Shattered Illusions

Written by: Kate Chiu

Edited by: Samantha Law

Deep within the heart of a majestic kingdom, nestled in an enchanting forest, there existed a realm where beauty was worshiped the most. The environment of the kingdom was a tapestry of lively colors, filled with dancing birds, blooming flowers, and lush foliage. It was a culture captivated by the appealing qualities of the physical looks of the people who lived in that kingdom. Within this captivating kingdom, there is a mystical mirror hidden in the heart of the ancient trees of the enchanted forest, yet soon became a place of pilgrimage for villagers to worship the beauty within every one of them. On the first day of every month, oceans of villagers would form never-ending lines, eagerly waiting their turn to gaze upon their reflection in the mystical mirror where they uncover their ranking of beauty.

As the villagers stand in line, their voices echo over the forest, and they have lively talks while wearing their best clothes. The air was heavy with expectation and excitement, but yet also with hints of jealousy and insecurity amongst villagers. As the line inched forward, the villagers argued and complained to one another about their past experiences and rankings, some complained how the mirror was biased, however, some argued against each other fighting over who would be the fairest of them all. 

As the line drew closer to the mirror, the villagers' voices grew. The forest echoed with a mixture of hope, excitement, and an underlying fear of disappointment. Every one of them jumped with nervousness as they were near the mirror, even young girls and boys. 

Anatasia, a young girl of undeniable allure and insatiable curiosity, had always regarded the mystical mirror with a mixture of skepticism and intrigue. She'd never been ranked by the mirror, in contrast to most of the villagers who queued up excitedly before it every month. Generation after generation of perceptive and knowledgeable people, her family remained firm in their belief that the mirror was only a complex of a misleading mixture of smoke and mirrors, just a way of gaslighting people into thinking that they were the most physically appealing.

Being the daughter of a family well-known for their profound knowledge and close connection to nature, Anatasia had grown up with a fair amount of suspicion regarding the mirror's claimed abilities. Her parents, Elvis and Amara, were wise elders whose wisdom in the enchanted forest exceeded even the most respected ancestors in the realm.

One evening, as the family gathered around a crackling fire in their cozy cottage, Anatasia's curiosity finally got stronger in her. She gazed at the mirror that adorned the wall, reflecting the warm glow of the flickering flames, and couldn't help but wonder aloud, "Why is it that everyone in the kingdom is so engaged with this mystical mirror?  Why do they value it so much?"

Her mother Amara gave Elvis a knowing look and then answered. "The mirror can both fascinate and deceive, my beloved Anatasia. It expresses the wants and fears of persons seeking its opinion in addition to their outward look. The ranks in the mirror provide comfort to many, giving them a feeling of acceptance and community. As a family, though, we've always witnessed past appearances. We are aware that genuine beauty cannot ever be fully measured by a mirror, instead, it exists inside."

Elvis, her father, gave a gentle smile, “the opinions cast by the mirror are impacted by social standards and the changing concept of beauty. My child, it's only a passing illusion designed to distract our attention from the true foundation of who we are.”

Anatasia listened intently, her curiosity further ignited by her parents' words of wisdom. Their point of view struck a deep chord with her, and she longed to see the real story behind the seductive mirror.

Weeks passed, and Anatasia's interest grew even more. Unable to resist the pull any longer, wondering why everyone was so engaged in this mirror, she made a daring decision. One moonlit night, Anatasia secretly left her family's cottage and made her way through the magical woodland in search of the secret of the mysterious mirror. As she got closer to the mirror, her heartbeat thumped with a mix of excitement and fear, ‘boom, boom’, like a drumroll echoing through her chest. The old trees in the woodland cast long, ominous shadows that swayed in the darkness, murmuring mysterious secrets. Anatasia's steps were light, her determination unwavering as she approached the mirror on a day that wasn't the usual monthly ritual.  

As soon as she stood before the mirror, her eyes glanced to her sides, wondering if anyone would be watching her betray her whole family's beliefs. A sense of rebellion coursed through her veins. 

She whispered, "Mirror, mirror, in the woods, who's the fairest of them all." 

But no ranking, no leaderboard,  nothing. The mirror was empty, it only worked during the first day of every month when all the other villagers were there. 

Anatasia sighed. 

Maybe her parents are right, it's just a way to manipulate the villagers and get them to think it is just a fun cultural way to entertain everyone. Suddenly, a bright magenta light appeared within the mirror, the light was shivering as it grew brighter. 

“SNAP!” 

The forest turned pitch black and dead silent for a moment, Anatasia stumbled in the background, falling onto the ground behind the tall oak trees. 

A sudden evil cackling echoed from the mirror. 

“Such brainless creatures coming here every month hoping that they would be the fairest of them all?, HA!, in a another universe I suppose! Once, I take over this kingdom, they would all bow for me”, said the magic mirror as it talked to itself complaining about the villagers of this kingdom.

“They were never beautiful. There was never really a ranking, how stupid of them to fall for my manipulation,” cackled the mirror as it spat out the ugly truth of its purpose. 

As time went by, more secrets were exposed about Anatasia. But, there was too much to handle within one night, Anatasia wanted to run away, and yet to forget about this horrible image of the mirror. 

“CRACK!” 

A loud crunch boomed across the forest, as Anatasia tried to run home. 

“WHOS THERE,” Shouted the mirror angrily, as if you could feel the forest turning into a land of lava. 

Anatasia froze but knew that the mirror was able to somehow find her. So she decided to walk up against the mirror and show herself. 

“Hello my dear, what brings you here this late at night?”, questioned the mirror.

Anatasia stood in front of the mirror, a small shift started to happen. The lights inside the mirror, which had been sensitive magenta-purple, gradually turned an ominous dark purple. The mirror seemed to lose its kind tone at that same instant. As the magic mirror laughed, an unsettling and unpleasant tone, sending a shiver down her spine.

“So you heard everything right my dear?”

“I didn’t mean to, I SWEAR!,” Said Anatasia as she shivered in fear. 

“Well, as you have heard the ugly truth behind me, the well-known mystical enchanting mirror. I think you should have disappeared from this kingdom, or perhaps this world.,” grinned the mirror as it made its contract. 

“NO!, please no, I beg you” Screamed Anatasia. 

With her heart pounding in her chest, Anatasia faced a horrifying ultimatum presented by the malevolent mirror. Her thoughts whirled as she considered the options in front of her, each with a distinct weight of importance. The mirror grinned darkly and spoke in a chilly tone, reveling in its newfound power.

It growled, "You have two options, dear Anatasia.”First, you are faced with a choice. Remain within this realm, forever branded an outsider, tainted by the knowledge of my true nature. Live through the villagers' scorn, your family's name forever dishonored. Or, step into the mirror's center portal, abandoning all you cherish, vanishing into the unfathomable depths where the mysteries of mortality and the cost of curiosity lie in wait. Decide now, for time is flying and the mirror's demands are unwavering.”

Anatasia's mind spun with despair, torn between the horror of a shattered reality and the terror of an uncertain fate. The weight of her decision pressed upon her shoulders, threatening to crush her spirit. Tears filled her eyes, regretting not listening to her parents. Now she’s forever stuck between the two horrible choices that the mirror has demanded her to choose from. 

Will Anatasia stay in this world, permanently labeled as an outsider, tarnished by the awareness of the mystical mirror’s actual character, having the villagers scorn Anatasia, and having Anataisa’s family's reputation be forever tarnished? Or will she take another path, stepping through the mirror and leaving behind this world and everyone Anatasia loves? 

What should she pick? Or how should she defeat this evil magic mirror that's ruining everything and everyone who lives in the kingdom?