Fate's Reversal: The Divines Return

The bridge they currently stood upon began extending. With that elongation, it met the beginning of the second bridge—connecting into one extensive bridge. Additionally, the 2nd platform became identical to the first one—barren.

However, on the endpoint— the third platform—where the extended bridge connected, a shrine was erected from seemingly nowhere. Rather, it appeared from within the platform. This was the cause of the aforementioned rumbling the platforms experienced prior.

As the door to the shrine opened an eerie, supernatural feeling leaked from the entrance. Along with that was the absorption of all the heat that resided within this cavern.

"Welcome to the third and final part of the trial—the Purification of the Spirit Flame. Here you will confront yourself, or what should be yourself. The question is, are you capable of overcoming it? This may prove to be one of the most difficult things for a person." said the majestic voice.

"We shall brave adversity to renew ourselves amid the flames of despair. For in despair we have found the path to our true selves. This will only serve as a whetstone for our will." responded Kaiden as his gaze cooled looking at the shrine. In his current state of mind, negative feelings would be hard-pressed to disturb his vision.

"Indeed, as he said. We will become better, and in that process, we will feel pain. However, that pain will never subdue us. We walk this path together." agreed Snow Bunny as she tightened her grip on Kaiden's hand slightly.

'Oh? Perhaps, they do indeed possess the requirements for what is to come. The question, however, is do they hold the talent to grow fast enough?'

"If that is so, then proceed forth with the trial wherein the rewards will present themselves afterward." commanded the voice.

Walking into the shrine, the lights extinguished for a moment leaving the duo in total darkness. However, moments later, the room was illuminated by numerous tiny azure flames that lit a pathway on the floor. The end—a circular space in which nothing remained.

Curious, the pair of Kaiden and Snow Bunny took unfaltering steps and they closed in on the area. The closer they got, the more they noticed the ring inside the circular space was a different color. While the ground was a reddish clay type material, the center was directly filled with white clay-like substance holding a tinge of azure color.

"Hmm, perhaps we need to enter that discolored circle." concluded Kaiden.

With that assumption, the duo approached the middle ring. However, when they reached the outer edge of the ring, the white area rose.

It changed into a viscous material, similar to mercury. But it also seemed to have the shape of a huge flame. That was until it started morphing into an entity. What it morphed into possessed the figure of man, however, it lacked any facial definition—only consisting of a bland, shapely head. (*Think of a faceless Silver Surfer when you read this description.*)

Lv.44 [Spirit Flame Mirror Entity] (Imperial Rank Boss)

Health: 1,000,000/1,000,000 (100%)

"Wait." halted Kaiden.

Inspecting the figure, Kaiden was baffled about this health of this thing. As it was an lmperial Rank Boss, it should have at least 10 times more health than what was noted.

"Something is off. Its health isn't right. Something has to be overly compensated." pondered Kaiden.

[System: The health lock of the trial has been lifted. You are once again able to die.]

"Something is definitely fishy, the system just lifted our protection as well." added Snow Bunny.

It was then the figure lifted its left hand as a sword of flames appeared between its hand. Furthermore, when the flames settled the weapon in its hand resembled a silver duplicate of Angurvadal.

"Do you think you are able to beat yourselves? Only when you confront yourself can you understand your faults. When your faults are understood, your essence is laid b.a.r.e and with that— you can reforge yourself." spoke the entity.

"Hmm, I'll test the waters." said Kaiden.

Dashing forward, brandishing Angurvadal and Nightfall Blade. Kaiden executed Double Slash. But, the horrifying thing is the Mirror Entity countered with the exact same style just in a faster fashion.

*CLANG*

As a result, Kaiden was sent staggering back as the swords clashed. What's more, is with his hands vibrating, Kaiden lost 100 Health in that confrontation. Thanks to his new gate however, his regeneration rate was exuberant.

"How will you overcome yourself? What can you do? You can't approach everything in the same manner." questioned the entity.

This was the ability of this boss. Or rather, this was the reason for such low Health. The system was aware of the difficulty of hitting this boss. Whoever faced this trial would find themselves fighting against what seemed to be them.

"It is using my style. Perhaps the system has recorded our data for further use."

"Mn." Nodding, Snow Bunny inspected the Mirror Entity as she dashed forward delivering what should've been a combo. However, every blow was much with the same angle but monstrous Strength sending her flying back.

Appearing behind her, Kaiden caught Snow Bunny as they landed with a light step.

"That won't work either. This boss retains my movements as well? What do we do? Changing our battle style on the fly is easier said than done." questioned Snow Bunny.

"Hmm…"

If the boss could match every skill in his arsenal as well as operate at a faster pace than him, how could he outmaneuver the boss? Not to mention, his berserk skill was nowhere near coming off cooldown.

Another thing Kaiden became apprehensive about, judging from the Strength and Agility of the Mirror Entity, it's defense should be horrific. So much so that damage would most likely be inclined to be heavily reduced.

'Tch...think, how can we get through this.'

Turning towards Snow Bunny, Kaiden examined her. Was there anything he would be able to use to their advantage? The boss embodied both of their movements at a higher expertise.

"You said you've trained your body in real life right?" asked Kaiden. It was time to think outside the box. As a result, he was trying to improvise by incorporating real life fighting techniques he had never before used.

'Perhaps, it is now I can think of a continuation for my Tempest Style.

"Yes, for years actually. However, I don't have control of Omniscient Influence. It's harder than you would think to control."

"Oh? You have one also? What's the intensity of your sphere?"

"I have reached 6 feet in radius, overall, far from the Hypersensitivity Realm. But, as you saw before I have a simple mastery over the Intuition Realm."

'Perhaps...but no, that's a complete Concentration drainer. Will it be worth it? No, the question is are we capable of that?'

The vast concept of Inhuman Control was far from simple. Just the initial activation of it's mental or neurological aspect rather, took mounds of Concentration. What's more is the hardest part wasn't the activation—it was the refinement. Starters, when deploying their Sphere of Influence would neglect the most important aspect.

No, it was more so they weren't privy to the correct and logical use of the sphere. Hence, when they started they always focused all their attention on operating the sphere of influence at maximum output.

First, a beginner is never used to the practices so their body would be hard-pressed to handle the strain. Secondly, this type of use promoted excess wastage—the difference in the amount of Concentration actually being utilized and the amount just being burned was ludicrous. More often than not, approximately 10% of the Concentration would be utilized.

This meant, due to the unneeded overexertion, the user wasted 90% of the Concentration consumed to utilize nothing. This is the sole reason, repetition is needed—the more you repeat the process, the more you understand the actual cost of your actions. This leaves less room for wastage.

"Are you able to constrict the scope of your sphere? Like, can you control it to stay one size instead of letting it roam freely?"

Touching her cheek with a pondering expression, Snow Bunny lightly shook her head, "I'm...not very sure. Whenever I trained it, I typically focused on the immensity of the sphere."

'Ah, it seems rather than usefulness we only focus on the power of the Omniscient Influence. This seems incorrect, in that way it would be exceedingly long before we are able to utilize this in battle.'

"Can you try? Let's try to limit the sphere to a 2-foot radius. For me, it would prove strenuous indeed since I'm only capable of a slightly over 3 feet radius maximum. However, this should be 33% of your maximum. Although...that type of control may cause you to exert more focus than usual."

At that moment, the atmosphere between Kaiden and Snow Bunny had a subtle change. An intangible Energy began spreading around their physiques. However, within seconds, their expression became slightly solemn. Their previous idea was slightly more tedious than they thought.

Holding the sphere in a stagnant position actually required triple the amount of Concentration than letting it expand freely. As a result, Kaiden gritted his teeth.

"Release Concentration, let it grow to its maximum. This plan is faulty, we are too inept in control and its cost easily outstrips the strategy I had in mind."

Nodding, Snow Buddy adhered to his words and released her meticulous Concentration.

"Judging by this cost, I can only keep this active for 21 seconds before adverse effects ensue. So...within these 21 seconds—assault the boss."

Dashing forth, Kaiden brandished his sword in an abrupt manner. Whilst running, his thoughts circulated back to Kroxus' words. 'Don't use the sword, understand the sword.' Looking down, Kaiden gripped his swords.

'I rest my trust within your extent, I believe in you..'

Placed in this dire situation wherein there were faint shreds of opportunity, Kaiden turned to his swords. Activating Sword Wind, Sword Step and Sword Force in tandem, Kaiden appeared before the Mirror Entity.

"You embody our capabilities, however, you don't possess the unique ability of a human—imagination."

At that moment, Snow Bunny appeared next to Kaiden giving him a meaningful look. Following, she tapped her heel against Kaiden forearm which he held in a position for her to use as a foothold.

Attacking on two fronts, they assaulted the boss. If the boss overwhelmed them in attributes, then they would overwhelm the boss in numbers. Initiating the fight with Spirit Emperor's Slash.

Kaiden's brain sent out a prem.a.t.u.r.e signal. The intuition granted by his sphere allowed him to vaguely understand the direction of incoming actions. As a result, he switched the placement of the slash when the Mirror Entity retaliated. Therefore, the attack that was once to be defended, landed.

*TING*

-111,665 [-39,083] (Target stunned for 5 seconds.)

Nodding, Kaiden swung his blades successively executing Double Slash. However, he frowned.

-6,550 [-2,258] -6,240 [-2,189]

'This damage...it's simply trash. Not to mention, not even a scratch appeared upon this thing.'

To make matters worse, Snow Bunny's agile and tempestuous strikes from above barely hit over 300 damage. Which caused her to further frown.

'We can do it like this… I need criticals, but I can't pierce this thing. Wait… Sword Force is Energy, what if…'

'Yes… I need to try it. Even this thing said, my thinking is too limited. This game's developers even said most abilities will be left to the imagination for creation. If it is so, I just need to further liberate my mind. I don't have much time so let's try this.'

Turning his wrist, Kaiden took a step back. Extending his arms, Sword Force flooded into his swords without end. Soon enough, Nightfall once again began losing durability due to the overload of Sword Force.

But that wasn't the end. The Sword Force soon became more violent than usual, flailing tendrils appearing over the blade.