Elyas and Kellen cautiously pushed open the door that had materialized in the room, bracing themselves for whatever challenge awaited them next. The door creaked ominously as it swung open, revealing a narrow corridor bathed in an eerie blue light. The walls were made of smooth stone, cold to the touch, and the air was thick with a heavy silence that made each step feel like an intrusion.
Kellen (whispering): "This place just keeps getting weirder. What do you think we're walking into this time?"
Elyas (glancing around nervously): "I'm not sure, but I have a feeling it's going to be… unsettling."
As they stepped into the corridor, the door behind them slammed shut with a thunderous boom, causing both of them to jump. Elyas spun around, his heart racing, but the door had vanished completely, leaving them no choice but to move forward.
Kellen (grimacing): "No turning back now, I guess."
The corridor seemed to stretch on forever, the blue light casting long, distorted shadows on the walls. As they walked, Elyas couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, though every time he looked over his shoulder, there was nothing but empty space.
After what felt like an eternity, the corridor finally opened up into a vast hall. The room was enormous, with a ceiling that seemed to disappear into the darkness above. The blue light here was brighter, emanating from glowing crystals embedded in the walls. But what caught Elyas's attention were the mirrors—dozens of them, lining the walls in neat rows, each one reflecting a slightly different version of the room.
Elyas (muttering to himself): "Not more mirrors… I've had enough of those."
Kellen (nodding in agreement): "Let's hope these aren't like the last one. I don't need any more shadowy figures creeping up on me."
As they ventured further into the hall, Elyas noticed something strange. The reflections in the mirrors weren't quite right. In some, their images were distorted, with exaggerated features or elongated limbs. In others, their reflections seemed to be moving independently, performing actions that neither of them were actually doing.
Kellen (noticing the same thing): "Okay, this is officially creepy. Why is my reflection doing jumping jacks?"
Elyas (trying to stay calm): "I think we're in the Hall of Echoes. I read about it once. It's supposed to be a place where the past, present, and future all collide. The mirrors show different versions of us—sometimes what could have been, or what might be."
Kellen (raising an eyebrow): "That sounds… ominous. And how do we get out of here?"
Before Elyas could answer, one of the mirrors caught his eye. Unlike the others, this one showed a version of himself that was older, more confident. The older Elyas in the reflection was standing tall, his expression calm and composed, holding a wand that seemed to pulse with power. The image was so different from how Elyas saw himself that he couldn't help but stare.
Elyas (whispering to himself): "Is that… me?"
Kellen, noticing his friend's fixation on the mirror, walked over to stand beside him. He glanced at the reflection and let out a low whistle.
Kellen (impressed): "Well, look at you. All grown up and powerful. Is that what you're aiming for?"
Elyas (uncertain): "I don't know… I mean, it looks like me, but… it doesn't feel like me. I've messed up so many spells, I can't imagine ever being that… confident."
Kellen (grinning): "Give yourself some credit, Elyas. You've gotten us this far, haven't you? And who's to say that won't be you one day?"
As if in response to their conversation, the reflection of the older Elyas in the mirror suddenly turned its head to look directly at them. The older Elyas smiled, a warm, reassuring smile that made Elyas's heart skip a beat. It was like the reflection was telling him that it was okay, that he had what it took to reach that level of mastery.
Elyas (feeling a surge of hope): "Maybe… maybe I can be that person one day."
But just as quickly as the moment of hope had come, it was shattered by the sound of a low, rumbling growl that echoed through the hall. Elyas and Kellen whipped around, searching for the source of the noise, but all they could see were the mirrors, reflecting distorted versions of themselves.
Kellen (nervously): "What was that?"
Elyas didn't have time to answer. The growling grew louder, more menacing, and the mirrors around them began to flicker, as if the images inside were struggling to break free.
Suddenly, one of the mirrors shattered, the glass exploding outward in a spray of shards. From the wreckage emerged a creature made of shadow, its form shifting and writhing like smoke. It had no distinct features, just glowing red eyes that fixed on Elyas with a malevolent hunger.
Elyas (raising his wand, trying to stay calm): "Kellen, get ready. I don't think this thing is going to be friendly."
Kellen (drawing his own wand): "No kidding. What is it?"
Elyas (focusing on the creature): "It's a reflection—a twisted version of one of us. The Hall of Echoes isn't just about showing us different versions of ourselves. It can also bring them to life."
The shadow creature lunged at Elyas with surprising speed, its form stretching out like tendrils of smoke. Elyas barely had time to react, throwing up a shield spell just in time to deflect the attack. The creature hissed in frustration, retreating for a moment before circling them like a predator stalking its prey.
Kellen (trying to be brave): "Any ideas on how to stop this thing?"
Elyas (thinking quickly): "It's a reflection—it's tied to the mirrors. Maybe if we can break the mirrors, we can weaken it."
Kellen nodded and immediately turned his wand on one of the mirrors, sending a blast of energy that shattered the glass. The shadow creature let out a pained shriek, its form flickering as if it was losing its substance.
Elyas followed suit, targeting another mirror. With each one they destroyed, the creature grew weaker, its movements slower and less coordinated. But the more they fought, the more the Hall seemed to come alive around them. The whispers from before returned, louder and more insistent, and the remaining mirrors began to ripple with dark energy.
Kellen (panting from the effort): "This isn't going to be easy. There are too many mirrors!"
Elyas (determined): "We don't have to break all of them—just enough to give us an opening. If we can get to the exit, the creature should be trapped here."
Kellen nodded, and the two of them fought with renewed vigor, blasting mirror after mirror until the air was thick with the sound of shattering glass. The shadow creature, now barely holding itself together, made one last desperate attempt to strike, lunging at Elyas with a snarl.
Elyas didn't flinch. With a calmness he didn't know he possessed, he aimed his wand at the final mirror in the line and fired a focused beam of energy. The mirror shattered into a thousand pie ces, and the shadow creature dissolved into nothingness, its form disintegrating into wisps of smoke that vanished into the air.
Kellen (breathing heavily): "Did… did we get it?"
Elyas (looking around cautiously): "I think so. The Hall seems… calmer now."
The whispers had faded, leaving behind only the sound of their own breathing. The mirrors that remained intact showed nothing but their own reflections—no distortions, no movement, just the two of them standing in the center of the hall.
Kellen (grinning despite himself): "Well, that was… intense. But hey, we survived."
Elyas (smiling): "Yeah, we did. And we're getting closer to the end. I can feel it."
As they caught their breath, a new door appeared at the far end of the hall, glowing with a soft, inviting light. The challenges were growing more difficult, but Elyas felt a newfound confidence in himself. The reflection of his future self had given him hope, a glimpse of what he could become if he kept pushing forward.
Kellen (patting Elyas on the back): "You did great back there, Elyas. I can see that future version of you already."
Elyas (grateful): "Thanks, Kellen. But we're not done yet. Let's see what the next room has in store for us."
Together, they walked toward the glowing door, ready to face whatever came next. The Hall of Echoes had tested them in more ways than one, but Elyas knew that every challenge was a step closer to mastering his magic—and proving to himself that he was more than just a series of magical mishaps.