Darkness.
Seraphina's breath turned to mist as the lantern flame died out completely.
But the mirror still glowed.
Softly. Eerily.
Its surface rippled like water, and the reflection that stared back wasn't her.
Not entirely.
This version of herself was older. Worn. Scarred.
And she was crying.
> "You must not trust the second prince."
The voice was hers. But laced with pain. And certainty.
> "He loved you once. He killed you last."
Then the mirror stilled—turning to smooth, glass silence once more.
Seraphina backed away, nearly tripping on the broken lantern.
What was that?
Was it magic? Memory? Madness?
---
Scene Break – The Northern Watchtower
Kaelith stood alone, eyes locked on a crumpled letter in his gloved hand.
It was unsigned.
Unsealed.
But it bore a single phrase:
> "She knows about the mirror."
He crushed the paper.
There were only two mirrors enchanted by the Oracle in the empire.
One in the royal vault.
The other… lost.
Until now.
He turned toward the stables.
If Seraphina had found it, he had less time than he thought.
---
Scene Break – The Next Morning, Velora Estate
Seraphina emerged from the west wing pale and hollow-eyed.
Marianne was waiting in the hallway, arms folded.
"You're bleeding," the maid said, pointing to her hand.
Seraphina looked down.
A thin cut ran across her palm. She hadn't even felt it.
She'd been too busy listening to herself die.
"Fetch me parchment," she whispered. "And a courier."
"Who are you writing to?"
Seraphina stared out the frost-bitten window.
"The Oracle."
---
Scene Break – Royal Council Chambers
At the palace, Chancellor Verren stood before the High Council, a smug smile painted across his sharp features.
"Lady Seraphina has reopened her family's dormant accounts," he said smoothly. "And begun requesting access to classified archives. Including those sealed by imperial decree."
The Empress narrowed her eyes. "Why?"
"She claims it's to restore her House's legacy."
"But you believe otherwise?"
"I believe she's playing a longer game. One that involves Kaelith."
The Empress's voice dropped. "Then we cannot afford to wait."
"Precisely," Verren said, bowing. "Shall I activate the Black Registry?"
There was silence.
Then the Empress nodded once.
"Do it."
---
Scene Break – Oracle's Temple
That night, a hooded courier delivered Seraphina's letter to the Oracle's temple under cover of darkness.
The high priestess read it.
Then burned it.
"Lady Seraphina Velora has awakened," she murmured. "And the game begins anew."
She reached beneath her ceremonial robes and withdrew a sealed scroll—one with the sigil of the first empress.
A prophecy long hidden.
One that began with:
> "When blood sees its own shadow…"
And ended with:
> "…the empire shall fracture."