Not What It Seems

I had been stuck in this mirror for years. I had lost track of time while stuck in the reflective surface. Though, my prison was spacious, it was empty and dull. I could look out into the world through my mirror, but no one could see me. I would often talk to those looking into my mirror, but no one could see or hear me.

Before I was trapped in the mirror. I was a highly ranked demon in Xegon, the devil’s, regiment of followers. My brother and I, and few others, were given an important task that only Xegon trusted us with. During that task though, I was trapped here.

My name is Vudu. And being stuck in a mirror is boring as all Diab. I was surprised to see that someone gained some interest in my mirror recently. Since most humans were interested in magical artifacts, my mirror was often looked over. But this one person took interest once she saw me.

Quickly paying for the mirror, I was taken from my typical spot and she took me home. I watched through the glass as we twisted through several streets and she entered her home. A small home, I observed. A modest home? Was she modest or put up a front to seem that way when she was only vain? I was eager to see what vices this young woman had.

She placed my mirror on a wall in a room that looked like a typical mage’s study. Great, out of all the people who bought me, a Magic User had to purchase my mirror. I didn’t have a high opinion of magic users. Especially after they trapped me in here.

“What draw’s me to you?” She asked while she placed her hand on the glass.

I laughed. “Oh! So, you’re drawn to me.” I asked, not expecting her to hear.

I watched as her eyes widened and her eyes connected with mine. Could she see me? She let out a shriek of panic and fell backwards. She could see me. I pressed closer to the glass and peered at her. Not only could she see me, but she could hear me too.

She backed up with her hands and feet, but her eyes stayed glued to the mirror. I stared at her and took in her form. Something about her stood out from every other non-demon. Her complexion was fair, her figure slim and curved. Dark Auburn hair flowed past her shoulders and naturally curled in large ringlets. The thing that drew me the most was her eyes. They seemed to change color. When I first saw her, they were a normal gray color, but now they were practically yellow with fright. I thought humans couldn’t change their eye color.

We stared at each other for a while before I cleared my throat. “Well, by the looks of it you can see and hear me. Is that correct?”

She silently nodded her head.

“Finally!” I shouted, causing her to jump! “I’ve been stuck in here for so long with no one to see or hear me!”

She just stared at me.

“If I’m guessing right, you’re a Magic User, correct?” I asked, while rubbing my chin. “That means you could possibly get me out of this Diab hole.”

I looked back over to her, and she hadn’t moved. She continued to stare at my mirror. It seemed like she was frozen in stone. My expression fell. Was she going to sit there all day and do nothing? I let out a puff of frustration.

“Look, little statue.” I called out to her. “I’ll make this easy on both of us. I’ll make a – a deal with you. You get me out of this mirror prison, and I’ll help you with whatever you want? Deal?”

That seemed to snap her out of it. She suddenly jumped up and crossed her arms. “You think I’m that daft?”

My eyebrows lifted. “What?”

She glared and stomped closer to me. “I know not to make deals with magical artifacts.”

I snorted laughter. “You think I’m just a magical artifact? You need to do more reading. I’m not just some magical mirror. This decoration is nothing more than my prison. A little gift from other Magic Users, and I can’t for the life of me understand why they trapped me in here.”

Her eyes narrowed. “If I am understanding you correctly, you are a demon trapped in a mirror?”

I pointed at her. “You’re starting to catch on.”

“Then why by Romos’s Quill would I make a deal with you?!” She exploded. “Everyone knows that demons don’t keep their word! You are in there for a good reason and I’m not going to let you out!”

She turned her back to me. Pressing my hands and face against the glass. “Come on! Please! I’ve stuck here for years. Do you realize how empty it is in here? It’s a wonder I’m still sane! Look at me, you’re making a demon beg and ask please. That’s not natural.”

Her back remained towards me as I pleaded. She wasn’t going give me a chance. And I couldn’t rightly blame her. We demons were known for being a mischievous bunch and did some downright terrible things, according to humans. Could you blame us for having fun playing with Romos’s favorite playthings?

I let out a sigh and pressed my forehead against the glass and let my arms flop to my sides. I was going to be stuck here forever. When I heard nothing from her, I turned around and began to walk deeper into my mirror.

“I wouldn’t even know how to get you out.” Her voice called to me.

I stopped in my tracks. “But if you did, would you let me out?”

I turned around and looked at her with anticipation. Her eyes remained narrowed though. “I don’t know if I could even trust you. You were placed in there for a reason. And I know that demons shouldn’t be trusted.”

I rubbed my chin. “Look, I’m going to level with you. I can tell you, truthfully, I don’t remember why I was put in here. And demons don’t like to be honest. I’ve been in here long enough that the days mixed together.”

She still looked skeptical.

“What can I do to show that I mean no harm to you or the people of this town?” I asked.

She crossed her arms. “I don’t know. It’s going to take a while. Plus, I don’t know if my magic will allow me to free you.”

“What? You’re a Magic User. So, you should be able to use said magic to get me out.” I explained. Didn’t she know this already?

“No,” she explained. “I can only use light-based magic. And whenever I use it, I need to use my staff to control it.”

My eyes widened. That’s why she’s so different. Did this mean? Was she who I was looking for? I didn’t know. But something told me I had to stay close to this one. I had to be sure before I did anything.

“I can help you.” I offered. “I could help you in ways that you wouldn’t be able to normally. I’m on your side and can provide a lot of assistance.”

“I don’t want your help.” She stated.

I pressed my hands against the sides of the mirror. “But I feel we have could have a really good team here.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Teaming up with a demon… never going to happen.”

With that she turned around and left the room. I began to panic, if I didn’t get her to help me, I’d be stuck in this mirror for all of time. I couldn’t let that happen.

“Come on!” I called to her. “I can really help! Just wait, you’ll see that I can help you. You’ll come back!”