The cavern of the fallen guardians gave way to a tunnel of twisting stone, its walls slick with shadow that pulsed like veins. The air grew colder, the whispers louder. Each step echoed too long, as though unseen feet followed close behind.
Kael walked at the front, the Moonsilver Sword glowing faintly, its silver runes the only anchor against the oppressive dark. The Keepers followed in silence, their gray cloaks damp with mist, their eyes hollow with fatigue. Isolde walked beside Kael, the Crown of Dawn hidden beneath her hood, but its light bled faintly through, an ember against the abyss.
At last the tunnel opened into a vast chamber. The floor was a mirror of black glass, reflecting them with unnerving clarity. The walls vanished into endless mist.
Lady Elira's voice was taut. "The Hall of Echoes. Here the Hollow bends truth into lies, flesh into shadow. Do not trust what you see."
But even as she spoke, their reflections stirred.
---
Kael's reflection stepped forward first, sword in hand. Its eyes glowed with silver fire, its voice a cruel mirror of his own.
"You say you fight for her. But you will fail her, as your blood has always failed. You will hold the blade that binds her—and when the time comes, you will drive it through her heart."
Kael's chest tightened, his knuckles white on his sword. He slashed at the image, but the reflection parried with equal skill, sparks scattering across the glass floor.
---
Isolde's reflection rose next, crowned in fire. Its smile was cold, its golden flames devouring everything in their path.
"You resist me, but you are me. The flame burns brighter than your will. One day you will bow, not as prisoner—but as queen of ash. Kael will kneel at your feet, not as lover, but as your first subject."
Isolde staggered, clutching her chest. Her mark burned hotter, her fire threatening to lash free.
"No," she whispered. "That's not who I am."
The reflection laughed, golden fire consuming its mirrored form. "You cannot stop what you are."
---
The Keepers, too, cried out as their own reflections rose, whispering their failures, their hidden fears. One fell to his knees, unable to bear the sight, and his reflection dragged him screaming into the mirror-floor, vanishing without a trace.
Elira's voice cut sharp across the chamber. "Stand firm! They are not you!"
But the echoes pressed harder, their blades and flames clashing with every step.
---
Kael and his reflection locked in a deadly dance, silver clashing against silver. Every strike echoed like prophecy.
"You will kill her," the echo snarled. "And when you do, you will know it was always meant to be."
Kael's heart roared in defiance. "No! I will fight shadow, flame, even destiny itself before I let her fall!"
His sword flared, silver light blazing brighter than the echo could withstand. With a cry, he drove the blade through his reflection. The mirror shattered, shards scattering into mist.
Isolde fell to her knees as her reflection towered above her, golden fire threatening to consume all. Her body trembled, her veins burning.
The echo whispered, almost tender. "Just let go. Stop fighting. Stop fearing. Be fire. Be ruin."
She closed her eyes, Kael's voice echoing in her memory: I will trust you enough for all of them.
Her fire blazed—not as ruin, but as light. She rose, golden flames bursting from her in a wave, striking her reflection and shattering it into sparks.
---
The chamber trembled. The mirror floor cracked, mist spilling upward. The reflections dissolved, their whispers fading into silence.
The survivors—fewer now—stood shaking, sweat and blood marking their faces.
Elira's voice was low, reverent. "You broke the echoes. Few could."
Kael steadied Isolde, his hand tight on hers. "Not few. Just us."
But deep below, the Shadow King's laughter rolled like thunder.
Yes… break your fears, only to walk deeper into mine.
And another chain snapped.