Holding the evolved Star Compass, Liora approached slowly, each step deliberate. The Compass glowed with brilliant starlight, its light pulsing gently in time with something only it could hear. Its newest authority had awakened only recently: the Compass of Discernment.
She gently placed a hand upon the mirror's cold surface. The Compass resonated in response, a low hum of recognition passing between artifact and mirror. The forgotten vow hidden within the mirror slowly awakened, stirred from whatever long sleep had held it. Ancient silver runes spread across its surface, blooming outward from beneath her palm like frost forming in reverse.
The mirror opened its eyes.
Instead of showing appearances, the way ordinary mirrors always had, it reflected intentions — the truths beneath the truths people told even themselves.
