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Chapter 171: The Mirror of the Eternal Song
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Act I: A Chamber of Resonance
The Gallery opened into a chamber where every step echoed like music, the walls shimmering with unseen vibrations.
Ne Job stepped forward, Twinkle buzzing in rhythm, its hum weaving into the soundscape.
Ao Bing muttered, "It feels alive… like the air itself sings."
Taiyi Zhenren scribbled quickly. "This mirror is not silent. It carries harmony beyond words."
At the center stood a mirror glowing faintly, its surface rippling like a harp string.
It spoke in a voice both melodic and solemn:
> "I am the Mirror of the Eternal Song. I hold what is sung, what is remembered, what endures in melody."
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Act II: The Weight of Melody
The interns gazed into its surface.
Visions unfolded, showing songs that carried truth across ages.
Ao Bing saw battle chants that gave courage to weary comrades.
Taiyi Zhenren saw scrolls written as hymns, wisdom preserved in rhythm.
Ne Job saw miracles recorded not as words, but as melodies that lingered in the Registry.
Twinkle pulsed brightly, resonating with the harmony.
The mirror whispered:
> "To guard me, you must sing without fear."
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Act III: The Mask's Intrusion
From the shadows, the Mask of Misrule hissed.
> "Songs are mine to corrupt. I will twist melody into noise, and harmony into chaos."
The Mirror of Endless Deception flickered, shards gathering again.
The Mask reached toward the Eternal Song, trying to drown its resonance in discord.
Ao Bing staggered. "The rhythm breaks!"
Taiyi Zhenren trembled. "My scrolls dissolve into noise!"
Ne Job steadied them. "Song is not chaos. It is memory carried in harmony."
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Act IV: The Trial of Song
The Mirror of the Eternal Song spoke:
> "Intern, to protect me, you must sing."
Ne Job gazed into its rippling surface.
He saw himself faltering, afraid to raise his voice, afraid to be heard.
He whispered:
> "I sing. Even when silence surrounds me, I carry melody. Even when broken, I endure."
The mirror glowed brighter, its resonance steady.
Twinkle pulsed strongly, harmonizing with the song.
Ao Bing's fists steadied.
Taiyi Zhenren's scrolls aligned into rhythm.
The Mask recoiled, his corruption faltering.
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Act V: The Clash
The Mask screamed, hurling shards of deception.
Illusions tried to twist melody into discord, scattering the interns into confusion.
Ao Bing staggered. "My courage fades in noise!"
Taiyi Zhenren trembled. "My wisdom dissolves in chaos!"
Ne Job stood firm. "Song is not discord. It is truth carried in harmony."
The awakened mirrors — Patience, Friendship, Courage, Sorrow, Endless Paths, Forgotten Names, Silent Echoes, Shattered Promises, Hidden Truths, Eternal Doubt, Living Light, Boundless Hope, Unbroken Unity, Eternal Harmony, Final Resolve, Infinite Resolve, Last Question, First Dawn, Endless Return, Forgotten Future, Silent Dawnfall — joined with the Eternal Song.
Their glow struck the Mask's illusions.
Noise became clarity.
Deception dissolved.
Twinkle hummed, resonating with the Miracle Registry.
Ao Bing laughed, fierce and kind.
Taiyi Zhenren footnoted every melody restored.
Ne Job stood firm, song and truth united.
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Act VI: The Mirror's Gift
The Mirror of the Eternal Song calmed, its surface shimmering with radiant harmony.
It whispered:
> "Intern, song is not chaos. It is memory eternal. Guard it well."
Ne Job bowed.
Twinkle pulsed softly.
The Gallery shimmered, stable once more.
The Mask of Misrule retreated into the shadows, his voice echoing faintly:
> "You may resist song today. But silence always waits."
The Gallery fell silent.
The mirrors glowed.
And Ne Job walked on, ready for what lay ahead.