The Hall of Echoes stretched above me, impossibly tall, mirrors multiplying in every direction until I could not see the ceiling, the floor, or even the edges of the chamber. Reflections of myself stared back from every angle, each one slightly different—some younger, some older, some laughing, some crying, all twisting into variations of fear, doubt, and regret. The golden glow of the pearl in my hand pulsed like a heartbeat, a living tether anchoring me to reality as the storm of images threatened to overwhelm me. Every step forward felt heavier than the last, as though the chamber itself sought to test my resolve, to weigh my courage against the sum of all my hidden fears.
From the far end of the hall, EG emerged, stepping lightly across the reflective floor. His presence was commanding, yet serene, like a calm eye in the midst of a storm. His golden eyes, the same hue as the light in the pearl, watched me with measured intensity. "The pearl chose you," he said, voice echoing in layers, each tone distinct yet blended as one. "But the choice now is yours. To move forward, you must confront the reflection of your deepest self. Only by acceptance can you proceed."
A chill ran through me. Deepest self… What did that even mean? My mind raced, replaying memories I had tried so hard to bury—the midnight rain, the empty bus stop, the stranger whose presence haunted me, the snow-covered world that had seemed endless and merciless. And now this—my own reflection, multiplied, accusing, waiting. I felt my knees buckle under the weight of the memories, but the warmth of the pearl grounded me, threading courage through my trembling body.
The mirrors began to tremble as if alive, shifting, distorting, and twisting until one reflection separated from the rest. It was me—not as I was now, but as I feared I could be: broken, powerless, trembling, and unworthy. The golden light from the pearl flared in response, sending warmth through my chest that contrasted sharply with the icy fear clawing at my heart. The shadowed reflection stepped forward, its eyes molten gold, voice my own yet layered with countless echoes: "Why did you run? Why did you hide? Do you think courage comes without sacrifice?"
I stumbled back, but my hands clutched the pearl as though it were my lifeline. "I… I was afraid," I whispered, voice cracking. "But I'm not anymore. I won't hide. I won't run."
The reflection's gaze pierced me, unwavering, and I felt the weight of every choice I had ever made pressing against me. "Then face me," it said. The floor beneath me dissolved into mist, leaving only the path of silver light leading to the mirror. My pulse quickened. Every instinct screamed danger, yet I forced myself forward, each step shaking the air around me, sending ripples through the mirrored surfaces. The whispers of past mistakes, unspoken fears, and forgotten regrets brushed against my mind, a tide of sound and memory threatening to engulf me. I pressed on, heart hammering, clenching the pearl tighter, letting its warmth infuse me with courage.
Finally, I stood before the reflection. Its form mirrored every flaw I had ever tried to hide, every insecurity magnified, yet undeniably, it was part of me. I could see the fear I had buried, the shame I had denied, and the doubts I had pretended were not real. Trembling, I raised my voice: "Do you accept me?" I did not dare glance away, even as my reflection's golden eyes seemed to bore into my soul. "All of me—the fear, the shame, the mistakes. I… accept myself!"
The reflection paused, and the golden glow from the pearl intensified, filling the chamber with a warmth that reached into my bones. Slowly, the shadow of my own self began to dissolve, melting into the light that radiated from the pearl. Threads of golden energy wove into the chamber, connecting the mirrors, the walls, the floor, and me into one unified brilliance. I felt myself stretch, expand, and merge with that light—a convergence of past, present, and potential.
"I… accept myself," I repeated, stronger this time. Tears ran freely down my face as the Hall of Echoes seemed to inhale and shift. Mirrors that had once loomed ominously now reflected clarity and purpose. EG stepped closer, his golden eyes calm, assessing, approving. "Well done," he said softly. "You have faced yourself. But remember, courage is not the absence of fear. It is acting despite it. Beyond this hall lies the Tower's heart, where truth waits. And with truth comes choice."
The pearl flared once more, threads of gold extending like rivers across the hall, leading toward a massive doorway at the far end. Beyond it, I could sense an energy so potent it hummed in resonance with my heartbeat—powerful, knowing, and patient. I inhaled deeply, feeling the weight of the trial I had just overcome and the certainty that whatever lay beyond would demand even more of me. Clutching the pearl, I stepped forward, letting the threads guide me. The Hall of Echoes shifted one final time, sealing away the corridors of doubt and fear behind me.
Ahead, the doorway loomed, and a pulse of golden light radiated from within, promising revelation, challenge, and the next step in the path EG had set before me. My chest tightened with anticipation. I was ready. I had faced the shadows, embraced myself, and survived the choice of reflections.
The heart of the Tower awaited.
And so did the truth of EG.