grabbing a bite after a particularly grueling fight, sharing stories and laughs as they recovered from their battles.

Now, bathed in the afternoon sun on the NYPD rooftop, Ace in his Ryuki armor and Koji lean against the railing, overlooking the bustling New York cityscape.

"Another one bites the dust," Ace remarks, the Dragvisor on his left arm gleaming.

Koji laughs, adjusting the bandage on his arm – a souvenir from their last encounter with a particularly nasty crab-like Mirror Monster. "Yeah, well, at least this time I didn't end up as monster chow. Thanks for that, by the way."

Ace shrugs, the red and silver armor shifting slightly. "Just doing my job. Besides, Yuri would've had my head if I let anything happen to her partner."

"Speaking of Yuri," Koji says, glancing towards the door leading back inside. "She's been working overtime lately. These disappearances are really starting to get to her, huh?"

Ace nods, his expression softening. "She takes it personally. Wants to save everyone she can."

A beat of silence hangs between them, broken only by the distant wail of a siren.

"You know," Koji begins, pushing himself off the railing. "Before all this crazy Mirror Monster stuff started, I thought being a cop was all about paperwork and donuts. Turns out, it's more like… facing down interdimensional nightmares with a man in a dragon armor."

Ace chuckles, the sound echoing slightly within the helmet. "It's a little more complicated than that."

Ace tips his head back, a genuine laugh bubbling up from beneath the helmet, mingling with Koji's hearty chuckle. The tension from their monster-hunting escapades seems to dissipate, replaced by a shared sense of camaraderie.

"Interdimensional nightmares," Ace repeats, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "I like that. It's got a nice ring to it."

Koji grins, playfully punching Ace's armored shoulder. "Hey, I'm full of good ideas. You should hear my theories on the Bermuda Triangle."

"I'll pass, thanks," Ace says, waving a hand dismissively. "Though, now that I think about it… what made you want to be a detective anyway?"

Koji's expression softens, the playful glint in his eyes dimming slightly. He turns his gaze back to the city, the sprawling metropolis stretching out before them like a vast, intricate web.

"I wanted to help people, you know? Keep order, make a difference. Sounds cliché, I know."

He pauses, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face.

"I wanted to be a hero," Koji admits quietly, the word hanging in the air between them. "I thought, as a detective, I could be someone who could make a difference."

Ace nods, understanding dawning in his eyes. "And?"

Koji takes a deep breath, a hint of a wistful smile playing on his lips.

"The reality was… a bit different. The early days were rough, horrible even. I saw so much darkness, so much pain. People at their worst. It almost broke me."

He trails off, lost in thought, the weight of his past experiences settling heavily on his shoulders. The laughter and lightheartedness of moments before seem a distant memory, replaced by the somber reflection of a man grappling with the harsh realities of the world.

Koji shakes his head, as if trying to dispel the shadows of his past. "But then," he says, his voice gaining strength. "I met someone who showed me the way. Someone who reminded me what it truly meant to serve."

"A mentor?" Ace asks, tilting his head.

Koji nods, a small smile gracing his lips. "Yeah, you could say that. He showed me that it wasn't just about arresting the bad guys, but about maintaining order, dispensing justice, being a symbol for the people. That's what's driving me now. To make sure that people are safe and that criminals are punished."

He clenches his fist, a newfound determination shining in his eyes. "That's why I do what I do, Rider. That's why I won't back down, even when things get tough. I'm doing this for the people."

The weight of Koji's words hangs in the air, a testament to the unwavering spirit of a man who has faced darkness and emerged stronger, more determined than ever. The city behind them seemed to pulse with renewed hope.

"Well," Ace says, straightening up, his voice resolute behind the Dragvisor. "Then we keep at it, right? Keep fighting. We protect the people, no matter what."

Koji nods, his gaze hardening with determination. "Damn right, we do. The city needs us. And we won't let them down." He claps Ace on the shoulder, a genuine smile returning to his face.

The door to the rooftop creaks open, and Yuri steps out, her expression grim. "Another one," she announces, her voice cutting through the comfortable atmosphere. "Near the river this time."

Ace and Koji immediately snap to attention, the lightheartedness of their previous conversation vanishing.

"What happened?" Koji asks, his voice sharp and professional.

Yuri pulls out a small notepad, flipping it open. "Witnesses reported seeing something… unnatural. Large, scaled, near the docks."

Ace's grip tightens on the Dragvisor. "Mirror Monster?"

Yuri nods. "Possibly. But the description doesn't match anything we've seen before. We need to check it out."

Without another word, Ace strides towards the stairs, his armored footsteps echoing on the concrete. Koji follows close behind, his trench coat billowing in the breeze. Yuri brings up the rear, her face set with determination. The trio moves with a sense of urgency, a silent understanding passing between them. The peace on the rooftop is shattered, replaced by the grim reality of their duty.

The sun dips below the horizon, casting long shadows across the city as rush hour gets into full swing. The East River glitters with reflected light, its surface deceptively serene.

A lone figure jogs along the waterfront path, earbuds blasting upbeat pop music into her ears. She is a woman in her late twenties, clad in athletic wear, her stride strong and rhythmic. The cool evening air nips at her cheeks, raising a healthy blush on her face.

The woman rounds a bend in the path, the river stretching out before her. She glances at the water, admiring the cityscape reflected in its surface.

Without warning, the water's reflection shimmers violently, distorting the mirrored image of the skyline. The effect spreads rapidly, the surface of the river rippling and churning as if something massive is about to breach.

A monstrous form explodes from the water, a hulking figure of chitin and claw. It is Volcancer, the crab-like Mirror Monster, its oversized pincers snapping hungrily.

The woman screams, a shrill, piercing cry that is quickly cut short. Volcancer's massive claws clamp down on her, crushing her ribs with sickening force. Her body goes limp, the earbuds falling from her ears to dangle uselessly.

With a final, horrifying crunch, Volcancer devours her. He eats the woman's body with relish, its sharp claws tearing through flesh and bone. Volcancer drags the remains towards the water. The woman's half-eaten corpse is dragged into the river into the Mirror World. Leaving her phone behind.

The river calms, its surface returning to its previous state of serenity. The cityscape is reflected perfectly once more. The woman's cell phone lies discarded on the path, the screen glowing with a paused Spotify playlist.

***

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