Chapter 6: The Hidden Power
The riverbank was quiet, with only the soft sound of flowing water and rustling leaves. The four of them—Lucas, Leo, Eline, and Eric—had come together at last. They sat together, catching their breath after everything they'd gone through.
Leo, ever the loud one, was back to his usual jokes. He tossed pebbles into the river and made fun of Eric.
"So, tree boy, how many branches did you break on the way down?" Leo teased, laughing.
Eric rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath, while Eline smiled at the two of them.
But Lucas wasn't laughing. He sat silently, staring into the trees and the rippling water. His thoughts drifted back to his grandmother's warning:
"Never go near that mirror, Lucas. Never."
Something about this world still felt wrong. Dangerous. Unnatural.
Suddenly, a familiar and terrifying sound shattered the moment.
ROOOAAARRR!
The Guardian Beast.
Eline's smile vanished in an instant. She stood up, alert.
"We can't keep running," she said. "We have to do something about that beast."
Lucas nodded, his face serious. "I studied the prison cells carefully. I don't think there's just one beast. I'm almost sure there's more than one out there. We have to figure them out. Come up with a real plan—not just run from monsters."
Eline looked at the sky. "Night is coming. That means the Nyrewolves will come again. We need shelter."
"Then let's move," Lucas said. "Now."
They all stood and began their journey once more, following the river upstream, hoping it would lead them somewhere safer. But after only a few minutes, Lucas froze.
"Wait," he said, raising a hand.
Everyone stopped.
"I hear something," Lucas whispered. "It's not the Guardian Beast. But it's close… very close."
Eline reacted quickly. "Hold hands—now!"
They grabbed each other just as a rumble came from the forest.
Eline's hands glowed faintly as she activated her power. In a flash, the group vanished from sight, hidden by her invisibility spell. To any outsider, there was nothing there—just the wind blowing leaves across the ground.
Eric trembled. He still had no idea where they were or how this world worked. His heart pounded as the sound grew louder.
Then from the trees emerged four massive creatures. They walked on two legs like humans, but their heads were unmistakably those of pigs—snouts, tusks, and thick, gray-pink skin. Each carried a massive weapon, jagged and rusted.
The orcs moved heavily, grunting and sniffing the air. One leaned over the stream and drank. Another growled and pointed at a tree, but they soon lost interest and moved on.
Hunters. They were looking for something… or someone.
Once the orcs disappeared into the trees, Eline slowly released her magic. They reappeared.
"That was too close," Leo whispered, wiping his forehead.
"They're not the only ones out here," Lucas said. "Let's keep moving."
Soon, they found a small cave tucked between jagged rocks and overgrown vines. It wasn't big, but it was hidden. Safe enough for now.
They sat down, tired. Leo leaned back and groaned dramatically. "I swear… if I don't get fried chicken or ice cream soon, I'm gonna faint."
As if on cue, Eric suddenly jerked upright. "Hey—something just moved in my backpack."
He opened it—and pulled out… fried chicken.
Leo's eyes widened. "No way! Gimme that!"
He snatched it and bit into it—only to spit it out instantly. "BLEGH! This tastes like socks!"
Eline laughed. "Only fruits, water, and HP potions work in this world. Everything else is just an illusion. That's why we haven't starved yet—our bodies are surviving off the few real things this world allows."
Eric blinked. "But it just… showed up."
"Still," Eric said, confused, "the bag only gave me the chicken because Leo said it."
Leo tried again. "Ice cream."
The backpack shifted, and he pulled out a tub of ice cream. Leo grabbed it excitedly, only to gag again after one bite.
"I want a book," Eric said, testing again. But nothing happened.
"Flashlight."
Nothing.
"Only when Leo asks for something does it appear," Lucas observed.
"I want a knife," Leo said quickly.
A gleaming silver knife slid out of the bag.
They all looked at each other, stunned.
"This backpack…" Eric began.
"…is meant for you to carry," Eline finished. "But it only responds to Leo's desires."
Eric looked confused. "Then I should give it to—"
He tried to take the backpack off—but couldn't.
"It won't come off," he muttered.
"That's because it's your duty to carry it," Eline said gently. "The bag is linked to you, Eric. But the weapons inside? They belong to Leo."
Leo stared at the blade. "So I'm the only one who can fight?"
"You're the strongest," Eline nodded. "And the fastest."
She looked around at the group. "We all have our roles. I'm the healer—I'll use my apples when anyone's HP drops. Lucas can sense danger from miles away… and he has the power to teleport."
"I haven't figured out how to use that yet," Lucas admitted.
"And Eric," Eline continued, "you can multiply yourself—create clones to distract enemies. We're not random survivors anymore. This mirror world chose us. We have to work together to fight these monsters."
Night had fallen completely now, and the woods outside the cave were filled with distant howls.
"I say we don't make a fire," Lucas said. "The Nyrewolves tracked us before. I think they followed the light."
They all agreed and huddled in the dark. No fire. No noise. Just silence.
Leo turned toward Lucas in the dim shadows. "You say your grandma just warned you not to go near the mirror. How come you're the one figuring everything out?"
Lucas looked up at the cave ceiling. "I don't know. I just… feel it."
Eline placed a hand on Leo's shoulder. "Don't blame him. This world gave each of us gifts. Now we need to figure out how to use them… and survive."
Lucas nodded slowly. "Next time the Guardian Beast shows up, we all use our powers. No more running."
"Yeah," Leo smirked. "And once I behead that ugly beast, maybe I can finally go home and taste real ice cream again."
Everyone laughed softly—even Eric.
And for the first time since entering the mirror world, they all slept—no fire, no fear—just quiet determination.