Alysia felt a surge of energy pulse through her, but it was not her own. The mirror's curse was taking hold, distorting her magic, feeding off her fear.
"You can't defeat me," the reflection said, its voice growing more sinister. "You are me, after all. Weak, lost, afraid."
Alysia struggled to keep control of herself, her hands shaking as she summoned her magic. But it was out of control, chaotic, a mirror of her inner turmoil.
"You're wrong," she whispered, finding her strength. "I am not you."
The reflection laughed, a hollow, mocking sound. "Prove it."