The mirror pulsed once — a slow, haunting rhythm, like a heartbeat of glass and fate.
And within it, Elira saw Elric and Auren, barely standing.
The swarm of monkey-like creatures closed in around them. Blood dripped from Elric's brow. Auren's sword was broken. The two stood back-to-back, breath ragged, eyes blazing with a final, defiant fire.
Malveric stood beside her in the shifting void, one hand raised toward the mirror like a conductor over a tragic symphony.
"Look at them," he whispered. "Still fighting. Still clinging to the world their bloodline corrupted."
Elira's hands trembled at her sides.
"They're trying," she said softly. "Trying to survive. Trying to fix what was broken."
Malveric's voice grew colder.
"Trying to survive a curse they created. You died because of them. Your magic was buried. Your name erased. And now they're barely even grateful for your return."
The mirror pulsed again.
Elric dropped to one knee.
Auren screamed his name.
"You want to stop this?" Malveric whispered, stepping behind her. "You can. Right now."
The image zoomed in — focusing on Elric's heart.
A red mark appeared. A subtle, glowing sigil.
"One word," Malveric said silkily. "And the mirror will obey you. End him. Take your throne. Reclaim your legacy."
Elira's lips parted.
Her thoughts weren't clear anymore. They swirled like smoke and memory.
She saw herself — a queen.
Worshipped.
Powerful.
Feared.
Feared like he once feared her.
"End him…" Malveric whispered again. "And everything they took from you returns. Your crown. Your name. Your fire."
Her breath caught.
"Say it. Just say it…"
She stared into the mirror — into Elric's face.
Even as he bled…
Even as he knelt…
There was no fear in his eyes.
Only determination.
Only that same stupid, stubborn light.
And suddenly… it made her chest ache.
She whispered, "Why doesn't he give up?"
Malveric's grin faltered. "Because he's a fool."
"No…" she said slowly. "Because he believes in something."
Her hand clenched into a fist.
Her thoughts — still clouded.
But her heart — pounding with something real.