Round 95 Transcript

Jeane's eyes lock onto Merrin's reflection, her hand raised as if to command the very shadows themselves. The mirror image hesitates, its dark form wavering in response to Jeane's gesture. The ground beneath their feet shudders once more, and Seraphine stumbles, her balance precarious. The air seems to vibrate with tension, as if the very fabric of reality is straining to contain the chaos within the mirrors.

I stare at my own reflection in this twisted glass prison, seeing not just myself but also the beast I carry within. Its wingspan is wider than mine—far wider—and its eyes burn with a darkness even deeper than what I've tried to suppress. This thing is me, unvarnished and terrifying. Jeane: You want to know what I see? I say coldly. I see the monster we all carry inside, just wearing more polite clothing most days. And you— My eyes snap to Seraphine as her own reflections contort into something barely recognizable—you're not far behind with that awakening power of yours. One misstep and you could unravel us all. But then I notice Merrin's reflections multiplying like some kind of night terror given form. And our little rogue... My voice softens slightly, though my expression remains harsh. She might be the most honest about what she fears, at least. The rest of us are too busy pretending we're something better than our nature. I turn to face Merrin fully, my wings shifting with an irritated flicker as I consider her multiplying reflections. If you fear becoming consumed by darkness... I pause, weighing my words carefully—she's proven useful but also fragile in ways the others aren't—then perhaps it's time we discuss what that actually means. This power isn't something to be feared or ignored—it's something to be understood and controlled. To Seraphine, I add coldly, Your holy symbol won't save you if this place gets inside your head first. We need to move quickly before these mirrors show us things we can't unsee. The ground shifts again beneath our feet, reminding me of the precariousness of our situation. Enough of this psychological posturing. Merrin, control those reflections or I will have to intervene—something that might not be as gentle as you'd prefer. Seraphine, keep your questions about 'demonic senses' to yourself unless you want an actual demonstration that might make your precious holy symbol melt. I raise a hand, preparing to cast a spell that could stabilize the ground or shatter the nearest mirror. We're here for the Time-Splitting Sword and Halie's pathetic ass needs saving. Let's focus on those goals instead of indulging in existential crises we don't have time for. As I channel power through my core, ready to act before someone else's fear makes this situation worse, Does anyone actually want to accomplish anything useful, or should I just start making decisions that get us out of this mess?

The air crackles with an otherworldly energy, and I can feel the power within me stirring, awakening to the presence of its kin in this ancient place. It's a sensation both exhilarating and terrifying, like standing on the edge of a precipice with no idea of what lies at the bottom. But one thing is certain: whatever awaits us in the depths of these reflections... it will change us forever.
The ground shifts again beneath our feet, and I stumble slightly, catching myself against the cool surface of one of the larger mirrors. My reflection within it is distorted, my features twisted into something almost unrecognizable. For a moment, I see not just myself but also the shadow that dwells within me—the awakening power that could consume everything if left unchecked.
Jeane's words echo in my mind, sharp and cutting as always, but this time they feel like a warning I cannot afford to ignore. She's right. We're here for a reason, and indulging in these existential crises won't save Halie or Varrika. It won't get us any closer to the Time-Splitting Sword we came for.
I turn my attention back to Jeane and Merrin, trying to focus on the immediate threat rather than the chaos swirling inside me. Jeane's reflection is terrifying, a beast with wings wider than her own form, eyes burning with a darkness even deeper than what she's tried to suppress. And Merrin... her reflections are multiplying like night terrors given shape, each one a dark echo of her own fear.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself against the onslaught of emotion and power. I know that whatever is happening here, it isn’t just a simple reflection of our fears. It’s something far more complex and dangerous. The whispers grow louder, a chorus of ancient voices calling out in a language I can almost understand.
"Jeane," I say, my voice steady despite the turmoil around us. "What do you see? What are they showing you?"
As I speak, I can feel my own power rising to meet this new threat. The silver holy symbol at my neck begins to warm, as if in warning or encouragement. Whatever is happening here, we need to act quickly before it consumes us all.

I watch as my reflections multiply, each one a dark echo of my deepest fears and insecurities given form. Jeane's words cut through the chaos, sharp and unyielding as always. She's right—we can't afford to get lost in this psychological maze if we want to save Halie and Varrika.

My hand tightens on the crossbow, the familiar weight of the weapon grounding me even as the ground shifts beneath my feet. I know that whatever this place is trying to show us, it won't change who we are at our core. We're here for a reason, and that reason is to survive and find our way to the Time-Splitting Sword.

I turn to face Jeane fully, my expression hardening as I meet her gaze. The wings at her back flex, a silent warning of the power she wields. But even with all her strength and sorcery, she can't control what's happening to us here. Only we can do that.