“Stop.”

  Remilia’s voice echoed through the hall, carrying a cold authority that froze everyone in pce. Fndre halted mid-swing, her fme sword flickering out as she turo face her sister. Her eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and uainty flickering across her face.

  Remilia stood gracefully at the top of the grand staircase, her crimson eyes sharp and pierg. Her regal presence filled the room, an aura of dominance surrounding her. She slowly desded the steps, her gaze locked on Fndre.

  Fndre’s expression hardened, her grip tightening on her sword. “Sister...” Her voice wavered, a hint of rese seeping through. “Are you here to lock me up again?”

  Remilia’s eyes softened, but she kept her posure. “No, Fndre. Not this time.”

  Fndre’s posture tensed, her fiery aura fring up. “Then why are you here? Are you going to fight me too?”

  I quickly stepped between them, raising my hands in a calmiure. “Hold on, Fndre.” I moved clently pg my hand on her head, ruffling her golden hair. Her tense shoulders rexed, her crimson eyes widening in surprise.

  “You should listen to your sister first,” I said with a soft smile. “She looks like she has something important to say.”

  Fndre blinked, her fmes slowly dying down. She leaned into my touch, her expression softening. “Big brother...” Her voice was a whisper, a hint of vulnerability hiddeh her usual ferocity.

  Remilia’s eyes flicked to me, her gaze darkening. There was a dangerous glint in her eyes, her expression unreadable. But she didn’t say anything about my gesture. Instead, she walked up to Fndre and stopped just in front of her.

  Fndre’s body tensed, her eyes shut tight as she braced herself. She expected punishment. Pain. Just like every other time she lost trol.

  But instead, she felt warmth.

  Remilia ed her arms around Fndre, pulling her into a gentle embrace. Her crimson eyes softened, her voice wavering. “I’m sorry... for leaving you alone for so long.”

  Fndre’s eyes widened in shock. Her fme sword flickered out of existence, her hands trembling. “Sister...?” Her voice cracked, disbelief evident. “You’re... hugging me?”

  Remilia’s grip tightened, her shoulders shaking. “I’m sorry, Fndre. I was... I was too focused on my ambitions. On building my ‘pyground’ in Gensokyo. I wanted a world where we could be free... but I ended up leaving you behind.” Her voice broke, her pride crumbling. “I’m the worst sister.”

  Fndre’s eyes welled up with tears. Her arms slowly ed around Remilia, holdiightly. “You... don’t hate me?” Her voice trembled, fear and hope iwining. “Even though... I break things... and... and...”

  Remilia’s wings curled protectively around her little sister. “I could never hate you, Fndre. You’re my precious little sister. I was just... too scared. I thought log you away roteg you... but I was just being selfish.” She closed her eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. “ you five me?”

  Fndre sobbed, burying her fa Remilia’s shoulder. “I missed you... I missed you so much, Sister...”

  Remilia gently stroked her hair, her expression softening. “I missed you too, Fndre.”

  The toug reuniht a lump to my throat. I quietly stepped back, giving them space. I noticed Reimu and Marisa watg as well, both uncharacteristically silent.

  But the moment of peace didn’t st.

  Remilia’s eyes hardened as she looked over Fndre’s shoulder at us. Her regal posure returned, her voice firm. “Fndre, we don’t o be alone anymore.” Her lips curved into a determined smile. “If we defeat the shrine maiden... and that fake brother...” Her eyes flicked to me with a dangerous glint. “We rule Gensokyo together.”

  Reimu’s eyebrow twitched, her fists g. “You’re pnning world domination... right in front of me?” Her voice was dangerously low. “You’ve got guts, vampire.”

  Marisa huffed, crossing her arms. “Oi, don’t leave me out of this! I’m gonna kick your butts too, you know!”

  I forced a smile, hiding the nervous knot in my stomach. “Well... this just got plicated.”

  Remilia’s crimson eyes locked onto mine, a sly smile pying on her lips. “Even if you’re a fake brother,” she said, her voice dripping with regal fidence, “you’re still a vampire now. Just like us.”

  Her words hung in the air, heavy aing. She took a step closer, her aura radiating power. “You’ve tasted it, haven’t you? The strength, the speed, the immortality... The power of a vampire.” She extended her hand toward me, her fingers delicate and inviting. “Join us, my new kin. With you by our side, we quer Gensokyo together.”

  Fndre’s eyes sparkled with excitement. She floated over to me, her wings fluttering with joy. “Really? Big brother’s joining us?” She hugged my arm, her voice cheerful and warm. “Then y together forever! Just like sisters and brothers should!”

  Her genuine smile caught me off guard. I hesitated, my mind rag. Part of me was tempted by Remilia’s offer. The power c through me was intoxig—my senses were sharper, my body stronger, my magic more potent. And Fndre... her i excitement made me want to protect her.

  But... I looked over at Reimu and Marisa, who stood firm and unwavering. Reimu’s eyes were cold and resolute. “I don’t care if you’re a vampire or not, Mirage. If you stand against me, I’ll exterminate you like the rest.”

  Marisa grinned, her magic crag around her. “I was gonna fight you after this anyway, vampire or not. Now it’s just more exg!” Her eyes gleamed with anticipation. “e on, Mirage! Let’s see what that new power of yours do!”

  I felt a cold sweat run down my back. Reimu’s fierce resolve, Marisa’s petitive spirit, Remilia’s tempting offer, and Fndre’s i joy... I was caught in the middle, uo make a choice.

  Remilia’s eyes narrowed, her hand still extended. “What’s wrong, Mirage? Are you still hesitating?” Her voice dropped, almost teasing. “I see it in your eyes. You crave power. You don’t have to pretend.”

  I looked down at my hands, the faint ist of my ice sword swirling around them. The power was real, and it felt incredible. But... was that really what I wao rule ensokyo with Remilia? To be her ally in quest?

  Fugged at my sleeve, her i eyes wide. “Big brother... are you really gonna py with me?” Her voice was soft, hopeful.

  I hesitated, my heart ag. “I...”

  Reimu’s voice cut through my fusion like a bde. “Enough of this nonsense.” She raised her gohei, her aura fring. “If you’re with them, then I’ll exterminate all three of you.” Her eyes burned with determination. “No mercy.”

  Marisa floated beside her, a pyful grin on her face. “Sorry, Mirage. But I was really lookin’ forward to fightin’ you in that new form.” She twirled her mini-hakkero, sparks of magig around her. “Don’t you dare hold back!”

  The air grew heavy with tension, the weight of battle pressing down on me. Remilia’s smile widened, her crimson eyes glinting. “So you’ve chosen to oppose us?” Her voice was calm, but there was a dangerous edge to it. “Very well. I’ll crush you first, then the shrine maiden.”

  Fndre’s face fell, her shoulders slumping. “Big brother... yonna fight me?” Her eyes were wide, hurt. But then, her lips curled into aed grin. “Then I won’t hold back either!” Her wings fred, her aura bzing with chaotiergy. “I’ll break you... so y forever!”

  My heart pounded in my chest. There was no bag out now. I gripped my ice sword, feeling its cold power course through me. “I don’t really like fighting... but if this is how it has to be...” I steeled my resolve, my eyes log onto my oppos. “Then I won’t lose!”

  Remilia ughed, her wings spreading majestically. “Excellent! Show me the power of my new kin!”

  Reimu dashed forward, her gohei crag with spiritual energy. “I don’t care who you are. I’m putting ao this.”

  Marisa aimed her mini-hakkero, her grin fierce. “Let’s see what you’ve got, Mirage!”

  Fndre giggled, her fmes bzing around her. “e on, big brother! Let’s py!”

  The mansion shook as the battle began, magid power g in a dazzling dispy of light and energy. I weaved between attacks, my ice sword g against Reimu’s spiritual strikes, dodging Marisa’s sers and Fndre’s chaotic bsts.

  Remilia watched from above, her eyes gleaming with i. “Dance, Mirage Carl. Show me the power of a vampire magi.”

  Caught between allies and enemies, I fought to find my path amidst the chaos. The battle fensokyo had truly begun.