---
Chirag's eyes widened as the world shifted around him.
The ground beneath his feet had turned into glassy mirrors that reflected the sky above—a sky that now glowed in shades of violet and gold. Buildings floated in the air like bubbles, slowly drifting in and out of view. Trees grew upside down, and rivers flowed in the sky.
They were inside Mirakha's illusion now—a place where reality bent and thoughts could become traps.
Siya grabbed Chirag's hand. "Stay with me," she whispered. "This place isn't real… but it feels real."
Kael spun his spear slowly, alert. "Watch your thoughts. She's using them to shape this place."
As they moved forward, the reflections beneath their feet began to flicker. Chirag saw images from his past—his parents leaving him in the rain, the first time he saw Siya smile, the moment he gained the Eternal Flame. It was like the mirror was showing his soul.
> "What is this?" Chirag asked.
A voice echoed through the air. It was Mirakha.
> "Memories. Hopes. Fears. All the little pieces that make you you. Welcome to the Inner Mirror."
Suddenly, Chirag stumbled.
In front of him appeared a young version of himself—small, scared, wet from the rain, just like the day he was abandoned. The young Chirag looked up at him with teary eyes.
> "Why did you let them go?" the boy asked. "Why weren't you strong enough back then?"
Chirag stepped back.
Siya called out, "It's not real! Don't talk to it!"
But the illusion kept speaking.
> "You've built so much strength… but did you ever fix what's broken inside?"
The ground beneath Chirag cracked. More illusions appeared—his failures, his pain, even the moment he almost gave up after Siya's death.
Kael roared, slamming his spear into the mirror. "Break it! Don't let it control you!"
With a deep breath, Chirag closed his eyes. He focused on the fire in his heart—the Eternal Flame. He whispered, "I'm not that boy anymore. I'm more than pain. I'm more than fear."
The flame grew brighter within him, and the illusions shattered like glass.
The world trembled.
And for a brief moment, they saw Mirakha—standing on a throne of mirrors high above.
> "Impressive," she said. "But this is only the beginning."
---
The group kept moving, each step deeper into the illusion. Now the mirrors reflected not just Chirag's past, but Siya's and Kael's too.
Siya saw her father, the Demon King, on his throne—angry, disappointed in her for loving a human.
> "You've betrayed your blood," he said. "You don't belong with them."
Siya's fists clenched. "You never understood love. That's why you lost everything."
Her flames—blue like a calm ocean—wrapped around the illusion and melted it away.
Kael saw himself kneeling before his fallen comrades. His tribe had once been wiped out by the gods, and the guilt still haunted him.
> "You survived… while they didn't," a voice whispered.
Kael stood tall. "That's why I fight now. For them."
He struck the illusion, and the mirror shattered.
They had passed Mirakha's first test.
But she wasn't done.
---
Suddenly, the three were pulled apart.
The ground split, and each of them fell into their own mirrored world.
Chirag landed in a forest where everything glowed gold. A figure stood in front of him—a version of himself wearing a crown and a godly robe.
> "This is who you could become," the figure said. "A true god. Immortal, untouchable, worshiped."
Chirag frowned. "That's not what I want."
> "Isn't it?" the illusion replied. "You've already changed the world. Why stop now? Rule it. Burn away the weak. Protect only those you love."
The fire in Chirag's chest flared in anger. "No. Power without kindness is just tyranny. I won't become that."
He slammed his fist into the ground, and the illusion faded. The fake god vanished.
---
Elsewhere, Siya stood before a mirror that showed her a peaceful life—her and Chirag in a small village, away from war and gods, raising a child.
It was everything she had dreamed of.
> "You can have this," the voice whispered. "Just walk away from the war. Leave it all behind."
Siya touched the mirror with longing.
But then she shook her head.
> "I can't have peace if the world is broken. I'll fight now, so one day, that dream can become real."
The mirror cracked.
She walked forward.
---
Kael faced the hardest illusion—his brother.
The brother he had lost long ago.
> "You were too slow," his brother said. "If you had been faster… I would've lived."
Kael dropped to his knees.
But then he whispered, "I'm sorry. But I've carried that guilt long enough."
He stood, eyes blazing. "I'll honor you—not by weeping, but by protecting what's left."
With a shout, he broke the illusion.
---
Finally, the three emerged at the same place—at the top of the mirrored palace, where Mirakha waited.
She clapped slowly. "You passed my illusions. But do you really think that makes you ready?"
Chirag stepped forward, flames in his hands. "You test people's hearts. I understand. But why are you doing this?"
Mirakha's eyes softened.
> "Because the world is broken, Chirag. And sometimes, illusions are kinder than truth. I wanted to see if you were strong enough to hold the truth."
Chirag looked at her closely. "Are you with the Originals?"
She paused.
Then said, "I was one of them. But I no longer follow their path. I wanted to know if there was hope in your way."
Siya raised an eyebrow. "And? What do you believe now?"
Mirakha smiled sadly.
> "I believe… you might be the last chance this world has."
She raised her hand—and the illusion world shattered.
---
They were back.
In the ruined town.
But this time, people began reappearing—those who had been trapped in Mirakha's illusions were waking up.
Chirag turned to her. "Will you join us?"
Mirakha bowed her head. "Yes. I will fight with you."
Another powerful ally had joined their side.
But the war was far from over.
In the distance, dark clouds gathered.
The next Original would not be so merciful.
---