[Short Story] Abyss Within

Darkness.

I can't move.

I can't speak.

But I can see. I can hear. I can feel.

My body moves on its own, striking, slashing—unleashing destruction with every step. But it's not me. My hands aren't my own. My voice is silent, swallowed by something deeper, something darker.

I stand in a void, weightless, suffocating. A whisper slithers through the emptiness.

"Why resist?"

A voice, distorted and echoing. It's not mine.

"This power... you've always sought strength, haven't you? Stop pretending."

Lies. I don't want this.

I try to move, but my feet won't budge. Chains coil around my arms, digging into my skin like iron thorns. The darkness swirls around me, shifting, writhing. Then I see it.

A shape—my own reflection—but its eyes burn red, and its body is swallowed by shadows.

An Oscuro.

Me.

It grins, stepping closer. "You act like you're above it, but deep down, you knew this was coming."

I glare at it. "Shut up."

It tilts its head. "Didn't you always fight alone? Didn't you always say you didn't need anyone? Then why do you hesitate now?"

I clench my fists.

Outside, I can feel them—Takumi, Ruby, Shizuka. Their voices are distant, like echoes in water. They're fighting for me. Trying to bring me back.

But what if I can't?

What if this thing is right?

The Oscuro me chuckles. "You're afraid. Afraid to be weak. Afraid to rely on others. Afraid to admit you're not invincible."

I grind my teeth. "I don't care what you say."

Its red eyes narrow. "Then prove it."

The darkness thickens around me, pressing against my skin like a second layer. The Oscuro-me watches, arms crossed, amusement flickering in its crimson eyes.

"Prove it? Tch. You act like you're the real one here." I glare at it. "You're just a parasite clinging to my strength."

It laughs, slow and mocking. "A parasite? That's rich, coming from someone who's spent his whole life chasing power." It steps closer, its form shifting like a shadow in flickering light. "You think you're different from me? You think you've been fighting for something greater? No, Hayato. You fight because it's all you know."

I scowl. "And what? You think I should just give up? Let you take over?"

The Oscuro-me spreads its arms. "Why not? You'd be stronger than ever. No more limits. No more holding back." Its grin widens. "No more pretending to be human."

I take a sharp breath.

Human.

The word echoes in my mind.

The Oscuro-me tilts its head, watching me carefully. "You can feel it, can't you? That instinct to cut loose. To destroy. To stop holding yourself back for the sake of others." It steps even closer, eyes boring into mine. "Deep down, you know it. You've never fit in with them."

My fingers twitch.

I've always fought alone. Not because I wanted to. Because I had to. Because depending on others felt like a weakness.

Because I knew—sooner or later—people leave.

But… that's not what happened just now.

I saw them. Takumi. Shizuka. Ruby. They were fighting for me. Not as an obligation. Not as a burden. But because they wanted to.

The Oscuro-me frowns. "You're hesitating."

I lift my head. My heartbeat steadies.

"I'm not."

The Oscuro-me scoffs. "Denial won't save you."

"No. But I don't need saving."

It narrows its eyes.

I take a step forward. The chains around my arms tremble. The darkness stirs. "You act like you know everything about me, but you don't." My voice is firm. "I don't fight just for strength. I don't fight just to win. I fight because I have something worth protecting."

The Oscuro-me clenches its jaw.

I exhale slowly. "And that's why you'll never be stronger than me."

"Protect? And yet, you almost killed your own friends."

The weight of those words hits me hard. I see flashes—Takumi, struggling against me. Shizuka, looking terrified. Ruby, standing firm but wary. My blade was aimed at them.

My hands tremble. No, I wasn't in control. That wasn't me.

"You think they'll trust you after this? You think they won't fear you?"

"They came for me. They fought to save me. That's all I need to know."

"Foolish. You will lose control again. And next time, they won't be there to stop you."

I take a deep breath. My lightning isn't just destruction. It's a force of will, of determination. And I will not let it be tainted.

I meet the shadow's gaze. "You don't control me. I do."

"You will regret this..."