The Cursed Mirror

Madame Esther's stern gaze remained fixed on the mirror's reflection—on the impossible absence of their own images.

"Professor Lawrence," she asked through the telepathic link, "this mirror... is it some sort of magical device? Or a cursed object?" She waited for an answer from the person with deep knowledge of magic and mysterious artifacts.

After a moment's pause, Professor Lawrence's voice echoed in her mind. "From what you've described, something with enough power to create an entire separate dimension is likely a cursed artifact. However, I have no data on its potential dangers or negative effects."

Madame Esther contemplated the Professor's answer carefully, her eyes still locked on the mirror's surface that refused to show their reflections. Just knowing it was a "cursed artifact" was enough to increase her caution, as such objects typically carried unpredictable dangers.

She couldn't be certain what form the threats from this mirror might take. Facing the unknown, leading a group into the dimension on the other side would be too risky. Moreover, this mirror provided only a single entrance, meaning there was only one way in. Invading a place with only one entrance risked being ambushed with no escape.

Madame Esther pondered for a moment before immediately changing strategies. She wanted to avoid confronting whatever unknown entity resided in the dimension beyond the mirror and decided that instead of charging into the strange dimension, she would order her team to move the mirror out of the basement. Once free from this cramped underground space, they would have more room and time to find a better way to deal with it.

"We're changing plans," Madame Esther sent her orders telepathically. "Everyone, prepare to help move this mirror out of the basement. We'll take it to a more spacious area where we can study it thoroughly without risking an ambush from the other side."

As soon as she gave the order, several agents positioned themselves around the large mirror. They grabbed its heavy metal frame and used all their strength to lift it. Yet the mirror remained completely still, as if it had become part of the basement floor itself.

Edward and other members tried again, straining until the sound of tense muscles and struggling boots scraping against stone filled the room. But the mirror wouldn't budge even slightly. It remained fixed in place as if welded to the floor by some unknown force.

"It's like this mirror is embedded deep into the foundation!" Edward muttered in shock. No matter how hard they pulled, it remained sealed in place.

Madame Esther observed everyone struggling with the immovable object.

She sighed slightly before turning to ask, "Professor Lawrence, do you have any suggestions?"

While they were engaged in this tense conversation, the ceiling lamp began to dim abnormally, as if its power source was failing. The fading glow caught everyone's attention in the basement. Several people looked around in confusion, trying to determine the cause. Some bent down to examine the floor in case something had been dropped, while others noticed the dimming light more slowly as they were focused on minor details around them. Despite their varied responses, they all inadvertently took their eyes off the large mirror.

In that split second when no one was watching, the unexpected happened. The mirror's surface began to ripple like water disturbed by wind. Waves of reflection began to undulate across its surface. The mirror that had been solid suddenly became liquid in the blink of an eye. The glass surface erupted outward like ocean waves, but it wasn't transparent like water—it was a silvery liquid that resembled molten lead, glimmering with reflected light.

Suddenly, the silvery reflective liquid surged forward in a wide wave, like a flood. The leaden wave burst out, splashing throughout the room, enveloping everyone in a fraction of a second, before anyone could react or even cry out a warning.

The leaden wave pulled them inside. A feeling of icy coldness and intense pressure rushed through them mercilessly. They were all yanked into the mysterious dimension within the mirror. The last echoes in the room fell silent. Everything happened too quickly to prevent.

When calm returned, the basement reverted to emptiness once more. No one remained there—only the large mirror stood prominently amid the silence, as if it had never moved at all.

When the telepathic communication with Madame Esther abruptly cut off, Professor Lawrence furrowed his brow with growing concern. He tried sending his thoughts repeatedly, but received only silence in return.

This unresponsive signal made his heart beat faster with worry that something abnormal might have happened to Madame Esther's group in the basement.

The Professor could wait no longer. He quickly turned to issue rapid commands: "Split the forces! Some of you follow me into the mansion! The rest stay in position according to the plan and be ready to respond if an emergency occurs."

Professor Lawrence rushed toward the mansion entrance without delay. As soon as they entered, the atmosphere inside the mansion felt eerily desolate and unnaturally cold. Shadows stretched along the stone corridors, but Lawrence led his team toward the basement stairs without hesitation. Their footsteps echoed throughout the mansion's corners.

One member's gaze caught a wall-mounted mirror in a corner of the room. He jumped back in shock upon seeing the mirror shaking like water's surface rippled by wind.

His face displayed clear alarm as he quickly called everyone's attention to it. The quivering mirror intensified, as if something was trying to break through it from the other side.

Professor Lawrence stared without blinking as soon as he heard the warning call. The mirror's surface bulged inward as if some living creature was pushing itself through a membrane. But strangely, this "membrane" was the mirror's reflective skin, tearing open into pieces. The opening widened until finally, the form of a man appeared from within.

The man stepped out from the mirror, his face unfamiliar. He was tall and strong-looking in a dark cloak that showed traces of recent battle. His agitated demeanor put all team members on immediate alert. But before they could question him or take further action, the same mirror began trembling again.

Its surface bulged once more, and this time what emerged deeply surprised Professor Lawrence. The figure emerging from the mirror was a tall man with brown-gray hair, his face marked with age lines and scars. His deep gray eyes flashed with caution and alertness. It was Edward.

The Professor felt shocked yet excited simultaneously. Though glad to see a familiar face, he remained cautiously prepared in case this situation wasn't as straightforward as it appeared—this person might not be the real Edward.

As soon as Edward fully emerged from the mirror, he immediately used his powers to send orders to officers throughout the mansion, instructing them to spread out to various locations where mirrors might be installed—bedrooms, bathrooms, storage rooms, or other spots. He emphasized that everyone should remain vigilant and observant, and if they noticed anything unusual, they should act immediately.

He then sent mental commands to the support groups outside the mansion: "Exterior support groups, establish a perimeter to prevent anyone from entering or leaving. If any Script-Decipherers members attempt to escape from the mansion, neutralize them immediately without waiting for further orders."

When Edward turned back, he saw the mysterious man who had emerged from the mirror before him desperately trying to escape down a corridor. However, Professor Lawrence's group stationed in that area responded promptly. The stranger was surrounded and subdued quickly. Edward felt more confident seeing that the external situation appeared to be under control.

He then turned and rushed back toward the basement to help Madame Esther and the group that had been pulled inside.

As soon as Professor Lawrence saw Edward using telepathic powers to issue commands, he realized this Edward was genuine and hurried after him.

While running, Edward attempted to send another message requesting reinforcements: "Urgent reinforcements needed in the basement. When you arrive, place your hand on the mirror's surface and close your eyes. This will allow you to enter the mirror dimension immediately."

As he and Lawrence headed down to the basement, they passed a group of officers guarding the area. Edward called out to four of them.

"Joseph, Charles, come with me. You two as well," he said, turning to two other officers known for their combat expertise.

Everyone nodded in acknowledgment and quickly followed Edward without asking questions. When they reached the large mirror in the basement, he looked at his companions standing beside him.

"Lawrence and Joseph, follow me into the mirror dimension. We'll deal with the Script-Decipherers."

Then he turned to the remaining officers standing behind. "The rest of you guard this mirror. Someone must keep their eyes on it at all times. If you start to tire, switch immediately. Remember, do not take your eyes off the mirror for even a second! If you do, we who are inside will be in danger, and those of you outside might get pulled in as well."

Everyone nodded solemnly. Edward glanced at Lawrence and Joseph before placing his hand against the mirror's cold surface. When he closed his eyes, the glass surface rippled like liquid, and the sensation changed from cold to a powerful suction, swallowing the head of the Investigation Division.

Lawrence and Joseph, standing nearby, followed his example. They placed their hands on the mirror and closed their eyes. In an instant, the mirror's surface seemed to liquefy, and all three men vanished completely into the mirror dimension.