My own face stares back at me, but the eyes aren't mine. They are a pair of empty sockets. This version of Elara feels lifeless. Her hair is messy and her uniform is ripped. It's as if she went through some terrible battle.
"ThErE's OnLy RoOm FoR ONEOf Us."
She moves.
It's most terrifying thing im witnessing,not because her eyes are void black and it's not because her mouth is set in a razor sharp line. Its because her moves are completely synchronised with mine.
When I shift my weight to the balls of my feet, she does the same. When I tuck my chin to protect my throat, her blade mirrors me. Her knife swarms at me so fast it looks like a solid wall of steel I can't get through.
I know my weaknesses and if this is an accurate version of me then I would know how to defeat it. I send a flying knee kick which is parried and elbow her nose.
I swing a heavy roundhouse kick, aiming for her forehead. Instead of blocking, she ducks at the exact millisecond I initiate the muscle contraction. My foot hisses through the heavy air and before I can recover, her hands shot towards me, but not to punch, to grab.
My throat burns from the despicable sensation. It's been a while since it's done that. Her grip on my throat feels like cold iron, suffocating. I can't breathe but I don't panic either. My own muscle memory is turning against me.
She slams me against the wall, pinning me. She raises the razor sharp dagger against my neck. An unknown light source reflecting against the silverware. It illuminates brighter than the moon. The pointed edge presses firmly on my skin, penetrating my defences.
"N i Gt, N i G t !@"
This is it. My death is drawing near. I am a millisecond away from dying. I stare hopelessly at her soulless eyes, counting down. A millisecond away from my goal being taken. Any second now. Wait. Why did she stop?
"Uhh hello?"
I wave my hand to her eyes but she doesn't react. She's frozen. Or maybe the world is.
Black smoke fills my view, the world starts dissipating. The void locks eyes on me, but I can't look at it. I'm back into the abyss. How sad. I analyze my surroundings, hoping that something, someone, is there. Nothing. Just the emptiness consuming me.
I walk, slowly, then faster into a jog, into the unknown. No matter what. I have to. I have to get out. Anywhere. Anyone. Anytime. I just need an escape.
My jog turns into a run. I sprint, my legs burning as I push my heart rate into red zone. I run until my lungs are screaming. There's just gotta be. There just has to be. An exit.
"Looking fora way out?"
My heart skips a beat. Finally. I turn around to meet ominous figure's gaze. As always, his face is a mystery and his body is covers in a peculiar shadow.
"How do I get out of here? But first who are you?"
Those are the two main question I have on my mind right now. He must have the answers I will extract them.
"I am everything that has been or will be.
Iam nothing But Also something."
Woah. What a vague answer. That could literally be anything.
"There is an exit but we will have to make a
Deal."
A deal? No way! There's got to be a deeper meaning. But I guess there's nothing left to lose if your back is to the corner
"What's the deal?" I ask curiously.
The figure comes a bit closer and whispers.
" _ _ _ ___ ___ ___ _ _ _,
Under The condition That you forget the
Dream along with the deal."
My expression hardens
"No, I'm not agreeing to that!" I protest.
Even I know-
That's dangerous
"Do. Yo uNot. Want. To leave?
The voice sharpens
Do y ou want. To die. Pathetically?"
No.
I can't die.
Not like this.
Especially when -
"I accept"
The world shatters. The light blinds me as everything warps back. Suddenly, the weight of the blade is in my hand! Cold. Real. I
I stand over her.
No-
Over myself.
My icey stare reflects in my duplicate's eyes. The roles have reveresed.
This time-
I'm the one who has the blade.
Now I'm the one who has the advantage. I press the dagger deeper into her neck, blood watering out. Warm.
No hesitation.
No mercy.
No holding back.
Beep
Beep
Beep
Beep
Beep
Beep-