As the fight dragged on, exhaustion began to set in. The travelers were skilled, but their shadow counterparts knew every move, every tactic. It felt like fighting an endless reflection of their worst selves.
Astraea struggled to maintain control of the threads of time as her shadow self twisted them with ease, bending moments to her will. But then Astraea realized something her shadow self was using time to dominate, to control. Astraea had never wanted that. She had learned that true power came not from control, but from understanding and trust.
With renewed focus, Astraea let go of her need to dominate the threads. Instead, she flowed with them, guiding the threads gently, allowing time to unfold as it was meant to. Her shadow self hesitated, confused by Astraea's shift in approach. And in that moment of hesitation, Astraea struck, unraveling the dark threads her shadow had woven, and bringing the fight to a sudden halt.
Across the arena, Selene had a similar realization. Her shadow was using music to manipulate, to control emotions. But Selene's power had always been about connection, about using music to bring people together, not to dominate them. With a deep breath, she played a new melody a song of hope, of unity. The discordant notes of her shadow's lyre faltered, and the dark melody faded as Selene's music filled the arena with light.
Ikaros, battered but unbroken, realized that his shadow self's greatest weakness was the very thing that had once been his own downfall pride. His shadow fought with reckless abandon, consumed by the need to win. But Ikaros had learned humility. With a swift move, he outmaneuvered his shadow, sending the dark-winged figure crashing to the ground.
Orion's battle was the fiercest of all, but in the end, he realized that his shadow self's strength came from endless conflict. The shadow Orion had embraced war without understanding peace. Orion, however, had fought not just for victory, but for something greater for his friends, for the future. With a final strike, he disarmed his shadow, standing over the fallen figure, victorious.
The arena fell silent as the travelers stood over their defeated shadows. The echoes of what could have been had been conquered.