It was once again near darkness in the quiet bookstore. Alice was stand at the cash register reviewing the day's purchases when she looked up to see a woman dressed in black standing at the front door. The bookseller raised her voice as she frowned a bit, "I'm sorry but we're closed for the day." She had hoped between that and the sign listing the hours would get the point across without causing any conflict.

"I'm not a customer and I need to speak with you immediately, Miss Mira in private. I believe you're familiar with the being calling herself, Scura." The woman sounded quite stern as she spoke and waited impatiently. Alice nearly fell over as she heard that name again, only being stopped by her cane supporting her.

"How do you know about her...wait a moment..." Alice raised a finger her to her glasses as she took a better look at the woman. "You're like her..0aren't you?" She stuttered nervously as she stepped backwards and looked up at the clock. She just needed to stall for time until her brother arrived.

"Just because we both live in the shadows, doesn't make us the same. Kira Nocturne, at your acquaintance. "I work with Benedicta sometimes. You're quite a talented mage and that's why I need your help. You might be the only one who can safely stop her at this point. I tried to reason with her but seeing how I'm here, I think you know how that went." The older woman did her best to try and smile despite the circumstances.

"I'm not any kind of talented mage; I can't even stop time like my brother." Alice kept looking at the clock Kira would just leave her alone so she could go home.

"There'll be other people present to do the fighting. I just need you to keep a gateway open to the mirror dimension. If we can get Benedicta and Scura inside at the same time, it should be easier to merge them back together. That's at least the easiest way I know of solving this." Kira didn't want any more pressure on Alice than necessary. Before she could get a response a familiar car approached the bookstore with the high beams shining brightly. The mage quickly dived into the shadows before the lights could tear a hole in her.

Alice could only let a quiet gasp as she wondered if she wondered if she was capable of handling all of this.