Adrian wiped sweat from his forehead. "I'm never fighting myself again."
Ethan pointed at the sky. "Someone better give us extra credit for surviving THAT."
Elara looked at Merlin.
"You predicted the clone's reaction perfectly."
"It was just logic," Merlin replied.
But she shook her head.
"No. You understand yourself better than anyone here."
Her voice was quiet.
"Even the parts you don't show."
Merlin looked away.
Nathan stretched his arms. "Alright, three battles left!"
Ethan choked. "WHY ARE YOU EXCITED?!"
A sigil lit beneath their feet.
The Mirror Hall shattered like glass—
And they were pulled into the next stage.
They landed on sand.
Hot, gold-tinted sand stretching out inside a massive indoor arena whose ceiling was so high it vanished into darkness. Stone pillars rose like ancient monoliths, cracked and worn by time. The air vibrated with mana so thick it was practically oppressive.
