NOVPUBA shadow flickered to his right. Without hesitation, he swung his blade, cutting through the air. A sharp screech followed, and a black, wolf-like creature emerged from the fog, its bodyvered in writhing shadows.
"Nightstalker," Ravina hissed. "And that means its pack is nearby—"
Before sheuld finish, several pairs of glowing red eyes appeared in the mist, circling them.
Leon grinned. "Finally, some real fun."
Leon moved like a blur, his blade slicing through the shadows as if they were mere illusions themselves. The Nightstalkers howled in agony as their bodies were cleaved apart, dissolving into the mist.
Ravina wasn't idle either. With a swift motion, she summoned a crimson spear of energy, hurling it toward an approaching beast. The spear impaled the creature mid-leap, pinning it to the ground before it burst into embers.
"These things are getting annoying," she muttered. "We need to move before more show up."
Leon wiped the dark blood off his blade, glancing around. The fog seemed alive, shifting and twisting as if trying to trap them. "Lead the way. You know where the next seal is."
Ravina nodded and began running through the forest, Leon right behind her. The whispers in the fog grew louder, turning into distorted voices—mocking, taunting, even mimicking familiar tones.
"Leon..." A voice called out.
He narrowed his eyes. That voice—
"Leon, why did you leave me?" 𝔫𝖔𝔳𝖕𝖚𝔟.𝔠𝔬𝖒
His footsteps faltered for a split snd. He knew that voice.
"Milim?"
Ravina turned back. "Leon, don't stop! It's trying to get into your head!"
But the illusion was too vivid. Ahead of him stood Milim, her blue eyes filled with sadness, her small hands reaching out.
"You abandoned me..." she whispered. "You said you'd always protect me..."
"The illusions here are shit. Since when did she have blue eyes?" Leon mumbled, slicing her in half.
"Anyway, where is the Cursed Catmbs located?" he asked.
Ravina replied, "It's in the heart of Shadow Valley. Justme—we will reach there soon."
Leon nodded.
The Cursed Catmbs is where the Wraith Lord is holding the Shadow Seal.
As they made their way through Shadow Valley, the air grewlder, and an unnatural fog rolled in, obscuring their path. The eerie silence was only broken by the distant whispers that seemed tome from nowhere and everywhere at once.
Leon's grip on his weapon tightened. "This place reeks of death," he muttered.
Ravina nodded. "The Wraith Lord's domain is filled with lingering souls. Some may try to deceive you with illusions, while others will attempt to drain your life force."
Leon smirked. "Let them try."
They pressed forward, the darkened ruins of the Cursed Catmbs looming ahead. The massive stone archway at the entrance wasvered in ancient runes, glowing faintly with a sinister energy. As they stepped inside, the torches along the walls flickered to life, casting twisted shadows that seemed to move on their own.
A deep, echoing voice resonated through the chamber.
"Who dares seek the Shadow Seal?"
From the darkness, the Wraith Lord emerged—a towering figure clad in tattered robes, its skeletal hands crackling with dark energy. Hollow eyes burned with violet flames as it floated above the ground, its presence alone suffocating.
Leon grinned. "I'm here to take what's mine."
The Wraith Lord let out a hollow chuckle. "Then you shall join theuntless souls who tried before you."
Without another word, the chamber trembled as shadowy specters rose from the ground, their wails filling the air.
Leon cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders as his aura flared. "More shadows? You'll have to try harder than that."
The wraiths screeched as they lunged at him, their clawed hands aiming for his life force. Leon vanished in a blur, reappearing behind them with a swift slash—his blade glowing withndensed energy as he bisected several specters in a single strike. The rest shrieked and dissolved into the darkness.
The Wraith Lord watched, unphased. "Impressive. But mere specters are only the first test."
The chamber trembled as the walls seemed to close in, shifting and twisting. The torches flickered violently before extinguishing, plunging the room into pure darkness. A suffocating pressure filled the air, as if reality itself was bending.
Ravina's voice echoed in Leon's mind. "This is the Wraith Lord's domain now—his illusions, his rules. Stay focused."
Leon smirked. "Illusions? I don't fall for cheap tricks."
A sinister whisper slithered through the void. "Then face yourself."
The darkness peeled away, revealing a mirror image of Leon standing before him. This doppelgänger carried the same weapon, the same stance, and the samenfident smirk.
Leon's eyes narrowed. "Great. Another me to deal with."
The clone chuckled darkly. "You talk big, but can you back it up?"
Without warning, the doppelgänger lunged, mirroring Leon's speed and power. Their blades clashed, sending a shockwave through the chamber. Sparks flew as each strike met with perfect precision, their movements identical.
Leon nodded seeing this. So, he'spying everything I do?
The Wraith Lord's laughter echoed around them. "A battle against yourself is the greatest challenge of all. Can you surpass your own limits?"
Leon took a step back, analyzing his opponent. Then he grinned. "You're strong, but you're just apy. And I know exactly how to beat myself."
He shifted his stance, loosening his grip, and prepared for the next move—one that hispy wouldn't expect.
Leon took a deep breath, his smirk widening. If he's mirroring my movements, then all I have to do is fight in a way I never have before.
The doppelgänger lunged again, blade gleaming with energy, but Leon didn't block or dodge. Instead, he twisted his body unnaturally, lowering himself at an awkward angle. Thepy hesitated for a split snd—just enough for Leon to strike.
With explosive speed, Leon slammed his fist into the clone's ribs, sending it flying across the chamber. Thepy crashed against the wall but rvered instantly, eyes burning with newfound fury.
"Smart," it admitted. "But adapting once won't be enough."
Leon chuckled. "You're right. That's why I won't stop adapting."
He surged forward, switching his attack patterns randomly—mixing feints, unpredictable footwork, and awkward angles that disrupted thepy's perfect mirroring ability. The doppelgänger struggled, unable to predict Leon's next move.
