Scene: Ruins of Elaren – Neutral Ground, or So It Seemed
Once a city of scholars. Now dust.
Kaien and his squad crossed the ash-coated bridge. No guards. No traps.
Too easy.
Marcus scanned the skyline. "We're being baited."
Donovan readied his shield. "Let them try."
Seris walked beside Kaien. Her dagger was steady, but her fingers were twitching.
And Lyra—
silent, eyes down.
> She felt it too.
Something ahead… was him.
---
⚔️ Then He Stepped Out
From the mist emerged a figure—
Same height.
Same face.
Same stance.
Same voice.
But cleaner. Polished. Controlled.
The Replica.
Clad in pure black armor. Crest glowing gold.
Eyes cold. Dead. Empty.
> "You were the prototype. The failed version."
Kaien smiled. "They made you talk like an arrogant asshole. That's adorable."
---
🧠 The Replica's Purpose
> "I was made without doubt. Without hesitation.
Where you hesitate, I strike.
Where you care, I purge.
You burn with chaos.
I burn with perfection."
Kaien: "Then come show me how perfect you die."
---
💥 Kaien vs The Replica – Round 1
They moved at the exact same speed.
Blades clashed—identical attacks, perfect mirrors.
The Replica copied every skill. Every counter.
Kaien activated Crisis Edge + Instinct Override.
So did the Replica.
Marcus: "He's matching Kaien move-for-move."
Reinhard: "No—he's reading him."
Kaien: "You're fast. But you're missing one thing."
Replica: "What's that?"
Kaien smirked.
> "Flaws."
---
⚠️ Squad Joins the Fight
The Replica unleashed a radiant shockwave. The squad scattered.
Monku tried to grapple him—Replica broke his arm with one twist.
Seris struck from behind—he caught her dagger mid-air, and threw her like paper.
Lyra activated her glyph—
The Replica turned to her, eyes narrowing.
> "You were meant to end him. You failed."
Lyra raised her hand.
> "Then let me fail harder."
---
💥 Kaien Gets Serious
Kaien activated Shadow Recall. His past self appeared beside him.
But the Replica copied that too.
Now four KAIENS clashed midair, blades crossing, time freezing between hits.
Until—
The Replica impaled Kaien through the side.
Blood sprayed.
Kaien coughed. Dropped. Hit the dirt hard.
The Replica walked toward him.
> "Goodbye, failure."
---
🥀 Seris Reacts
Time slowed.
Seris saw the blood.
Saw Kaien fall.
Felt something snap.
> "You're not killing him."
Her crest exploded into red-black light.
> [Crest Awakening: "Flameborne Vow" – Lv. 1]
She launched forward—driving her dagger into the Replica's arm.
He didn't bleed.
But he paused.
Long enough for Kaien to stand.
---
🔥 Kaien's Last Words This Chapter
Kaien, coughing blood, raised his sword.
> "You're a better version of me?"
He stepped forward.
Eyes burning.
Voice calm.
> "Then let me show you why I'm real."