Lucas and Dalin lingered for a while among the ruins of the palace. The night was pitch - black. The cold wind blew against the broken stone pillars, as if whispering secrets unknown to the world. However, even though the illusions had dissipated, Lucas' heart remained heavy. It felt as if something was spying on them in the dark, ready to shatter the fleeting tranquility at any moment.
"Let's go." Lucas stood up first, his eyes fixed solemnly on the depths of the palace.
Dalin looked up at him. The traces of tears were still on her face, but she quickly hid her vulnerability and followed him. The two walked through the collapsed stone archway and slowly descended the steps. Each step landed on the long - forgotten history, producing a dull sound.
However, at the very depths of the palace, a faint glow emerged quietly.
"There's light over there." Dalin stopped, looking into the distance. Her voice was tinged with uncertainty.
Lucas squinted his eyes, his gaze fixed on the faint glimmer. The light wasn't strong. It seemed on the verge of going out at any moment in the darkness. But precisely because of this, it stood out.
The two exchanged a glance and then walked towards the source of light in tacit agreement.
As they got closer, they gradually made out what the source of light was—an ancient mirror embedded in the stone wall. The mirror surface emitted a hazy silver glow, like a full moon hanging on the wall.
Dalin couldn't help but step forward and reach out to touch the mirror surface. The cold touch made her shiver slightly, but that familiar sense of attraction welled up in her again.
"Dalin, be careful!" Lucas sensed something was wrong and quickly grabbed her wrist.
However, it was already too late.
The moment Dalin's fingertips touched the mirror surface, an invisible ripple spread out from the mirror, enveloping the two of them. The next second, the world in front of their eyes twisted suddenly, as if they were being pulled into the world within the mirror.
The World in the Mirror
They were standing on soft grass. In front of them was a quiet lake. The lake water was like a mirror, reflecting the stars and the moonlight. In the middle of the lake, an ancient stone tower stood. At the top of the tower, a long - burning lamp hung, and its light flickered in the night wind.
Dalin walked slowly to the lakeside and looked down at the lake.The lake reflected the figures of the two of them. However, when Lucas approached, he was shocked to find that the reflection of himself was missing an eye. His face was also covered with cracks, like broken porcelain.
"Lucas..." Dalin also noticed something was wrong. Her voice trembled slightly.
Lucas stared at the familiar yet distorted face in the lake. An indescribable sense of unease welled up in his heart.
Suddenly, ripples appeared on the surface of the lake. The reflection of Lucas in the lake slowly raised its head. Black liquid seeped out from the cracks, trickling down like bleeding tears. Then, the reflection gave them a strange smile!
"Step back!" Lucas suddenly pulled Dalin back. The lake water churned like a living thing. The reflection turned into a black shadow, leaping out of the lake and lunging straight at Lucas.
A flash of knife light. Lucas held a short blade across his body, slashing at the black shadow. But the black shadow passed through the blade like a phantom, turning into wisps of black mist and coiling around Lucas' arm.
The black mist was ice - cold, as if gnawing at Lucas' soul. He gritted his teeth and forced himself to stay steady. A fierce glint flashed in his eyes. He suddenly channeled the power of the wolf clan within him. A silver light burst out from his fingertips, and the black mist scattered in all directions.
Seeing this, Dalin quickly cast a spell. A blue rune appeared in her palm, trapping the black mist.
"This is your shadow." Dalin's voice was low. Her eyes were fixed on the struggling black mist. "The world in the mirror... reveals the darkest parts of our hearts."
Lucas' expression became even more solemn.
"That means the real enemy is ourselves."
Dalin nodded. Worry flickered in her eyes. "If we can't overcome ourselves, we may never be able to escape this mirror realm."
The lake returned to calm. The lamp in the tower still flickered.
Lucas looked at the stone tower. After a moment of silence, he said slowly, "Perhaps the real answer lies in the tower."
"Let's go. We have no way back."
Dalin withdrew the rune and followed closely. The two stepped onto the long, narrow stone bridge leading to the stone tower. In the darkness, the lake water glowed faintly again. However, in the corners they couldn't see, those reflections hadn't dissipated. Instead, they quietly converged, gradually forming a blurry and ferocious face, coldly watching the two walking away.
The Mystery of the Stone Tower
The inside of the stone tower was deep and ancient. Unknown symbols were engraved on the walls. Every step they took produced an echo that lingered in the tower for a long time.
The two walked up the stairs. A faint scent of burning incense filled the tower, as if some invisible force was guiding them forward.
Finally, they reached the top of the tower and pushed open the heavy stone door. An old man in a black robe was sitting under the lamp, with his head lowered. It seemed he had been waiting for a long time.
Lucas and Dalin exchanged a glance and walked forward slowly. Lucas asked in a deep voice, "Who are you?"
The old man slowly raised his head, revealing a familiar face.
It was... Lucas himself!
Dalin's pupils shrank suddenly. An indescribable sense of horror welled up in her heart.
The old man just smiled. His voice was low. "Who am I? I'm what you'll become in the future."
The moment the words fell, the entire tower suddenly collapsed. Amidst the interlacing of light and shadow, Lucas and Dalin fell into endless darkness again.