Chapter 40: The Ultimate Confrontation

Silence descended upon the laboratory.

Sparks still flew from the cracked walls.

The air was thick with dust and ozone.

Mayu gasped, her body battered, her arms on fire.

Her muscles screamed in pain.

But she did not take her icy gaze off her double.

Mayu Zero lay at her feet.

Her body trembled slightly.

She tried to rise.

Her movements were slower.

Less precise.

Mayu squinted.

She is suffering.

This perfect clone… this being without emotions…

Feels pain.

Mayu Zero lifted her gaze to her.

For the first time…

Her eyes were no longer completely empty.

— Why… am I weakening?

Her voice was low, almost hesitant.

Mayu clenched her fist.

She knew.

She knew why.

— Because you are not perfect.

Mayu Zero flinched.

Her fingers tightened on the broken ground.

— It's impossible. I am… you.

— No.

Mayu approached slowly, her shadow looming over her double.

— You are a copy. A program.

She leaned slightly closer.

Her breath was short, but her gaze was burning.

— And that is your flaw.

Mayu Zero opened her mouth.

Then froze.

A flash.

In her mechanical mind, an unfamiliar image appeared.

Memories.

Emotions.

A glimmer of humanity.

And her body refused to obey.

Mayu struck.

Her fist connected with her clone's chest.

The impact shook the ground.

Mayu Zero spat a stream of blood.

Her legs gave way.

She fell to her knees.

Her eyes… were changing.

She slowly lifted her head.

— So… is this… what it means… to be… incomplete?

Mayu stared at her.

A strange mix of emotions twisted in her stomach.

Rage.

Pity.

But above all…

Relief.

Mayu Zero slowly closed her eyes.

Her body swayed.

Then, with one last breath, she collapsed.

Mayu had won.