For a moment, Talax was entranced by the enormous double doors, a masterful blend of artistry and splendor. These monumental doors were crafted from a gleaming, pearlescent material that appeared to shift with every angle of light, exuding an otherworldly beauty that left him in awe. The material possessed an ethereal shimmer, appearing both delicate and indestructible, a paradox that mirrored the god it represented.
The doors bore intricate carvings and reliefs that narrated a captivating story. Various scenes unfolded, etched with meticulous craftsmanship. At the top, rays of radiant light cascaded from a celestial figure, their outstretched arms embracing the world below. It was a representation of the god's dominion over light, radiating a sense of hope and renewal.
Beneath the celestial figure, intricate depictions of shadowy figures and ethereal, otherworldly landscapes emerged. These intricate carvings were intertwined with scenes of life and death, a reflection of the god's dual nature. The delicate balance of light and darkness danced across the doors, creating a mesmerizing display of cosmic harmony.
"Get ready," Edward announced, showing no respect or appreciation for the artistic work before them. With a strained heave, he pushed the doors. Talax had assumed that such doors would require the intervention of giants to open, but to his surprise, they swung open effortlessly, without making a sound.
The group stepped into the temple of the long-gone God, their hearts filled with a mix of trepidation and determination. The chamber they entered was vast, its golden floor extending infinitely in all directions, creating an illusion of boundless space. It was as if they had stepped into a realm outside of time and space, where the boundaries of reality stretched beyond imagination.
Franny, Talax, Edward, Vesperine, Callum, and Qalo stood at the threshold, gazing out at the golden expanse that seemed to have no end. The sheer magnitude of the room left them bewildered, their footsteps echoing softly as if in a hollow cavern.
"What is this place?" Franny whispered, his voice barely audible in the overwhelming silence.
Talax ran his fingers across the golden surface, feeling the cool, smooth metal beneath his touch. "I've never seen anything like it. It's as if we've stepped into another world altogether."
The golden floor beneath their feet seemed to stretch into eternity, uninterrupted by walls or borders. It shimmered with an ethereal glow, casting a warm, inviting light that seemed to seep into their very souls. They found themselves standing on an island of golden splendor amidst an endless sea of the same radiant material.
As they pondered their next move, a distinct sound caught their attention, the clattering of bones. They turned toward the source of the noise, their eyes widening in astonishment. Emerging from the golden expanse was a skeletal figure, adorned in the tattered remnants of priestly robes. The skeleton's bony fingers clutched an ancient, weathered stuff, that at some point must have been an achievement of craftmanship.
The skeleton priest's empty eye sockets seemed to fixate on the intruders, and a hollow, echoing voice emanated from its spectral form. "Welcome, seekers of the inner sanctum," it intoned, its words resonating through the vast chamber.
"I am the dawn of existence, the first breath of creation, the spark of all beginnings. I am the abyss of eternity, the void where all things return, the keeper of endless endings. I am the river of vitality, the cradle of growth, the wellspring of every heart's beat. I am the night's embrace, the eternal rest, the silent passage to the great unknown.
Seek within your hearts the balance, where all aspects intertwine. Find the mirror that echoes the essence of our merciful God, and you shall be granted passage."
The cryptic words hung in the air, leaving the heroes puzzled and intrigued. The skeleton priest's role didn't end there. "Be mindful, for to cast eyes on his domain you have to pay the toll." The weight of his words settled upon them, making them acutely aware that their choices would have consequences.
Edward, unable to hold himself back, took a threatening step toward the priest and yelled, "Stop talking in riddles, beast, and point us in the right way, or I will end you!" The skeleton seemed unfazed by Edward's words.
"End or beginning, it is the same for the servants of the cold embrace." With that enigmatic proclamation, the skeleton priest gestured with its staff, and suddenly, the room was filled with the sound of chimes and the shimmering appearance of a myriad of mirrors. Mirrors of various shapes and sizes, each radiating a distinct aura, materialized before them.
Everyone exchanged bewildered glances, their reflections appearing multiple times within the countless mirrors that surrounded them. It was clear that these mirrors held the key to finding the way forward, but the question remained: which mirror to choose and how to navigate this surreal labyrinth of golden reflections.
Talax moved to question the skeleton priest in an attempt to extract some nugget of information, but when he looked back, his gaze found only a pile of bones.
"Damn it!" Edward huffed and started strolling through the gilded mirrors. "Everyone scatter. Let's find this cursed mirror." Everyone obeyed, going to their nearest mirror.
Vesperine sashayed her way to a full-length mirror, striking a pose. She put her hand on her hip and twirled, making her cloak flutter. The next moment, her body slackened, and her hand fell to her side limply.
Talax didn't have time to consider the strange behavior, because as soon as his feet brought him to the nearest mirror, visions danced before his eyes, showing him scenes of luminous beauty. He saw fields of golden wheat swaying in the breeze, radiant cities filled with joyful people, and celestial beings bathed in the glow of divine light. It was a vision of pure, unadulterated life and vitality.
The beautiful sights faded from his mind, and he felt something peculiar as the magic left his body. It was as if an invisible hand was trying to take hold of his mind but found no purchase. For a moment, Talax felt disoriented and unsettled, fearing that he was again being attacked by some spirit. After the sensation subsided and he had a moment to think, he tried to analyze the situation rationally. If he had suffered a mental attack, his ability Mental Aegis would have activated. Maybe it was something else...
He looked around and saw Franny several rows deep into the labyrinth of mirrors, standing idly. Talax didn't know whether he was experiencing visions or just standing there.
"Franny! Are you okay?" The noble remained deep in his trance for several moments, making Talax worry. Finally, he looked like he had woken from a deep slumber and glanced around, making his reflections appear in dozens of different mirrors.
"I...," a deep frown marred his face, as if he was searching for words. "I think I am okay." The worried expression didn't leave his face, though. He just turned and walked to the next mirror. Talax frowned at his friend's strange behavior and watched the rest of the group, only to notice everyone exhibiting odd behaviors.
When he tried to gain their attention, they all appeared too engrossed in their visions to pay him any mind. Frustrated, Talax went to the next mirror, and new visions assaulted his mind, this time all associated with dark magic. His vision was filled with scenes of ominous forests cloaked in darkness, enigmatic figures with sinister grins, and creatures of the night lurking in the obscurity.
Talax walked from mirror to mirror, experiencing new visions each time. Every mirror showed distinctive images associated with one of the four elements: life, death, light, and darkness. He couldn't figure out, however, what he was looking for. He hoped that when he found the right mirror, he would know.
Suddenly, he heard Vesperine's voice from somewhere far away. "Stop!" Her voice was frantic and had an odd quality. "Don't look in the mirrors!" Talax looked around, trying to spot someone, but all he could see was his own reflection staring back at him.
"What's wrong?" He ran towards where he believed Vesperine was, but the maze of mirrors made him lose his way again and again. With a facepalm, he remembered his tracking skill and activated it. He waited with bated breath for his previous tracks to appear, but all he saw was the gleaming gold floor.
"The mirrors, they..." Her voice petered out as Talax rushed toward where Vesperine was talking. "I... don't remember. Oh! Right, the mirrors are taking away our memories! Close your eyes!"
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Talax froze in his tracks, finally realizing what the weird sensation was. Anxiously, he stopped to check the effects of the mirrors, fearing that without him noticing, he had been losing memory after memory. However, he recalled the moment he woke up in the temple of the Gods, his meeting with Bene, and subsequent fight. Later, finding Qalo in the shadowy alley, fighting some lowlifes, and their escape from the city. He remembered the bandits, Franny, the gnolls, the guardian... Everything.
With a frown, he checked again and again his memories, not finding anything missing. But still, a shadow of doubt lingered in his mind. If he had forgotten a memory, would he have remembered it? Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he looked around trying to spot Vesperine or his friends.
"Franny? Qalo? Somebody talk to me!" He heard Vesperine's frantic calls echo through the chamber and he rushed towards her location. After what felt like an eternity, he spotted her amidst a sea of mirrors.
"Are you okay?" The woman had placed a blindfold over the slits of her mask, attempting to shield herself from the mirrors' effects.
"Puppy... You found me... My gallant prince to the rescue..." Talax scoffed, regaining his composure after hearing Vesperine's nonsensical ramblings. She was still herself, but her speech was oddly disjointed.
"Are you sure you're okay? You sound strange." The masked woman waved him off. "Oh, my puppy... is... concerned about me! Don't worry, I lost some childhood memories..." She hugged her midsection, in a way that showed vulnerability. "...which isn't a bad thing." She laughed humorlessly, holding herself tighter. "What you should worry about is how we're going to escape from here."
Talax observed her for a moment, noting her rare vulnerability. "It seems I'm immune to the mirrors' effects. I'll locate that cursed mirror. But first, I'll find Franny and Qalo." The masked woman cocked her head quizzically.
"How are you immune? I've been trained for situations like this, and I'm still affected!" Talax gave her a smug smile that the masked woman couldn’t see and replied mysteriously. "I have some awesome abilities of my own."
The truth was, he didn't understand why he remained unaffected by the mirrors, but he suspected it was tied to his erased memories from his past. Without dwelling on it, he set off to find the others.
Thankfully, he found Qalo quicky. He hadn’t wandered too far from their original position. After experiencing the first visions, he got scared of the magic and he refused to search any longer. He simply sat down on the floor eating his last jar of soup. Franny, however, was found in a disturbing state, wandering aimlessly among the mirrors with a vacant expression. When Talax questioned him, Franny could recall his identity but struggled to remember why he was in the temple and his purpose.
Talax brought Franny to Qalo, who fussed over him like a mother hen. Leaving them behind, he considered searching for Edward but ultimately decided to leave him to his fate. Instead, he turned his attention to the mirrors.
As he examined them, he witnessed countless visions. He saw shadowy forests where ancient trees stretched toward the sky, their gnarled branches adorned with delicate silver webs. The air was thick with the scent of earth and decay.
Figures, draped in inky robes, moved soundlessly through the forest, their faces hidden beneath hoods. They seemed to be the guardians of secrets, protectors of hidden knowledge that transcended the boundaries of the living world.
Gardens filled with a vibrant tapestry of colors and fountains gushing crystal-clear water, brimming with life and abundance, appeared before him. Celestial beings descended from the heavens, their ethereal forms emitting an otherworldly light, bestowing blessings upon all living beings.
With each vision, Talax felt like he was losing touch with reality, struggling to differentiate between what was real and what was mere fantasy. He ventured deeper into the maze until he stumbled upon Edward, sitting in a lotus position, serenely polishing his already gleaming sword with an oiled rag.
"So, it's come to this, placing our fates in the hands of a clueless boy." Edward didn't glance up but continued his task.
" Why don’t you look me in the eyes when you speak to me, old man?" Predictably, Edward's anger led his eyes to follow Talax, but they immediately trailed behind him,and he was swiftly entranced by the visions. Talax couldn't help but chuckle, savoring the man's plight. He waited patiently, sipping in every moment like a fine wine, as Edward succumbed to the mirror's influence.
The lines of animosity and sternness on Edward's face began to fade. When his eyes regained some semblance of focus, he appeared bewildered and uncertain. In truth, Talax was enjoying the spectacle a bit too much and let out another laugh. The mocking sound seemed to snap Edward out of his daze, and he glared at Talax with resentment.
"Wait here like a good little boy while I go save your ass." Talax winked at the infuriated noble and, with a chuckle, turned and strolled away, leaving Edward growling in frustration. Talax dismissed him from his thoughts. Although he briefly considered helping him, he couldn't resist laughing at the idea. No, that was definitely not happening. He'd let the noble rot in the cursed dungeon for all eternity.
Talax pressed on with his task, each vision he encountered distinct and different. Although his memory remained intact, he still felt mentally drained and exhausted. Still, he dredged on, having the responsibility of getting his friends out of the room heavy on his shoulders.
As he passed a small handheld mirror, floating innocently amidst the massive mirrors that could easily warp one's perception of reality, he couldn't resist taking a brief look. In the mirror's reflection, he saw his own weary face, dark circles under his eyes, and a determined glint in his gaze that defied the fatigue he felt.
In an instant, he was swept into a new vision, unlike any he had witnessed before. Golden fields of wheat lay kissed by dark shadows, transforming the grains into twilight's seeds. Radiant cities coexisted with enigmatic, concealed corners where secrets lay hidden in the depths of darkness. Celestial beings revealed their concealed aspects, bearing the weight of both life and death in their ethereal forms.
Talax remained entranced by the array of images that danced before his eyes, one after another, unveiling an intricate blend of diverse places and magics. The eerie forests he had seen in previous mirrors now bore patches of shimmering light, where hope sprouted amid the heart of darkness. The enigmatic figures were not only sinister but also held the secrets of life's mysteries. The creatures of the night were not solely agents of death but also guardians of the delicate balance between existence and non-existence.
In this mirror, light and darkness were intricately interwoven, forming a tapestry of existence that transcended their individual visions. It symbolized the eternal dance of life and death, the perpetual interplay of light and dark magic, and the profound unity of all four elemental schools.
Emerging from his vision, Talax couldn't contain his excitement and erupted into hearty laughter. He had found it! He had discovered the mirror! He called for Vesperine, and after a few minutes, he spotted her dragging a comatose Callum, and behind her Qalo was helping Franny that was acting like he had drunk a little too much.
"Are you sure it's the right one?" Vesperine questioned, touching Talax's cheek with her gloved hand. "I'm sure. It contains all four elements." He replied with confidence.
The masked woman simply nodded and infused some of her mana into the small mirror. It began to emit a soft, unassuming light, offering no extravagant display to indicate that it was the correct path forward.
She glanced back at Talax and with a casual shrug, she pushed Callum onto the mirror. Callum, already struggling to stand, lost his balance and tumbled onto the floating mirror.
Unexpectedly, as his cheek made contact with the small mirror, something extraordinary occurred. He began to glow with the same luminescence as the mirror and was drawn into its glassy surface. Talax took a step back, surprised by the strange turn of events. However, he heard Vesperine mutter, "Good enough for me," and touch the mirror with her hand, disappearing in the same manner as Callum.
When Qalo approached, holding Franny by the hand, he stared at the mirror with concern. "I don't like it," he murmured. "It's magic." Talax rolled his eyes. "You can dispatch enemies with a swing of your mana-encased hammer, and this is what you're afraid of?" Qalo bit his lip, accentuating his tusks. "I can control that; this..." He pointed at the glowing mirror. "I can't."
Franny sighed and rested his head on Qalo's shoulder. "I wish I had a can of sweetened raspberries," he mused dreamily, earning puzzled looks from his friends. "But my governess forbade it. She said they'd rot my teeth." His eyes shifted to Qalo's bewildered face, and he said with utmost seriousness, "She was a ghastly woman! Ghastly, I tell you."
Qalo's eyes darted to Talax, and he nodded. "Yeah, okay. Let's go." He gripped the somewhat dazed noble with both hands, preparing to toss him onto the mirror when he suddenly halted.
"What about his uncle?" Qalo questioned, looking at Talax, while Franny exclaimed, "Whose ankle? Did I hurt my ankle?" He looked down, nearly stumbling over. Qalo sighed and then turned to Talax again.
"Shouldn't we go find him?" Talax gazed at the half-orc for a long moment. "Do you really care?" Qalo was taken aback by Talax's question, searching his face for something before he mumbled, "We need him."
Talax arched a brow in question. "Do we, though?" The half-orc opened his mouth, then closed it.
"You're really going to leave him here?" Talax didn't answer and waved his hand. "Now, go." Qalo stared at him for a moment and was about to toss Franny onto the mirror when he stopped again.
The sound of metal echoed through the endless room, and heavy footsteps drew near. "Go!" Talax urged, sensing that Edward was about to discover them. Qalo, sensing the urgency in his tone, finally pushed Franny, and the nobleman vanished into the mirror.
Qalo went next, throwing one last worried glance back as he was pulled into the glassy surface. As soon as Qalo disappeared, Edward emerged amidst the sea of mirrors, clutching a small orb. To Talax's surprise, it was identical to the one Franny had used while searching for Edward and his group.
The orb, however, appeared lifeless, devoid of any trace of light, and Edward wore a frustrated expression. Somehow, the older nobleman sensed Talax's presence and looked up, locking eyes with him. He offered a smug smile as he hurried toward the active mirror.
"I knew you would leave me behind, you little weasel!" Talax stood calmly beside the mirror, briefly contemplating smashing it to pieces and trapping Edward in the labyrinth of mirrors. But he knew he'd be trapped alongside Edward, and he wasn't suicidal.
He didn't respond to Edward's accusation. "I suppose, if you'd wanted to, you could have found Franny at any moment with this little trinket." Edward raised his eyes slightly to glare at Talax but continued on his path, blindly rushing toward the room's only exit.
Right before he reached the mirror, he declared with unwavering resolve, "You won't leave this dungeon alive." And then, he disappeared.
With a faint smile on his lips, Talax addressed the empty room. "We shall see."