Chapter One Hundred Four: Of Beginnings and Ends

  Jace

  With a weary sigh, Jace stood and stretched, muscles aching with the satisfying fatigue that followed a day well spent. It had been days since the Midnight Festival and the whirlwind of chaos that came with it. The weight of those events still lingered, pressing down on everything like the aftermath of a car crash—tense and bruised. But it was beginning to ease. Moments of quiet and comfort had started to slip through the cracks, fragile and welcome.

  The night around him felt softer, carrying a sense of calm that resonated deep within—like releasing a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, letting a silent resolution settle into his bones. For the first time in what felt like forever, the pieces of his life seemed to align, hinting at where he fit within the sprawling chaos. Here, he could carve out meaning, find purpose amidst the tumult.

  He moved around his dorm, the soft creak of floorboards underfoot breaking the quiet. His gaze caught on the old mirror affixed to the wall. It was a relic, tarnished and simple, half-forgotten amidst the swirl of magic and upheaval that had come to define his existence. He paused, an unease coiling in the back of his mind. The reflection stared back at him, but something was wrong. A subtle misalignment, a lag as though the mirrored image were acting of its own accord, a second too slow.

  Jace stepped closer, a frown etching lines into his brow. His breath stilled, and a tingling pulse swept over him as his affinity for Truth and Soul awakened, sharpening his senses as though they were being fine-tuned by an unseen hand. The air around him thickened, buzzing with a latent energy.

  And then he saw it. The reflection didn’t just lag; it shifted. Its eyes were wide and its mouth moved soundlessly, shaping a word he could not hear, only feel in the marrow of his bones.

  “Jason.”

  His name trembled through him like a whisper from the past. His face hardened, heart pounding. “Alex?” he said, voice splintered with disbelief and hope.

  In the mirror, the reflection nodded, desperation etched into every line of its face. The hand in the glass moved, palm pressing against the surface as though it could break through. A silent plea, a bridge between worlds.

  Jace didn’t think, he simply reacted. His own hand rose and met the cool surface of the mirror. Ice against his skin, then heat, then something that defied the reality he knew. The glass quivered, rippling as though water had been disturbed by an unseen current. The pull was immediate, inescapable. Before reason or fear could take hold, he was swept forward—tumbling through the mirror, into the unknown, the reflection shattering around him in a thousand silent shards.

  The dorm room stood quiet in his absence, the candle’s flame flickering in a final, solitary dance. No witness remained to the event, only the mirror, now dark and unmoving, reflecting nothing but the empty room.

  The world shifted beneath Jason’s feet, colors bending, angles distorting. For a breathless heartbeat, there was nothing but the cold, metallic taste of fear, and then gravity remembered him, flinging him into a landscape without form or function.

  Jason crashed against the ground, the impact jarring his bones, driving the breath from his lungs. He rolled to his knees, groaning, taking in the world—or what passed for a world here. He stood amidst a land of distortions and contradictions, where space itself twisted into spirals and stretched into eternity, then folded into nothingness, all within a heartbeat. The horizon bent inward, impossibly close, while the sky fractured like a kaleidoscope of shattered seasons—summer bleeding into winter, and autumn smoldering into the pastels of spring.

  Jason staggered to his feet, his eyes adjusting to the mad play of colors and shapes. He was surrounded by bizarre trees with branches that dipped and curled like the hands of beggars, leaves shimmering in hues that defied description. Strange birds wheeled above him, their cries dissonant, like a broken music box.

  This wasn’t Terra Mythica—nor was it Earth. It was a different kind of madness.

  He felt Truth and Soul coursing through him, pulling apart the veil of the world. A notification appeared in his mind.

  You have entered a null space.

  A world between worlds.

  All things come, all things go, yet this place never was and always will be. It is the crossroads of the lost and found, where all realms touch and overlap. In the grand cosmic dance, you now stand upon the floor, caught between the steps.

  Jace was only just beginning to tap into the depths of his new Affinity—Truth. It granted him an insight that cut through the superficial, revealing details he had once only brushed against. His ability to Identify grew sharper, peeling back the layers of reality and exposing what truly lay beneath. With each use, he felt as though he was no longer just observing the world but understanding it on an elemental level.

  He could feel it in the air: an undercurrent, an endless hum, as though the landscape itself pulsed with life, malevolent or indifferent. A chill ran through him.

  He took a step forward, his footfall echoed—no, reverberated—as if the sound had a mind of its own, bouncing off walls that weren’t there. A path seemed to unfurl before him, a staircase that had no visible end, its steps snaking into the mist until they disappeared entirely.

  “Jason!”

  Jason’s eyes snapped wide at the familiar voice, his heart thundering with a mix of shock and hope. He spun, and there he was—Alex, standing tall and commanding against the backdrop of the twisted, ever-shifting sky. He was perched on a looping stone archway that defied the very laws of gravity, a figure carved from shadow and light. The boy Jason had known was gone, replaced by a man draped in flowing robes as dark as midnight, trimmed with glimmers of silver thread that shimmered like stars. Strange symbols etched into the fabric pulsed faintly, their meaning just out of reach—even for Jason’s newfound insight. His long hair cascaded down in loose, unruly waves, and intricate rings glinted on his fingers—each a testament to some battle won or power claimed.

  Alex leaped down effortlessly, his boots landing with a whisper against the ground. He stood before Jason, shoulders broad and adorned with a cloak that looked as though it had been woven from storm clouds and shadow. Chains of obsidian and polished onyx wound around his forearms, catching the light in sharp, biting reflections. His gaze, deep and sharp, told stories of battles fought, realms traversed, and a power that had become second nature.

  “Alex?” Jason breathed, voice cracking under the strain of emotion, his entire heart threatening to spill out in that single word. He took a step forward, and Alex’s arms moved without hesitation, pulling him into a fierce embrace that was both a reunion and a shield against the chaos around them.

  When they parted, their eyes met, glistening with unshed tears that mirrored each other’s—an unspoken acknowledgment of the time lost, the battles fought alone, and the ache of absence finally mended.

  “I knew you’d make the jump,” Alex spoke—deeper, steadier—and something colder clung to the edges. Not unkind, just changed, like a well-worn map etched with tales of long days left far behind. Despite the hardness, Jason saw the brother he remembered. The tear that slipped down Alex’s face said everything that words could not.

  Jason suddenly realized he was still in his pajamas, a reminder of how abruptly he’d been pulled into the mirror. They were surprisingly elegant, deep shades of midnight blue with stars that shimmered and shifted, forming glowing constellations across the fabric. With a quick thought, he activated his inventory, swapping the pajamas for the outfit Twig had custom-made for him—sleek, black tactical combat gear adorned with subtle, intricate details. A cape draped behind him, etched with a white raven in mid-flight, its wings spread wide and fierce, completing the look. It was everything he needed—functional, imposing, and undeniably awesome.

  A wave of relief washed over him as he realized he still had access to his inventory and gear.

  “Where are we?” Jason asked, glancing around. The place felt like a forest, but not quite—a twisted imitation of one. The trees were gnarled, their bark cracked and veined with a faint luminescence.

  Alex shrugged, his lips curling into a knowing smirk. “I call it Wonderland. But, more properly, it’s known as the In Between. A place that doesn’t fit anywhere else—a pocket between realms.” He paused, taking in Jason’s bewildered face with a flicker of something between sadness and affection. “Years, brother. It’s been years. You have no idea.”

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  Jason blinked, his head throbbing as the landscape around him twisted in impossible ways—trees grew sideways, their branches clawing at nothing, the ground seemed both soft as moss and solid as stone. “Months, more like,” he muttered.

  “For you, yeah. In Terra Mythica, it’s been months. On Earth, it’s been days or weeks. But here, for me... it’s been years.” Alex’s eyes clouded for a second before he turned his gaze back to Jason, his smirk now a little thinner, more worn.

  “How did you…” Jason struggled for words, his throat tightening. “How did you survive here?”

  Alex’s smile came, but it never touched the rest of his face. “Come on. We have a lot to discuss, and less time to discuss it in.” He motioned for Jason to follow. “We need to keep moving. It doesn’t like visitors.”

  Jason’s brow furrowed, unease prickling up his spine. “Who’s ‘it’?”

  Alex’s attention flickered sideways, spotting a movement, a shadow slipping between trees that weren’t quite trees. He didn’t answer, just pressed forward, feet navigating a spiraling path that led deeper, downwards, into what seemed like an endless abyss.

  The trees leaned closer, curious, their branches grazing Jason’s shoulders, small touches that crawled up his nerves like ants. He stumbled, the ground beneath him shifting, slipping away, while Alex moved forward with an uncanny confidence, his steps sure and silent.

  “What happened to you, Alex?” Jason finally managed to say, his voice a low rasp.

  Alex paused, staring at something in the distance Jason couldn’t see. “I learned how to make this place my own,” he murmured. “You can’t just get along here. You have to tame it. You have to carve out a part of it as yours.” He gestured for Jason to keep up. “Come.”

  They walked through landscapes that changed with each breath—dense, dark forests gave way to sprawling deserts, and those shifted into still, ice-covered lakes. Each transition was abrupt, seamless, like passing through invisible doors to worlds that barely connected—some terrains lasted only moments, as fleeting as the last lights of dusk, while others stretched on, holding their form longer, resisting the change.

  The ground grew cold beneath Jason’s feet as they crossed the ice. The air crackled with the scent of frost and something ancient, something Jason couldn’t name but could feel in his bones.

  “Reality doesn’t work here like it does elsewhere,” Alex said, his words carrying in the chill air. “I’ve been here for decades—maybe centuries. I stopped keeping track.”

  Jason’s heart clenched. He had never imagined that his brother—the one who used to build forts with him out of blankets and sneak him extra dessert that they couldn’t really afford—had been fighting alone for so long.

  “I’ve been keeping tabs on you,” Alex said, breaking the silence.

  Jason glanced at him, startled. “Oh?”

  “Mirrors are strange things. Reality is built on what we know, what we trust to be solid and unyielding. But mirrors? They twist that certainty, bending it just enough to show us the cracks. They’re distortions, thin veils where truth is weaker. I thought you almost noticed me once or twice, but you were just checking yourself out.”

  A grin cracked across Jason’s face, despite the absurdity of it all. “That doesn’t sound like me.”

  Alex gave a short laugh. “I tried to reach out a decade or two ago, but I wasn’t strong enough yet. Not until now. Your new understandings helped too.”

  “You mean my Affinity? Truth?”

  “Yeah, that’s what they call it in Mythica. Your Affinity. Makes it sound like it’s something separate from you, something outside yourself. When really, it’s just you unlocking more of your… youness.”

  They fell into silence, the kind that was filled with too much to say and too little way to say it. The world shifted, morphing into a rugged cliffscape, lush with green moss and wild grasses clinging to the rock. The scent of salt and the distant roar of the ocean filled the air. A clearing unfurled before them, its edges jagged and raw, and at its center loomed a structure—monstrous and awe-inspiring. It was a twisted blend of stone and bone, as if it had been wrenched from the nightmares of giants and molded into the shape of a fortress. It loomed over them, dark power radiating from its walls, tugging at something deep inside Jason. It clung to the edge of the bluffs like an ancient beast, carved with impossible angles and intricate runes that seemed to pulse with a deep, thrumming energy.

  “This is my place,” Alex said, his voice carrying a grim pride. “One of the few places where the rules make sense—where I can breathe without feeling the world pressing in on me.”

  The fortress seemed to shiver as they approached. Jason watched as the walls rippled—bones shifting, stone grinding—until teeth sprouted along the doorway. The entire structure seemed to lean towards him, ready to consume.

  “Whoa…” Jason stepped back, his mind flicking to his inventory. The familiar weight of his sword materialized in his grip, a rush of relief coursing through him.

  “Hey, hey,” Alex said, holding up a hand. “You can’t just rush in. Give it a pet, let it know you’re friendly.”

  Jason shot him an incredulous look, but Alex merely gestured for him to put his sword away.

  “What, you’ve never petted a house before? Come on, we don’t have all day.”

  Jason vanished his sword into his inventory and reached out, his fingers brushing against the rough surface. It was warm, pulsing, like touching the belly of some enormous beast. Slowly, the teeth retracted, the door opening to allow them inside.

  “See? Easy,” Alex said, motioning for him to enter.

  The inside was a maddening labyrinth of twisted staircases and warped hallways—impossible angles and paths that led in spirals, upwards and downwards without any logic. The air was thick, and the walls seemed to breathe, expanding and contracting with a slow, deep rhythm. Alex led Jason into a room that might have been a kitchen—a massive table at its center, cluttered with artifacts, objects that looked both ancient and dangerous.

  Alex put on a kettle. “I never liked tea before. But I’ve grown accustomed to it here.”

  Jason glanced around, his eyes catching on an intricately carved statue that seemed to move when he wasn’t looking directly at it. “This place… it’s insane.”

  “It’s home,” Alex said simply.

  The kettle whistled, and Alex poured them both a steaming cup. Jason took it, the warmth settling into his hands. He brought the cup to his lips, and instantly a notification popped up in his vision—the System text overlaying his sight.

  Mystic Brew Consumed: +5 Focus, +3 Clarity for the next hour.

  “How?” Jason blinked, almost spilling the tea.

  “How are you still seeing prompts here?” Alex asked, a hint of amusement playing across his face. “Yeah, that would be Jack. Somewhere along the way, working with John Rearden, he started using prompts to communicate. It was a way he could interact without focusing directly—more like a reflex. Helps humans acclimate. Something about the mind rejecting new places. A system’s familiarity helps smooth the transition. It doesn’t all make sense, but it works. Fewer deaths on transfer, apparently.”

  Jason frowned. “You know Jack?”

  Alex took a sip of his tea, nodding. “We all know Jack, in one way or another. At least, anyone that’s connected to Terra Mythica. He’s part of why… I’m still here.”

  They drank in silence, the warmth of the tea at odds with the cold, unsettling presence of the room. Jason struggled to shake the strangeness of the moment—sitting here, drinking tea, with his brother who had somehow lived centuries in a world that defied reality.

  Jace leaned back in his chair, balancing it on two legs with the kind of reckless ease that made people nervous. Across from him, Alex arched an eyebrow, arms crossed, that big-brother smugness dialed up to eleven.

  “You’re thinking too hard,” Alex said. “That’s dangerous for someone like you.”

  Jace scoffed. “I literally outplayed the Dark One last week.”

  “Barely.”

  “Still counts.”

  Alex smirked. “Alright, fine. Let’s put your big brain to the test. What’s my next move?”

  Jace narrowed his eyes. “You’re gonna try and hit me with some big, dramatic wisdom that sounds profound but really just gives me an existential crisis.”

  Alex nodded. “Good guess, you cocky little brat. You do realize I’m technically your elder now, right? And if you don’t start showing some respect, I might have to remind you—with a good old-fashioned ass-whooping.”

  Jace cracked his knuckles, the space around him shimmering, distorting as darkness curled at his fingertips. “I’d like to see you try.”

  A grin split his face as dark swirls of shadow coiled around him, his cloak waving in the air before vanishing.

  Alex shook his head with a sigh, the exasperated gesture not quite hiding the brief flash of pride he couldn’t suppress. Then, just as quickly, it faded, replaced by something heavier. Something almost… mournful.

  “The Dark One—you know, don’t you?”

  Jason nodded. “That he is our father somehow? Yeah.”

  Alex’s nodded, gaze sharpening. “Roandia—it’s where we were born,” he said, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “Jack’s interest in us isn’t a coincidence. We hold pieces of the puzzle, Jason.”

  Jason’s brows knit together, tone edged with growing frustration.. “What does that even mean?”

  Alex exhaled, the sound heavy with restraint. “Ugh, I sound just like Jack now. Listen, this place doesn’t allow certain truths to be spoken outright. Just having you here bends the rules to the breaking point. It takes nearly all of my power just to hide you from them.”

  The air between them felt heavier than it should.

  Alex sat across from Jace, quiet, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. Something about his expression—too knowing, too burdened—set him on edge. His brother had always been the calmer one, where Jace had always been the guy who’d drag him into trouble and then laugh as they ran. But this? This wasn’t the look of someone who had a plan. This was the look of someone who had already lost too much and was holding onto his last hopes.

  Alex exhaled. “It’s time you knew the truth.”

  Jace folded his arms. “Which part? That the game is real? That the gods are playing with us? Or that our father is the Dark One?”

  Alex almost smiled. Almost. Instead, he looked down at his hands. “There’s a war on, Jace. Not just in Terra Mythica. Everywhere.” His eyes lifted, locking onto Jace’s with unsettling clarity. “And we’re at the center of it.”

  Jace stiffened. “You are talking like the gods, all riddle, no help.”

  Alex hesitated. A flicker of something not human passed over his face, a shadow that didn’t belong. His fingers twitched. “There’s so much you don’t know about the path ahead. And I can’t tell you everything.”

  Jace’s jaw clenched. “Rules?”

  Alex nodded. “There are boundaries to this place. Things we’re not allowed to say, not allowed to do. Things that would rip reality apart if we did. But listen to me, Jace—before this war is over, before the worlds collide—there are two things you must do.”

  His voice changed on those last words. Not just deeper. Resonant.

  A sharp ringing filled Jace’s ears. He blinked, and—the world shifted.

  The room was still the same, but behind Alex, the walls blurred—like static on a broken screen, flickering between dimensions. Two realities bleeding together.

  Jace’s stomach twisted. “What the hell—“

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