Not a Damsel in Distress!

The pendant was cool against her skin, where she sat. She took more calming breaths to steady herself before turning to Ron.

"Thanks for staying."

"I told you I would. What kind of sidekick would I be if I left the hero all alone in a chasm of madness?"

Samantha found it ridiculous how he still managed to crack jokes and be optimistic despite all that was happening. Despite also having a near mental breakdown not too long ago.

She knew he was only here because of her, and as much as she was grateful, she felt guilty.

Almost like he knew what she was thinking, he used his fingers to smooth her furrowed eyebrows.

"Easy there, pipsqueak. Don't worry too much. About anything."

And just for that moment, she allowed herself a small smile.

They seemed to be getting rarer with each passing day.

"I have to find out more about this whole thing, though. About Saryel, about me. About what I'm supposed to be doing. It's in here somewhere, I can feel it."

"All right. We'll figure it out. Do you need me to get you anything? Or better yet, you could come with me so I'm not left alone in this creepy temple with creepier people."

Samantha snorted. "Are you scared?" she asked teasingly.

"Terrified, actually. But then again, I identify as a coward, so."

"You're impossible."

"No. I'm irreplaceable. There's a difference."

A knock on the door put a rest to the playful banter. J walked in—same black outfit, same kickass boots, and the same badass demeanor, but her eyes held a hint of mischief and softness.

"Heyyyy, you," she said, suspiciously drawing out the 'hey' in a way that made Sam and Ron share a look.

"Would you guys be interested in joining me for a stroll? You know, to take the edge off."

"That... actually sounds like a good idea." Ron sounded surprised that he was on board.

"Great. I get to dress you!" J exclaimed happily, fixing her eyes on Samantha.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

J gave her a pointed look. "Ripped hoodie, and teddy bear pajama pants? Really?"

"Okay, in my defense, I did escape an encounter with a fog shadow monster creature thingy in the dead of night. Excuse me if I wasn't dressed for the occasion."

"Which is why I'm here to help you," J pressed, moving closer to Sam... or more like stalking closer like a predator waiting to strike her prey.

Sam gave a resigned sigh. "Fine. What have you got for me?"

"Yayyy. You're gonna look amazing."

---

"Amazing? Really? I look like Rapunzel if she made her dress out of curtains," Samantha groaned.

She was dressed in a long shimmering blue gown. The dress was beautiful, no doubt, but Samantha felt it was a little too much for just 'a walk.' It had gold accents at the wrists and hem. The sleeves were big, creating a trumpet effect. It was fitted up until the waist, then cascaded down in full folds to the floor.

"Well, at least you look the part of 'medieval priestess,'" Ron offered, trying to be optimistic.

"Yay me."

On the way to the door, the trio collided with Alaric. He glanced at all three before bringing his eyes back to Samantha.

"I see J has introduced you to the wardrobes. Very brave of you."

"No one told me she'd go crazy like this," Samantha was exasperated.

"Hey! It's not that bad. I think I did pretty well."

Samantha wasn't sure, but it seemed like J was... sulking? Wow. So much for being a stone-hard badass.

Before they stepped out, Samantha turned to Alaric. "Are there any other rooms that the priestess used to go to? Maybe it'll help me remember more."

Alaric paused, thoughtful.

"When you get back, I'll bring you to another place. I believe there is one last room that might hold answers."

With that in mind, the trio set off around the temple, into the garden. The occasional laughter echoing from the group, creating a sense of normalcy in the obviously abnormal situation.

---

Later, when the group was settled, Alaric walked in and approached Samantha.

"Would you like to see the room now? Or shall we explore it tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Let's go. The sooner, the better."

Alaric led them down a long corridor and turned into a passageway so inconspicuous it was like it wasn't there until now.

They descended down a spiral staircase into a room.

A room full of mirrors.

The air shifted the deeper they went—thicker, charged. Samantha's ears popped like she'd stepped inside a pressure bubble. The walls began to hum, soft as a heartbeat. Something old lived down here. Something watching.

The room opened up before them, vast and silent. Glass and stone mirrors of all shapes lined the walls, some tall and narrow, others wide like doorways. They pulsed faintly, like they were breathing.

Samantha felt something different about them. They felt... awake. Alive.

She moved closer to one of them and saw a figure. A female with long hair, strands of silver mixed in. She was looking out of the mirror. Looking at Samantha.

Samantha held her gaze, and the woman smiled. She placed a hand on the mirror, and Samantha mirrored the motion, her fingers aligning with the reflection.

The others watched silently as the interaction unfolded. J stepped closer, guarded. Ron was tense, hovering by Samantha's side. Alaric stood a little stunned—the reflection hadn't appeared in years.

"Welcome," the figure said. "You have much to learn, and I have more to be sorry for. It was never my intention to put you in such danger."

"I need answers. You have to explain what's going on. What I have to do to help," Samantha urged gently.

"To fully learn what must be done, you must first know the past. The truth."

Her hand pressed tighter against the glass, and Samantha felt a sharp pull, like her soul was being hooked.

Something in the woman's expression shifted—from kind to desperate.

Samantha frowned. "What are you—"

Then it happened.

The reflection's fingers tightened around Samantha's hand, and without warning, Samantha was yanked into the mirror before anyone could react.

"Samantha!" Ron lunged—but she was already gone.

The mirror went still. Silent. Samantha's reflection had vanished.

Ron stumbled forward, pressing his hand to the glass, breath hitching.

"What in the horror movie just happened," he breathed, the usual mirth gone from his voice.

Alaric stepped forward, eyes narrowed in thought. "She's not lost. Not yet. The mirror world is layered—woven between memory and essence. She's been taken where the truth resides."

J folded her arms, tension in every line of her posture. "And you let her go in there alone?"

"She wasn't taken," Alaric replied quietly. "She returned to the roots of her soul."

Behind them, the mirrors pulsed once more—faintly.

Waiting.