The battlefield that stretched before Maki was unlike anything she'd seen. It wasn't the cold, oppressive void from before but a vibrant expanse of stone ruins bathed in the golden glow of an eternal sunset. At its center stood a colossal figure—humanoid, clad in ornate armor that gleamed with a divine aura. Its face was obscured by a featureless helmet, and it radiated an oppressive energy that made the air itself feel heavy.
Scathach stood at Maki's side, her spear resting lightly in her hand. "This projection is not a god, but it bears the strength of one. If you cannot face this, you will never stand against the true divinities of this world or the next."
Maki tightened her grip on her spear. The memories of the shadows from before still clung to her mind, but she forced them down, focusing entirely on the task at hand.
"And you're just going to watch?" she asked, glancing at Scathach.
The Queen of Shadows smirked. "This is your trial, not mine. Consider this a chance to test the strength you've gained."
The armored figure raised its weapon—a massive halberd that shimmered with golden light—and pointed it directly at Maki.
"Great," Maki muttered. "No pressure."
The projection moved with startling speed for something so massive, closing the distance in the blink of an eye. Maki barely had time to dodge as the halberd crashed down, splitting the ground where she had stood moments before. The force of the strike sent shockwaves rippling through the battlefield, and Maki stumbled, struggling to regain her footing.
"You can't rely on brute strength alone," Scathach called from the side lines. "Anticipate. Adapt. Strike with precision."
Maki growled under her breath. "Yeah, thanks for the tips, coach."
The projection attacked again, swinging its halberd in a wide arc. This time, Maki was ready. She ducked low, rolling beneath the strike and coming up behind the figure. With a sharp thrust, she aimed for the gap between its armor plates, but the halberd's haft whipped around, forcing her to leap back.
"Fast for something so big," she muttered, circling the projection warily.
The next exchange was a blur of motion. Maki danced around the projection's strikes, her spear darting out like a viper to test its defences. Each time she found an opening, the projection's armor seemed to harden, deflecting her attacks with ease.
As the battle dragged on, Maki's frustration began to mount. The projection's movements were mechanical yet precise, and it showed no signs of tiring. Her own body, however, was starting to feel the strain.
"You're hesitating," Scathach observed. "You doubt your ability to win, and that doubt is slowing you down."
Maki gritted her teeth. "I'm not doubting anything. This thing's just—"
"Unstoppable?" Scathach interrupted, raising an eyebrow. "No opponent is unstoppable. The only limits here are the ones you impose on yourself."
The words stung, but Maki forced herself to focus. She couldn't afford to let her frustration cloud her judgment. Taking a deep breath, she adjusted her stance, shifting her weight to her back foot.
The projection attacked again, its halberd cutting through the air with terrifying speed. But this time, Maki didn't dodge. She stepped into the strike, using her spear to redirect the halberd's momentum just enough to throw it off balance.
Capitalizing on the opening, she lunged forward, her spear driving into the projection's shoulder joint. The armor cracked, and the projection staggered, its movements slowing for a brief moment.
"That's it," Scathach said, her tone approving.
Maki didn't stop. She pressed the attack, targeting the weakened joint with relentless precision. The projection's movements grew erratic as its armor began to splinter, golden light spilling from the cracks.
But just as victory seemed within reach, the projection let out a deafening roar. Its armor exploded in a burst of light, revealing a core of pure energy. The halberd disappeared, replaced by twin blades of searing light, and the projection's speed doubled.
"Of course it powers up," Maki muttered, dodging a flurry of strikes.
The next few minutes were a desperate struggle. The projection's attacks were faster and more unpredictable, forcing Maki to rely on every ounce of her training to stay alive. She could feel her strength waning, her movements growing slower with each passing second.
"You're close," Scathach said, her voice cutting through the chaos. "But you must finish it now, or it will overwhelm you."
Maki knew she was right. Summoning the last of her strength, she shifted her grip on her spear, channelling everything into a single, decisive strike.
As the projection lunged, Maki met its charge head-on. She dodged the first blade, then the second, closing the distance until she was within striking range. With a fierce cry, she drove her spear into the projection's core, pouring all her remaining energy into the attack.
The battlefield was consumed by light as the projection shattered, its energy dispersing into the air. When the dust settled, Maki was on her knees, her spear still clutched tightly in her hands.
"Well done," Scathach said, approaching her.
Maki looked up, her chest heaving. "That was… brutal."
"It was necessary," Scathach replied. "You've proven that you can adapt, that you can overcome. But this is only the beginning. There are far greater challenges ahead."
Maki nodded slowly, too exhausted to argue.
Scathach extended a hand to her. "Come. Rest for now. We will resume your training soon."
As Maki took her hand, she felt a flicker of something unfamiliar—respect, admiration, and perhaps even the faintest hint of trust.
For the first time since arriving in this strange world, she allowed herself to hope.