The golden passage stretched ahead, its light radiating warmth that was both inviting and foreboding. The walls pulsed faintly with an ethereal glow, the carvings depicting cycles of creation and destruction—symbols of the balance Tarezuchi and his companions were beginning to understand.
Kaida's steps slowed as he glanced at the murals. "These images... they feel familiar. Like we've seen them before in the ruins of Kazeshou."
"They depict balance," Rina murmured, her fingers brushing the intricate carvings. "Creation and chaos, life and death. The Spire seems to embody this principle."
Kota, walking behind her, let out a shaky breath. "Balance is all well and good, but these trials don't feel balanced at all. If this is the 'easy part,' I'd hate to see what's next."
Tarezuchi held the shards tightly, their warmth steadying his nerves. "Whatever comes next, we face it together." His voice carried determination, but a flicker of doubt lingered in his heart. Seraphis' final words echoed in his mind: "The Spire will test you beyond your limits."
---
The Corridor of Illusions
The group emerged into a vast, circular chamber. The golden light dimmed, replaced by an eerie twilight that seemed to shift with each step. The air felt heavy, laden with the weight of unseen forces. In the center of the room stood a mirror-like pool, its surface rippling without cause.
A low hum vibrated through the chamber, growing louder as they approached the pool. Suddenly, the ripples grew violent, and the water swirled upward, forming translucent figures. These figures were not shadowy specters like before; they were crystal clear, reflecting their opponents back at them.
Rina gasped, her staff clattering to the ground. "It's us."
Standing before each of them were perfect replicas—mirrors of their forms, wielding the same weapons, wearing the same expressions of resolve. The only difference was the faint, sinister glint in their eyes.
"Well, this is unsettling," Kota muttered, nocking an arrow and pointing it at his double.
Ryomi cracked her knuckles, her voice low. "So, we fight ourselves now? Wonderful."
Kaida's blades were already drawn, his mirrored twin mimicking his movements. "Be careful. If they're truly our reflections, they'll know everything we do."
Before anyone could respond, the doppelgängers attacked.
---
The Struggle Within
Kaida charged first, his twin blades clashing against the identical weapons of his reflection. Each strike he landed was met with equal force, and his frustration grew as every tactic he attempted was mirrored perfectly.
"Fighting myself is harder than I thought," Kaida grunted, narrowly dodging a strike aimed at his throat.
Ryomi's fists clashed with her reflection's gauntlets, sparks flying with each impact. She ducked a punch and countered with a spinning kick, only to find her opponent already blocking. "This is ridiculous!" she shouted, her usual confidence faltering. "How do we beat something that knows our every move?"
Kota fired arrow after arrow at his twin, but each one was caught mid-air or dodged with ease. "This isn't working," he muttered, sweat beading on his forehead.
Rina stood frozen, her reflection smirking as it raised a glowing staff. A sudden blast of energy struck her, knocking her to the ground. "It's like they're... stronger than us," she gasped, struggling to get back up.
Daisuke fought silently, his expression grim as his reflection parried every strike. "They're testing us," he said through gritted teeth. "Not just our strength—but our resolve."
Tarezuchi held his shard tightly, staring down his double. The mirrored version of himself stood still, its eyes glowing faintly. "Why aren't you attacking?" he asked, his voice trembling.
The reflection smirked, its voice an eerie mimicry of his own. "Because you doubt yourself, don't you? You think you're not strong enough. Not ready."
Tarezuchi's chest tightened. The words hit harder than any physical blow.
---
Breaking the Illusion
Kaida's frustration boiled over. With a roar, he unleashed a flurry of strikes, each faster and more ferocious than the last. His reflection matched him blow for blow, its movements a flawless mimicry. "Damn it!" he shouted, falling back. "It's like fighting a wall!"
Ryomi, bruised and battered, paused mid-strike. Her reflection grinned, raising a fist for another attack. "Wait," she said, a realization dawning. "What if... we don't fight them?"
"What are you talking about?" Kota called, loosing another arrow that was effortlessly caught.
"They're reflections," Ryomi said, lowering her fists. "They copy us. What if we do something they can't mimic?"
She stepped back, closing her eyes and lowering her arms completely. Her reflection hesitated, its grin fading.
"It worked!" she shouted. "They can't mirror inaction!"
The others exchanged quick glances. One by one, they stopped fighting, lowering their weapons. The doppelgängers froze, their forms flickering uncertainly.
"It's a trick," Daisuke said, his voice sharp. "The Spire is testing if we can let go of our instinct to fight."
Reluctantly, Kaida lowered his blades, his reflection vanishing into mist. Kota and Rina followed, their doubles dissolving as well.
Tarezuchi's reflection lingered, its smirk unwavering. "You still don't believe, do you?" it whispered. "That's why I'm still here."
Tarezuchi's hands shook as he clutched the shard. "You're wrong," he said, though his voice faltered.
"Am I?" the reflection asked, stepping closer. "You doubt your power. Your friends. Yourself. If you can't overcome that, you'll never reach the Spire's core."
The words struck deep, but Tarezuchi took a steadying breath. He closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of the shard in his hand. "I do believe," he said softly, his voice growing stronger. "In myself. In them. In this journey."
When he opened his eyes, his reflection was gone.
---
The Fourth Trial Awaits
The chamber trembled as the pool of water stilled, its surface glowing faintly. The oppressive air lifted, replaced by a sense of calm.
"You did it," Rina said, her voice soft with relief.
"No," Tarezuchi replied, his gaze steady. "We did it."
A new passage opened at the far end of the chamber, bathed in silver light. The group exchanged weary but resolute glances.
"That's four trials," Kaida said. "How many more do you think there are?"
"Enough," Daisuke replied, his tone grim. "The Spire isn't done testing us yet."
Tarezuchi glanced at the shards in his hand, their combined light glowing brighter than before. He could feel the weight of the Spire's challenges, but he also felt something else—a spark of hope.
"Let's keep moving," he said. "We're not turning back now."
As they stepped into the next passage, the chamber behind them faded into darkness. The Spire's whispers grew louder, its unseen presence watching their every step.