That's why it's sunny

"Inverse."

That was the effect the gauntlets provided. It inversed one's cursed effect.

'It really is a mirror.'

In my case, it changed from Hydrophobia to Hydrophobia. I no longer needed my ring. The gauntlets had already bypassed it.

This meant that instead of being repulsed by water with my hydrophobia, I now had a somewhat affinity for water with the hydrophilia. It might also not seem like it, but this was a huge upgrade since my cursed ability was basically cryokinesis.

It also opens up potential abilities I could unlock but that was for another day.

I pressed on the Relic part of my runes and the screen, or whatever it was, changed.

[===========ᚱᛟᚾᚨᚾ===========]

Relic: Mirror's Grasp

Relic Effect: Inverses the user's curse effect.

Rank: I(Upgradeable)

Forms: 2/3

[Bound]

[===========ᚱᛟᚾᚨᚾ===========]

It was pretty self-explanatory. The Relic was bound to me. Forever.

Mirror's grasp was also a Rank One relic. In Oblivra all Artifacts and Relics were classified into ranks I to V, with V being the most powerful while I was the weakest.

'It is also upgradeable.'

Since Varek never actually used it, I didn't know how to upgrade the ranks. Still, I was very content with what it gave me.

The gauntlets could also change forms, something I appreciated, since walking around with arms encased in metal was fashionably sensible.

It currently had two forms but I had prepared to add another one, so reaching down slowly, I slid my right hand into my trouser pocket.

"Creak!"

The gauntlets groaned in protest as I bent my arm reaching to the semi-wet trouser pocket.

They were rigid when idle like they didn't trust I wouldn't break something by accident.

A faint shuffle followed as the metal brushed against something I kept in there. Then my fingers found the object I was looking for: a pair of plain leather gloves.

I pulled them out.

The gauntlets shivered. I swear, they trembled. It's as if they were excited.

I held the gloves in my hands for a moment. Then, deliberately, I placed one against the surface of the left gauntlet.

The reaction was immediate.

"Shfff"

With a sharp sound like tearing silk, the leather glove was sucked into the crimson metal.

The surface of the gauntlet rippled like molten glass as the glove vanished into the relic in a heartbeat.

I repeated the action with the second glove and it was gone too.

I stared for a second.

The gauntlets shimmered faintly for a moment, then stilled. A tingling sensation soon coursed up my forearms which quickly faded.

"Three forms now," I muttered to myself. 

"Not bad."

I took a breath and focused. The crimson gauntlets began to pulse, then shift.

"Let's see the second form."

"Fwshhhhhhhh"

With a sound like wind rushing through leaves, the red gauntlets folded in on themselves, the plates receding while the edges softened. The surface dulled and reshaped as it transformed from armour into something sleeker and more refined.

Golden bands now circled my forearms in layered arcs. They glowed faintly in the low light of the cave.

They were perfect. Perfect for when I wield a weapon, especially my spear.

The bands were light but strong, not restrictive, and they left my fingers free for precise movements. I could already imagine how balanced I'd feel in battle, less burdened and more agile. There was no unnecessary bulk to slow me down.

I smiled and gave a small nod.

"The second form is streamlined, controlled and deadly."

But I wasn't done yet.

I willed the relic again.

"Thrummmm."

The gold shimmered, liquefying without heat. The metal peeled away in elegant layers, swirling down my forearms in smooth spirals.

I watched as each band unravelled into thin streams of light, coiling and wrapping, tightening, weaving until gold eventually became ink.

The lustre dulled, the sheen faded, and what remained was leather. Matte black, supple and unassuming.

The transformation was smoother this time, as though the relic had finally settled into this form, understanding it better, accepting it.

I could almost sense a hint of pride from the gauntlets themselves, if such a thing were possible, like a craftsman showing off their latest design.

The gloves now looked identical to the ones I had carried in my pocket. They were the same colour, the same stitching, even that loose thread near the thumb. Only now, they weren't just gloves.

I flexed my fingers and they moved perfectly. It was comfortable, soft, and stylish.

Normal.

To anyone watching, it would just look like I was wearing a pair of generic leather gloves.

I turned my hands over, the palms facing up and admired the quiet deception.

I then gave myself a quick pat on the chest and to the side.

"Genius"

I grinned.

"Looks like regular gloves, and still packs the full power of Mirror's Grasp. Stylish and subtle."

I half-laughed at myself, still amazed I'd managed to think of it.

Most relic-bearers flaunt their gear but me?

I prefer being underestimated.

Especially when Varek was inevitably going to become suspicious of me after I survive my death, if I survive it that is.

'I will survive it after all I have these bad boys with me'

I flexed my hands again.

With a final glance around the cave, I started toward the entrance.

When I stepped into the world. The sunlight hit me like a sigh of relief. I hadn't realized how long I'd been in the dark. It was warm, bright, almost apologetic in contrast to the cold hush of the cave. My skin tingled as it adjusted.

'Was the sun out when I entered?'

I stepped onto a narrow ledge of the ravine.

I adjusted my footing and began moving along the path slowly and carefully.

I'd crossed this way before, but it felt different now. The path hadn't changed but I had.

Once I was at the entrance of the Sable Gash, I looked down at my left wrist. My NexBand was still snug there the pearls embedded into it glinting under the sun.

I pressed one of them. I was sure it would have a better connection here.

"Klik."

The display shimmered in midair and then I saw the Date.

And froze.

"What the hell?"

A week, seven days. They were gone.

"No way"

My heart thudded once, then faster, like it was trying to catch up with what my eyes were seeing.

"That trial."

It had pulled me deeper. A state of synchronicity so complete I had slipped out of time itself. I thought solving the riddle took a couple of minutes.

But seven days?

That was crazy!

I stared at the display, then slowly lowered my arm as the screen flickered off.

'That explains why it's sunny.'

I took another deep breath and let the weight of that realization settle.

Somewhere out there, time had moved on without me.

I flexed my gloved fingers again.

"Guess I've got catching up to do."