Aelyra Vaelis slowly opened her eyes.
The sky above her was unfamiliar—dark, yet shimmering like broken glass. The air felt heavy, dense with mana unlike anything she had ever felt before.
"…Am I dead?" she whispered.
"No."
The voice was calm.
She turned her head.
Talis sat upon a black throne, carved with ancient symbols. Beside him stood seven figures, their auras overwhelming, each radiating power far beyond mortal standards.
"Welcome," Talis said, "to the Mirror Dimension."
Aelyra's breath caught.
"My… world?" she asked.
"The world I rule," he corrected.
"A sub-dimension. The Demon World was destroyed long ago."
She swallowed hard.
"What do you want from me?"
"Nothing," Talis replied simply.
One of the figures stepped forward.
Tall. Horned. Cloaked in crimson mana.
"Welcome, Lady Vaelis," the demon said with a bow.
"I am Belzebuth, Supreme Demon and second-in-command to Lord Talis."
Aelyra's vision spun.
Her body gave up.
She collapsed.
"Treat her gently," Talis ordered calmly.
"See that she comes to no harm."
When Aelyra awoke again, she was lying on a bed inside a vast demonic castle. The walls pulsed faintly, as if alive.
Panic surged.
She ran.
Corridors twisted endlessly—but before she could reach an exit, intermediate demons appeared, blocking her path.
"This way," one said politely.
She was escorted back.
To the throne room.
Talis stood.
"Are you well?" he asked.
"I want to leave," Aelyra snapped.
He nodded.
"Very well."
Her eyes widened.
"You'll see me again," he continued,
"when you reach Rank B."
She clenched her fists.
"Why don't you kill me?" she demanded.
"I could tell everyone who you are."
Talis laughed softly.
"I trust you."
He extended his hand.
A black bracelet materialized, etched with glowing runes.
"A pass," he said.
"You may enter this world only if you are Rank B or higher."
She hesitated, then took it.
"…What is your goal?" she asked quietly.
Talis's expression changed—just slightly.
"I am searching for someone."
The air grew still.
Before she could ask more—
Light consumed her.
Aelyra woke up in her room in Venti.
The bracelet was still on her wrist.
Her heart raced.
Talis Symphorien…
What are you really searching for?