Raven's gaze locked onto his shadow self, a mirror image of himself with eyes that seemed to hold a deep sadness. The whispering in his ear grew louder, urging him to confront the truth about himself.
"Why are you here?" he asked his shadow self.
The shadow self spoke in a voice that was both familiar and yet, utterly alien. "I am the reflection of your greatest fears," it said. "The doubts, the insecurities, the fears that you've pushed deep down. I am the sum of your weaknesses."
Raven felt a shiver run down his spine as he gazed into his shadow self's eyes. He saw the doubts and fears that he had long suppressed, manifesting as a dark and foreboding presence.
"I am not afraid of you," Raven declared, trying to sound braver than he felt.
The shadow self chuckled, a cold, mirthless sound. "You should be," it said. "For I am the reason you're here. The reason you're trapped in this maze."
Lyra and Mira watched in awe as Raven's conversation with his shadow self unfolded. Kaelara remained steadfast, her eyes fixed on the path ahead.
"What do you want from me?" Raven asked his shadow self.
"I want you to acknowledge me," it replied. "To face the truth about yourself. You've been running from your own demons for too long."
Raven hesitated, feeling a surge of fear and uncertainty. But he knew that he couldn't let his shadow self consume him.
"I'm not going to let you define me," he said, his voice steady. "I'm stronger than that."
The shadow self sneered, but Raven could see a glimmer of respect in its eyes.
"You may be stronger than your fears," it said, "but you're not stronger than the truth. Are you prepared to face it?"