Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player

Chapter 899: Mirror of Truth (Part 2)

Kaizen kept his eyes fixed on the clone in front of him, every detail of its appearance identical to his own. He felt a shiver run down his spine, but he stood his ground. This was the Mirror of Truth test, a challenge he knew would be monumental.

"So, we've finally met. You knew this moment would come, didn't you?" asked the clone.

"I knew it," replied Kaizen, his voice firm but laden with a slight tension. "But knowing and understanding how are two different things."

Kaizen's clone smiled, a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "You've always been good at recognizing your weaknesses, but can you overcome them?"

Kaizen stepped forward, his feet sinking slightly into the soft grass of the field. The breeze continued to blow, carrying the scent of wild flowers and the promise of a great battle. He could feel the energy of the place pulsating around him, as if the field itself was alive and attentive to the imminent confrontation.

"I have no choice," said Kaizen, his voice low but determined. "If I don't face you, I won't be able to move on."

The clone tilted his head, studying Kaizen with an intense gaze. "Very well," he said, his voice silky smooth. "Then let's begin."

So the clone stretched his right hand forward while making the square in his inventory appear.

Kaizen stretched his hand forward too, but instead of using some skill, he said:

"Wait. Before we start," said Kaizen, "tell me one thing: who or what exactly are you?"

The clone smiled again, pausing, but this time with a touch of melancholy. "I am you, Kaizen. I am all the parts of you that you try to hide, all the fears you repress, all the doubts you avoid. I'm the embodiment of everything you don't want to face and everything you're most afraid of."

Kaizen felt a knot forming in his stomach. He had always had his insecurities, like any normal person, but seeing these parts of himself personified in front of him was a surreal and disconcerting experience.

"So, what exactly do we need to do here?" asked Kaizen, trying to remain calm. "Do we really need to fight?"

"Isn't fighting all you've been doing in this game so far? Practically every day, non-stop. Of course you need to fight me," replied the clone. "But not just in a physical battle. You need to accept all parts of yourself, even the ones you hate. Only then will you be able to pass the Mirror of Truth test."

Kaizen nodded slowly. "I understand."

The clone took another step forward, and Kaizen could see the intensity in his eyes. "But if you're so keen to talk, let's start with something simple," said the clone. "What are your greatest fears, Kaizen?"

Kaizen hesitated for a moment, but then decided to be honest.

"I'm afraid of failing," he said. "I'm afraid of not being strong enough to protect those I love. And I'm afraid of losing myself in the process, or rather, losing sight of who I want to be."

The clone smiled sadly. "Those are common fears, Kaizen. But they're not all you're afraid of, are they?"

Kaizen looked down, the green grass swaying gently under his feet.

"No," he admitted. "I'm afraid of facing the truth about myself. I'm afraid of discovering that I'm weaker than I think, that I'm unworthy of the responsibilities I've taken on, that the decisions I made were wrong."

The clone nodded. "These are the deepest fears, the ones you need to face head-on and I am the embodiment of them all. I'm going to show you that all these fears are more than a bunch of insecurities, I'm going to show you that they're real!"

So the clone unleashed a blast of <Psychokinesis>, pushing Kaizen backwards, and then took the Ragnarok Sword from his inventory.

Kaizen was pushed, and only managed to stop being pushed when he also took the Ragnarok Sword from his inventory.

The clone advanced quickly and Kaizen, in order to defend himself, put up his sword to block the clone's blow. In this way, the two Ragnarok swords, forged with the essence of ancient magic, clashed with a deafening sound, reverberating across the vast green plain that was now covered in a gale of snow.

The magical sparks that leapt from the blades were so intense that they lit up the landscape, creating a spectacle of white lights.

Kaizen felt the impact vibrate through his arms, requiring all his strength to hold his position. His clone, an exact copy in appearance and ability, showed no signs of weakness. Both were locked in a stalemate, their blades gnashing as they tried to overpower the other.

"You've always ignored your own fears, Kaizen!" shouted the clone with a grim smile. "Now you must face them head on!"

Kaizen gritted his teeth and pushed harder, managing to create a small space between them. He took a few steps back, keeping his sword raised and his eyes fixed on his opponent.

"I don't have a choice, do I? If I want to pass the Mirror of Truth test, I have to defeat you."

The clone spun the sword in a wide, powerful arc. "That's right. And I'm not going to make it easy for you."

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Without saying another word, the two opponents advanced at the same time, their swords clashing with a metallic clang. The wind around them grew stronger, as if nature was reacting to the ferocity of the conflict. Kaizen dodged a sideways blow and responded with a diagonal slash, which was deftly parried by the clone.

The swords were an extension of their bodies, and they exchanged quick, strong blows.

With a cry of determination, Kaizen launched himself forward, forcing the clone to retreat. Seizing the opportunity, Kaizen channeled energy into his sword, creating a shockwave that destabilized his opponent.

The clone was thrown backwards, falling to its knees in the snow. However, it didn't stay down for long. With a look of pure determination, he quickly stood up, materializing a new weapon in his hands: a shining bow, made of dark, enchanted wood, with a string that seemed to be made of pure light.

Kaizen narrowed his eyes, recognizing the weapon. It was Graham's Bow, one of the weapons he himself had forged on his journey. Without wasting any time, he put the sword away and materialized the Indomitable Shield to defend himself.