Let's Escape (Part 3)

Cain's charge was like a cannon blast—swift, direct, and devastating. He moved without hesitation, his fist glowing with golden energy as it smashed into the creature's chest. The ground caved in beneath the impact, sending dust and debris flying in all directions.

But the creature didn't fall.

Instead, it twisted, its body rippling like liquid shadow, and lashed out with an elongated arm. Cain barely managed to block as a clawed hand raked across his forearm, cutting through his jacket. The Strength card's power pulsed through him, reinforcing his muscles, but even that couldn't completely nullify the impact.

Cain grinned through the pain. "Not bad."

He retaliated instantly, grabbing the creature's arm before it could pull back. His grip tightened—too tight—and the air cracked as he wrenched the thing over his shoulder, slamming it into the ground.

The creature exploded into black mist.

Cain exhaled. "That's more like it—"

His words cut off as the mist reformed behind him.

Chun barely had time to shout, "Behind you!" before the creature's arms burst from the darkness, wrapping around Cain's torso like chains.

Cain cursed, twisting his body in a powerful burst of motion, but the creature held fast. Its grip wasn't just physical—it was draining him. The golden glow around his body flickered, his Strength faltering for the first time.

Joker clapped from the sidelines. "Oh dear, Cain! You're looking a little weaker there. Don't tell me all that talk was just for show?"

Cain gritted his teeth. His muscles strained as he pulled against the creature's hold. "Shut. Up."

Joker smirked. "Can't. It's too much fun."

The creature tightened its grip, pulling Cain closer. Its face—Chun's face—hovered just inches from his, its expression eerily blank.

"Strength alone will never be enough."

Cain's eyes flashed.

"Then let's test that theory."

His entire body flexed, golden energy erupting from him like a shockwave. The creature's shadowy tendrils shattered, and in that split second of freedom—

Cain struck.

His fist, charged with everything he had, connected squarely with the creature's core.

BOOM!

The impact detonated like a cannon shot, sending the creature flying backward. It collided with a stone pillar, the force splintering the ancient structure.

Cain exhaled, rolling his shoulders. His strength wasn't just raw power—it was precision, resilience, and unshakable will.

But as the dust settled, the creature stood back up—its body reforming, its wounds closing instantly.

Cain clicked his tongue. "Well, that's annoying."

Joker laughed, shaking his head. "You really thought you could just punch your problems away? Classic Cain."

Cain clenched his fists. This wasn't just a test of strength anymore.

This thing wasn't dying.

Cain exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders as he took a step forward. His body burned from the fight, his Strength card's power still flickering within him—but the creature wasn't backing down. It shifted, its form twisting again, now resembling Cain himself.

Joker whistled. "Ohhh, now that's interesting! Cain versus Cain. I wonder who wins?"

Cain smirked, his confidence unshaken. "Me. Always me."

The creature lunged. Cain met it head-on.

Their fists collided, sending out a concussive shockwave that cracked the very air. The force sent Chun and the others skidding back, barely able to hold their ground. Cain didn't stop—he drove his knee into the creature's gut, but it twisted, dodging the brunt of the impact.

It moved exactly like him. Matched his speed. Mirrored his power.

Cain clicked his tongue. "Tch. So that's how it is?"

The creature grinned, copying even his expression.

Then, it spoke. In his own voice.

"Strength alone will never be enough."

Cain's smirk didn't waver. "Then I'll just use more of it."

He dropped low, planting his foot hard before unleashing an uppercut straight to the creature's jaw. The ground shattered beneath him, cracks spreading outward. The creature flew back, smashing into a stone wall, but before Cain could close the gap—

It was already moving again.

Cain's eyes narrowed. It's not just mimicking me. It's adapting.

The Strength card's power pulsed within him, but he could feel it—he was burning through it too fast. If this dragged on, the creature would outlast him.

Joker hummed. "Hmm. Looks like brute force isn't working. What now, Cain?"

Cain grinned.

And then—he did something unexpected.

He stopped fighting.

The creature hesitated.

Cain rolled his shoulders. "You wanna be me so bad? Then fine—let's see if you can handle it."

He let out a slow breath. Then—he dropped his stance.

The creature, still mirroring him, did the same.

Cain's smirk widened. Gotcha.

Then he moved.

But instead of an attack—he dodged.

The creature, trying to mimic him perfectly, also moved to dodge—but there was nothing to dodge.

It was left completely open.

Cain didn't hesitate. He pivoted—his fist glowing with golden energy—and slammed it straight into the creature's chest.

This time, the impact was different.

A symbol—the Strength card's mark—burned on Cain's fist as he drove it through the creature's core.

The mimicry shattered.

The creature screamed, its body fracturing like broken glass, light spilling from within.

Cain twisted his fist. "Strength alone isn't enough?" His smirk widened. "Good thing I've got brains too."

With one final burst of power, he obliterated the creature in a golden explosion.

Joker clapped, laughing. "Ohhh, Cain, that was beautiful. You really know how to put on a show."

Cain exhaled, shaking out his fist. "Tch. Damn thing was annoying." He turned to Chun and Zhang. "You good?"

Chun, still catching her breath, nodded. "Yeah. That was… impressive."

Cain smirked, running a hand through his hair. "Of course it was."

But before anyone could relax—

A new sound echoed through the ruins.

A slow, deliberate clap.

From the shadows, another figure stepped forward.

The darkness swallowed them whole.

Cain tensed, his instincts flaring. His body was still pulsing from the last fight, but something about this—this wasn't just darkness. It was alive.

Chun gripped her weapon tighter, eyes darting around. "Where are we?"

A voice echoed through the void—low, distorted, dripping with amusement.

"Oh, come now. You didn't think that was it, did you?"

Joker laughed, stepping forward with his usual swagger. "Ahhh, I love this part. When the prey thinks they've won, only to realize—"

A faint glow flickered in the distance, illuminating a silhouette.

Cain narrowed his eyes. "Who's there?"

The glow expanded, revealing a throne of shifting faces, just like the creature he had fought earlier. Sitting atop it was a figure draped in a long, tattered coat, their face hidden behind an expressionless white mask.

The air itself felt heavy.

Joker gave an exaggerated bow. "Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce—"

The figure raised a hand.

Joker's mouth snapped shut.

Chun's breath hitched. He silenced Joker?

The figure stood.

And then—the mask cracked, revealing a familiar smirk beneath it.

Cain's stomach dropped.

Because looking back at him—

Was himself.

But it wasn't a mimic.

It wasn't a shadow.

It was him—but different. Darker. Sharper. Colder.

Joker giggled, clapping his hands. "Ohhh, now this is entertaining."

The other Cain—his doppelgänger—tilted his head. "You rely on your strength too much," he said, voice calm, almost bored. "And yet, you hold back."

Cain clenched his fists. "I don't hold back."

His double smiled. "Then prove it."

Cain barely had time to react before his own fist came flying at him—faster, stronger, merciless.

He blocked just in time, but the force sent him skidding back.

The others could only watch in stunned silence.

Chun whispered, "Cain is… fighting himself?"

Joker leaned in, grinning. "No, no, no. He's fighting the Cain he refuses to become."

Cain gritted his teeth as his double attacked again, each strike brutal, unrelenting, perfect.

For the first time in a long time—