Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player
Chapter 898: Mirror of Truth (Part 1)

Finally, Maelstrom broke the silence, his tone now devoid of its usual hint of sarcasm. "Impressive, woman of the descendragon race. You have unraveled my trick with admirable perspicacity. Not many can see through my illusions so quickly."

Og'tharoz relaxed slightly with a satisfied smile forming on his lips. "It seems we can see through your game, Maelstrom."

Maelstrom made a gesture with his hand and the illusion dissipated, revealing that the coin really was in the hand of the clone next to the group. "You've passed the second challenge," he admitted, the coin disappearing from his hand in a flash of light. "But don't think it's over. The next test will be the hardest of all."

Kaizen stepped forward, his eyes shining with determination. "We're ready for anything you throw our way, Maelstrom. We're not giving up now."

Maelstrom only smiled, his narrowed eyes shining with a dangerous light. "Well done. You've done well so far. But let's see how you do in the face of the next challenge. Ready?"

Before anyone could answer, Maelstrom held out his hand and the world around them began to fade. The sand dunes, the wind, even Maelstrom himself, all dissolved into a dense, opaque mist. For a moment, everyone felt suspended in a void, without any reference to time or space.

Then, with the blink of an eye, they found themselves back in the presence of Surtr, the imposing lord of fire. He was sitting on his throne of flames, his presence radiating an intense heat that made the air around them ripple. His eyes, two glowing embers, fixed on the group with an almost unbearable intensity.

"So, you've passed the second challenge..." Surtr's voice echoed through the hall, deep and resonant. "That's amazing, but don't think that means you'll make it through the third and final test. This is the Mirror of Truth, a challenge that tests the very essence of who you are."

Og'tharoz, Kaizen, Alina and the others looked at each other, a mixture of curiosity and apprehension on their faces. What could the Mirror of Truth mean? What kind of test awaited them?

Surtr rose from his throne, his gigantic figure casting a menacing shadow over them. "Follow me," he ordered, his voice a command that left no room for objection.

The group followed Surtr down a stone corridor that seemed to have been carved straight out of the mountain. The walls were adorned with ancient runic inscriptions, glowing with a golden light that cast dancing shadows along the path. The sound of their footsteps echoed down the corridor, creating a sense of isolation and mystery.

Finally, they came to a large obsidian door, riddled with glowing runes. Surtr stopped in front of the door and turned to them, his eyes settling on each one for a moment before he spoke.

"The Mirror of Truth reveals the true nature of those who look into it. It hides nothing, no matter how deep it is buried within you. If you fail to face what the mirror shows, you will never leave this place."

Og'tharoz stepped forward, his eyes full of determination. "We are ready, Surtr. Show us the Mirror of Truth."

Surtr nodded and, with a wave of his hand, the obsidian door opened, revealing a dark chamber illuminated only by a soft light emanating from a large mirror in the center of the room. The mirror was made of pure crystal, its surface glowing with an ethereal light that seemed to pulsate with a life of its own.

The group entered the chamber, the atmosphere charged with a sense of anticipation. Each of them knew they were facing something deep and personal, something that could change everything.

"You must go one by one. You must all pass the test for the challenge to be successful. Who will go first?"

Kaizen was the one who took the first step, without any hesitation. "It will be me."

Kaizen's every step towards the crystal seemed to resound through the hall, the sound echoing like a drum announcing the start of a monumental challenge. The warmth emanating from Surtr was still present, but now it was mixed with a strange sense of expectation that filled the air. His companions watched in silence, their faces a mixture of apprehension and silent support.

As he approached the Mirror of Truth, Kaizen felt a slight pressure on his chest, as if an invisible hand was trying to stop his steps. His heart was racing and he took a deep breath, preparing himself for what was to come. The soft light of the mirror seemed to dance on the crystalline surface, reflecting fragments of his own image as he moved.

Finally, he stopped a few steps from the mirror, his own image reflected in the crystalline surface. The ethereal light seemed to increase, enveloping him in a soft glow that made it difficult to distinguish the boundary between him and his reflection. For a moment, Kaizen felt as if he were floating, the reality around him becoming increasingly hazy.

Kaizen stared at his reflection, observing every detail carefully. His eyes, normally full of determination, now reflected his uncertainty about the future. He noticed the small scars on his face, marks of past battles, and the intensity in his gaze that revealed his inner strength.

Suddenly, the surface of the mirror began to ripple like disturbed water. Kaizen felt a slight vertigo, as if he were being pulled into the mirror. The room around him slowly disappeared, replaced by an enveloping darkness that completely enveloped him. He felt suspended in the void for a moment, with no reference to time or space.

When the darkness began to dissipate, Kaizen found himself in a completely different setting. He was in a vast field, surrounded by distant mountains that stood like silent guardians. The sky above him was a deep blue, dotted with slowly moving white clouds. The air was fresh and clean, with a light breeze caressing his face.

Kaizen looked around, trying to understand where he was. Everything seemed real, but he knew he was still inside the Mirror of Truth challenge.

It was then that he saw it. A few meters away, a perfect clone of himself was standing there, watching him with an intense gaze. It was like looking in a mirror, but this reflection was alive, breathing, and exuded an aura of power and defiance. The clone stepped forward, with a rabid gaze like that of a predator studying its prey.

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"So, we've finally met," said the clone, its voice an exact replica of Kaizen's, but with a slightly colder tone. "You knew this moment would come, didn't you?"