A month had passed peacefully in Gensokyo. Mirage Carl spent his days listening to Mystia's enting songs and even posing a few for her to sing. She was initially skeptical of his musical talent, but wheried his songs, her eyes lit up with excitement. They became closer, almost like siblings, as they spent their evenings singing uhe moonlight.

  He also entered Marisa a few times, and they engaged in pyful banter and friendly petitions. She was fasated by his tricks, although she still insisted that real magic was superior. Mirage Carl would just smile, keeping his secrets to himself.

  Visiting the Hakurei Shrine became a regur routine. He would bring tea leaves from his hat and prepare delicious tea for Reimu, who seemed to appreciate his pae her usual indifferent demeanor. They would chat about the peculiarities of Gensokyo, and how Reimu wao get more money without doing anything.

  On warm afternoons, Mirage Carl would py by Misty Lake with o and Daiyousei, showing them card tricks and simple illusions. o was always amazed, believing his tricks were powerful magic, while Daiyousei would giggle, uanding the simplicity behind them.

  It eaceful life, and Mirage Carl started to feel at home in this strange world. But peaever sted long in Gensokyo.

  It was a scorg summer day when Mirage Carl noticed something odd. The clear blue sky suddenly turned crimson, and a thick, scarlet mist began to spread across the nd. It flowed like a river of blood, bing the fields and trees, shrouding everything in an eerie red hue.

  Mirage Carl watched in awe as the sun's rays were blocked, plunging the world into a twilight-like gloom. The air became chilly, and an uling silence fell over the forest. Even the usual chirping of birds was gone.

  "What... is this?" Mirage Carl muttered, staring at the swirling mist. He felt a shiver run down his spihis was no ordinary phenomenon.

  Realizing this might be dangerous, Mirage Carl ran to the Hakurei Shrine. If anyone knew what was going on, it would be Reimu.

  Reimu was standing outside the shriaring up at the scarlet sky with a deep frown. She didn't seem surprised to see Mirage Carl rushing towards her.

  "So, you noticed it too," she said, her voice calm but tense.

  Mirage Carl caught his breath before nodding. "Yeah... What is this mist?"

  Reimu crossed her arms, her expression serious. "It's an i."

  Mirage Carl tilted his head. "An i?"

  Reimu sighed. "In Gensokyo, strahings like this happen from time to time. It's my job as the shrine maiden to resolve them."

  Mirage Carl looked around, the red mist swirling ominously. "Do you know what's causing it?"

  Reimu shook her head. "Not yet. But this mist... it's not natural. And it's ing from that dire." She poiowards Misty Lake, the source of the scarlet haze.

  Mirage Carl's eyes widened. "Misty Lake...? But... I was just there a few days ago. Everything was normal."

  Reimu narrowed her eyes. "Then something must have ged. This mist is blog out the sun. If it keeps spreading, the whole of Gensokyo will be shrouded in darkness."

  Mirage Carl's face grew serious. "That sounds bad... What are you going to do?"

  Reimu smirked, crag her knuckles. "What else? I'm going to beat up the culprit and make them stop."

  Mirage Carl blinked. "Just like that?"

  "That's how is are resolved in Gensokyo," Reimu said nontly.

  Mirage Carl chuckled. "I see... Then I'll e with you."

  Reimu looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "You? Why?"

  Mirage Carl grinned, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Because this is the most iing trick I've see. And besides... I owe you for the tea."

  Reimu rolled her eyes but smiled. "Fine. Just don't get in my way, magi."

  Mirage Carl tipped his hat, a pyful smile on his face. "Wouldn't dream of it."

  Reimu turowards Misty Lake, her expression resolute. "Let's go. We don't have time to waste."

  Mirage Carl nodded, ready to follow her on foot. But before he could take a step, Reimu floated off the ground, effortlessly rising into the air. She hovered above him, her red and white outfit fluttering in the breeze.

  Mirage Carl's jaw dropped. "You... You fly!?"

  Reimu gave him a puzzled look. "Of course. You 't?"

  Mirage Carl's mind raced. How was she doing that? He had heard of magis perf levitation tricks, but this was the real deal. She was flying as naturally as breathing!

  But he couldn't let her think he was pletely clueless. He was Mirage Carl, master of deception and illusion. If she could fly, then...

  A mischievous smile spread across his face. "Fly? Of course, I fly. I... I'm just not used to doing it in front of people, that's all."

  Reimu raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

  Mirage Carl's heart raced. He was bluffing. But if she didn't believe him, then...

  He took a deep breath and muttered under his breath, "I fly."

  Reimu crossed her arms. "Alright then, show me."

  For a moment, nothing happened. Mirage Carl felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. But then, just as doubt began to creep in, he felt his feet leave the ground.

  His eyes widened in shock as he started floating, just like Reimu. It was as if the air itself was supp him, lifting him effortlessly. He looked down, seeing the earth growing smaller beh him.

  "I... I'm flying..." he whispered, uo believe it himself.

  Reimu watched him curiously. "You were serious... I thought you 't fly. Not bad, for a magi."

  Mirage Carl quickly posed himself, putting on a fident grin. "Well, of course. Flying is just arick up my sleeve."

  Reimu smirked. "Then keep up, magi." She turned and soared towards Misty Lake, her movements graceful and swift.

  Mirage Carl followed, still in awe of his newfound ability. He had lied about flying, and because Reimu didn't believe him... the lie became true.

  He couldn't help but chuckle to himself as he flew through the crimson sky. This power of his... it really was something else.

  They flew towards Misty Lake, the scarlet mist growing thicker as they approached. The air was cold, unnaturally so, and the water below was shrouded in an eerie red hue.

  As they he shore, Mirage Carl noticed two familiar figures. o and Daiyousei were sitting by the ke, looking unusually subdued. o's wings were drooping, and her usual eic demeanor was o be seen.

  Reimu nded gracefully, her expression serious. Mirage Carl, still amazed by his newfound flying ability, wobbled slightly as he touched down beside her. He was getting the hang of it, but he had to keep up appearances.

  "Hey, o!" Reimu called out. "What happeo you?"

  o looked up, her face sched in frustration. "That bck-white bully... She hit me with her stupid magic!"

  Mirage Carl blinked. "Bck-white?"

  Daiyousei helped o to her feet, her voice soft and worried. "She means Marisa... She came through here really fast. o tried to fight her, but..."

  "I wasn't ready!" o pouted, crossing her arms. "She didn't eve me freeze her once!"

  Reimu sighed. "Marisa's already here, huh? Of course, she wouldn't sit still with this i going on."

  Mirage Carl tilted his head. "Wait, Marisa? She is already here?"

  Reimu nodded. "Yeah, she's always nosy when it es to is. Looks like she's already ihe mansion."

  Mirage Carl looked towards the distant silhouette of a grand mansion, just barely visible through the mist. It stood ominously by the edge of the ke, its dark exterior trasting sharply with the red sky.

  o huffed. "That mansion's creepy. Nobody goes there. Well, except that zy gate guard and the scary maid..."

  Mirage Carl's curiosity iqued. "A mansion in the middle of this mist... and Marisa's already inside?" He grinned, his eyes gleaming with intrigue. "Sounds like the perfect pce for a magi to iigate."

  Reimu rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well, try not to get yourself killed." She g o. "You two should go home. It's dangerous here."

  o puffed out her chest. "I-I was just warming up! ime, I'll freeze that bck-white for sure!"

  Mirage Carl chuckled. "Sure you will, stro fairy."

  o gred at him but didn't argue. Daiyousei tugged at o's arm. "Let's go home, o. It's not safe..."

  o grumbled but eventually relented, allowing Daiyousei to guide her away.

  Reimu ture Carl, her expression serious. "Let's go. If Marisa's ihen we'll o catch up before she makes things worse."

  Mirage Carl looked at the mansion once more, feeling a chill run down his spine. Whatever was ihat pce, it was tied to the scarlet mist... and to the mystery of Gensokyo itself.

  With a nod, he followed Reimu, both of them flying towards the ominous mansion shrouded in red mist.