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Chapter 207: The Mirror of the Eternal Star
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Act I: A Chamber of Radiance
The Gallery opened into a chamber where countless stars shimmered above, each glowing with its own brilliance yet woven into constellations of meaning.
Ne Job stepped forward, Twinkle buzzing with a celestial hum, its rhythm echoing the pulse of starlight.
Ao Bing muttered, "This place… it feels infinite, like the sky itself has descended."
Taiyi Zhenren scribbled quickly. "The mirror here does not fade. It shines."
At the center stood a mirror framed by radiant constellations, its surface alive with eternal light.
It spoke in a voice vast and luminous:
> "I am the Mirror of the Eternal Star. I hold what shines, what endures in brilliance, what carries truth into eternity."
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Act II: The Weight of Brilliance
The interns gazed into its surface.
Visions unfolded, showing truths carried by stars.
- Ao Bing saw battles where courage meant shining even in darkness.
- Taiyi Zhenren saw scrolls preserved in constellations, wisdom mapped across the heavens.
- Ne Job saw miracles glowing in silence, inscribed into the Registry as lights eternal.
Twinkle pulsed brightly, resonating with the chamber's radiance.
The mirror whispered:
> "To guard me, you must shine without fear."
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Act III: The Mask's Intrusion
From the shadows, the Mask of Misrule hissed.
> "Stars are mine to corrupt. I will twist brilliance into arrogance, and eternity into despair."
The Mirror of Endless Deception flickered, shards gathering again.
The Mask reached toward Eternal Star, trying to fracture its light into emptiness.
Ao Bing staggered. "The stars blind me!"
Taiyi Zhenren trembled. "My scrolls scatter into the void!"
Ne Job steadied them. "Star is not arrogance. It is hope."
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Act IV: The Trial of Star
The Mirror of the Eternal Star spoke:
> "Intern, to protect me, you must shine."
Ne Job gazed into its radiant surface.
He saw himself faltering, afraid of light that might burn too brightly.
He whispered:
> "I shine. Even when shadows resist, I endure. Even when eternity overwhelms, I carry forward."
The mirror glowed brighter, its stars steady.
Twinkle pulsed strongly, harmonizing with brilliance.
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 star into arrogance, scattering the interns into despair.
Ao Bing staggered. "My courage fades in brilliance!"
Taiyi Zhenren trembled. "My wisdom dissolves in constellations!"
Ne Job stood firm. "Star is not arrogance. It is truth carried eternal."
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, Endless Oath, Eternal Memory, Eternal Threshold, Eternal Light, Eternal Shadow, Eternal Balance, Eternal Dawnfire, Eternal Storm, Eternal Ocean, Eternal Sky, Eternal Flameheart, Eternal Songfire, Eternal Silenceflame, Eternal Starfall, Eternal Horizon, Eternal Root, Eternal Crown, Eternal Gate, Eternal Tower, Eternal Anchor, Eternal Bridge, Eternal Labyrinth, Eternal Flame of Truth, Eternal Spiral, Eternal Compass, Eternal Lantern, Eternal Seed, Eternal River, Eternal Mountain, Eternal Tree — joined with Eternal Star.
Their glow struck the Mask's illusions.
Arrogance became clarity.
Deception dissolved.
Twinkle hummed, resonating with the Miracle Registry.
Ao Bing laughed, fierce and kind.
Taiyi Zhenren footnoted every constellation restored.
Ne Job stood firm, star and truth united.
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Act VI: The Mirror's Gift
The Mirror of the Eternal Star calmed, its surface shimmering with radiant eternity.
It whispered:
> "Intern, star is not chaos. It is brilliance 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 stars today. But despair always waits."
The Gallery fell silent.
The mirrors glowed.
And Ne Job walked on, ready for what lay ahead.