50: Twisted Heart

Rena kept her eyes tightly shut, overwhelmed by the vision of Dan that had appeared in her mind.

“Have you found the little brat you were searching for, girl?”

She froze, gasping for breath.Dan’s cold eyes bore into her like daggers.
Fear enveloped her entire being, and for a moment, doubt crept into her heart.
But the warmth of Tom’s small hand gripping hers gave her the strength to push through the terror.

“We’re going to get through this—together!
I won’t let you win!”

Still blindfolded, Rena shouted with fierce resolve and squeezed Tom’s hand tighter.
Her determination surged like psychic energy and struck against the image of Dan in her mind.
His eyes sharpened in response, the pressure on her intensifying.

“It’s okay! The mirror you’re touching isn’t showing anything scary!
Just don’t open your eyes—no matter what!!”

Seeing Rena’s trembling fingertips, Tom spoke up with firm encouragement.

“Hm? Whose voice is that?
Have you already found the brat?”

In the vision, Dan brought a hand to his chin, taking on a thoughtful pose.

“Tom! Use the red cloth!
Wrap yourself in it, head to toe!
I’ll use my imagination to drive this nightmare away!”

Rena focused with all her strength, trying to restore the mind-screen that had been transformed into a mirror under Dan’s influence.
Slowly, the surface began to turn cloudy white again, and with it, Dan’s form began to fade—becoming translucent.

“Hmph. So the child… you, brat, were also caught by chance in this mirrored corridor—the world between worlds.
And you, girl… to think the AI—the Artistic Illusion—you gained from the Picture Book World would function here as well.
Impressive. You really are quite the actress.”

Dan’s serpent-like thoughts coiled around her mind, echoing only within Rena’s head.

Sensing a dangerous shift, Tom obeyed Rena’s words, crouching down and wrapping himself tightly in the red cloth.
Rena’s once-weak grip tightened again as she clasped Tom’s hand with renewed strength.

“It wasn’t a red cape that fell into the pond—it was a white stuffed animal!
Don’t pretend to be Tom just to trick me!”

The moment Rena heard a story that didn’t match her own memories, she knew it was a lie. It was all Dan’s doing.
Rena had felt a fleeting sense of relief upon seeing Tom in the suit—but the moment that comfort was betrayed, her heart twisted with rage.
She couldn’t suppress the storm of emotions rising within her, and with a cry that came straight from her gut, she shouted at Dan.

“Who’s to say that world doesn’t exist?” But Dan only sneered, his voice cutting through her hope like a blade.

“Regardless, the fact remains: both of you drowned in that pond.
And now…”

Dan’s right hand, growing fainter by the second thanks to Rena’s will, reached out and gently touched her chin.
His gaze was still sharp, but now held a different weight—an interest, a kind of twisted admiration.

“I was going to erase you both from existence… but now I see your rare potential.
It would be a shame to waste it.
So I’ve decided—I’ll cast you as the leading roles in my story.
Swear loyalty to me, and you can live on as part of Dan’s masterpiece.
But you will never be allowed to speak of the Golden Axe.”

Dan’s face slowly moved closer to hers.

“That precious axe you struck me with—where did you take it?
No… where did you hide it?”

“I… I don’t know! I don’t have it…!”

Her voice trembled, but even as Dan loomed over her, she showed no signs of giving in.
He closed his eyes with a sly grin, straightened his posture, and spoke with icy finality.

“I see. Then I’ll just extract your memories and find it myself.
Once your minds are emptied, I’ll rewrite your brains with the setting of my story.”

—Dan snapped his fingers.—

A dull shockwave pulsed from his motion, shaking the entire space.
All the mirrors in the endless corridor began to tremble at once.
Blinding reflections pierced into Rena and Tom’s minds, filling their heads with unbearable pressure and forcing their thoughts to the surface.
They cried out in pain.

“Ugh… aaah… Tom…!!”

“Big… sis…!!”

Then, a strange electronic tone rang out. A rhythm like a signal reverberated through the air.

xxxx - Mill - Ema Tenner - xxxx

“What!? This spell… a transmission device!?
Brat, what are you doing!?”

“I’m… the hero now… I’ll… protect Rena…”

“No, Tom!! You have to… protect yourself too… please!!”

Tom’s bold defiance and Rena’s desperate plea tipped the balance.

The mirror Rena had been touching began to glow with a soft, gentle light.
It wrapped around her, resonating with her will.
Slowly, her body began to sink into the mirror’s surface.
Still holding Tom’s hand, she passed through the gateway—together.