Fighting with oneself

In a corner of the void, where time has no place and space no boundaries, the first confrontation unfolded between the real Karsu (Karsu¹) and his past manifestation (Karsu²). They stood face to face in a space that groaned under the weight of existence, in a grim scene where light and shadow intertwined, as if they represented two opposing forces of the self: one being the past, which sought to reclaim all the pain and old memories, and the other, the present, striving to transcend itself and move toward the future.

The battle began in terrifying silence, as Karsu² moved with agility, each of his movements seemingly pre-drawn on the map of memory, while Karsu¹ gazed at his opponent with eyes burning with defiance and determination. Karsu² spun quickly and launched a series of intricate strikes, based on ancient moves woven deep within memory, trying to retrieve all the moments where Karsu had failed in the past. But Karsu¹, with the maturity and experience he had gained over the years, managed to dodge those strikes with astonishing combat techniques, utilizing the Shadow Qaz that filled his body with a faint light, igniting unparalleled power in every move.

The strikes and punches merged, their bodies danced in a bloody rhythm amidst the turbulent waves of memories and suppressed emotions. The sound of swords clashing resonated in the void as if thousands of notes were rising in a symphony of death, while blood scattered in the emptiness, painting the void with grim scenes. In those moments, Karsu¹ remembered every battle he had fought, every pain he had suffered, every wound that had yet to heal, and every moment of weakness he had endured. But he knew he had to resist; he had to rewrite his fate on his own terms.

Karsu² began raising his voice, challenging Karsu¹ with a tone laced with sarcasm and bitterness:

"Do you think you can surpass the past? I am you—every ounce of pain you never resolved, every regret you buried deep in your heart!"

Karsu¹ responded with a calm yet firm voice:

"I am not just a shadow of you; I am the force that evolved despite every wound. I am the one who defied time and reclaimed my will!"

The strikes intensified and their movements intertwined; each of them struck the other as if attempting to unravel the very truth of their being, either rebuilding or dismantling themselves. Their hands moved with unmatched speed, and sword strikes and precise defenses ricocheted off the transparent walls of the reality they inhabited. Karsu¹ utilized his modern techniques, exploiting every ounce of strength gained from years of struggle, while Karsu² relied on the outdated techniques of the past, moves that now appeared faded in the light of new experiences.

With every strike, Karsu¹ reclaimed something of his soul, hanging between hope and despair; and with every defensive move, he challenged the confines of the past, which tried to make him weak. The battle reached its peak when the pivotal moment arrived—a moment in which Karsu¹ made a decisive choice.

In a corner of the space, a sudden movement took place, where Karsu¹'s strength concentrated in his arms, and the fiery Qaz, glowing with internal light, merged with an unyielding will. In a fleeting moment, he harnessed that overwhelming power to deliver a fatal blow to the head of his manifestation (Karsu²). The swords and breaths collided with that strike, shattering the fragile walls of reality, and a spark of fire flickered in the darkness. Karsu²'s head was severed from his body in a horrifying manner, leaving a void that spoke in chilling silence.

That strike was a victory for Karsu¹; despite the pain that engulfed his body after the lethal blow, he proved that the true spirit cannot be easily defeated. But the price was high; all the old memories that Karsu² had tried to reclaim were ripped from his soul, and at that moment, the victory seemed fleeting, as it carried within it the pain of loss and emptiness.

Time halted for a moment, and everything seemed still, as if the universe itself was contemplating what had just happened. As Karsu¹ caught his broken breath and felt his open wounds, he knew this battle was not the end; it was the beginning of a deeper struggle with his past self.

In that moment, the thick darkness surrounding Karsu dissipated, and all the burdens that weighed him down vanished as if removed by a magical touch. His cold sweat evaporated into the air, and every wound that bled with pain closed its doors, as if healed by a breath from a hidden soul. His once dark eyes, reflecting years of suffering and despair, began to sparkle with a strange light, as if life had returned to him. His black hair, which had stuck to his forehead like a heavy shadow, began to flutter with a cool breeze that brushed his face, as if nature itself was reviving him. Karsu felt as though he had been born anew.

"Truly impressive! This is what I expect from the greatest manipulator, Karsu!"

Qaranos said with pride, then turned with his usual cold demeanor and added, "Shall we move on to the next stage? What do you think?"

But before Karsu could offer his opinion, Qaranos vanished into the void, as if he were nothing more than an illusion. All traces of the previous battle disappeared, and the page of the void was folded once again, returning the space to emptiness, silent, as if it were an abandoned grave.

Then, from the heart of the void, the emptiness cracked deeply, as if the very sky had torn apart. From that dark crack, a tall figure emerged, with eyes as black as the endless night, and his long black hair hanging like the curtains of death. He wore a long cloak that brushed the ground, black as coal, adorned with red twisting lines like an aggressive Chinese dragon, writhing as if ready to pounce. The dragon, with its open jaws and glowing eyes, seemed to carry an ancient curse within it—a curse that could never be forgiven.

The man's face was scarred, as if it were a map of pain and suffering, rough like a stone battered by the storms of time. He looked at Karsu, standing before him, in heavy silence, then spoke in a hollow voice that shook the depths:

"What is this? Is this some form of illusion magic? I was sure I was in the great forest, the Forgotten Emperor's forest... This is strange. I always believed my mental barrier was impenetrable, but it seems I need to rethink that."