Through the Frosted Mirror

The endless corridors of Hollow Zero twisted around Ellen and Mira, their steps echoing in the eerie silence. Mira clutched Ellen's sleeve tightly, her glowing eyes darting nervously at every shadow that flickered across the warped, Ether-saturated walls.

"This place never ends," Ellen muttered, her voice tinged with frustration. Her shark-like tail flicked restlessly, betraying her unease. Her frost-laden scissors rested against her shoulder, a constant reminder of the dangers lurking in every corner of this accursed Hollow.

Mira glanced up at her. "Do you think we'll find a way out soon?"

Ellen hesitated, unwilling to lie but also not wanting to crush the young girl's hope. "We will," she said finally. "We'll get out of here."

A low growl reverberated through the air, making them both freeze. From the shadows emerged a hulking Ethereal, its grotesque form pulsating with malevolent energy. Ellen stepped forward protectively, her scissors glinting with frost as she prepared for yet another fight.

Before she could engage, a sudden gust of wind swept through the corridor, carrying with it a flurry of cherry blossoms that seemed utterly out of place in this twisted dimension. The petals danced around the Ethereal before coalescing into a blade that struck with precision, severing the creature in half. Ellen blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected assistance.

From the shadows stepped a figure clad in white and blue, her fox-like ears twitching as she sheathed a shimmering katana. Hoshimi Miyabi's serene yet commanding presence filled the corridor. Her outfit, reminiscent of a miko, fluttered gently as she turned her golden eyes toward Ellen and Mira.

"Are you two unhurt?" Miyabi asked, her tone calm but authoritative.

Before Ellen could respond, a boisterous voice cut through the air. "Whoa, looks like we found some strays!" Soukaku, the oni with a childlike demeanor, bounded forward, her oversized Oni Blade Banner slung casually over her shoulder. Her mask, adorned with kanji referencing the wind, glinted ominously.

"Soukaku, stay focused," came the sharp yet steady voice of Tsukishiro Yanagi. The deputy chief of Section 6 strode forward, her naginata-like weapon held with practiced ease. Her presence radiated a disciplined strength, her sharp eyes scanning the corridor for additional threats.

Bringing up the rear was Asaba Harumasa, his laid-back demeanor at odds with the tense situation. He adjusted his longbow, the two wakizashi blades that formed it gleaming faintly. "Looks like we made it just in time," he said lazily, though his sharp gaze betrayed his readiness.

Ellen lowered her scissors slightly, still wary but grateful. "Who are you?"

Miyabi inclined her head gracefully. "We are Section 6, a special operations unit tasked with navigating Hollows and neutralizing threats. It seems fortune has brought us to you."

"More like we stumbled into this mess," Harumasa muttered under his breath, earning a sharp glance from Yanagi.

Soukaku leaned closer to Mira, her curiosity evident. "Hey, you're glowing! Are you part Ethereal? That's so cool!"

Mira shrank back, and Ellen stepped protectively in front of her. "Enough," she said firmly, her voice leaving no room for argument.

Miyabi raised a hand, her expression understanding. "We mean no harm. It's clear you've been through much. Allow us to guide you to safety."

Ellen hesitated, her instincts warning her against trusting strangers. But the exhaustion in Mira's eyes and the overwhelming odds they faced in this endless labyrinth swayed her decision. She gave a curt nod. "Fine. But if this is a trap—"

"It isn't," Yanagi interrupted, her tone leaving no room for doubt. "We don't play games with lives."

With that, the group set off, the atmosphere tense but cooperative. As they navigated the treacherous paths of Hollow Zero, Ellen observed the dynamic within Section 6. Miyabi's quiet authority guided their actions, while Yanagi's disciplined efficiency ensured no detail was overlooked. Harumasa's seemingly lazy demeanor masked a sharp mind, and Soukaku's innocent curiosity brought an odd sense of levity to their grim surroundings.

Despite her initial wariness, Ellen found herself grudgingly impressed. Section 6 moved like a well-oiled machine, their synergy evident in every step. For the first time since entering Hollow Zero, a glimmer of hope sparked within her.

The oppressive weight of Hollow Zero began to lift as Ellen, Mira, and the operatives of Section 6 stepped into the dim, shimmering light of the exit portal. The transition was jarring, like surfacing from a deep, dark ocean into the chill of a stormy evening. They emerged into a heavily guarded staging area, surrounded by rows of armored vehicles, armed soldiers, and spotlights that stabbed through the growing dusk.

"Hold your position! Hands where we can see them!" a commanding voice barked through a megaphone.

Ellen's eyes darted across the scene, immediately spotting the sheer number of soldiers. They weren't taking any chances. The armed personnel weren't just standard infantry—these were elite operatives, their rifles aimed and unwavering. Nearby, containment units buzzed with Etheric dampening technology.

Mira shifted closer to Ellen, her small hand clutching the hem of Ellen's sleeve. Ellen could feel the girl trembling, though whether it was from fear or the residual effects of the Hollow, she couldn't tell.

"We're clear," Miyabi said calmly, stepping forward with her hands raised. Her voice was steady, authoritative. "Hollow Special Operations Section 6, reporting successful extraction of civilians."

The soldiers hesitated for a moment before a senior officer, clad in the insignia of the New Eridu Military Command, strode forward. "Identify yourselves and stand down immediately. Civilians will be detained for debriefing."

Ellen bristled but held her tongue as the Section 6 members complied. Harumasa muttered something about how this was going to ruin his evening plans, but a sharp glance from Yanagi silenced him. Soukaku looked like she might bolt toward the food tents set up nearby but was kept in check by a firm grip on her shoulder.

The officer's gaze landed on Ellen and Mira. "You two, step forward."

Ellen moved protectively in front of Mira, her sharp gaze locking with the officer's. "If you're going to question anyone, start with me. She's just a kid."

"Both of you will be questioned separately," the officer said curtly. "This is non-negotiable."

Mira tugged at Ellen's sleeve, her eyes wide and pleading. "Ellen..."

Ellen knelt down, placing a hand on Mira's shoulder. "It'll be okay. Just tell them the truth. I'll see you soon, kid. Promise."

Before Mira could respond, soldiers escorted her away, her small figure swallowed up by the armored personnel carriers. Ellen's fists clenched at her sides as she was led in the opposite direction.

Ellen sat in a stark, sterile interrogation room, the hum of the Ether dampeners setting her teeth on edge. Across from her, a pair of military officers regarded her with cold scrutiny.

"State your name and affiliation," the lead interrogator began.

"Ellen Joe," she replied, her tone sharp. "I'm with Victoria Housekeeping Co."

The interrogator raised an eyebrow. "Housekeeping? That's quite a leap from fighting Ethereal's in Hollow Zero. Explain how you ended up there."

Ellen leaned back, her arms crossed. "It was an accident. I was sent on a job near the edge of the Hollow, and things went sideways. The next thing I know, I'm inside, trying to survive."

"An accident?" the second interrogator scoffed. "You expect us to believe you just wandered into one of the most dangerous Hollows by mistake?"

"Believe what you want," Ellen shot back. "That's what happened."

The lead interrogator studied her for a moment, then leaned forward. "And the girl? Mira. What's her story?"

Ellen hesitated, her mind racing. How much should she reveal? Mira's condition—her partial Ethereal nature—wasn't something she wanted these people knowing. "She's a survivor, like me. I found her in the Hollow and made sure she got out. That's all there is to it."

The interrogators exchanged a glance, their expressions unreadable. "We'll see if her story matches yours," the lead officer said, rising from his chair. "For your sake, I hope it does."

In another room, Mira sat on a cold metal chair, her legs swinging nervously. Across from her, a kind-looking woman in military attire offered her a warm smile.

"Hi, Mira. My name's Captain Yates. I just want to ask you a few questions, okay?"

Mira nodded hesitantly. "Okay."

"Can you tell me how you ended up in Hollow Zero?" Yates asked gently.

Mira fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's... It's kind of hard to explain. I was... taken there. By someone bad. They did something to me, like a ritual."

Yates's expression softened. "A ritual? What kind of ritual?"

"I don't know," Mira admitted, her voice trembling. "But it's why I can... feel the Hollows. It's why I'm different."

"Different how?" Yates pressed, her tone still kind but probing.

Mira's eyes filled with tears. "I don't want to hurt anyone. Please don't make me go back there."

Yates reached across the table, placing a reassuring hand on Mira's. "You're safe now, Mira. No one's going to hurt you. But we need to understand what happened so we can help you. Can you do that for me?"

Mira hesitated, then nodded, her small voice barely audible. "Okay."

Hours passed before Ellen was escorted back to a holding area. To her relief, Mira was already there, curled up on a bench and fast asleep. Ellen sat beside her, brushing a strand of hair from the girl's face.

Hours passed before Ellen was escorted back to a holding area. To her relief, Mira was already there, curled up on a bench and fast asleep. Ellen sat beside her, brushing a strand of hair from the girl's face.

The door opened, and the rest of Victoria Housekeeping Co. burst into the room.

"Ellen!" Corin's voice broke first, a mix of relief and exasperation. She darted forward and wrapped Ellen in a surprisingly tight hug. "You idiot! Do you have any idea how worried we were?"

Ellen grunted, trying not to wince at Corin's grip. "Nice to see you too, Corin."

Von Lycaon stood by the door, his composed demeanor betraying a flicker of relief in his eyes. "You've kept us waiting," he said with a faint smile. "I trust you've had your fill of excitement?"

Ellen smirked. "More than enough, thanks."

Rina stepped forward, her usual poise replaced by a genuine softness. "I'm glad you're safe, Ellen," she said quietly. "You had us all worried."

Even Ruby, Monna, and Lynn had come along, their concern etched clearly on their faces. Ruby crossed her arms, trying to look stern. "Don't you ever pull something like that again."

Monna nodded vigorously. "We thought we'd lost you!"

Lynn, ever the quiet one, simply gave Ellen a small smile and a nod. That alone spoke volumes.

Ellen looked at her team, her heart swelling. For the first time in days, she felt a glimmer of hope. "I missed you guys," she admitted, her voice soft.

Von Lycaon cleared his throat, his gentlemanly tone returning. "Reunions are well and good, but we should discuss what happened to you."

Ellen glanced down at Mira, still fast asleep. She knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but with her team by her side, she felt ready to face whatever came next.