Mirror Maiden took a deep breath and said, "I was Signora, the eighth Fatui Harbinger."
Mirror Maiden studied Clorinde in the moonlight flickering between the trees. Her face did not shift an inch. She merely observed behind a veil of indifference, betraying nothing of her true feelings. Mirror Maiden told her the entire story of her life, death, and resurrection. Still, Clorinde remained silent.
The story ended with a cold breeze rustling the leaves and an eerie, deep, and somber howl whistling through the forest. Mirror Maiden hugged herself, shivering in the night chill. Clorinde's sharp eyes regarded her unflinchingly.
"This is an odd story if it is true," she said. "Does anyone else know?"
"Yes. Aether, Tubby, Raiden Ei, Yae Miko, Arlecchino, Eula, Katarina, Cryo Cincin Mage, Hu Tao, and Mona know. There may be others who know, but I'm not sure."
"Why are you telling me?"
"Because I trust you to do the right thing," said Mirror Maiden, "if I ever return to being Signora."
A night owl screeched. The breeze rustling the leaves went still, and the rattling chorus ceased. Mirror Maiden fixed her eyes on the dutiful warrior. Clorinde understood what was being asked of her—Mirror Maiden could see that much. But she kept her silence.
Mirror Maiden said, "I can't return to being that person. I have nightmares about my past life, about every person I hurt… If, at any time, it looks like I'll snap, promise me you'll step in and cut me down."
Clorinde scowled. "You ask me because you think me cold-blooded."
"No," she said. "I'm asking you because I know you're strong enough to live with the consequences. Eula and Ei would try to save me. Aether would never forgive himself, and Arlecchino's killed too many of her loved ones. I can't ask them to suffer more. Please."
Clorinde's expression softened. She shut her eyes and let out a long sigh. Pressing her hand over her heart, she spoke.
"I give you my word: if Signora returns, I will cut her down."
Mirror Maiden smiled. "Thank you. This gives me more peace of mind than you could ever know."
"Well," said Clorinde glumly. "I hope I need never fulfill this oath."
"Yeah, me too."
