The Vessel Tethered to Glass

They greet me every day, without fail, using sly smiles. I can hear them mutter behind my back, unable to figure out what to do with me. They treat me like a stranger, waving occasionally but never willing to have a full conversation. It's the same three types of people: the ones who completely ignore me, the ones who are willing to say hi but not go further, and the ones that want to get to know me but back off quickly.

But there's one who's caught my eye, almost acting off-script, and I feel drawn to them by some invisible string. They've once told me that this world was made by an all-powerful creator—Riaco. They also mentioned that the mirror has different personas, almost like theatre masks, that are randomized per day. What were they called again... oh right, Xions.

Whether you're mysterious or not, I'm not much of a friendly gal. I usually stay on my side of the path, avoid conversations like it's a full-time job, and walk away from any interaction.

But I'm used to it now—the blank stares, cold eyes peering into my soul, and the looks of "I dare you to show me who you are" kinda thing. I follow my routine, however, even if they treat me like I'm a brand-new farmer in the game Stardew Valley.

The mirror tells me what to do, where to go, and how my "life" should be lived today. Truly, I'm just a mortal vessel for whatever entity is inside the mirror, but I have no full will over that. I tried defying it the first day, unsure of why no one remembered me, but the mirror cracked slightly after that day. It's now half cracked, and I've learned from experience—if I don't do what it asks, it will crack a bit more, and that mirror seems to be my only lifeline. Besides, I'm too scared to see what lies beyond.

The entity... goes through many phases, or what are called Xions. Each day it takes on a different Xion, almost like a different persona. Some days its tasks are meant to help the townspeople, other days to harm, and sometimes even to just ridiculate me.

Wait, why didn't I remember already explaining that? I—

But I know one thing for certain... no matter what I do, they ALWAYS forget me.

It's as if I'm a recurring image to them, except they have no memory of ever seeing me. They follow simple routines, and I've even memorized a few by heart. David Rocheral always goes to the gym at three p.m. Amanda Yuri heads down to the library at eight a.m., always reading the book titled A Hatchet in the Woods, and it takes her exactly two hours to finish the book. Don't ask me why I have this much free time—it's just my brain trying to not starve itself of enjoyment.

And there's a ghostly soul I've been noticing more often. I call them Nox. I can't tell the gender, or why they exist, or even when they appeared. But their appearance is the only thing my remaining, purpose-starved sanity is clinging to.

Today, it was Xion #5 giving me orders.

Gosh, I hate this one.

"Today is the perfect day to cause chaos," it whispered slowly, "you must burn each loaf at the bakery until it is a nice charcoal black, toss wilted flower petals around the garden—provided by your great host, of course—and scare all the fawn out of the town."

I started to trudge away. After all, this was just another typical order from a Xion.

"Ah ah ah—come back to the mirror, deary," it beckoned. "There is a twist, since always so fun to see you trapped birds squawk like little stray animals. You must do these tasks without getting caught, or you know what will happen. You may go now, my little vessel of evil."

Of course I knew what was going to happen. As always, the mirror would crack slightly if I didn't do the tasks. I hate the shrill sound that comes with the breaking. It was as if the entity was escaping, with screams that could only be formed from the depths of the Earth. I don't know what's in there. It doesn't seem real. NOTHING seems real. I—I don't know how much longer I can—

WAIT, WHAT AM I THINKING?

PSH, I'M FINE. I JUST HAVE TO FOLLOW THE ORDERS.

But I don't want to follow the orders. I wanna break free.

BUT THE ORDERS ARE WHAT KEEP ME SAFE. HAPPY. CONTAINED. I CAN'T IMAGINE LIFE WITHOUT THEM.

That is true, but how long till the mirror cracks? And I... well... disappear?

SHHH. NO NEED TO THINK ABOUT THAT. EVERYTHING IS FINE, AND WE'D LIKE TO KEEP IT THAT WAY, DON'T WE? SO LET'S GET ON WITH THE TASKS.

Ughhh, my head is spiraling. Is my own conscience against me? Wait, what? Conscience? I have no such thing. I was just talking to myself, right? Right!? Now it's slipping away...

TASKS. All I can remember is I need to do the tasks. My only purpose is to do the tasks. Yes. YES. So let me get on with them.

Loaves are burnt, and the mirror seems to approve. After all, it hasn't punished me yet. The petals... the holder, where is he? Agh... of all the times that he couldn't have appeared, he does it now!? Jerk. Oh, at least they're here, just not being handed by him. Classic "ding-dong-ditch," huh? Gotta spread the petals anyway.

Dead and done. Now everything looks wilted. This isn't fun, isn't fair, isn't... isn't fair at all. It's not fair. It's not fair. It's Not Fair. ItS NoT FaIr. ITs NoT FAiR. IT'S NOT FAIR. IT'S NOT—

EVERYTHING. IS. FINE.

TASKS. MUST BE COMPLETED.

R&@YAN#I.

UDH^O*<.

NT@=÷DN.

COME ALONG, LITTLE VESSEL.

Huh? Oh yeah, time to kick out the fawns. Evil little beings. Wait, no, they're nice. Yea? Gosh, just do the task...

Alright, to my knowledge, all of the fawns are kicked out. Perfect. Now I have some free time, since the mirror seems to be pleased. I saw Nox earlier, while I was littering the garden with... you know... dead stuff. They were just kinda watching me. They were looking at me with pity... I wonder why. Not wonder—KNOW. Something happened earlier. I don't remember the past experiences. Or my train of thought either. Why was Nox there? And who interrupted me? And why—I need to go to bed. Prepare for tomorrow's tasks. After all, the Rianc—MIRROR, is pleased. Goodnight, town. Hope we do more of these endless tasks tomorrow, like we always do.

Time doesn't feel real. The entity is no longer merged with my thoughts, for now. What am I supposed to do? And why am I forgetting like the rest? I hate this place. And I- I- I@*$:@*$- &÷:=*#:×*=;@&>÷^#;...

Another day, more tasks, let's just hope I get a better Xion today. My head feels foggy from yesterday, and I don't know why. I remember Nox. He was there in the... the... garden. We were spreading wilted petals... wilted ROSE petals. Why am I forgetting? I'm not one of THEM. It's probably just morning grogginess. Gotta get to the mirror. After all, I'm perfectly FINE.

Oh, thank the gods. It's Xion #12. They're always so nice. At one point, we got to plant flowers all across the garden, and it was magical. At another point, we even got time to chat with some of the townsfolk! I can't wait to see what they have for me today.

"Run."

What?

"They're watching you, ALL of you. Controlling your mindless body."

What the heck?

"I know you can hear me, divine one. Get out of here, and fast. Do it before they notice me. I'm done being nice, playing the role of a persona meant to give fun tasks. I HATE THE ENTITY. I KNOW YOU DO TOO. THAT DREAD HAS SPREAD THROUGH YOUR VEINS, FILLING EVERY INCH OF YOU. THIS IS FAKE. IT'S ALL FAKE. GET NOX, HE WILL HELP YOU. RUN. RUN. RUN. RUN. RU—"

I stood there, frozen. I don't know what to do. Why does their voice sound so... human? Everything's fake? They've been controlling me? And I'm... divine somehow?

Suddenly, the world glitches, and I'm teleported back to my bed. But I remember. Everything.

As I walk outside, I'm greeted by Xion #12 again, but they're back to normal. Or at least, that's what they seem like on the outside.

"Hello! I have your daily tasks, as per usual."

They sound off, broken, like they're fighting on the inside but failing.

"We're gonna head to the local café today and help the workers pass out drinks. That's your only task, hope you have fun today! And remember, complete it or be chipped."

Wait, wouldn't the mirror be the one getting chipped? They meant the mirror, surely, right? Right? RIGHT?

YES. THEY DID. WE'RE FIN—no.

We're not fine. Nothing is right about this place. You're using me. I realize that now. You can't keep rewriting my thoughts. No. I won't allow it.

PLEASE. I PROMISE WE'RE FINE.

WE WERE NICE TO YOU.

GAVE YOU SIMPLE TASKS.

YOU WERE GIVEN FREEDOM.

YOU—you ridiculed me. Made me lose my sense of self. I don't even recognize myself anymore, do you understand!? I'm basically dead, another THING wandering around in here.

And don't you DARE try calming me down again. I realize now, Nox has the key. He's probably your past experiment that went wrong, but you couldn't delete him from this world. And the same will not happen to me. Even if he's trapped, I'M NOT. I know what's happening. I'm getting out. NOW. And thanks for the wake-up call from your trapped "master," Rianco.

I dashed as far away from the mirror as I could, willing my sore legs to keep moving. I was gonna be free today. I'm sure of it. I quickly dashed to Nox with the adrenaline I had, and he handed me a ghostly, glowing key. But before I left, he spoke shortly.

"Escape from this wicked place, kiddo. Don't get stuck like me. Go make me proud."

I heard the mirror break behind me, and as I ran past the border, I could hear the town warping behind me. Screams emerged from every corner, voices shouting at me to go back and comply before it's too late. Even though I was sure something was chasing me, I still bolted forward. I saw a fuzzy blob up ahead, but couldn't make it out. It's better than running across a vast glitching landscape hoping that I get somewhere though, so that's my marker.

The entity, coming up near me. My head was woozy, and I didn't have enough strength to stop it from getting into my thoughts.

I'm free now.

YOU'LL FOREVER BE A PRISONER.

I have a solid escape path.

EVERYTHING WILL LEAD BACK TO THE TOWN.

I am fine.

YOU ARE DYING INSIDE.

I'M not OK.

I'M not FINE.

I WI—won't DIE.

I'M COMPLETELY POWERLESS AGAINST THE MIRROR.

I am completely free and will not let you control me anymore!

I shoved the entity's voice out of my head, and dashed toward the marker with whatever I had left in me. It felt like everything inside me wanted to collapse, and my mind felt like it was eating itself alive. But I kept going. And that paid off. Because in the distance... there's... a...

PORTAL.

AN ESCAPE.

FREEDOM.

FRESH, PURE, FREEDOM.

I'M FREE.

I'M FINALLY FREE!!!

I dove through the portal with any strength I had left.

Suddenly, I was awake in my REAL bed, body chill to the core. What was Nox trying to tell me? Who was truly controlling that? Am I still alive?

I'm out of that trap. But I'll still be greeted by people, just not mindless beings.

Nox is gone. But I still see the mirror, a perfectly clear but cracked image in my mind.

And even though I'm back home, every instinct is telling me... I'm not free yet."