The moment Mri shattered the illusion, the dark void around him rippled. His breath steadied, his senses sharpened.
He wasn't alone.
A blinding white flash engulfed the space, and suddenly—
He was standing in an arena.
The Arena of Legends
The ground beneath him was solid stone, etched with ancient symbols pulsing with energy. Towering statues of past champions loomed overhead, their eyes glowing ominously.
A booming voice echoed across the arena.
> "The Trial of the Strongest begins now."
Three figures emerged from the shadows.
First Opponent: A towering warrior with golden armor and an axe that crackled with lightning aura.
Second Opponent: A woman with silver eyes, moving like a shadow, a dagger flickering in her hands.
Third Opponent: A cloaked figure, its face hidden, but its presence… overwhelming.
Mri grinned.
> "This is more like it."
Battle Begins: The Lightning Warrior
The golden warrior charged first, his axe swinging down with thunderous force. Mri dodged just in time, the ground shattering where he stood.
Without hesitation, Mri countered—his fists igniting with aura as he struck the warrior's chest. The impact sent a shockwave through the air.
The warrior stumbled but roared, summoning a storm of lightning around him.
Mri's eyes narrowed.
> "Let's see whose aura is stronger."
With a burst of golden energy, Mri vanished—appearing right in front of the warrior. His punch connected before the warrior could react.
BOOM!
The golden warrior collapsed, his aura fading.
The Silent Assassin
Before Mri could react, the silver-eyed woman was already behind him. Her dagger sliced through the air—aimed at his throat.
Mri barely dodged, but she was fast. Too fast.
She flickered in and out of sight, her movements almost impossible to track.
Mri smirked.
> "You're good. But—"
He activated his aura.
> "I'm better."
His golden energy surged, extending outward in a flash. For a split second, time slowed.
And in that moment—
Mri's fist connected with her stomach.
She collapsed, her body flickering before vanishing into light.
> "Two down."
The Cloaked Figure
Mri turned toward his final opponent.
The cloaked figure lifted its head.
And for the first time, Mri felt something chilling.
The figure removed its hood—
Revealing himself.
A perfect copy of Mri, eyes burning with an aura darker than the night.
Mri's heartbeat slowed.
> "What…?"
His clone smiled.
> "You think you're strong?"
> "Then fight yourself."
The final battle… was about to begin.