ZZZ:Through the Frosted Mirror

Ellen stood in the kitchen, arms crossed as she watched Rina hum to herself while preparing lunch. The elegant maid moved with practiced grace, carefully measuring out ingredients, but Ellen's sharp eyes didn't miss the moment Rina reached for an ominous-looking vial. Without hesitation, Ellen grabbed Rina's wrist mid-pour.

"Rina." Ellen's voice was flat. "What is that?"

Rina blinked at her innocently. "It's a special extract. It enhances the flavor."

Ellen sighed. "It'll enhance their way to an early grave." She released Rina's wrist and shook her head. "Stick to the basics, please."

Despite the minor setbacks, the two continued cooking, and soon the kitchen filled with the rich aromas of a well-balanced meal. A hearty beef stew simmered in a large pot, its broth thick and infused with savory herbs. Fluffy, golden dinner rolls rested in a basket, still warm from the oven. A fresh salad of crisp greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette provided a refreshing contrast to the hearty meal. For dessert, a simple but elegant fruit tart sat on a tray, its crust perfectly flaky and its surface glistening with a light glaze.

With the food plated, Ellen and Rina carried the dishes into the dining room. The long mahogany table was polished to a gleaming shine, illuminated by the soft glow of a chandelier hanging above. The seats were arranged according to familiarity and hierarchy. Von Lycaon sat at the head of the table, his presence naturally commanding attention. To his left, Corin had her spot, posture stiff as always. Rina's seat was beside Corin, her refined demeanor ever-present. Ellen took her seat next to Miyabi, who had Mira comfortably nestled in her lap. The twins, Nova and Solis, sat across from Ellen, still visibly worn from training but eager for a meal.

As they placed each plate in front of its respective owner, the individual preferences became apparent. Von Lycaon's plate had a balanced portion of everything, his meal meticulously arranged. Corin's portion was noticeably smaller, primarily consisting of lean meats and vegetables. Rina's was a delicate presentation of the meal, as if she were dining at a high-class restaurant rather than their dining hall. The twins had nearly identical servings, though Nova's had a little extra protein, likely to compensate for her endurance struggles, while Solis had a more carb-heavy dish to maintain her strength. Ellen's plate mirrored Miyabi's, both of them favoring a mix of the hearty stew and a generous serving of the dinner rolls.

As she took her seat, Miyabi glanced at Ellen's outfit and smirked. "You know, the maid uniform really suits you."

Ellen raised a brow before her lips curled into a sly grin. Shifting subtly, she placed a hand on her chest and tilted her head ever so slightly. "Oh my, Lady Miyabi, such compliments from you so early in the day? You wound my modesty," she said with a teasing lilt, her voice adopting a refined elegance that matched her outfit.

Miyabi's ears twitched, and a faint blush crept onto her face. "T-That's not what I meant—"

Ellen chuckled, satisfied with the reaction, before casually reaching for her spoon. "Relax, I'm just messing with you."

Von Lycaon cleared his throat, his expression unreadable but the faintest glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "Shall we eat?"

With that, everyone dug into their meals, the clinking of utensils filling the room. Conversation naturally turned toward the events of the day, particularly Ellen's training session with the twins. Nova and Solis, while still recovering, listened intently as the others shared their thoughts on their progress. Between bites of food and shared banter, the atmosphere was light and familial, a much-needed respite after a grueling morning.

Ellen sat on the edge of her bed, having changed out of her maid uniform into something more casual yet stylish. She wore a sleek black turtleneck that hugged her toned frame, layered under a cropped deep-blue jacket with silver zippers. Her fitted dark gray cargo pants, lined with subtle Etheric patterns, were both practical and fashionable, accompanied by sturdy black combat boots. Her long silver-blue hair was left loose, cascading down her back, framing her sharp yet relaxed expression.

As she leaned back, Ellen let her mind wander, reflecting on the day's events. From the moment she, Miyabi, and Mira arrived, to her sparring session with the twins, it had been a long, eventful day. The training had gone as she expected—Nova and Solis had talent, but their over-reliance on each other was their biggest flaw. Ellen made a mental note to continue pushing them in the coming days.

Then, a thought struck her—movie night. It had been a while since she last hung out with her friends, and she was looking forward to unwinding. Maybe she could head there early and catch up a bit before the movie started. She considered what snacks she should bring, but before she could think further, something changed.

A chilling sensation ran through her spine.

The room around her darkened, and the colors drained away, replaced by an eerie monochrome. The world fell deathly silent, as if sound itself had been swallowed. Ellen's body tensed. She knew this presence—nihility.

She stood, her instincts screaming at her as she reached for the door. But when she opened it, the familiar hallway of Victoria Housekeeping was gone. Instead, she was met with an endless, desolate expanse.

The ground beneath her was a black, motionless sea. No waves, no ripples—just an endless abyss. Above, the sky was a mix of white and gray, swirling unnaturally as if it were a living thing. Scattered across the eerie landscape were skeletons of various creatures. Some were human, others unrecognizable—massive remains of beings she couldn't begin to comprehend. The colossal skeleton of what looked like a dragon loomed in the distance, its empty eye sockets staring into the void, while an enormous serpent-like ribcage coiled across the horizon, a haunting reminder of something long perished.

Ellen's breath came slow and controlled as she took a cautious step forward. The moment her boot touched the surface, ripples spread across the stagnant black sea, disrupting its perfect stillness. Her door—her only way back—vanished, leaving only the vast, unknowable emptiness ahead.

And then, they appeared.

Featureless figures, like phantoms, flickered into existence around her. Some had humanoid shapes, others were twisted mockeries of creatures from myths and nightmares. Their bodies glowed in the same haunting white and gray as the sky, shifting like mist. They wandered aimlessly, searching for something unseen, their silent presence filling the air with an oppressive weight.

Then the whispers began.

The voices were hollow, fragmented, echoing from nowhere yet surrounding her completely. They didn't speak words but conveyed pure, raw emotion—anguish, despair, longing. The figures turned toward her, drawn to her presence. Some reached out, their ethereal hands gripping onto her arms, her jacket, her legs.

Begging.

Pleading.

Asking her for release.

Asking if she could help them.

Ellen's breath hitched slightly, but she held firm. A part of her wanted to recoil, to shake them off, but another part of her felt the weight of their suffering. They weren't attacking her. They were lost.

But she couldn't stay here. She pressed on toward the massive black hole looming in the distance. With each step, the cries grew louder, more desperate. The ghostly hands tightened their grip, some even attempting to drag her down into the dark sea below.

Ellen's eyes narrowed.

She wasn't about to let herself be consumed.

Ellen pressed forward, her steps sending ripples across the ink-black sea beneath her feet. The eerie silence weighed heavily on her ears, broken only by the hushed, desperate whispers of the wandering phantoms surrounding her. Their featureless forms drifted aimlessly, reaching toward her with trembling hands, their silent cries echoing in her mind.

The massive black hole in the distance loomed ever closer, a swirling void consuming everything in its path. Yet, amidst the oppressive emptiness, Ellen saw something—or rather, someone. A lone figure stood near the event horizon of the black hole, undisturbed by the chaos around them.

She was a tall, beautiful woman with light skin and a curvaceous physique. Her bright violet eyes, shaped like diamonds, seemed to glow in the monochrome void. Long indigo hair cascaded down her hips, partially covering the left side of her face, with a single loose strand flowing down her right shoulder. A cowlick curled at the top of her head, and her hair was tied into low, loose pigtails with a delicate brooch fastening them in place. But what stood out most were the thin red horns sprouting from her forehead, a stark contrast to the paleness of her complexion. She wore black sandals, a pristine white kimono, and a red obi decorated with the intricate pattern of a crimson knot.

Ellen's eyes narrowed as she approached, feeling a strange familiarity in the woman's presence. But before she could say anything, the woman's form began to shift before her eyes.

The indigo hair paled to a shimmering silver, cascading even longer—reaching down to her thighs. Her skin became even more ghostly, pale as fresh snow. Her eyes, once violet, bled into a deep crimson, with stark white pupils staring into Ellen's soul. Crimson, tattoo-like markings crawled over her neck, midriff, and thighs, pulsing faintly like veins filled with an otherworldly energy. Blooming across her body were delicate yet ominous Adenium Obesum flowers—desert roses, their petals crimson like fresh blood. They sprouted across her arms, her chest, and even the shoulder guard she now wore. Her traditional white kimono remained, but it seemed to shimmer with an ethereal glow, the red obi still fastened tightly around her waist. Her once-thin horns now grew longer, curving slightly with a regal, almost divine presence.

Ellen halted her steps, gripping the handle of her scissors instinctively. The woman turned fully toward her now, and for the first time, emotion flickered across her previously vacant expression. Her crimson eyes widened slightly, a storm of unreadable emotions swirling within them—shock, recognition, and something else Ellen couldn't quite place.

Then, in a voice both smooth and empty, the woman finally spoke.

"You… you are like me."

Ellen's breath hitched, but before she could respond, the black sea around her seemed to stir, the whispers growing deafening as the souls wailed louder.

And then, everything faded to black.