Chapter 6: Waking Pain

I blink, struggling to make sense of the blinding white light and sterile smell filling my senses. The ceiling is plain, far too ordinary, and the dull hum of machinery nearby keeps me half-awake, half in a fog. Am I... dead? I wonder, almost relieved for a second. After all that insanity, maybe it's finally over. I must be in the afterlife—right?

Then, just as I start accepting that theory, a wave of pain rushes through me so intensely that it feels like I'm being peeled alive. Every cell seems to scream, and I'm wide awake in an instant, gasping. Nope, definitely not the afterlife. Just agony—serious, bone-deep agony.

Gritting my teeth, I try to sit up, but the second I lift my head, I realize I'm practically encased in bandages. My whole body's stiff and heavy. I glance down, and the sight nearly makes me laugh. I'm wrapped up so thoroughly, I might as well be a mummy. Bandages cover everything: arms, legs, even some of my fingers. A ridiculous sight, but it makes sense when I start piecing together the flashes of memory from the day before.

I remember that twisted, monstrous thing with claws stretched out like spider legs, reeking of acid, all fury and gore. I recall its cold, dead stare and the relentless weight of its attacks, ripping through my skin and setting it alight with acid. The images of police bullets firing and Mei Ling shouting feel so close, so raw. I had somehow dodged and dived, my life literally hanging by threads. Mei Ling's javelin—I see it in my mind, me screaming out as I finally thrust it into the creature's heart. And then... darkness.

The door slams open with a force that nearly sends me flying out of bed. Before I can even process what's happening, Mei Ling bursts into the room, her expression a mix of excitement and relief. "Liang Wei!" she cries, rushing toward me.

"Mei Ling—wait, hold up!" But she's already at my bedside, wrapping me in an enthusiastic hug that feels more like a tackle.

"Thank goodness you're awake!" she exclaims, squeezing tighter.

I instantly go rigid, feeling my face heat up—partly because I've just snapped back into consciousness, and partly because, well, Mei's pressing right against my freshly healed wounds. Sweat prickles across my forehead, and I can't help but let out a small whimper.

She pulls back just enough to see my face and frowns, noticing the pained expression I'm desperately trying to hide. "Oh, no! Did I hurt you? I didn't think—I'm so sorry!" She lets go immediately, and I finally breathe out, relieved to have space again.

I force a grin, doing my best to wave her off despite the soreness in my entire body. "Nah, it's okay. Just… every inch of me feels like it's been through a blender, is all," I joke, but Mei Ling's face drops, guilt flashing in her eyes.

"You were in a coma for a whole week, Liang Wei! I thought—" She chokes up, then shakes her head as if trying to clear the thought. "I thought you might never wake up."

Her words hit me harder than I expect. I hadn't realized it was that serious, though I should have figured, given my bandaged-mummy look and the fight with that monster. I still remember the relentless sting of its acidic claws, the overwhelming horror of watching it rip through people, and the javelin's resistance as I pushed it through the monster's twisted heart. My fingers twitch reflexively at the memory, and I have to shake the images from my mind before they completely overwhelm me.

Mei Ling's voice pulls me back. "The doctors said you were lucky. They… well, they couldn't explain most of your injuries. Just said they were 'unique.' But you're healing so fast it's like… it's like a miracle."

"Yeah," I mutter, more to myself, "a miracle." Or maybe something else entirely.

She sits down at my bedside, eyes red-rimmed and earnest. "You saved everyone, you know. After you… well, after the police finally arrived with more reinforcements, they were able to secure the area. But everyone's talking about what you did. About how you stopped that… thing."

I look away, feeling a twist of anxiety mixed with pride. I did what I had to do, but I didn't realize people would actually notice, much less talk about it.

Mei Ling's hand points to the television hanging in the corner, where a news anchor, looking more animated than I've ever seen, is reporting with a sense of urgency.

"It's all over the news," Mei Ling says, eyes widening. "The whole world is losing it over the appearance of that… that monster."

My heart practically leaps out of my chest. My mind races through the possibilities—interviews, photo ops, maybe even a magazine cover. I mean, I saved everyone!

I sit up a little straighter, despite the pain, feeling a burst of pride swell up in my chest. "So… does this mean I'm, like, a celebrity now? Should I prepare a statement? Maybe I could—"

Mei Ling interrupts with an awkward cough, giving me a pitying look. "Actually… uh… there was no credit given to you. They, uh, said the local police cleared the whole situation."

The wind's knocked right out of me. My jaw hangs open. "Wait, what?"

"Yeah," she says, wincing as she breaks it to me. "No mention of you. They're, like, saying it was all thanks to the police and how they 'bravely neutralized the threat.'"

My brain short-circuits for a moment, the excitement draining like air from a balloon. I can only manage a flat, "You're kidding me."

Mei Ling gives me a sympathetic pat on the arm. "I know. After all you did? They just swept it under the rug."

Mei Ling clears her throat, quickly flipping the mood. "Alright, superstar. Let's get those bandages off and get you out of here. Your family's been waiting for you at home all week."

I blink, processing this. "They… they were here the whole time?"

She nods, her face softening. "Yep. They refused to leave the hospital, didn't even go out for meals. After a lot of convincing, I got them to go home, promised I'd stay by your side." Mei Ling's gaze turns warm. "They really missed you, Wei."

With gentle hands, Mei Ling starts unwrapping the bandages, layer by layer, until they reveal my skin, now a mosaic of scars. Cuts, scratches, burns—evidence of the chaos I'd barely survived. But in my mind, I already know these scars aren't permanent. I'll figure out a way to handle them… eventually.

Mei Ling's jaw drops, her gaze scanning my arms and shoulders. "Wei… it's like a warzone on your body. This is… intense."

She's staring in shock, and I feel a small smirk tugging at my lips. I know I could change this if I had the right chance. But I just shrug, unfazed.

Mei Ling sighs dramatically, giving my arm a playful squeeze. "Oh, sweetheart, forget bikinis. You're stuck with turtlenecks for life."

I can't help but laugh, rolling my eyes. "Thanks for the support, Mei."

I take a deep breath, grateful for everything Mei Ling has done for her. "Thanks again for everything, Mei," I say, giving her a sincere smile.

She waves it off, her usual playful demeanor returning. "Just make sure you don't forget about me when you're famous, okay?"

With a final chuckle, I head home, excitement bubbling inside me to see my family again.

As I step through the front door, I'm greeted by a chorus of relieved voices. "Wei! You're back!" My mom rushes over, enveloping me in a tight hug, while my dad beams at me from the kitchen. My younger brother dashes up, nearly knocking me over with his enthusiasm. "You're a hero, sis! Did you really fight a monster?"

"Uh, something like that," I reply, ruffling his hair, feeling the warmth of their love surround me. After a few moments of joyful chatter, I excuse myself, heading to my room. I'm exhausted, both mentally and physically, and all I want is some deep rest.

Once settled on my bed, I call out to the voices, feeling the silence stretch in the room. "Hey! You guys there? It's time to talk."

To my surprise, one of the voices responds immediately, their tone serious. "We have something important to discuss, Liang Wei."

My brows furrow in confusion. "Important? What do you mean? Just spill it already!"

"Very well," the voice replies, and suddenly, I feel a draining sensation wash over me, like a heavy weight pressing down. My energy dips sharply, and I gasp, grappling with the unexpected exhaustion.

As I struggle to keep my eyes open, the air around me shimmers and swirls, and out of that haze steps a figure that takes my breath away. She's absolutely stunning—long, cascading waves of hair that shimmer like moonlight, framing a face that seems to have been sculpted by the gods themselves. Her eyes are an otherworldly shade, sparkling with the depth of an endless ocean, and her skin glows with an ethereal radiance, flawless and smooth. Her body is lithe and graceful, exuding both strength and femininity, each movement imbued with an elegance that feels almost surreal.

I'm left speechless, staring at this incredibly beautiful woman. She wears a flowing gown that seems to flow like liquid silver, accentuating her curves perfectly. I can hardly believe my eyes.

"Allow us to introduce ourselves," she says, her voice melodic and soothing. "I am the bride. You may call me Seraphina."

The name dances in the air, fitting for her beauty, and I can only manage to nod, overwhelmed by the presence of this magnificent being.

I blink, trying to process Seraphina's stunning revelation. "So, you're telling me you're the only one I hear? Why can't I hear the other voices I've heard so far?" I ask, curiosity bubbling up within me.

Seraphina tilts her head slightly, her expression calm yet filled with an ancient wisdom. "I am the living embodiment of resentment and resistance. I am a demi-god, a former mortal who once lived as the princess of an ancient empire, over two thousand years ago," she explains, her voice rich and melodic. "I am your guardian and guide for every divine mirror user, including you. You are the newest utilizer of the divine mirror."

The weight of her words settles heavily on my shoulders. "Utilizer? What does that even mean?"

Seraphina's gaze deepens, as if she's peering into the depths of my very soul. "Your role is to journey back into the mirror world and reconstruct the seal that holds back the monsters. These creatures are the very beings you encountered in your recent battle."

I swallow hard, my heart racing. "Monsters? You mean there are more of them?"

"Yes," she replies, a hint of urgency in her voice. "Two thousand years ago, these monsters roamed freely throughout China. Humanity fought a crucial war against them, ultimately managing to push them back into the mirror world. We sealed them away to prevent an apocalypse from consuming our realm. But every two hundred years, a new utilizer of the divine mirror emerges to reinforce the seal. This is now your destiny."

"Wait, so all that chaos is part of some ancient cycle?" I ask, trying to wrap my head around it. "And was the mirror more powerful back then?"

Seraphina nods. "Indeed. Once, the divine mirror was capable of transporting entire military forces into the mirror world. But over the years, its power has waned. Now, it can only transport the sole utilizer—you."

I feel a mixture of dread and determination washing over me. "So, it's up to me to go back and seal the monsters again? But how?"

"The journey ahead will be challenging," Seraphina warns. "You must gather your strength, understand the nature of the mirror world, and learn to wield the powers of the divine mirror."

I feel a chill running down my spine as Seraphina continues. "The monster you fought at school escaped from the mirror, which means the seal is getting dangerously weak. The last time someone resealed it was 600 years ago. The divine mirror you possess was lost during that time, and nobody bothered to search for it because the seal was holding strong. But now, it's crucial that you act quickly to reseal it."

The gravity of Seraphina's words sinks in. My mind races with the implications. "What does this mean for us?" I ask, my voice trembling slightly.

"The monsters inside the mirror world seems to have grown stronger in their captivity. Their resentment has festered, and if you don't act soon, we could face the biggest apocalypse this world has ever known. You must gather your strength, return to the mirror world, and reconstruct the seal."

I close my eyes, visions of chaos and devastation flooding her thoughts. The world outside could crumble under the weight of the very monsters she thought were contained. "What if I fail?" I whispers, fear creeping into my heart.

"You won't," Seraphina replies, her tone unwavering. "You are the chosen one, and I will guide you. Together, we can prevent the disaster from spreading. "

I couldn't help but laugh internally at the idea of being "the chosen one." The chosen one? More like I was just unlucky enough to randomly pick up that divine mirror, I think, sarcasm dripping from my mind.

But then the memories come flooding back—my classmates' terrified screams, the horror of that monster's disfigured limbs tearing through flesh, the brutal deaths that haunt me. Those images claw at my mind, relentless and unforgiving. I can still hear Mei Ling's cries, see the fear etched on the faces of those I couldn't save. The laughter dies in my throat as the weight of those memories crashes down on me.

I can't let that happen again. My heart races, the urgency of that thought electrifying my entire being. This isn't just about me anymore. I have to protect those who can't protect themselves. I've witnessed the chaos and destruction firsthand, and it shakes me to my core.

Seraphina's words echo in my mind. The seal is weakening, monsters are growing stronger, and an apocalypse is looming. I have to be strong, I think fiercely, gripping the edge of my bed. I have to stop this before it's too late.

Determination ignites inside me, a flame of clarity that pushes back against the lingering shadows of doubt. I can't stand by and let innocent lives be lost again. I will do everything in my power to prevent more casualties from happening.

As I lay back against my pillows, I feel the resolve harden within me like steel. I am no longer just some unlucky girl; I am a protector—a guardian tasked with sealing away the horrors of the mirror world. And I will do it not just for myself but for all those who have suffered.

With a deep breath, I close my eyes and envision the battles ahead. I won't let fear dictate my actions. I will harness my newfound strength and fight back against the darkness. The apocalypse can wait because Liang Wei is coming for it.