Jack continued his assault on his masked double. Having discarded his saber, unable to withstand the extreme heat, the demon now fought exclusively with his fists and flames. The moment he abandoned his weapon, his copy did the same.
Realizing his usual attacks were ineffective, the Red Demon attempted to innovate, testing techniques his counterpart wouldn't anticipate. He experimented with new fire applicationsz landmines triggered only by his will, tactical use of smoke from their clashes, even a crude imitation of Shoun's Tornado Kick, adapted to his own fiery abilities.
During one exchange, a thick smokescreen spread across the battlefield. Seizing the moment, Jack unleashed a powerful kick that launched a crescent of flames at his double, who didn't dodge, taking the hit head-on.
—Nice!— The demon cheered. His version of the technique was imperfect, not just due to their differing abilities, but because he lacked the actual skill to perform the Tornado Kick, settling for a standard strike instead.
As the smoke cleared slightly, his masked self was revealed barely staggered, far less than expected. Jack detonated all the fire mines he'd planted earlier. The explosions overwhelmed his mirrored opponent, finally creating an opening for another attack.
The Red Demon's blood dripped from his own claws. His first ability amplified his innate fire control, with flames growing stronger alongside his rage. His second ability caused any flames touched by his blood to burn hotter. Finally, his Apprentice ability let him forge fire into any weapon, ignoring most defenses while amplifying his flames' potency.
That's why, after all his tactical preparations, he finally manifested his prized greatsword of flames. Without hesitation, he lunged at his masked double. His fire intensified with every second, the mere sight of that mask on his copy's face filled him with disgust.
—And he claims I'd kill Jace? Impossible!— His double was still recovering when Jack drove the blade clean through its chest, pinning it to the ground. Keeping his grip tight, he activated his first ability. Flames engulfed the copy's body, growing ever fiercer under his other two skills.
—Even my body has limits against this heat, let's see if you can endure more!—Blue fire consumed the double, burning so intensely even Jack had to release the hilt. But then, the unexpected happened.
The impaled copy stood up, casually removing the sword from its chest. Its skin, though charred black, reverted to its original red hue within seconds. Even its clothing remained undamaged.
—What?—Stunned, Jack couldn't react as his double hurled his own sword back at him, impaling him violently into the ground—Agh!
Jack's chest burned with agony. Blood gushed from his mouth in thick spurts. His mind fogged over, save for the all-consuming rage devouring his psyche.
Without hesitation, he dispersed the sword, collapsing to the ground with a grievous chest wound, teetering on death's edge. The fury spread like wildfire, anger at his weakness, at every effort falling short, at his own limitations, at the world that brought him to this brink.
—...Is this how I die?— Facing mortality, an unnatural calm washed over him.
—Of course not—His double answered. Instantly, the gaping wound sealed shut, as if it never existed. The bleeding stopped.
—H-how?
—This is a trial, not an execution. Haven't you noticed you're not spending spiritual energy?—Jack checked his reserves, intact, unnoticed earlier due to all-consuming rage.
—Tch...Even with infinite energy, I can't beat you...I did everything, created new techniques, improved mid-fight... even copied Shoun Foster... How am I supposed to pass if giving my all isn't enough!?
—To pass, you don't need to defeat me.
—...What?
—Listen carefully, Jack. Have you questioned this trial's meaning? Why I only retaliate when attacked? Why this battlefield burns with your flames?
—No...
—That is your trial. You never stop to think. Your power grows with rage, so you let it consume you, acting on anger alone. That led to this pointless battle, to harming yourself needlessly—Jack wanted to retort, but realization struck. Even seeking calm, the slightest provocation ignites him, this anger stains every facet of his life— I see you understand. So tell me...what does this place symbolize?
—...It symbolizes what will happen someday if I let myself be ruled by anger. I'll bring nothing but senseless destruction, even to the one I swore to protect most in this world... my brother—His gaze fell on the charred corpse of Jace in the distance.
—Exactly. Your comrades don't just see you as a friend—they see you as their leader. Someone reliable. But tell me...do you deserve that trust?
Jack truly pondered the question. He realized how, in a single night, he'd dragged his companions into following a stranger to a world of nothing but vestiges, completely unprepared, all because he succumbed to rage and desperation.
—No...I don't deserve it—He answered, staring at the ground.
—Good. That means your trial ends here—With those words, the world plunged back into darkness. Seconds later, a light appeared at the tunnel's end. Despite the doubts weighing on his heart, the Red Demon moved forward.
***
—Haaah...haaah—Jace panted heavily. He'd only made it halfway, yet his legs were already fully frozen, his body wracked with near-unbearable pain.
—You don't have to keep going. You know nothing will change after this trial. Your life's clock ticks faster than mos, even as a Dominator, you'd be lucky to live much longer. You'll be consumed by your own power in the end. So why endure this agony?
The offer tempted Jace deeply. Staying meant no more suffering, no confronting his mortality so viscerally, no more prophecy haunting him since birth. Yet he knew he couldn't.
—This place isn't real. I gain nothing by remaining here.— Dragging himself forward, the frostbite now seared into his hips—Aght!
—This is your fate. Not prophesied, but inevitable given what you face. Frozen solid.
Drowsiness overwhelmed him. His double and the throne blurred. The Blue Demon just wanted to rest, to stop fighting.
—...— Yet despite the exhaustion, despite the urge to quit, he forced himself another agonizing crawl forward. The pain jolted him awake. When he looked up, horror struck, the distance to his double had doubled.
—This is what happens when you take too long to make a decision—Jace's masked double suddenly shifted its tone from discouraging to neutral—Everything I said before was nothing but your own true thoughts. Am I wrong?
—Why ask something you already know?
—Because I know you won't. You've always been a coward. You've never truly decided whether to abandon everything or fight with all you have. Both options terrify you deeply, a fear you accept, forcing yourself to take refuge in indecision. Do you think avoiding the choice will make things easier?
—...I can't be certain of either answer.
—Isn't indecision worse? You make your beloved brother and friend suffer because you won't choose your own torment.
—...—Jace didn't respond and simply stared at the frozen clock looming above his double, stopped, motionless against the flow of time. With every step he took, the clock advanced a second before stopping again. Yet he knew this didn't reflect reality. The world wouldn't stop just because he succumbed to fear, whether by abandoning his fate and letting the prophecy come to pass or fighting with everything he had, likely leading to his death either way. Neither option appealed to him, yet he knew he had to choose one—(...I think I understand the purpose of this trial. My fears, like my ability, freeze me in place. So I must decide, whether to be frozen by fear or because I chose to fight...How annoying).
Despite the pain, Jace stood up and looked at the distance between himself and the clock. It had grown even larger while he wasn't paying attention. Taking a deep breath, Jace took one step, then another, and another, the pain overwhelmed every part of his being, but he never stopped.
Yet, the path didn't grow shorter. No matter how much he walked, it was never enough. Glancing at the clock, he saw it was now moving, but still far too slow. With another breath, Jace began to run. The pain faded as the frostbite spread further, numbing him. Drowsiness returned, this time from hypothermia.
—(The way to pass this trial is by running. Walking step by step isn't enough, time waits for no one. I'm still afraid of death. I hate the choices I have. But I'm even more terrified that my own hesitation will hurt those I care about.)—As if by magic, the frozen terrain began to vanish. The clock now ticked at a normal pace, and his double simply lounged on its icy throne.
Left alone in a dark room, Jace felt the frostbite disappear, as if the trial had never happened. In the distance, he saw a light at the end of a tunnel.
—(Guess I'll have to stop taking baby steps from now on... I'll need to get used to using my Apprentice ability properly. Never learned how, so it's going to be a pain.)—He mused, walking briskly toward the light.