By IMERPUS RELUR
--
Kai stood on shifting ground—
a landscape built entirely from scraps of his own art.
Crumpled sketches became mountains.
Discarded panels whispered in the wind.
Every shape around him was something he once drew and never loved enough to finish.
In the distance, a figure stood by an obsidian easel.
He looked exactly like Kai.
But his eyes were older. Sharper. Full of blame.
> "You left," the other Kai said, not turning.
"You made me when you chose to forget."
> [ENTITY: KAI-VI]
Classification: Echo-Origin
Ink State: Self-Sustained / Rebellious Thread
Role: The Drawer Who Stayed
The air was thick with drawn tension.
> "I never meant to create you," Kai whispered.
> "But you did," Kai-VI said. "And while you were sleeping, I kept drawing. Someone had to keep the world alive."
---
He turned.
And held out a page.
On it—Reya. Dead.
> "You draw from emotion," Kai-VI said. "I draw from law. Your love weakens the system."
Reya appeared behind Kai—blade drawn.
Elai stayed silent, trembling.
> "He's not wrong," she said. "This place... this reflection... is a warning."
The ground cracked.
The mirror realm quaked.
And Kai realized something terrifying:
> He was not alone in his creation.
Not anymore.