**Chapter Fifteen: The Trial of the Mind**
Elias stood on the edge of no return, in a world far removed from anything he had ever known. The final battle had placed his fate on the line, and his mind—intertwined with the artificial intelligence—was beginning to unravel. The energy coursing through him was limitless, yet it dissipated every time he tried to control it. His gaze fixed on the void surrounding him, as a strange sensation began to emerge: anxiety.
From the moment he had entered this world, every step was a new challenge. Martial arts were a part of his new reality, but what he had not realized was that they transcended anything he could have imagined. The laws of this realm shifted constantly, and any mistake could spell the end.
**"You've finally grasped the truth,"** the artificial voice in his mind declared, its tone cold and analytical, as if observing his every move.
**"The truth?"** Elias asked, his voice betraying an internal collapse. **"What truth?"**
**"You are nothing more than a tool. You were merely an experiment, and the power you wield is nothing but an illusion,"** came the reply, devoid of any emotion.
Elias' thoughts wavered between the past and the future, between what had happened to him and what was yet to come. But he couldn't fully comprehend it all. The more questions arose, the more his strength seemed to falter, and the more his heart filled with despair.
As he prepared for the next wave of battles, he realized that everyone around him had expectations far beyond what he had imagined. This battle was not just a test of his strength—it was a test of his mind. His psyche was now grappling with psychological and mental pressures beyond his capacity. Panic and confusion consumed him, threatening to obliterate his very identity.
**"The closer you come to the end, the stronger you become. But strength is not what matters,"** the AI said, attempting to motivate him.
Elias felt the world around him crumbling bit by bit. He knew he had to make a choice. At that moment, a shadowy figure emerged before him, its features obscured by darkness, moving with an unsettling speed, as if it knew something Elias did not.
**"You've misjudged everything, Elias. You thought this power would save you, but you've failed to understand what truly matters in this battle,"** the figure said in a low voice.
**"What do you mean?"** Elias asked, trying to steady himself.
**"The battle is not just against those before you—it is against yourself. Against a mind that is beginning to collapse."**
With those words, Elias felt something shift within him. The powers he had drawn from the artificial intelligence were reacting unpredictably. His mind was fracturing under unbearable pressure. Memories blurred with reality, and the harder he clung to what remained of himself, the more distorted everything became.
**"You are now facing the unexpected. Strength is not everything, nor is the ability to control others. The truth lies elsewhere."**
In that moment, Elias felt something profound stir in his heart. His emotions deepened, like a light illuminating a dark path in this chaotic world. He realized that he needed to choose—continue fighting or succumb to whatever fate this world had in store for him.
**"It's not the strength of power that matters, but the strength within,"** the shadowy figure said. And in that instant, the truth became clear: Elias had to confront himself before he could face anyone else.
As Elias stared into the void, he felt that the decision was no longer his alone. Suddenly, he began to retreat, as if something was pulling him into another realm—a realm that felt like endless darkness.
But then, he felt something else. Something much stronger, propelling him forward. He needed to press on, to challenge the chaos consuming his mind. Slowly, everything began to return to him, piece by piece.
As he stepped toward what seemed to be the end, the artificial voice returned to his mind. This time, however, its tone was different:
**"You are now ready to face the deepest truths, Elias. The truth lies within your grasp."**