The shrine looked almost peaceful — glowing under two moons like a dream wrapped in mist. But Aiden had seen enough horror movies to know: when it's peaceful, it's a trap.
He squinted up at the moss-covered torii gate, its red paint long faded. "So this is it. The place where our family history decided to go full horror drama."
Lian stood beside him, her crimson kimono flowing as if moved by an unseen breeze. "Do not speak lightly," she said softly. "The shrine listens."
"The shrine listens," Aiden mimicked under his breath. "Great. Now even buildings have ears."
Lian's eyes glimmered, but she didn't scold him. Instead, she stepped forward, motioning him to follow. "This is the entrance to the realm between. It will recognize your blood before you take a single step inside."
"Recognize? How? Facial ID?"
"You'll see."
As soon as Aiden's foot crossed beneath the torii gate, the air changed. The forest sounds stopped — no crickets, no wind, no rustling leaves.
Silence. Heavy, unnatural.
The ground pulsed faintly with red light. From the shrine pond, petals began to rise — hundreds of them, glowing crimson, floating upward like embers.
Aiden stared. "Okay, that's… either beautiful or terrifying. Or both."
"Both," Lian said.
The petals gathered into the shape of a circle before him. Then, from their center, a mirror surfaced, hovering midair — framed with carved dragons and cherry blossoms. Its surface rippled like water.
Lian's tone became solemn. "The Mirror of Blood and Petals. It shows truth — your past, your desires, your deceit."
Aiden frowned. "So basically, a spiritual lie detector. Great."
Lian stepped closer. "You must place your hand upon it. Let it read your blood. If your soul is pure, it will accept you."
"And if not?"
Her expression darkened. "It will consume the part of you it deems false."
Aiden blinked. "Define consume."
She said nothing.
He sighed. "Of course."
He took a deep breath and pressed his palm to the mirror.
Cold. Sharp.
It felt like touching ice that wanted to crawl under his skin.
His reflection rippled — and changed.
He saw flashes:
Himself as a child, standing before his father's grave.
His mother's tired smile, saying, "Don't let the world harden you."
Mina laughing beside him, sunlight in her hair.
And finally… Lian, centuries ago, kneeling in the rain, her hands red with blood.
Then her voice echoed — not the Lian beside him, but the one in the vision.
"You promised me forever, Aiji Zhou. Did you forget eternity so easily?"
Aiden stumbled back, heart pounding. "What— what was that? That wasn't me."
The mirror pulsed, glowing crimson. Lian's expression was unreadable. "The mirror does not lie. It shows echoes of souls that are bound. You carry his imprint — his choices — and his sin."
Aiden exhaled, rubbing his face. "So I'm being haunted by myself now? Fantastic."
"Not by yourself," Lian said softly. "By the love that was never fulfilled."
He looked up at her, something shifting in his chest. "You… really loved him, didn't you?"
Her gaze dropped. "Love that defied time becomes madness, Aiden. You are proof of it."
For a moment, neither spoke. Only the faint hum of the mirror filled the silence.
Then, unexpectedly, the petals in the air twisted, forming a glowing path deeper into the forest.
"The mirror accepted you," Lian said quietly. "You have passed the first trial."
"Good," Aiden muttered. "One down. A few thousand to go, right?"
Lian smiled faintly. "At least you face them with humor. That may yet save you."
He sighed. "It's either that or cry. And I'm allergic to drama."
As they followed the glowing path, faint laughter echoed through the trees — not friendly, not human.
Aiden glanced around nervously. "Please tell me that's not the next test."
Lian's expression hardened. "No. That is the forest itself, waking."
"Wonderful. Trees that laugh. Can't wait to meet the bushes that scream."
And somewhere in the darkness, something did scream — distant, but chilling enough to silence even Aiden's wit for a moment.
Lian turned to him, eyes glowing faintly red in the moonlight.
"Aiden Zhou," she whispered. "Welcome to the second trial."