Through the Frosted Mirror

The transport's engines whirred softly as Ellen and Mira stepped onto the platform outside Section 6's training facility. The building loomed tall and sleek, its modern design a sharp contrast to the familiar, lived-in atmosphere of Victoria Housekeeping Co. Ellen squared her shoulders, her eyes scanning the impressive structure as Mira hesitated by her side. The girl's grip on Ellen's hand tightened.

"Don't worry," Ellen said, forcing a small smile as she gave Mira's hand a reassuring squeeze. "We've got this."

"Welcome to your new training grounds." Miyabi's voice cut through the air as she approached them, her movements fluid and precise. She gestured for them to follow. "This facility is where we hone our skills and prepare for the challenges posed by the Hollows. You'll both be given the tools you need to adapt and excel."

Ellen met Miyabi's calm gaze with her usual bluntness. "You've got all this high-tech gear, huh? Hope it's ready for someone like me."

Miyabi's lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "I wouldn't have taken you in if it weren't."

Ellen stood in the middle of the combat training arena, the space illuminated by a soft, ethereal glow from the crystalline Ether generators embedded in the walls. Miyabi stepped onto the mat opposite her, every movement deliberate and controlled.

"Your abilities showed great potential in Hollow Zero," Miyabi said, her tone measured. "But potential alone isn't enough. You need discipline and precision."

"Got it. Hit stuff better," Ellen quipped, rolling her shoulders.

Miyabi's eyebrow twitched, but she didn't rise to the bait. Instead, she activated a series of training drones that hovered into place around them. "Your frost abilities are powerful, but unfocused. Control your Ether flow—don't let it control you."

As the session progressed, Miyabi pushed Ellen harder than she expected. The drones moved in unpredictable patterns, forcing Ellen to adjust her strikes and Etheric output on the fly.

"Again," Miyabi instructed, her voice calm but firm as Ellen's frost-coated scissors sliced through the air. "Don't overextend. Focus."

Ellen grit her teeth but followed Miyabi's guidance. As her movements became more precise, the frost that coated her weapon grew denser, sharper. Finally, a well-timed swing froze three drones mid-air, shattering them into glittering shards.

Miyabi nodded in approval, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Not bad."

"Not bad? That was awesome," Ellen shot back, grinning despite her exhaustion. "Admit it, you're impressed."

Miyabi's expression didn't change, but her eyes held a trace of warmth. "There's still room for improvement."

The session continued, with Miyabi shifting the focus to Ellen's form and positioning. She stepped behind Ellen at one point, adjusting the way Ellen held her weapon. Ellen tensed at the proximity but didn't pull away, listening closely to Miyabi's instructions.

"Loosen your grip slightly," Miyabi said, her voice calm. "Too much tension limits your range of motion."

Ellen nodded, making the adjustment. When she tried the next sequence of strikes, her movements felt smoother, more natural. She glanced at Miyabi, a hint of pride in her expression.

"Better?"

"Much better," Miyabi replied. "But don't get complacent. Progress is fragile."

As the hours wore on, the training grew more demanding. Miyabi introduced more advanced techniques, demonstrating them with fluid grace. Ellen couldn't help but admire the precision in Miyabi's movements, though she would never admit it out loud.

"Do you ever screw up?" Ellen asked during a brief pause, wiping sweat from her brow.

Miyabi raised an eyebrow. "Of course. I've simply learned from those mistakes."

"Figures," Ellen muttered, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Mira's Lessons

In another part of the facility, Mira sat cross-legged on the floor of a smaller training room. Yanagi knelt across from her, her expression gentle yet focused.

"Ether is like a river," Yanagi explained, her voice soothing. "It flows naturally, but if you learn to guide it, you can accomplish incredible things."

Mira nodded, her small hands resting on her lap as she tried to mimic Yanagi's steady breathing. Soukaku, lounging nearby, watched with a playful grin.

"Don't forget to have fun with it," Soukaku chimed in, her childlike energy lighting up the room. "Here, watch this!"

With a flick of her hand, Soukaku summoned a miniature ice whirlwind that danced around the room, causing Mira to giggle. The girl's tension melted away, and she tried to replicate the motion, summoning a faint, shimmering mist.

"That's it," Yanagi encouraged, her smile widening. "You're doing great."

The session continued with a mix of structured lessons and playful challenges, Mira's confidence growing with each small success. By the end, she was beaming, her earlier nervousness replaced by a cautious but genuine enthusiasm.

Ellen and Mira reunited during a break, sharing stories of their training. Ellen leaned against a wall, arms crossed, as Mira excitedly recounted her lesson.

"Yanagi's really nice," Mira said, her eyes bright. "And Soukaku makes everything fun."

Ellen smiled, ruffling Mira's hair. "Sounds like you're in good hands."

"What about you?" Mira asked, her gaze curious.

Ellen hesitated, then shrugged. "Miyabi's... intense. But she knows her stuff. I think I'm starting to get the hang of this Ether control thing."

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Miyabi approached, her usual composure softened by a hint of weariness.

"Good work today, Ellen," she said.

Ellen smirked. "Didn't think I had it in me, huh?"

Miyabi's lips quirked in a rare, almost teasing smile. "You continue to surprise me."

The moment lingered, an unspoken connection passing between them. Ellen's smirk faltered slightly, replaced by something quieter, more thoughtful.

As the day wound down, Ellen found herself standing on the facility's rooftop, the city lights of New Eridu twinkling in the distance. She leaned on the railing, lost in thought, when Miyabi joined her.

"Can't sleep?" Miyabi asked, her voice softer than usual.

Ellen shook her head. "Too much on my mind."

They stood in silence for a moment, the cool night air carrying a faint chill. Finally, Miyabi spoke.

"You're adapting quickly. Not everyone can handle what you've been through and still keep moving forward."

Ellen glanced at her, surprised by the sincerity in her tone. "Guess I'm too stubborn to quit."

Miyabi allowed herself a small laugh. "That stubbornness might be your greatest strength."

Ellen's gaze lingered on Miyabi for a moment before she looked back at the city. "Thanks. For everything. I mean it."

Miyabi nodded, her expression unreadable but her presence steady. "You're welcome."

As the night stretched on, the two stood side by side, the silence between them comfortable and filled with unspoken understanding. In that moment, Ellen felt something she hadn't felt in a long time: hope.

The sunsets day end's with a fire of determination in Ellen's heart and the sun rises again for another day filled with challenges.

The clang of steel echoed through the open training hall of Section 6's base. Ellen wiped a bead of sweat from her brow, her breath heavy but determined. Across from her, Miyabi stood poised, her cursed blade Tailless gleaming ominously under the artificial lights. The sword seemed to hum faintly, a sound only Miyabi could hear.

"Again," Miyabi said, her tone as sharp as the blade she wielded.

Ellen gritted her teeth and lunged, her giant scissors arcing through the air with a frosty sheen. Miyabi countered effortlessly, her movements precise and fluid. Each clash sent a shockwave of frost-laden Etheric energy rippling through the air, leaving crystalline trails in its wake.

"You're holding back," Miyabi observed, sidestepping Ellen's next attack. "If you're serious about mastering your abilities, hesitation will only hold you back."

Ellen stepped back, panting. "Holding back? I'm giving it everything I—"

Miyabi interrupted, her voice calm but firm. "No. You're afraid. Afraid of what your power might do." She gestured to the frost creeping up the walls. "Control comes from confronting that fear, not suppressing it."

Ellen's jaw tightened. She hated to admit it, but Miyabi was right. The power coursing through her was unlike anything she'd known, and the thought of losing herself to it gnawed at her.

"Let's take a break," Miyabi said, sheathing Tailless. "Your form is improving, but your mindset needs work."

The two found themselves in a quiet corner of the base, nursing cups of tea. Ellen studied Miyabi, noting the faint lines of weariness around her eyes.

"You're tough on me," Ellen said, breaking the silence. "But I get the feeling you're even tougher on yourself."

Miyabi's gaze flickered toward her, surprised. "It's my responsibility. As the head of the Hoshimi family and leader of Section 6, I can't afford to falter."

"That sword," Ellen began cautiously, "It's not just any blade, is it?"

Miyabi's expression darkened. She set her cup down, the sound unusually loud in the quiet room. "No, it's not. Tailless is a cursed weapon, passed down through my family. It contains a power so immense that wielding it comes at a cost."

Ellen hesitated. "What kind of cost?"

Miyabi's voice was distant, as if reliving a memory. "The blade demands sacrifice. My mother spent her life trying to shield me from it, but in the end, I had no choice. It was the only way to save her, even if it meant..." She trailed off, her hands tightening around her teacup.

Ellen's chest tightened. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry."

"It's fine," Miyabi said, forcing a small smile. "Carrying this burden is my choice. But seeing you struggle with your power reminds me of how lost I felt when I first took up the sword."

"How did you get through it?" Ellen asked.

Miyabi's gaze softened. "By accepting that the path I walk is paved with blood, but also by finding purpose. For me, it's ensuring that what happened to Old Eridu and my family never happens again."

Ellen nodded, her resolve hardening. "Then I'll find my purpose too. Whatever it takes to protect the people I care about."

Meanwhile, in another part of the base, Mira was sitting cross-legged on the floor, a training dummy in front of her. Yanagi stood nearby, her expression as stern as ever, while Soukaku flitted around like an overexcited child.

"Focus, Mira," Yanagi instructed. "Your Etheric energy is unstable. Control comes from discipline."

Mira frowned, her small hands glowing faintly as she tried to channel her energy. Soukaku crouched beside her, grinning. "Relax! It's not the end of the world if you mess up. Think of it as...playing a game!"

Mira's frustration eased slightly at Soukaku's lighthearted tone. "A game?"

"Yeah!" Soukaku said, twirling her war flag. "See how much you can control without breaking the dummy. Like, how far can you go before it's too much?"

Yanagi sighed. "Soukaku, this isn't a playground."

"Oh, come on," Soukaku replied with a wink. "She's a kid. Let her have some fun."

Mira giggled, the tension leaving her shoulders. She focused again, her energy stabilizing as she found a balance between concentration and ease.

Later that evening, Ellen and Miyabi crossed paths with Mira and her trainers in the common area. Mira ran up to Ellen, her face glowing with excitement.

"Ellen! Look what I learned!" she said, holding out her hand. A soft glow emanated from her palm, forming a tiny, shimmering snowflake.

Ellen's eyes widened. "That's amazing, Mira!"

"She's a natural," Soukaku said proudly, ruffling Mira's hair. Yanagi crossed her arms but gave a small nod of approval.

Miyabi watched the scene unfold, a rare smile gracing her lips. For a moment, the weight of her responsibilities felt lighter. She turned to Ellen and said softly, "You're doing well, both with your training and with Mira. Keep it up."

Ellen met her gaze, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thanks, Miyabi. That means a lot."

As the night deepened, the bonds forged in shared struggles grew stronger, setting the stage for the challenges yet to come.