The door sealed behind them.
Heat bled from the walls, but this was no forge.
This was desire.
The room was circular, surrounded by obsidian mirrors. In the center floated a single blood-red orb, pulsing with rhythm—like a heartbeat echoing within the Crucible's lungs.
> [System Notice: Trial Two – Mirror of Might Initiated.]
> [Temptation Protocol: Activated.]
> [Objective: Resist false ascension. Time limit: 5 minutes.]
Kaien narrowed his eyes. "That doesn't sound ominous at all."
Then the mirrors shifted.
And Adexander saw himself.
No—not himself. A version of him, wreathed in perfection.
Crowned. Unchallenged. Loved. Worshiped.
This reflection didn't fight for power—it commanded it. The world bent for him. His enemies begged for forgiveness. His allies stood behind him in eternal loyalty. Hope sat on a throne beside him, smiling softly.
It was everything he'd once wanted.
> "This is fake," he muttered.
But his feet didn't move.
His hand reached, unbidden.
> "You could have this," the reflection whispered. "No more struggle. No more betrayal. Just destiny fulfilled."
The orb pulsed.
Velessia stepped forward—then froze.
Her eyes turned silver.
> "This place… it feeds on longing."
Raik clutched his head. "Damn it… I see my sister. Alive. Smiling."
Igris gritted his teeth, unmoving. "I see… him. My old lord. He forgave me."
Kaien blinked. "I see myself. Calm. Boring. Married."
He shivered. "Terrifying."
---
Adexander's Trial
The Crimson King stepped forward.
His reflection stepped out of the mirror.
It was him—only… wrong. Empty. Flawless.
> "You know I'm what you could become. No pain. No struggle. Just results."
Adexander stared.
> "That would make me weaker."
The reflection smiled. "It would make you free."
Adexander raised his blade.
> "Freedom without battle is a cage."
He swung.
The mirror shattered.
The false Adexander cracked in two—silent as glass breaking under truth.
The blood orb exploded in red mist.
---
System Response
> [Trial Two – Complete.]
> [Echo of the Crimson Past – Progression 14% → 19%.]
> [New Passive Gained: Iron Will – Mental resistance increased. Immune to mind-altering effects.]
> [Warning: Final Trial Approaching.]
---
As They Rested
The group gathered in a quieter chamber, the heat fading.
Kaien slumped to the ground. "I feel like my own brain punched me."
Velessia sat beside Adexander, silent.
> "That vision," she said quietly. "The woman beside you. She felt… real."
Adexander didn't respond at first.
Then, softly—
> "Her name is Hope."