In the gray world, Haru stood in the center. No sky. No ground. Only endless emptiness.
Then came the voice. His own voice.
"Finally, we meet."
Haru slowly raised his head. Someone stood before him. Same height. Same face. Same eyes. But the eyes were empty. Cold. Full of contempt.
"Do you know who I am?"
Haru didn't answer.
"I am the truth you've been running from."
He stepped closer. "I am every word ever said to you."
His mother's voice: "Why aren't you like your brother?"
Teachers' voices: "You're strange."
Children's voices: "That kid isn't normal."
Haru stepped back.
"Look at you." The other stepped closer. "Weak. Useless. A burden."
A black sword appeared in his hand. But Haru didn't raise his hand. He didn't fight. He couldn't. Because he wasn't fighting a monster. He was fighting himself.
"Still you won't fight," the other said mockingly. "Because you know I'm right."
Haru closed his eyes. All the memories returned. All the insults. All the pain. All the moments he felt he belonged nowhere.
Then suddenly... a distant voice. Weak. But clear.
"Haru!"
Joceka.
The other version frowned. "Don't listen to him. He's just an illusion."
But the voice came again. Stronger. "Haru!"
Haru opened his eyes. The other raised the sword. But Haru didn't look at the sword. He looked into his eyes. And said quietly:
"You are not the truth."
The other smiled. "Then what am I?"
Haru breathed slowly. And said:
"You are the pain I never understood."
The world froze. Then the other's body began to change. The shadow cracked. Bones moved. Skin tore. Until it transformed into Abathy. Larger. Darker. More angry.
The monster screamed: "I am your fear! I am your self-hatred! I am everything you tried to bury!"
Then he attacked.
This time, Haru raised his sword. Not to kill. To face.
The swords clashed. The void exploded with light.