The Dimension Runners' base was a fortress of glowing data streams and shifting portals, nestled within a pocket reality beyond the reach of time. High above the core chamber, a web of dimensional sensors lit up in a synchronized alarm—an anomaly had appeared, one that didn't match any registered universe. All eyes turned to the looming screen displaying a rift forming in the Real Earth.
"Dimensional breach detected in Sector R-E-Suncity," the AI monitoring system announced. "Unregistered lifeform crossed into Real Earth."
The command deck was silent for a beat, before orders started flying.
From the side corridors, Eva stepped into the chamber. Her presence shifted the air, calm yet laced with authority. Dressed in her silver and violet combat suit, her long obsidian hair flowed freely behind her as a portal opened at her call—effortless, natural, a gift she'd been born with.
She was followed by Karl, his frame tall and battle-worn, wearing a long coat with a black bandana tied firmly around his eyes. Slung across his back was the demon sword—Raven. The blade never left his side.
He walked with a relaxed swagger, one hand in his pocket, the other tapping a beat on the hilt of Raven.
"So, someone opened a door they shouldn't have?" Karl smirked. "Don't these anomalies ever take a break?"
"Not when the universe itself is panicking," Eva replied, her voice focused but warm.
"You're both being sent to Real Earth immediately," said Commander Riehl, stepping forward. "something slipped through. That shouldn't be possible. But it did. And the crack originated in an unregistered mirrorverse—one we still can't access."
Eva's eyes narrowed. "Then the anomaly isn't on Real Earth?"
"No. But the breach appeared there. That's the only connection we've got."
Karl chuckled. "So we're playing interdimensional detectives again. Great. Maybe we'll run into some old friends."
Eva glanced at him. "You mean Mike and the others?"
Karl nodded. "Wouldn't mind seeing Luna again. She always punches me just to say hello."
Riehl cut in, "This isn't just another field trip. This crack isn't like anything we've seen before. The energy signature is ancient—older than the registry. We need answers, fast."
Karl lifted a brow under his bandana. "Raven's been twitchy since the alert. If something that old's stirring... we might be too late already."
Eva opened a swirling portal, its light casting eerie reflections on the polished floor.
"Then let's go before we miss the party," she said.
"After you, my deadly queen," Karl grinned.
Together, they stepped through, vanishing into the portal. Behind them, the DR base continued scanning for the unseen mirror dimension—one that even their infinite database couldn't touch.
______
A ripple of golden light shimmered in the center of the base's courtyard, spiraling outward like a whirlpool in the fabric of reality. The soldiers standing guard immediately reached for their weapons, but Mike raised a hand. He had seen that energy signature before. Only one person could tear through dimensions with such effortless grace.
A second later, Eva stepped out of the glowing portal, her long dark coat fluttering around her as if the air itself bent to her presence. Her eyes locked onto Mike's, sharp and assessing, but calm. She gave a nod of greeting.
"Mike," she said coolly. "It's been a while."
Mike returned the nod. "Eva. Didn't expect a visit from the Dimension Runners."
Before he could say more, a loud crack echoed across the sky like a whip of thunder. A jagged tear split open above the courtyard — not a golden portal like Eva's, but a violent gash of obsidian energy, oozing with smoky tendrils. Something fell from it.
Clang!
A massive black blade struck the ground with a sharp hiss, stabbing inches away from Mike's foot. The entire courtyard paused. Zara, standing nearby with his arms crossed, narrowed his glowing violet eyes.
"...Was that supposed to happen?" Luna muttered, stepping closer to Mike.
Mike arched a brow at Eva. "You didn't come alone, did you?"
Eva sighed, already turning her head toward the dimensional rift still open above them. "He found another way again..."
Before anyone could react, a figure dropped from the rift like a stone—landing perfectly atop the upright handle of the sword, crouched in a balanced pose that no human should've been able to maintain.
"Yooo!" Karl grinned widely as he straightened, resting a foot on the hilt. "Did you miss me?"
Mike blinked. "Karl."
Karl jumped down, grabbing the sword and swinging it effortlessly across his back into its magnetic sheath. "You know portals are fun and all," he said with a laugh, "but slicing through space with Raven? Now that's a rush!"
Mike gave him a look. "You almost took off my foot."
Karl shrugged. "Almost is a sign of skill."
Eva stepped beside him, arms crossed. "He was supposed to wait and come through with me."
"Waiting is boring," Karl replied, flashing her a grin. "Besides, drama."
Zara looked him over with a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Still as reckless as ever."
"Still faster than you," Karl shot back with a wink.
Zara chuckled darkly. "You wish."
Mike stepped between them before the banter escalated into a contest of abilities. "Alright, fun reunion aside… what brings the Dimension Runners to SunCity? I'm guessing this isn't a social call."
Eva's expression hardened. "We detected an anomaly. Not just a breach… something deeper. A dimensional ripple that shouldn't exist. One that isn't registered in any of the maps."
Mike nodded slowly. "Yeah. We felt it too. That thing that came through… it wasn't from here. It wasn't like anything we've faced before."
"You killed it?" Karl asked, brushing imaginary dust off his coat.
Mike nodded. "Barely. It took all of us, and even then… it didn't bleed. It didn't scream. It just kept coming."
Karl's humor faded slightly. "That sounds like what the ancient runners call a 'primordial predator.' They usually don't roam this far from their origin points."
Eva frowned. "That's the problem. We checked every known dimension. Nothing fits. And that signal—it wasn't from a normal reality."
Zara's voice was calm but intense. "Then where?"
Eva looked at him, then at Mike. "That's why we're here. We believe it came from a mirror world—an uncharted layer of reality mimicking Earth. And someone—or something—is tearing the veil between the two."
Mike's eyes narrowed. "You think there's another Earth?"
Karl walked over and patted Mike's shoulder. "Buddy, we've seen dimensions with jellyfish kings and clouds that sing opera. A duplicate Earth? That's actually tame."
Mike stared into the crackling remnants of the portal above them, unease building in his chest. "Then whatever came through was just the beginning."
Eva nodded gravely. "And if the crack grows... more will follow."
Karl leaned on his sword, his grin returning—but this time, there was steel behind it.
"Good thing we're here."