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Chapter 177: The Mirror of the Endless Oath
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Act I: A Chamber of Binding Words
The Gallery opened into a chamber where inscriptions covered the walls, glowing faintly like promises carved into stone.
Ne Job stepped forward, Twinkle buzzing with solemn rhythm.
Ao Bing muttered, "This place feels heavy… like vows that cannot be broken."
Taiyi Zhenren scribbled quickly. "The mirror here… it binds."
At the center stood a mirror etched with countless oaths, its surface shimmering with unspoken vows.
It spoke in a voice firm and unwavering:
> "I am the Mirror of the Endless Oath. I hold what is sworn, what is carried, what endures beyond time."
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Act II: The Weight of Vows
The interns gazed into its surface.
Visions unfolded, showing promises that shaped destinies.
- Ao Bing saw comrades swearing loyalty, their strength bound by trust.
- Taiyi Zhenren saw scholars pledging truth, their wisdom preserved through vows.
- Ne Job saw miracles promised to the Registry, each oath binding them to eternity.
Twinkle pulsed brightly, resonating with the vows.
The mirror whispered:
> "To guard me, you must honor promises without fear."
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Act III: The Mask's Intrusion
From the shadows, the Mask of Misrule hissed.
> "Oaths are mine to corrupt. I will twist promises into betrayal, and betrayal into chaos."
The Mirror of Endless Deception flickered, shards gathering again.
The Mask reached toward Endless Oath, trying to fracture its bindings into lies.
Ao Bing staggered. "I feel my vows breaking!"
Taiyi Zhenren trembled. "My scrolls contradict themselves!"
Ne Job steadied them. "An oath is not a chain. It is strength carried forward."
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Act IV: The Trial of Oath
The Mirror of the Endless Oath spoke:
> "Intern, to protect me, you must swear."
Ne Job gazed into its etched surface.
He saw himself faltering, afraid of promises too heavy to keep.
He whispered:
> "I swear. Even when burdened, I carry. Even when broken, I mend."
The mirror glowed brighter, its inscriptions blazing with clarity.
Twinkle pulsed strongly, harmonizing with the vows.
Ao Bing's fists steadied.
Taiyi Zhenren's scrolls aligned.
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 oaths into betrayal, scattering the interns into despair.
Ao Bing staggered. "My loyalty falters!"
Taiyi Zhenren trembled. "My wisdom collapses!"
Ne Job stood firm. "An oath is not betrayal. It is truth carried forward."
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, Eternal Song, Endless Silence, Forgotten Flame, Eternal Return, Eternal Choice, Hidden Dawn — joined with Endless Oath.
Their glow struck the Mask's illusions.
Betrayal became clarity.
Deception dissolved.
Twinkle hummed, resonating with the Miracle Registry.
Ao Bing laughed, fierce and kind.
Taiyi Zhenren footnoted every vow restored.
Ne Job stood firm, oath and truth united.
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Act VI: The Mirror's Gift
The Mirror of the Endless Oath calmed, its surface shimmering with radiant inscriptions.
It whispered:
> "Intern, oath is not chaos. It is promise 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 oaths today. But betrayal always waits."
The Gallery fell silent.
The mirrors glowed.
And Ne Job walked on, ready for what lay ahead.