Chereads / the warped: Fragments of eternity / Chapter 39 - 38: Reflections in the mist

Chapter 39 - 38: Reflections in the mist

The Titanic creaked under the weight of the fog and liquid that now coated the battlefield. The Sentinel's blade hummed with dark energy as he stepped cautiously, the mist swirling thick around him. Every footfall was heavy, the tendrils of water lapping at his boots dragging at his movements. He sneered, his eyes glowing faintly beneath his helm.

"What have you done, Smith?" he growled, his voice sharp and disdainful. He moved forward, only to feel the sluggish resistance beneath his steps. The mist seemed to drag at him, its weight unnatural. "This fog... it reeks of despair. Do you think this changes anything?"

Captain Smith stood on the periphery, leaning against the railing to steady himself. His coat was tattered, blood soaking the sleeve of his injured arm. Despite the pain, his composure remained intact. "You'll see soon enough," he said, his voice calm but carrying an edge. His crimson eyes flicked toward Aiden, then back to the Sentinel. "You've underestimated him."

The Sentinel laughed, a sharp, grating sound. "Underestimated him? I've seen nothing but hesitation and weakness. Even now, he doesn't know what he's doing. You, on the other hand..." He paused, his gaze narrowing. "That wound—did he give it to you?"

Smith didn't answer immediately. Instead, he adjusted his stance, his gaze sharpening. "Let's just say he's learning fast."

The Sentinel tilted his head slightly, his voice dripping with mockery. "Is that pride I hear, Captain? Do you see a glimpse of yourself in him?"

Aiden remained silent, standing just beyond the fog's edge. His ring pulsed faintly, the glow of light and shadow intertwining. The Sentinel turned his attention to him, his smirk deepening. "You've been unusually quiet. Trying to look brave, are you? Do you think your little tricks can scare me?"

Aiden's face was unreadable, but his eyes burned with determination. "Maybe you're just scared of what I haven't shown you yet," he said, his voice steady. He maintained his composure, knowing that his next move could tip the scales—but only briefly.

The Sentinel's laughter echoed through the fog. "Scared? Of you? That's rich." His grip tightened on his blade, his movements slowed but not halted by the mist. "You're bluffing. And poorly, I might add."

Without another word, the Sentinel surged forward, his blade cleaving through the mist as he aimed for Aiden's chest. Aiden didn't flinch. As the blade descended, His form flickered like a mirage, the edges of his figure rippling as though he were no longer tethered fully to the material plane. His blade passing harmlessly through his semi-translucent body, leaving only a faint ripple in the mist. The Sentinel stumbled slightly, his blade meeting nothing but air.

Aiden reappeared behind him, his Equinox Blade glowing as it sliced toward the Sentinel's side. The attack connected, sparks flying as the blade scraped against the Sentinel's armor. The older warrior turned quickly, his enhanced mist armor deflecting the worst of the strike. His glowing eyes narrowed in confusion.

"What—?" the Sentinel began, spinning to locate his target."What is this?"

Before he could finish, Aiden reappeared behind him, his Blade materializing in a swirling vortex of energy. The weapon glowed with a perfect duality—its upper edge a searing white light that illuminated the battlefield, and its lower edge a shifting, smoky shadow that seemed to drink in the surrounding mist. Aiden swung the blade in a precise arc, the radiant edge slashing toward the Sentinel's exposed flank.

The Sentinel reacted just in time, turning his blade to deflect the strike. The clash of energies sent a shockwave rippling through the air, scattering mist and forcing both combatants to recoil.

"Impressive," the Sentinel muttered, his voice tinged with irritation. "But tricks like that won't save you."

Aiden said nothing, slipping back into ripples in the mist. His form shimmered and blurred, moving like a phantom through the battlefield. The Sentinel struck repeatedly, each swing of his jagged blade cutting through empty air. Aiden weaved around him with unnatural grace, his movements fluid and untouchable.

"You can't keep this up forever," the Sentinel taunted, his blade pulsing with shadow energy. "You're a child playing with powers you don't understand."

Aiden's eyes glowed faintly, his fading form rippled into nothing . "Maybe," he said, his voice calm. "But I'm not the one afraid of change."

The Sentinel froze for a fraction of a second, his grip tightening on his blade. "You know nothing of fear," he spat, his voice laced with venom. His attacks grew more desperate, his movements sharper but less calculated

From the sidelines, Smith's voice carried through the mist. "He's faster than you expected, isn't he. old friend?" His tone was calm, but there was a faint edge of satisfaction. "You've been too used to overwhelming brute force."

The Sentinel turned his glare toward Smith, his frustration boiling over. "You think this changes anything? He's still a child, relying on silva's power."

"Keep telling yourself that," Smith replied, his tone even. "It might make the loss easier to stomach."

The Sentinel turned his attention back to Aiden, his movements sharper now as he adjusted to the new rhythm of the fight. "I see it now," he muttered, his voice low. "You're untouchable until you strike. That's the weakness in this form."

Aiden didn't reply. Instead, he phased again, dodging a powerful overhead slash before countering with a sweep of his blade. The attack forced the Sentinel back, his armor sparking under the impact.

"You think you've found balance," the Sentinel snarled, his blade igniting with crimson energy. "But balance is an illusion. Creation is born from destruction. Chaos births order. And you..." He lunged again, his blade trailing dark energy. "You will never understand that!"

With a roar, the Sentinel charged again, his blade trailing streams of crimson and black energy. Aiden reappeared at the last moment, his Blade shimmering as he parried the Sentinel's strike. The light and shadow energies intertwined, creating a dazzling display of contrast as the blades locked.

"Balance is strength," Aiden said, his voice firm as he pushed against the Sentinel. "Your chaos is destructive, but it's directionless. True creation comes from harmony."

"Spare me your dribble," the Sentinel snarled, breaking the lock and swinging wildly. "The only truth is power, and your light will burn out like all the rest."

Aiden ducked under the swing, the mist swirling around him as he phased briefly. He emerged behind the Sentinel, his blade glowing brilliantly as he struck with a wide, sweeping slash. His Blade left a luminous crescent in its wake, cutting through the mist and slamming into the Sentinel's armor.

The Sentinel staggered, a jagged crack forming along his helm. He steadied himself, his breathing ragged as he raised his blade. "You… you think you've won?"

The Sentinel's eyes flared with crimson malice, and he raised his hand to touch the fractured helm. A piece fell away, revealing a face that mirrored Aiden's own—older, weathered, and twisted by shadow. Aiden froze, the revelation hitting him like a blow to the chest. "You…" Aiden whispered, his voice faltering.

Smith's voice cut through the heavy silence. "Now you see it," he said, his tone grave. "The reason you can't hold back. Not even for a moment."

The Sentinel smiled cruelly, his exposed face a grim reminder of what could be. "Now you see," he said, his voice laced with venom. "I am what you will become."