the last battle god

Kael reached the summit of the cliffs, where the narrow path opened into a vast expanse. Before him lay a labyrinth of gleaming crystal walls, each one shimmering faintly as though lit from within. The structure stretched endlessly in all directions, its pathways twisting and overlapping in a chaotic yet mesmerizing pattern.

The air here was eerily still, and the sky above was a swirling mass of darkness and light, casting fractured shadows across the crystalline surface. Kael stepped closer, the mark on his chest pulsing faintly as he gazed into the maze.

"The Maze of Reflections," the Arbiter's voice boomed, its tone devoid of emotion. "A trial of perception and identity. Within these walls, you will confront yourself—not as you believe you are, but as you truly are. Only by facing the truth will you find the path forward."

Kael frowned, his fists clenching. "What does that even mean?"

"You will see soon enough, child of shadow. But beware—the reflections can deceive as easily as they reveal."

The voice faded, leaving Kael alone. He glanced back, half expecting Darius to appear again, but there was no sign of the enigmatic stranger.

Taking a deep breath, Kael stepped into the maze.

---

The moment he entered, the air grew heavy, pressing down on him like an unseen weight. The walls around him pulsed faintly, their mirrored surfaces reflecting his image from every angle.

Kael walked cautiously, his footsteps echoing in the unnatural silence. Each turn led to another corridor, the crystalline walls shifting subtly as though alive. It wasn't long before he felt disoriented, the endless reflections distorting his sense of direction.

"Focus," he muttered to himself. "This is just another test. I've faced worse."

But as he turned a corner, he froze.

Standing in the middle of the corridor was another Kael.

---

The reflection wasn't just a mirror image—it moved independently, its eyes locking onto Kael's with an intensity that sent a chill down his spine.

"You look surprised," the reflection said, its voice identical to Kael's but colder, harsher. "Did you think you could walk through this trial without facing me?"

Kael's jaw tightened. "You're just another trick of the Abyss. I've dealt with illusions before."

The reflection smirked, a shadow of arrogance in its expression. "Is that what you think? That I'm just an illusion? Tell me, Kael—how long have you been running from the truth?"

"I'm not running," Kael snapped.

The reflection's smirk widened. "No? Then why are you here? Because of guilt? Revenge? Or is it simply fear that drives you forward?"

Kael felt his anger flare. "You don't know anything about me."

"I know everything about you," the reflection shot back, stepping closer. "I am you—the part you bury deep because you're too afraid to face it. The part that knows what you really are."

Kael clenched his fists, his shadowy energy flickering faintly around him. "I don't have time for this."

The reflection laughed, a hollow, mocking sound. "That's the problem with you—you think you can ignore the parts of yourself you don't like. But you can't move forward without accepting the truth."

"What truth?" Kael demanded, his voice rising.

The reflection's expression darkened. "That you're no savior. You're no hero. You're a weapon—a creature born of hatred and destruction. And deep down, you love it."

---

Kael's chest tightened, the words hitting him like a physical blow. He wanted to deny it, to shout that the reflection was wrong, but a part of him hesitated. A part of him wondered if there was truth in those words.

The reflection saw his hesitation and pressed on. "You've felt it, haven't you? The thrill of power when you destroy. The satisfaction of watching your enemies fall. You tell yourself it's for justice, for survival—but it's more than that, isn't it?"

"Stop," Kael growled, his voice trembling.

The reflection stepped closer, its eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. "Admit it, Kael. You're not here to save anyone. You're here because you crave the power. Because you want to prove to the world that you're more than they ever thought you could be."

Kael's hands trembled, shadowy tendrils flickering around him. His anger and confusion swirled together, threatening to consume him.

"Shut up!" he shouted, unleashing a burst of energy toward the reflection.

The blast struck the crystal wall behind the reflection, shattering it into a thousand shards. But when the dust settled, the reflection remained, unscathed and smirking.

"You can't destroy me," it said calmly. "Because I'm you."

---

Kael dropped to his knees, his head pounding. The mark on his chest burned, the pain intensifying with each passing moment.

"Maybe you're right," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

The reflection raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Finally ready to admit it?"

Kael looked up, his eyes blazing with determination. "Maybe I do crave the power. Maybe I do enjoy the fight. But that doesn't make me a monster."

The reflection's smirk faltered.

"I've seen what true monsters are," Kael continued, rising to his feet. "And if I have to use every ounce of power I have to destroy them, so be it. But I won't let you—let me—turn that into something twisted."

The reflection stared at him for a long moment, its expression unreadable. Then, slowly, it began to fade, its form dissolving into wisps of light.

"Well done," the Arbiter's voice echoed, filling the maze. "You have faced yourself and emerged stronger. The path forward is now open."

The crystalline walls shimmered and shifted, revealing a straight path leading to a glowing exit.

Kael took a deep breath, his heart still pounding. He didn't know if he had truly conquered the darker parts of himself, but he knew one thing—he wasn't going to let them define him.

He stepped forward, leaving the Maze of Reflections behind.