The mirror-like surface ahead shimmered as Astraea's words hung in the air. Each ripple in the reflection seemed to twist and distort the figures on the other side, making them harder to define. But one thing was clear they were not mere illusions. They were real. Or rather, they had the potential to be.
Selene's breath quickened as she stepped closer to the reflection. "So… this is it? These are the versions of us that never existed because of the choices we made?"
Orion's hand tightened around his sword, though he hadn't drawn it yet. "The Echo warned us. We have to face them, but we don't know how strong they are. If they're us… they might be just as dangerous."
Ikaros scanned the strange, fluctuating surface. His usually steady eyes betrayed a hint of fear. "If these shadows are us, they'll know our every strength and weakness. We'll have to be smarter than we've ever been."
The group exchanged glances. They were standing on the edge of their deepest fears versions of themselves that had grown without their control, reflections that had lived in the void of lost choices. What would these alternate selves be like? Would they carry all the rage, regret, and longing they themselves had buried?
Astraea was the first to step forward. Her heart pounded, but her steps were firm. "We didn't come this far to stop now. We face them. We face ourselves. And we don't stop until this is over."
With that, she placed her hand on the shimmering surface. The moment her fingers touched it, a ripple shot outward, spreading through the entire reflection. There was a soft sound like the chime of a bell then the mirror split in two.
The world fractured.