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Chapter 221: The Mirror of the Eternal Flame of Truth
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Act I: A Chamber of Unyielding Fire
The Gallery opened into a chamber where flames burned white and pure, their glow piercing through shadow. Unlike other fires, these did not consume—they revealed. Every flicker illuminated hidden corners, exposing what lay beneath.
Ne Job stepped forward, Twinkle buzzing with a sharp hum, its rhythm echoing the pulse of revelation.
Ao Bing muttered, "This place… it feels like nothing can be hidden here."
Taiyi Zhenren scribbled quickly. "The mirror here does not deceive. It unveils."
At the center stood a mirror framed by radiant fire, its surface shimmering with eternal clarity.
It spoke in a voice fierce and uncompromising:
> "I am the Mirror of the Eternal Flame of Truth. I hold what burns away lies, what endures in clarity, what carries truth into light."
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Act II: The Weight of Revelation
The interns gazed into its surface.
Visions unfolded, showing truths carried by flame of truth.
- Ao Bing saw battles where courage meant facing reality, not illusion.
- Taiyi Zhenren saw scrolls preserved in honesty, wisdom unclouded by deception.
- Ne Job saw miracles blazing with transparency, inscribed into the Registry as truths eternal.
Twinkle pulsed brightly, resonating with the chamber's fire.
The mirror whispered:
> "To guard me, you must reveal without fear."
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Act III: The Mask's Intrusion
From the shadows, the Mask of Misrule hissed.
> "Truth is mine to corrupt. I will twist clarity into cruelty, and revelation into despair."
The Mirror of Endless Deception flickered, shards gathering again.
The Mask reached toward Eternal Flame of Truth, trying to fracture its fire into harshness.
Ao Bing staggered. "The truth cuts too deep!"
Taiyi Zhenren trembled. "My scrolls burn with unbearable honesty!"
Ne Job steadied them. "Truth is not cruelty. It is freedom."
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Act IV: The Trial of Flame of Truth
The Mirror of the Eternal Flame of Truth spoke:
> "Intern, to protect me, you must reveal."
Ne Job gazed into its blazing surface.
He saw himself faltering, afraid of truths that might wound.
He whispered:
> "I reveal. Even when truths hurt, I endure. Even when shadows resist, I carry forward."
The mirror glowed brighter, its fire steady.
Twinkle pulsed strongly, harmonizing with clarity.
Ao Bing's fists steadied.
Taiyi Zhenren's scrolls aligned.
The Mask recoiled, his corruption faltering.
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Act V: The Clash
The Mask screamed, hurling shards of deception.
Illusions tried to twist truth into cruelty, scattering the interns into despair.
Ao Bing staggered. "My courage fades in harshness!"
Taiyi Zhenren trembled. "My wisdom dissolves in unbearable light!"
Ne Job stood firm. "Truth is not cruelty. It is truth carried eternal."
The awakened mirrors — Patience, Friendship, Courage, Sorrow, Endless Paths, Forgotten Names, Silent Echoes, Shattered Promises, Hidden Truths, Eternal Doubt, Living Light, Boundless Hope, Unbroken Unity, Eternal Harmony, Final Resolve, Infinite Resolve, Last Question, First Dawn, Endless Return, Forgotten Future, Silent Dawnfall, Eternal Song, Endless Silence, Forgotten Flame, Eternal Return, Eternal Choice, Hidden Dawn, Endless Oath, Eternal Memory, Eternal Threshold, Eternal Light, Eternal Shadow, Eternal Balance, Eternal Dawnfire, Eternal Storm, Eternal Ocean, Eternal Sky, Eternal Flameheart, Eternal Songfire, Eternal Silenceflame, Eternal Starfall, Eternal Horizon, Eternal Root, Eternal Crown, Eternal Gate, Eternal Tower, Eternal Anchor, Eternal Bridge, Eternal Labyrinth — joined with Eternal Flame of Truth.
Their glow struck the Mask's illusions.
Cruelty became clarity.
Deception dissolved.
Twinkle hummed, resonating with the Miracle Registry.
Ao Bing laughed, fierce and kind.
Taiyi Zhenren footnoted every truth restored.
Ne Job stood firm, flame of truth and truth united.
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Act VI: The Mirror's Gift
The Mirror of the Eternal Flame of Truth calmed, its surface shimmering with radiant clarity.
It whispered:
> "Intern, truth is not chaos. It is freedom eternal. Guard it well."
Ne Job bowed.
Twinkle pulsed softly.
The Gallery shimmered, stable once more.
The Mask of Misrule retreated into the shadows, his voice echoing faintly:
> "You may resist truths today. But despair always waits."
The Gallery fell silent.
The mirrors glowed.
And Ne Job walked on, ready for what lay ahead.