Jiya and Alex walked side by side and exited the gate. She looked up at him.
Now is the time to ask, she thought.
"How did I hear you from The Summoner?" Jiya asked, "I mean, telepathically."
"Just remember…" Alex smiled in response, "I will hear you wherever you are."
"How?" she asked, tilting her head to aside.
Alex sighed and rubbed his neck. A faint blush rose to his cheeks as he stammered, "It's… complicated."
Jiya raised an eyebrow, shrugged and looked away. She was hoping to take one last look at the giant house which usually looked abandoned and haunted because its sole inhabitant was a lunatic. But she just gasped with surprise. The landscape had changed into the city of 'The Rare'.
"What the hell?" she cursed under her breath and looked at Alex. He was smiling.
"How did this happen?" she asked with an annoyed pout.
"When you were speculating 'what's next'", Alex flashed his Cheshire grin.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" she raised an eyebrow.
"The mirror is like a compass", Alex eyed the mirror, "It will find its way."
"What about you?"
"It's… complicated", he stammered and blushed.
Jiya raised her eyebrows at how red he was, "Do you blush when you stammer?"
"What?" he turned to look at her, "No!"
"Why are you blushing, then?" she asked with a sly grin as she elbowed his torso.
"It's… complicated. Like I told you", he said, looking away.
Jiya shrugged and stopped teasing him. She looked around the city. It was bathed in a golden hue by the sun and people were shorter than usual. The city looked straight out of a comic book because of its pale colors. The people looked pink and had cartoon faces.
Dwarves, she thought. Suddenly, Alex yanked her hand and brought her to an odd-looking shop.
"Here, we will find your books", he said.
Jiya raised her eyebrows and sighed, before looking away at the people minding their businesses. Sensing her disinterested attitude and lack of focus, Alex pulled her by arm and entered the shop. Finally, she took note of her surroundings.
Everything was wooden and had an animated charm. The background was shrouded in rows and rows of books. Jiya sniffed the air. No 'smell'. She sighed. There was counter in the front of the shop, where a lady, or more precisely an old woman was seated. She was plump was wearing a maid's costumes. Her face was hidden beneath her strange pointed hat and she was reading a book. Alex cleared his throat to announce their presence. The lady looked up. She had a pale, petite face that looked rather smooth despite her old age. Or Jiya supposed that she had no idea how to maintain her chubby fats.
"Hello?" she seemed rather astonished, sizing up both of them from head to toe, "How may I help you?"
"This lady here", Alex looked and nodded at Jiya with a smile, "She is 'The Rare'."
Jiya raised her eyebrows, realizing how he laid emphasis on 'The Rare', adding invisible inverted commas to it.
"Oh my!" the woman stood up abruptly, knocking her stool in the process. Then, she appeared from behind the counter, stood in front of them, before bowing to Jiya, "Apologies for my ignorance. Honored to your presence, The Rare."
Jiya took a little step back. What's going on? She asked telepathically.
People in the 'Secret Society' and the Institute know you as 'The Rare', Alex echoed in her head.
What in the world is the 'Secret Society'? Jiya thought back.
It is a society formed by the experienced Smitch and Smizard, Alex replied in her head.
Jiya slowly nodded. By now, the old woman was beaming at her. Jiya smiled at her, "Nice to meet you…"
"Oh!" the woman laughed, "I am Petunia, Your Highness."
"Petunia…" Jiya nodded with a smile.
"Your Highness will be joining the Institute soon. So, if you may, can we get her equipment?" Alex with a polite smile.
"Sure, sure", the woman looked at Alex curiously before she turned away and walked inside, "It's an honor. Please come in."
Alex and Jiya exchanged a glance before following her in. They saw Petunia standing near a wall of bricks. She turned to look and then bowed to Jiya, "Your Highness will need to use her charm to open the locker."
Charm? She thought with confusion.
The mirror, Alex answered in her head.
"Oh? Sure", Jiya moved forward with a smile. Petunia moved aside. Upon closer scrutiny, Jiya saw a small hole, just the size of her mirror. She placed the mirror against it. The brick wall groaned and squeaked. Jiya moved back a step.
"Don't worry, My Lady", she heard Petunia speak behind her, "It has been unlocked."
Jiya nodded without turning back. The brick wall moved aside and revealed a dark and perhaps empty corridor.
"Her Highness' equipment is inside", Petunia said to Alex.
"Let's go", Alex dragged Jiya in with a nod. The wall closed behind them.
"Are we trapped?" Jiya asked, panic rising as she looked back into the darkness.
"Trust me", Alex said calmly as he snapped his fingers. The corridor illuminated with rows of wooden torch on either side.
"Wow", Jiya exclaimed, surprise evident in her voice.
"Now, let the journey end", Alex wrapped his left palm on hers, pulling her closer, "Don't let go."
"Fine", Jiya said, eyeing their intertwined hands.
Both of them started walking. The corridor was silent. Only their rhythmic footsteps echoed. After a few twists and turns, they found a red wooden door with the same hole punched on it. Jiya used her mirror to unlock it. Inside, there were rows and rows of books. Both of them walked in. Jiya twirled around while Alex scratched his head with confusion.
"Must be the third one", he muttered under his breath as he moved forward.
Jiya watched closely as he tapped the third book on the third shelf of the wooden case. With a creek, the books parted and a chamber came into view.
"What's that?" Jiya asked with a low voice, as if afraid of ruining the eternal silence, as she squeezed her hand.
Instead of answering her, Alex pulled out a flat box and said, "Here it is."
"What is it?" Jiya asked as Alex placed the box on a nearby table. A candle flame flicked abruptly.