## Chapter 31: *"Through the Mirror"*
> _"I didn't ask to be born a prince. But I was, and now I must bleed like one."_
---
Majid stood at the edge of the mirror.
The crack in its surface pulsed like a heartbeat.
Behind him, Rana watched with arms crossed.
— You don't have to do this.
He didn't turn.
— Don't I?
Layla stepped forward, holding the cursed book again.
Her voice was quiet.
— We still don't know what's on the other side.
— What if it isn't Fatima?
— What if it's just… something waiting?
Samir, silent for most of the night, finally spoke.
His voice was low.
Like thunder far away.
— It doesn't matter what waits.
— The question is whether we walk forward or stay afraid.
Majid looked at him.
— And you're ready?
Samir met his eyes.
— No man is ever ready to step into the unknown.
— But that's what makes it worth doing.
Rana shook her head.
— That's not bravery. That's suicide.
Samir smiled.
It wasn't warm.
— Sometimes they're the same thing.
---
### 🔮 Part II: Voices From the Other Side
The mirror shimmered.
A gust of cold wind blew from within.
Not air.
Something older.
Something filled with memory.
Then came the voice.
Not Fatima's.
But familiar.
From behind the glass.
It was calm.
Measured.
Full of sorrow.
> _"To cross the threshold is to lose yourself."_
> _"To find yourself again… will cost more than you can give."_
Majid frowned.
— Who are you?
The voice paused.
Then answered.
> _"Once, I was called Layth."_
> _"Now, I am only echo."_
Layla's breath caught.
— Layth…?
She turned to Majid.
— My grandfather's name was Layth.
— He disappeared before I was born.
The voice continued.
> _"Blood remembers."_
> _"Even when memory forgets."_
> _"You were always meant to come here."_
> _"As I was."_
Layla whispered:
— Did he… open a gate too?
The voice was silent for a long moment.
Then:
> _"No."_
> _"I tried to close one."_
> _"And so I was forgotten."_
Majid closed his eyes.
When he opened them, he took a step closer to the mirror.
Spoke softly.
— If I go through… will I still be me?
The voice answered:
> _"You will be what the spiral allows."_
> _"Not who you were."_
> _"But who you were always becoming."_
Rana stepped forward.
Grabbed his arm.
— Please…
He looked at her.
For the first time in days, his eyes flickered — back to normal.
Just for a second.
— I have to know, — he said gently.
— I have to see what waits beyond.
She held his gaze.
Then whispered:
— Then take me with you.
He hesitated.
Then nodded.
Together, they stepped through.
---
### 🧩 Part III: The World Behind Reflections
They emerged into a place that should not exist.
A city made of broken mirrors.
Skyscrapers of shattered glass.
Streets paved with reflections.
People walked the streets.
Or perhaps they were just memories walking.
One figure passed by.
Tall.
Wearing an old military coat.
Eyes full of regret.
Majid recognized him instantly.
His grandfather.
Abdul Karim Al-Harthi.
But the man didn't stop.
Didn't speak.
Just walked.
As if trapped in a loop.
Another figure sat on a bench nearby.
An old woman.
With Layla's face.
But decades older.
She looked up.
Smiled sadly.
— Hello, child.
— You're early.
Layla froze.
— Who are you?
The woman tilted her head.
— Isn't it obvious?
— I'm what you'll become.
Layla backed away.
Majid looked around.
This place wasn't just a world behind the mirror.
It was a prison.
Of memories.
Of choices.
Of people who had walked through and never returned.
He turned to Rana.
— Do you still want to be here?
She looked at him.
Her voice steady.
— Wherever you go… I go.
He smiled.
Softly.
— Even if it means losing yourself?
She nodded.
— Even then.
---