Sterim remembered the first time he entered a mine. The feeling of unease never truly went away. He liked the fact that the first part of the mine had bright lights and sorted buildings. He knew this was the future of Skimbell. He just did not like these raw dark parts of mines. And this feeling was quite fitting for today.
Behind him were two Words and their vivisectionist. In front of him was old Tim and another miner who lead them to this 'great black stone'.
Sterim did not know why he had to come down here. He was the person who informed the Words directly of this large stone but it is not like he knew anything more about this. Or had actually seen it before.
"Just around the corner", Tim said reassuringly . "Please mind your feet. There is still a some rubble around here." The other miner already went ahead. When Sterim turned around the corner, he let out an annoyed sigh.
The cavern was quite sizable for the short time they had to hew it out of the stone. He heared that some miners were excited about the black stone and the gold it stood for. Others like old Tim wanted to out of this mine as fast a possible.
Given the ruckus that it made, it did not seem that special.
It just sat there in the centre of the cavern about 3 meters tall and reflecting all the light of the surrounding lamps back to Sterim to show him his annoyed mug. He took solice in the fact that his uniform was almost clean.
"Do you mind?", the Word behind him said in a monoton voice while shoving him forward. Sterim gave a small yelp in surprise. He did not see them coming. The Words really like to sneaking up on people and push them.
Old Tim, the other miner and Sterim walked to the miners who cleaned up the place. They stood at the far side of the cavern to bring as much space between them and the Words as they could. The vivisectionist in turn walked around the black stone while running his gloved hands over the stones shiny surface. After circling the stone, the vivisectionist turned around and beckoned Sterim to him with one of his gloved hands.
Sterim appreciated that the vivisectionist was still completely clean. Just the vivisectionist's invitation was out of place. He walked over to the Word followed by old Tim.
"Did you break any parts of this stone?", the vivisectionist asked.
"No, we couldn't even put a dent into that thing.", Tim replied without missing a beat.
The vivisectionist fell silent and stared at the shape of the stone. Sterim did not see anything special. It was a stone that had some pointy bits on it. There was a large, very smooth part a bit to the side from where they stood. Sterim saw himself and the cavern in it extraordinarily clearly.
He paused.
Something was off.
And the vivisectionists noticed that.
"This must be the largest one of these specimens yet. It is really something that could revolutionize our technology and warfare.", the vivisectionist explained while he slowly walked towards Sterim. "It could be used as armor or for concealment."
"It would also make for a nice bathroom mirror." Sterim added.
"What." the vivisectionist stopped and looked at Sterim. Old Tim and the two Words were also looking at Sterim.
"I mean look at you ..." Sterim started while pointing at the space of the stone where the vivisectionist was. Or should have been.
Now Sterim knew what was off about this stone. He was the only person reflected by it.
"You see yourself in this stone?" the vivisectionist asked calmly.
"No?"
"Yes. Bag him.", vivisectionist said while the world turned black around Sterim.
