Chapter 153: The Mirror That Wept
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Act I: A Strange Silence
The Gallery was calm, but not peaceful.
Ne Job noticed one mirror trembling faintly, its surface rippling like water disturbed by unseen hands.
Twinkle buzzed uneasily.
Ao Bing frowned. "That one's different."
Taiyi Zhenren leaned closer. "It's crying."
Indeed, droplets slid down the glass, shimmering like tears.
The Mirror of Sorrow had awakened.
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Act II: The Mirror's Voice
The interns gathered before it.
The mirror spoke, its voice heavy with grief:
> "I reflect sorrow, but I do not twist it. I show pain as it is, so that healing may begin."
Ao Bing's fists unclenched.
Taiyi Zhenren scribbled notes, his hand shaking.
Ne Job whispered, "You are truth, even in sadness."
The mirror wept again, but its glow softened.
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Act III: The Mask's Whisper
From the shadows, the Mask of Misrule hissed.
> "Sorrow is weakness. I will corrupt it, turn grief into despair, and despair into chaos."
The Mirror of Endless Deception flickered faintly, shards gathering once more.
The Mask reached toward the Mirror of Sorrow, trying to twist its tears into venom.
Ao Bing shouted, "Stay away!"
Taiyi Zhenren raised his scroll.
Ne Job stepped forward, heart steady.
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Act IV: The Trial of Sorrow
The Mirror of Sorrow spoke again:
> "Intern, to protect me, you must face your own grief."
Ne Job gazed into its surface.
He saw himself, alone, burdened by failures, haunted by mistakes.
He whispered, "I have lost. I have faltered. But sorrow is not the end. It is the beginning of healing."
The mirror glowed brighter.
Its tears turned to light.
The Mask recoiled, his corruption faltering.
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Act V: The Clash
The Mask of Misrule screamed, raising shards of deception.
The Gallery trembled, mirrors shattering and reforming.
But the awakened mirrors — Patience, Friendship, Courage, and now Sorrow — shone together.
Their light struck the Mask's false reflections.
Illusions cracked.
Deception dissolved.
Twinkle hummed, resonating with the Miracle Registry.
Ao Bing laughed, fierce and kind.
Taiyi Zhenren footnoted every truth revealed.
Ne Job stood firm, sorrow and strength united.
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Act VI: The Mirror's Gift
The Mirror of Sorrow calmed, its tears fading into gentle ripples.
It whispered:
> "Intern, grief is not chaos. It is truth. 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 sorrow today. But despair always waits."
The Gallery fell silent.
The mirrors glowed.
And Ne Job walked on, ready for what lay ahead.