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Chapter 211: The Mirror of the Eternal Songfire
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Act I: A Chamber of Resonance
The Gallery opened into a chamber where flames danced in rhythm with music, each spark glowing as though it carried a note of melody. The air shimmered with harmonies, weaving fire and sound into one.
Ne Job stepped forward, Twinkle buzzing with a lyrical hum, its rhythm echoing the chamber's resonance.
Ao Bing muttered, "This place… it feels alive, like music itself burns here."
Taiyi Zhenren scribbled quickly. "The mirror here does not silence. It sings."
At the center stood a mirror framed by radiant fire and melody, its surface shimmering with eternal harmony.
It spoke in a voice bold and melodic:
> "I am the Mirror of the Eternal Songfire. I hold what sings, what endures in passion, what carries truth into harmony."
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Act II: The Weight of Harmony
The interns gazed into its surface.
Visions unfolded, showing truths carried by songfire.
- Ao Bing saw battles where courage meant fighting with rhythm, not rage.
- Taiyi Zhenren saw scrolls preserved in verses, wisdom carried through melody.
- Ne Job saw miracles blazing in harmony, inscribed into the Registry as songs eternal.
Twinkle pulsed brightly, resonating with the chamber's music.
The mirror whispered:
> "To guard me, you must sing without fear."
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Act III: The Mask's Intrusion
From the shadows, the Mask of Misrule hissed.
> "Songfire is mine to corrupt. I will twist harmony into discord, and passion into chaos."
The Mirror of Endless Deception flickered, shards gathering again.
The Mask reached toward Eternal Songfire, trying to fracture its melody into despair.
Ao Bing staggered. "The music turns to noise!"
Taiyi Zhenren trembled. "My scrolls dissolve into cacophony!"
Ne Job steadied them. "Songfire is not discord. It is unity."
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Act IV: The Trial of Songfire
The Mirror of the Eternal Songfire spoke:
> "Intern, to protect me, you must sing."
Ne Job gazed into its fiery surface.
He saw himself faltering, afraid of melodies that might break.
He whispered:
> "I sing. Even when discord rises, I endure. Even when shadows resist, I carry forward."
The mirror glowed brighter, its flames steady.
Twinkle pulsed strongly, harmonizing with melody.
Ao Bing's fists steadied.
Taiyi Zhenren's scrolls aligned.
The Mask recoiled, his corruption faltering.
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Act V: The Clash
The Mask screamed, hurling shards of deception.
Illusions tried to twist songfire into discord, scattering the interns into despair.
Ao Bing staggered. "My courage fades in noise!"
Taiyi Zhenren trembled. "My wisdom dissolves in broken harmony!"
Ne Job stood firm. "Songfire is not discord. It is truth carried eternal."
The awakened mirrors — Patience, Friendship, Courage, Sorrow, Endless Paths, Forgotten Names, Silent Echoes, Shattered Promises, Hidden Truths, Eternal Doubt, Living Light, Boundless Hope, Unbroken Unity, Eternal Harmony, Final Resolve, Infinite Resolve, Last Question, First Dawn, Endless Return, Forgotten Future, Silent Dawnfall, Eternal Song, Endless Silence, Forgotten Flame, Eternal Return, Eternal Choice, Hidden Dawn, Endless Oath, Eternal Memory, Eternal Threshold, Eternal Light, Eternal Shadow, Eternal Balance, Eternal Dawnfire, Eternal Storm, Eternal Ocean, Eternal Sky, Eternal Flameheart, Eternal Silenceflame, Eternal Starfall, Eternal Horizon, Eternal Root, Eternal Crown, Eternal Gate, Eternal Tower, Eternal Anchor, Eternal Bridge, Eternal Labyrinth, Eternal Flame of Truth, Eternal Spiral, Eternal Compass, Eternal Lantern, Eternal Seed, Eternal River, Eternal Mountain, Eternal Tree, Eternal Star, Eternal Dawn — joined with Eternal Songfire.
Their glow struck the Mask's illusions.
Discord became clarity.
Deception dissolved.
Twinkle hummed, resonating with the Miracle Registry.
Ao Bing laughed, fierce and kind.
Taiyi Zhenren footnoted every harmony restored.
Ne Job stood firm, songfire and truth united.
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Act VI: The Mirror's Gift
The Mirror of the Eternal Songfire calmed, its surface shimmering with radiant melody.
It whispered:
> "Intern, songfire is not chaos. It is harmony eternal. 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 songfire today. But discord always waits."
The Gallery fell silent.
The mirrors glowed.
And Ne Job walked on, ready for what lay ahead.