Chapter 9, Part 4: The Envy Within

❖ The Archive – Threshold Moment

The air bent.

Not like fire. Not like magic.

Like shame.

Envy's presence didn't crack stone.

It didn't burn scrolls.

It just made everything inside the Archive feel like it shouldn't be there.

Kairon didn't move.

Neither did the others.

Until Envy did.

He took one step forward.

And split.

Four illusions stepped out of him—each identical to one of the Sins standing before him.

Brix.Lio.Mav.Nair.

But slightly… wrong.

Too sharp. Too graceful. Too pure.

"You made them students," Envy said."Let me show you what better versions look like."

❖ Brix vs. Brix

The false Brix stood tall, clean—no burn scars. No twitch. His fire flowed perfectly from his arms in smooth arcs.

The real Brix growled. "You think you can wear my flame?"

The mimic grinned.

"I don't need to. I can carry it without losing anyone."

That hit too deep.

Brix charged.

Fist met fist.

Flame vs. flame.

But the mimic didn't feel pain.

He bent like steam.

Brix set the floor ablaze—sealed the mimic in a ring of burning air.

It smiled through the fire.

"You use wrath to protect others," it hissed. "I use it to protect myself. That's why I'm cleaner."

Brix roared.

[Skill: Ember Grasp – Overload]

[Burn Depth: Internal Core]

He punched through the mimic's stomach, burning straight through until the flames reached the back.

The clone collapsed into ash.

Brix dropped to one knee—breathing heavy.

❖ Lio vs. Lio

They didn't speak.

Both drew at the same time.

Both moved in mirrored rhythm.

But the mimic smiled.

And Lio never smiled during a fight.

That was the tell.

Blades clashed in arcs so precise, even the System struggled to predict outcomes.

Steel blurred. Walls cracked.

But Lio didn't falter.

Not until the mimic whispered:

"You hesitated that day. When they hurt your brother."

Lio froze.

The mimic lunged.

Lio sidestepped—barely.

Then retaliated with a diagonal slash across the chest.

[Skill: Intent Sever – Tier D+]

[Effect: Coordination Interruption]

The mimic twitched—off balance.

Lio struck the spine.

Then the heart.

Then the throat.

Three hits.

The illusion shattered into glinting glass.

Lio sheathed his blade.

His hands were shaking.

❖ Mav vs. Mav

This was worse.

Because the mimic Mav was gorgeous.

Too gorgeous.

Hair perfect. Eyes glowing. Aura seductive like poison-dipped silk.

Real Mav laughed once.

"Gods, I really am that obnoxious."

The mimic purred. "No. I'm what they wish you were. Charming. Not vulgar. Clever, not crass."

Real Mav snapped his fingers.

[Lust Aura – Disruption Field]

The mimic winced—then grinned wider.

"You don't believe in love. That's why he didn't pick you."

Mav walked forward.

Every step made the air waver with desire, but it was laced with bitterness now.

"Funny," he said. "Because I love that he didn't."

He kissed the mimic.

Just once.

And the mimic melted in his arms like candlewax.

❖ Nair vs. Nair

The mimic didn't attack.

It cried.

Whispered.

"I don't want to eat anymore."

"I just want to keep what I have."

Nair wept too.

Because it was true.

He didn't want strength. He wanted to not lose things.

The mimic opened its arms.

"We can starve together."

Nair stepped forward.

Then hugged it.

And as he did, he whispered:

"I'm sorry."

"But I have someone now."

"And he'll be hungry for me if I stay."

He let go.

The mimic vanished into crumbs.

❖ Center of the Archive

Envy stood alone now.

He was smiling.

But it was cracked.

His nose bled slightly.

Kairon still hadn't moved.

"You let them fight me."

Kairon shrugged. "No. They chose to."

Envy screamed. "I was there, too! When the dome opened the first time!"

"I know."

"I waited! I bled!"

"I know."

"You didn't even look at me!"

Kairon finally took one step forward.

Then another.

And stood just three feet from him.

"You're right."

Envy froze.

"What?"

"You're right."

"You should've been one of them."

That broke him.

He screamed—not in rage.

In pain.

Aura flared.

Distortion walls cracked open around him.

But Kairon didn't flinch.

He stepped into the field.

And touched Envy's shoulder.

"But you chose this instead."

And Envy collapsed.

Crying.

Screaming.

Fighting no one.

[System Alert: ENVY Contained – Sync Fragment Established]

[Status: Student Slot – Pending Consent]

[Aura Level: 74% – Stabilizing]

[Quote Logged: "You didn't lose me. You forgot I was there."]