{-Myr-}

She didn’t want to admit what she was feeling. They’d done enough for her already. She felt weird after entering this place and, in truth, she knew it was only a matter of time before she got another headache. But she kept telling herself that she was just exaggerating or imagining it. She didn’t want them to have to leave because of her. Besides, it wasn’t anything but a minor inconvenience at this point. It wasn’t worth drawing attention to.

David was sometimes in front of them and sometimes behind; he darted all over the place, mumbling to himself, scribbling down notes, admiring the light the runes gave off. Only occasionally did he say something to them, which was usually some variation of, “We should look for the second trial. It should be coming up soon.”

“You know, we’d get there a lot sooner if you could tell us where we’re supposed to be looking,” Zetai remarked dryly. “Then we’d all be happier.”

He shook his head. “I don’t have that kind of information. You’re going to have to determine that part on your own.”

“You must’ve been here before, though, right?” Reynneak asked. “If you give out this quest, then this isn’t the first time you’ve been here. Everyone else seems to remember having to do the same quest over again.”

“I’m one of many,” David explained after a pause. “We appear all over Kyirius, leading players to different ruins. We—and the ruins we lead the players to—all have our own gimmicks. I truly don’t remember ever doing this before… even if I have memories of other players like you. I chose not to dwell on it too deeply.”

“I don’t think any of us should either,” Llewel decided. “I really didn’t come here to consider that kind of stuff…”

Myr got distracted from it all when she felt something. It wasn’t a comforting feeling; the same kind of sensation she’d been feeling for a while, though this time it was worse. As much as she didn’t want it to stay that way, she couldn’t help herself from saying, “I think it’s over here.”

Zetai walked up to it and ran her hand along the wall until she activated something. More runes around the wall lit up before a path appeared. David rushed in before she had the opportunity to take the lead, though she was content with still being in front of the rest of them.

The room they came into was hard to tell the size of; mirrors lined the walls and what seemed to be dozens of versions of them stared right back at them. It seemed everyone but Zetai was at least somewhat disturbed by the fact.

“Ah, the second trial!” David cautiously stepped closer to the nearest mirror. Whatever sense of care he had, however, was quickly replaced with fascination as he went back from darting from one thing to another. “These are amazing..! It’s like they’re practically brand new!”

“Before you go running off, can you tell us what we’re supposed to do?” Llewel prompted.

David considered it for a moment. “Well, mirrors show a reflection. I suppose the trial, then, might also be a reflection of some sort. Maybe you’ll see your worst fears. Or simply something you need to face on your own.”

“Don’t worry, it’s just stuff about the hero,” Tinath said. “Just keep walking and you’ll get through it. Enemies only show up if you go off the path.”

“Ahem.” David glared at her and her hawk cawed in defiance.

“I’ve already done this before,” she continued, “so I’m going to follow David to the other side. Plus, it spawns openings based on how many party members there are so there’s not going to be an extra path for me.” She didn’t say anything else to them before waving goodbye and following David through a passage that closed as soon as they both entered.

Four paths opened in front of them, giving them no reason to stay there.

“I’d say shout if you need anything,” Zetai remarked, “but I don’t think we’ll be able to hear each other. Either way, just act smart and it’ll probably be fine.”

“That’s easy for you to say as someone who isn’t a part of this,” Llewel pointed out. “You might not be able to see anything significant but we can.”

“Whatever it is, I kind of doubt it’s something we’re going to remember,” Myr mumbled. “How hard could it be to just ignore it..?”

He didn’t seem any more assured, but nodded anyway. “I guess we’ll see each other on the other side.”

That seemed to do it. They all went into one of the paths, as odd as it was to willingly get separated from each other. The entrance closed off behind them so then the only thing they could do was move forward.

It took a long time before Myr heard anything. Even then, it was mumbles… something in a monotone, suggesting that perhaps something was wrong. Like it knew there was something it was supposed to show her but it couldn’t quite bring up the right details. Then several distorted things followed after one another, blurring into each other and barely seeming to have much sense to it.

“Their names… well, for now, you’ll refer to them as the Lord and Lady.”

“Hm..? Oh, it’s you, Mazel… good morning…”

“No, Mazel, you shouldn’t bother her. I’m sorry about that, she’s a rather social bird and loves to play.”

“If you’re going to be trying to help us, then you’re going to need to have the help of some others. These two are the descendants of Emmyth, they’ll be accompanying you for the whole duration of your adventure.”

“Don’t be so scared, it’s alright! I know where your brother is. He woke up some time before you.”

“What… happened to us..?”

“It’s safer to refer to them by titles for the time being. Perhaps further along on your journey, they’d be willing to share…”

“That isn’t something you should be concerned about right now. Do you know what your names are?”

“Wait, I have a brother. Where is he?”

“The hero is coming! Up, both of you! It won’t do to have the Lord and Lady unable to greet the hero when they arrive!”

“I… I don’t know…”

“Both of you, it’s okay. You’re Llewel and Myr Beithana… and you shouldn’t be here. I’m sorry but, please, you’re going to have to come back later. I’ll always be here if you need me.”

She kept walking. No matter how familiar it was, she had to ignore it. To recognize it was to do exactly what it wanted her to… right?

Then came something she couldn’t remember, yet knew that she should. She’d still done it before. But it wasn’t with Casrane and there were no emotions attached to it at all… like there weren’t any emotions that could be attached to it.

The mirrors, too, changed to reflect something other than her. Or, more specifically, more than just her. Llewel was there too, though he seemed to have the same blank expression that she did. Then there was someone else; the true center of the stage, a male player. He didn’t seem interested in being there either, doing what—she quickly realized to be—what he was being paid for. He was the same as Casrane in why he was there, but that was the only similarity between the two.

He activated something in Duuzlo’s office; he picked up a random record, placed it on the phonograph, and waited until a voice came out of it. Of course, he also promptly walked away to mess with other things in the room, but it still continued to play.

“The Lord and Lady? Yes, I’ve been with them all their lives. As for how I met them… I don’t think I can tell you anything that you don’t already know. Their mother was a close friend of mine. In fact, we lived together here in her teen years. When her relation to Emmyth came to light, she had to stay here so she’d be safe. I still have a picture of her in my office… it was the last time I saw her so happy. She fell ill shortly after the twins were born. They were never able to know her, barely even being able to hear her voice. I knew from that moment on that I was going to take on those two as my charges. Their names?”

Before it could finish, the player found another record and replaced it in the phonograph. Something popped up but he dismissed it too quickly for Myr to see what it was.

“Llewel and Myriani are sixteen now. Their relation to Emmyth is going to play a major role in the future soon, as much as I wish it could wait a little longer. I’m going to have to say goodbye to them soon, watch them leave as they follow the hero. I fear that, in one way or another, that moment truly would be the last time we see each other…”

The path opened back up in front of Myr before she completely realized it. After a moment, she stepped through to find all the others already there.

Llewel looked just as distraught as she felt and, when their eyes met, they both said, “We need to talk.”

After a moment, he nodded. “But after we finish this.”