They passed through the door.
Merlin was first.
Then Dion.
Then Mae.
Then Flint.
But when the stone closed behind them—
It closed between them.
System pinged.
[Chamber Type: Fracture Mirror]
[Individual Isolation Enacted]
[Trial Objective: Endure or Surrender]
[The Messenger dims the lights.]
[The Grin Beneath the Mask giggles. Twice.]
[The Huntress does not approve.]
Merlin didn't panic.
Not immediately.
Just blinked.
Stone around him.
Same corridor but no exits.
No sound.
Just… him.
And a mirror.
He stepped closer.
Not to admire himself.
That would've been stupid.
No, this mirror wasn't just glass.
It rippled when he moved.
Reflected him, but not perfectly.
His mirror-self had no system light behind the eyes.
No tension in the shoulders.
No faint buzz of wind around the coat hem.
This Merlin looked… free.
He hated it.
Then it spoke.
"What are you when they stop needing you?"
Merlin didn't respond.
