Back in the ritual room, Ethan stood silently, his eyes fixed on the mirror. The soft glow of the mirror lit the room, casting shadows across the cold, smooth floor. The air felt heavy, as if it carried the weight of the stories the mirror held. Ethan's gaze didn't move—he was focused completely, waiting for what would come next.
The Sorcerer stood nearby, watching Ethan closely. His hood covered most of his face, leaving only his sharp eyes visible.
"Now, Soul 6," he began, his voice steady, "you have seen the story of Soul 2.
You have seen his struggles, his choices, and his end. Tell me, which part of his story will you choose to act?"
His tone was calm but carried a sense of authority that could not be ignored. Ethan sensed a hidden secret in the Sorcerer's gaze but stayed silent, waiting for his role to unfold.
The mirror's light flickered slightly, catching Ethan's attention. It showed moments from Marcus's (soul 2) life—the faces of the assassins, the planning, the escape, and the fight. Ethan took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, as he felt the weight of the task the Sorcerer had given him.
"You will take Soul 2's place," the Sorcerer continued. "You will enter his story and play your part. Your decision will determine if his thirst is quenched this time."
Ethan nodded slowly, still unsure of what was ahead.
Ethan looked in the mirror again. It showed the assassins running for their lives, escaping the attackers who wanted to kill them. He saw how they struggled to communicate, their language barriers causing confusion in the chaos. He thought about how he could help them, how his skills might make a difference.
Upon dwelling on his task, his mind raced. Though he couldn't figure it out, the Sorcerer's goal, veiled in mystery, weighed on him. Ethan had been chosen for a reason, and he could feel that this choice was tied to something bigger than just the story in the mirror. But the Sorcerer keeps his secret hidden.
"The time is nigh," the Sorcerer declared, his voice commanding.
Ethan nodded again; his eyes fixed on the mirror. He didn't feel ready, but he knew he had no choice. "I'm ready," he said, his voice steady. "I want to go to the after-party of the Marcus Kane's story, where the client attacked his group."
The Sorcerer smiled slightly. "Oh, that's great. Finally, you've decided." The story was waiting for him, and he would have to face whatever came next.
The Sorcerer prepared Ethan for the next task, freeing him from the chains with the key from his staff. The Soul Navigator had already attuned the Soul Story Mirror, ready to draw Ethan into Marcus's story.
Just before his endeavor, the Sorcerer stepped forward, his movements slow and deliberate. He leaned in close to Ethan, a sinister grin curling on his lips. "A hint," he whispered. "Use that gift of tongues… it'll serve you better than strength where you're headed."
Ethan was startled by the fact that the sorcerer knew he was a polyglot—and possibly even more about him than he'd realized. Ethan shot back saying "Was already planning on it. Just means I'm on the right track."
The mirror's light grew brighter, wrapping Ethan in its glow. The ritual room began to fade, and Ethan felt himself being pulled into the story. As the room disappeared, his thoughts remained in the Sorcerer's words, the mystery of the mirror, and the role he was about to play. He took a deep breath, ready to act.