The rails beneath her trembled as the Heart pulsed violently. Every beat echoed through her chest, like the pulse of a living world. The carriage walls rippled and shifted, and suddenly, Evelyn found herself standing in a long, narrow hallway lined with mirrors.
At first, it seemed harmless—just reflections. But as she moved forward, the mirrors warped, showing memories of her past—not just her friends, but herself at her weakest, most fearful moments.
She saw Sophie laughing and then vanishing in her arms. Alex calling out, trapped, eyes wide with terror. Leo, fractured and broken, falling into shadows. Each reflection whispered her regrets, her guilt, her fears:
"You failed them.""You weren't fast enough.""You can't save anyone."
Evelyn's hands shook around the lantern. Her flame flickered as doubt gnawed at her. The Heart pulsed faster, feeding on her mind, twisting each memory into a weapon.
She stumbled, nearly collapsing, but forced herself to lift the lantern. Flames roared to life, burning across the mirrors. The reflections screamed, cracking and melting into smoke.
"I am still here!" Evelyn shouted, tears streaking her face. "I will not break!"
The Heart howled in frustration, its pulse erratic. Shadows whipped along the hallway walls, coiling and striking, but Evelyn swung her lantern with precision, each strike burning away the illusions and memories the Heart weaponized against her.
By the time she reached the end of the hallway, her breathing was ragged, her body trembling—but she had survived the first true test of her mind.
The Heart pulsed once, slower this time, almost hesitant. Evelyn knew she was hurting it—but it was far from defeated.
Ahead, the next section of the Heart opened, darker, larger, and even more dangerous.