the second floor(4)
Chapter Title: Mirrors of Fire
The eerie blue glow from the symbols on the cavern walls pulsed faintly as Dakota stood alone against his two shapeshifter clones. They stood across from him, their faces identical to his own. Their expressions held the same cold determination, and their bodies radiated the same fiery aura he had learned to wield.
Dakota: "So, you can copy my abilities... but can you master them like I have?"
The clones didn't respond. Instead, they tilted their heads slightly, their movements unnervingly synchronized. With no warning, they lunged forward, their blades igniting with the same blazing flames Dakota had spent years perfecting.
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The Initial Clash
The first clone's blade swept in a fiery arc toward Dakota's head. He parried, sparks flying as their weapons clashed. The second clone immediately followed up with a thrust aimed at his midsection, forcing Dakota to twist his body to avoid the strike.
Dakota: "Fast. Too fast."
The clones moved seamlessly, their attacks perfectly coordinated to leave no openings. Dakota blocked and dodged with precision, but each strike came closer to landing. His arms trembled under the relentless assault, the weight of fighting his own strength becoming apparent.
One of the clones mimicked his signature technique, Blazing Crescent, slashing horizontally and releasing a wave of fire. Dakota leaped back, narrowly avoiding the searing flames.
Dakota: "They're not just copying my abilities. They're improving them."
The second clone lunged again, its blade spinning in a deadly spiral. Dakota blocked, but the impact sent him skidding back across the cavern floor.
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Testing His Limits
Dakota steadied himself, his blade igniting in a blaze of crimson fire.
Dakota: "If they want to play with fire, let's see if they can handle this."
He dashed forward, closing the distance with the first clone. His blade clashed against its own, and he twisted, aiming a kick at its side. The clone dodged effortlessly, retaliating with a counterstrike that Dakota barely deflected.
The second clone attacked from behind, forcing Dakota to roll forward. He turned just in time to see both clones unleashing a synchronized barrage of fiery slashes.
Dakota: "Damn it!"
He raised his sword, a fiery barrier erupting around him to absorb the onslaught. The ground beneath him cracked under the force, and the heat scorched the air.
As the flames dissipated, Dakota charged forward, aiming a powerful overhead slash at the nearest clone. It sidestepped and retaliated with a thrust. Dakota parried, but the second clone capitalized on the opening, its blade slicing toward his shoulder.
The sharp sting of the cut made Dakota grit his teeth. Blood trickled down his arm, and he backed away, his breathing labored.
Dakota: "They're pushing me harder than I expected. If I don't step up, this fight's over."
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The Turning Point
The clones didn't give him a moment to recover. One launched a Flame Spiral, a spiraling column of fire hurtling toward Dakota, while the other closed in with a flurry of strikes.
Dakota deflected the strikes as best as he could, but the relentless assault forced him on the defensive. His mind raced.
Dakota (thinking): I can't keep this up. They're matching me move for move. I need to go all out... or I won't survive this.
He closed his eyes briefly, focusing on the burning energy within him. The familiar heat spread through his body, igniting every fiber of his being.
When he opened his eyes, they glowed with an intense fiery light. His aura flared, the temperature in the chamber skyrocketing. Flames licked at his skin without burning him as he entered Flame Transformation: Stage 1.
Dakota: "Let's see if you can copy this."
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The Battle Turns
The clones hesitated for the first time, their synchronized movements faltering as they recalibrated to match Dakota's new power. He didn't give them the chance.
With a burst of speed, Dakota closed the distance to the first clone, his blade a blur of fiery arcs. The clone attempted to block, but Dakota's enhanced strength shattered its guard. His blade sliced through its chest, flames erupting from the wound.
The clone let out a distorted cry before collapsing into a puddle of black liquid.
The second clone roared in frustration, its form flaring as it tried to mimic his transformation. Its aura grew brighter, its flames more intense, but the attempt was imperfect.
Dakota: "You're not me. You'll never be me."
The clone charged, unleashing a flurry of attacks that burned brighter and faster than before. But Dakota was faster. His blade met the clone's strikes with ease, each clash of steel sending shockwaves through the cavern.
He dodged a thrust, countering with a powerful slash that severed the clone's arm. The creature recoiled, black liquid dripping from the wound as it regenerated the lost limb.
Dakota: "Regeneration? Fine. I'll just have to make sure you can't recover."
He raised his sword high, flames spiraling around the blade.
Dakota: "Infernal Cleave!"
He brought the blade down in a devastating arc, a torrent of fire engulfing the clone. The creature screeched as the flames consumed it, its body disintegrating into ash.
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Aftermath
The chamber fell silent, save for the crackling of embers. Dakota stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving as he deactivated his transformation. The fiery aura faded, leaving him feeling drained but victorious.
He glanced at the blackened ground where his clones had fallen, their remains nothing more than smoldering ash.
Dakota: "Not bad... but not good enough."
Then he saw Henry walking up to him.
Henry: "yo, so you're done with your shapeshifters huh, great than we can keep advancing into the cave."
Dakota: "yep, let's go. And we still are not done, we have to face a little bit more monster before we get the rewards."
Henry: "what? Are you serious, we have to face even more? Man this rewards better be worth it, we better get some op skill or ability."
Dakota: "oh don't worry about that Henry, I have a feeling that the rewards are going to be worth it."