The six stood before their glowing pillars, each a mirror into a darker version of themselves.
Mira stared at hers—tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
The mirror showed a version of her alone… abandoned… with her powers overflowing, burning everything she tried to love.
She stepped forward.
Kevin reached to stop her. "Wait—Mira, you don't have to go alone—"
But the moment she touched the pillar, a gust of wind pushed him back. The mirror absorbed her.
"Mira!!" Kevin shouted, banging on the glowing pillar. "Damn it!"
Teaha held him back. "She has to face it."
Inside the Trial: Mira's Realm
Mira stood in a dark library of fire.
Books turned to ash around her.
The Shadow Mira stood calmly by a pile of burned letters. Her eyes glowed gold.
> "You always wanted someone to choose you. To see you. But in the end… no one stayed."
Mira stepped back. "That's not true."
> "Then why did Kevin always look past you?"
Mira froze.
> "You pretended to be strong. But really… you hated yourself for needing someone to notice you."
Mira fell to her knees, covering her ears.
But then—Kevin's voice echoed in her memory:
> "You're not weak. You never were."
Mira stood up.
"No. I don't need to be chosen to be strong. I choose myself."
She held out her jade.
The mirror shattered.
Mira collapsed back in reality—into Kevin's arms.
"You did it!" he beamed.
"I almost didn't," she whispered, cheeks pink. "But I heard you. Thank you."
Kevin looked at her, stunned. Then smiled softer.
"I'll try to look closer from now on."
Now: Kevin's Trial
His pillar pulsed. He walked forward with a crooked smile.
"Guess it's my turn."
Inside, he stood in a world of mirrors. Each one showed a version of him—some smiling, some broken, one… dead.
Then the Shadow Kevin appeared.
Limping. Burned. Eyes dull.
> "No one ever stayed for us. So why did you?"
Kevin stared.
> "You tell jokes. Laugh loud. But all you want is for someone to stop walking away."
Shadow Kevin laughed bitterly. "What if they leave again? What if Mira leaves?"
Kevin clenched his fists.
"…Then I'll still be me. The one who stayed for them anyway."
His jade glowed.
All mirrors exploded—leaving only his reflection, smiling and crying at once.
Kevin returned to the others, eyes wet but smiling. Mira gripped his hand tightly.
The others watched in silence—two down. Four to go.
And still, that mysterious silver-haired girl stood far across the lake, her voice whispering again:
> "You don't remember me… but I remember every version of you."
She faded once more—leaving a swirl of silver petals behind.
To be continued...