Chapter 32: Trials of the Soul

The tension in the air was palpable as Maki and Scathach traversed the 37th floor of the Dungeon. The floor's atmosphere was unlike any Maki had encountered before—oppressive and haunting, as though the walls themselves whispered forbidden truths. The light from the Dungeon's bioluminescent crystals seemed to dim, leaving only shadows to guide their way.

Maki tightened her grip on her spear, her cursed energy thrumming faintly. Beside her, Scathach moved with practiced grace, her twin spears glowing faintly with otherworldly energy. There was an unspoken understanding between them now, their movements synced as though they had fought together for years.

"This floor is different," Maki said, her voice low but steady. "It feels… personal."

Scathach's crimson eyes scanned the surroundings, her expression unreadable. "The Dungeon adapts to those who enter its depths. For you, it may seek to exploit your doubts. Be prepared, Maki. This trial is yours alone to conquer."

Maki scoffed, though her heart beat faster at the warning. "Let it try. I've faced worse than a glorified rock maze."

Scathach's lips twitched in amusement. "Your confidence is admirable. Let's hope it holds."

The corridor widened into an open cavern, its floor littered with jagged rocks and faintly glowing pools of water. In the center stood a figure that made Maki freeze in her tracks. It was herself—yet not quite. The doppelgänger's eyes glowed with an eerie green light, its expression cold and calculating.

"What the—?" Maki muttered, lowering her spear slightly.

The shadowy figure tilted its head, a cruel smile playing on its lips. "Is this all you've become? A shadow of your former self, lost in a world you don't belong to."

Maki's jaw clenched. "Great, another creepy Dungeon trick. I don't have time for this."

The doppelgänger laughed, a harsh sound that echoed through the chamber. "You've always been running, haven't you? From your family, your weaknesses, your failures. Do you think swinging a spear in a foreign world will change that?"

Scathach remained silent, her gaze fixed on Maki. She made no move to intervene.

"You don't know me," Maki said, stepping forward. "You're just another obstacle in my way."

The doppelgänger's smile widened. "I am you. Every fear you bury, every doubt you ignore. You think you're strong, but you're just as fragile as the girl who couldn't protect her sister."

Maki's grip on her spear tightened, her knuckles whitening. "Shut up."

The figure's form shimmered, splitting into multiple copies that surrounded her. "Face it, Maki Zenin. You'll never be strong enough. You're destined to fail, just like before."

The first copy lunged, its movements eerily identical to Maki's own. She blocked the strike with her spear, countering with a swift kick that sent the figure stumbling back. But another copy attacked from behind, forcing her to twist and parry.

The battle quickly turned chaotic. Each doppelgänger moved like a mirror image, exploiting her habits and techniques. Maki found herself on the defensive, her movements growing more desperate as the swarm closed in.

"Damn it!" she hissed, narrowly avoiding a strike aimed at her side.

From the edge of the battlefield, Scathach watched with folded arms, her expression impassive. "Do not rely on strength alone, Maki. This is a battle of the soul."

Maki growled in frustration, the words barely registering. "A little help would be nice, y'know!"

Scathach's response was calm but firm. "This is your fight, Maki. Prove to yourself that you can rise above your doubts."

The doppelgängers pressed harder, their strikes coming faster and more precise. Maki's frustration boiled over, and she unleashed a surge of cursed energy that scattered them momentarily. But they reformed almost instantly, their taunting laughter grating in her ears.

"You're nothing without someone to carry you," one copy sneered.

"You'll never be enough," another added.

Maki's vision blurred with rage, but she forced herself to focus. "Enough of this!" she shouted, driving her spear into the ground. The impact created a shockwave of cursed energy that obliterated the nearest copies.

"You think you know me?" she spat, her voice steady despite the storm raging within her. "I've faced monsters, curses, and my own damn family. You're just another fight. And I never lose."

The remaining doppelgängers hesitated, their forms flickering as if destabilized. Maki seized the opportunity, her movements swift and precise as she dismantled them one by one. Each strike felt like a catharsis, a rejection of the doubts and fears they represented.

When the last copy dissolved into mist, the cavern fell silent. Maki stood at the center, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. Her spear glowed faintly in her hand, a testament to the energy she had poured into the fight.

Scathach approached, her expression softer than before. "You've done well, Maki. The Dungeon sought to break your spirit, but you've proven your strength."

Maki wiped sweat from her brow, offering a lopsided grin. "Was there ever any doubt?"

Scathach chuckled, the sound warm and genuine. "Perhaps not. But even the strongest warriors must confront their weaknesses. Remember this moment, Maki. It will guide you in battles yet to come."

As they prepared to leave the cavern, a faint glow caught Maki's attention. Embedded in the far wall was a crystal, its light pulsating with a rhythmic beat. She approached it cautiously, her instincts telling her it was no ordinary Dungeon relic.

When her hand touched the crystal, a wave of energy surged through her. Images flashed in her mind—visions of gods, battles, and a towering figure wreathed in shadow. At the center of it all was a familiar face: Scathach, her expression unreadable.

Maki pulled her hand back, the vision fading. "What was that?"

Scathach's expression grew serious. "The Dungeon reveals fragments of fate to those it deems worthy. What you saw may be a glimpse of your destiny—or a warning."

Maki frowned, her grip tightening on her spear. "Destiny, huh? Guess I'll just have to face it head-on."

Scathach smiled, her crimson eyes gleaming. "Indeed. Let's see where this path takes you, Maki Zenin."

With renewed determination, the two warriors pressed on, the shadows of the Dungeon retreating before them.