The smallest being looked at the mirror again. The image of defeat was still there, but now it did not feel as powerful as before.
They took a slow breath.
"I understand," they said quietly. "The mirror is not telling me what I must become. It is showing what could happen if I stop trying."
The oldest being nodded. "Exactly."
One by one, the others stepped toward the mirrors.
Each mirror showed something different.
One being saw themselves standing alone on a battlefield after making a selfish choice that caused their companions to fall. The image felt heavy, filled with regret.
Another saw a version of themselves who had become powerful but cold, someone who had forgotten why they began the journey in the first place.
A third saw a future where fear had stopped them from acting when others needed help.
None of the visions were comfortable to look at.
But none of the young beings stepped away.
Instead, they talked about what they saw.
