The golden light from the chamber dimmed as the trio ascended the newly revealed staircase. Each step seemed heavier than the last, as if the tower itself was testing their resolve. The air grew colder, and faint whispers returned, mingling with the echoes of their footsteps.
Ryu walked on, his thoughts channeled into the path ahead. The shard they gained throbbed dimly within his inventory, a soft reminder of their success—and the dangers left to come.
Draven ended the silence, his voice laced with weariness. "You know, for a game designed by Zenith, he really doesn't believe in mercy.
Aris smirked, but her voice was tinged with weariness. "Mercy doesn't sell subscriptions. Death-defying trials and epic battles do."
Ryu looked back at them seriously. "Stay sharp. The final trial won't give us room for mistakes.
The staircase stopped abruptly, and a great room opened up in front of them unlike anything they had seen. It was round, and walls were polished obsidian, reflecting their distorted images. In the center, there was a large, intricately designed platform that glowed with the same runes they had seen throughout the tower. Above it, there was a swirling vortex of energy pulsating ominously, radiating power that made the air hum.
As they stepped onto the platform, the vortex crackled and a deep, resonant voice filled the chamber.
"Worthy challengers… your journey nears its end. To ascend, you must face your greatest fears—and your greatest truths."
The ground beneath them vibrated violently, and the three made ready their arms. The runes laced into the floor sprang to life and separated into three streams of light that each lanced through a different sector of the room. Forming three discernible shapes, they shone darkly.
Ryu's eyes went wide as the shadow in front of him solidified into a figure he recognized all too well—himself. Except this version of him radiated malice, its eyes glowing with a fiery red light.
Draven let out a low whistle as his opponent materialized: a towering, monstrous version of himself, with jagged armor and a cruel grin that mirrored his own cocky smirk. "Well, this is going to be fun."
Silent but no less deadly, Aris's dark opponent was not. Twin blades identical to hers hung at his sides, and his movements were fluid, predatory, mirroring her own fighting style.
[Final Trial: Confront Your Darkness.]
Objective: Defeat Your Shadow.
"Figures," Aris muttered, her daggers at the ready. "Zenith loves his dramatic flair."
The shadows attacked simultaneously, each one targeting its counterpart. Ryu barely managed to block the first strike from his doppelgänger, the force of the blow sending him sliding back.
"It's like fighting a mirror," he muttered, dodging a follow-up strike. His shadow smirked, its movements eerily familiar yet slightly faster and more aggressive.
Draven was locked in a brutal clash with his monstrous twin, their weapons clashing with deafening force. "I'll admit, I didn't know I looked this good in demon armor," he joked, narrowly avoiding a swipe aimed at his head.
Aris danced around her shadow, their blades meeting in a flurry of sparks. Every step she took was countered perfectly, and it was evident that her opponent knew her every strength—and every weakness.
"This is impossible," she said, frustration creeping into her voice. "It's like they're reading our minds."
Ryu gritted his teeth, parrying another strike. "They're not just reading us—they are us. We need to outthink them."
Draven grinned, dodging under a powerful swing and landing a solid hit on the leg of his opponent. "Easy for you to say, captain. Got any brilliant ideas?"
Ryu's mind was a blur as he blocked another attack. Their shadows were relentless in exploiting every opening and putting them on the defensive. He realized that fighting fire with fire wasn't going to work; they needed to break the pattern.
"Switch targets!" Ryu yelled.
The three adapted immediately. Ryu went for Aris's shadow, swinging his sword true. Aris teleported himself behind the monstrous doppelgänger of Draven and sliced the monster's exposed back. Draven charged the doppelgänger of Ryu, his spear crackling with electrical force as he struck in a quick, probing blow.
The shadows were caught flat-footed by the change in tactics. Their movement stilled, and the trio drove forward the advantage.
Aris grinned as she brought a series of swift punches down on Draven's shadow. "Nice call, Ryu. They're not so perfect after all."
Draven laughed, parrying a wild swing from Ryu's doppelgänger. "Teamwork makes the dream work."
Ryu concentrated on Aris's shadow, his sword glowing brightly as he focused all his energy into a decisive blow. The blade cut through the defenses of the shadow, and it let out an unearthly screech before dissolving into mist.
One by one, the shadows fell, their forms disintegrating as the trio's coordinated assault overwhelmed them. When the last shadow was defeated, the platform stopped trembling, and the vortex above them stabilized.
[Final Trial Complete.]
[Congratulations, Challengers. You Have Proven Your Worth.]
The voice returned, its tone softer yet still resonant. "You have faced your darkness and emerged victorious. The path forward is yours to claim."
The vortex dropped, coalescing into a glowing portal. Through it, a dim light shone, holding out promises of answers—and challenges.
Ryu put away his sword, determination etched on his face. "This isn't over. Let's see what's waiting for us on the other side."
Aris and Draven shared a look before nodding in tandem. Together, the three stepped through the portal, prepared for whatever awaited them.