The Keeper of Mirrors🔊

Once upon a time, in a distant kingdom lives a man named Alaric. Alaric was a unique individual, possessing an extraordinary talent. He was bestowed with the exquisite skill of creating mirrors. But these were no ordinary mirrors. Alaric infused them with magic, allowing them to reflect not just the physical appearance but also the soul of whoever looked into them.

Starting as a young boy tinkering in his father’s glassmaking shop, Alaric had dreamt of this art. His fascination was less with the glass and more with the enigma it represented, the mystery of duplicating one's physical form. Then one day, a wandering sorcerer saw his talent, recognized his unique ability, and took him under his tutelage.

Most mornings, Alaric woke before dawn. He would spend hours pouring over ancient books filled with intricate scripts of enchantments and spells. Afternoons were for practical application. The sorcerer taught him to harness his energy and channel it to breathe life into the cold, lifeless glass.

Years passed. Alaric's artistry flourished under the sorcerer's guidance, and his mirrors came to be known throughout the land. They were highly sought after by royalty, the old, the vain, the insecure, even by those seeking betrayal’s face amongst trusted ones. Not everyone admired Alaric. Those incapable of confronting their true selves detested his mirrors, for what they reflected was inescapable.

Alaric lived a quiet life. His joy was less on selling his craft but more about the transformation it induced in people. He loved watching faces light up with self-realization, or shift subtly as layers of denial peeled away. While Alaric was content with his craft, his heart longed for companionship. He craved someone who looked not just at the mirror but also beyond it.

One day a woman named Isolde visited his shop. She was not like the others. She did not care about her physical reflection but for the mirror itself. They shared a bond over the beauty of the imperfect glass, the joy of transforming raw, coarse sand into a reflective masterpiece. Their friendship bloomed into a romantic relationship. Isolde saw beyond Alaric's craft and cherished the man he was.

Alaric decided to craft the most extraordinary mirror for Isolde. He put his heart and soul into this creation. After a month of tireless work, the mirror was finished. Alaric infused it with the most potent magic he knew, intending to show Isolde her boundless potential.

When Isolde gazed into it, however, it held more than just her reflection—it held Alaric's feelings for her. The raw, immense love that he held for her swept over Isolde. Encased within it was also his fear—a fear of inexperienced love, of ruining their cherished friendship, of not being loved back. Isolde was overwhelmed. It took her some time, but ultimately she saw the man that Alaric truly was, precious, kind-hearted and timid.

So, she did what Alaric could not do for himself. She took a step closer, embraced him with all her heart, assuring him in soft whispers, 'I see you, Alaric, your love, your fear and it is beautiful. I feel the same.'

Their silhouettes merged in the mirror, reflecting not just two bodies but two harmonizing souls. The ‘Keeper of Mirrors’ had achieved his masterpiece, not in the creation of the mirror but in what it reflected—a union of two hearts, three words, a silent confession, and the start of an everlasting love.