Return of Tower's Phantom-Chapter 39 – Echo of the Betrayer

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Location: Maze Core – Tower Floor 70

Blood and mist clung to the crumbling walls. Rael's breathing was heavy, sword humming with energy. Around him, shards of shattered illusions faded into light.

Selene crouched beside a collapsed pillar, her arm scorched but still glowing with battle magic. "That was the twelfth wave. This floor isn't playing around."

Rael didn't reply.

Because he heard footsteps.

Not an illusion. Not a memory.

A presence.

Then... he saw him.

Or rather—

Himself.

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The Echo of the Betrayer.

Same face. Same eyes. But colder. Twisted. The version of Rael that had never died. The one that embraced power without regret, discarded allies without guilt. The one that climbed alone.

"You look surprised," the Echo said, smirking. "But really, you shouldn't be. I'm you... without weakness."

Rael narrowed his eyes. "No. You're what Veyon tried to make me."

The Echo laughed. "And he succeeded... somewhere in time."

Selene stood, magic flaring. "You're just another illusion. You'll break like the rest."

But this one didn't.

> [System Notice: Warning. Entity classified as "Mirror Soul." This is not an illusion. This is a locked fate.]

Rael clenched his fists.

"So... this is the path I almost walked."

The Echo drew a blackened blade—his old weapon, corrupted by time. "This is what happens when you give up on people. On love. On hope."

"I did give up," Rael whispered. "And then someone gave it back."

He charged.

Steel met shadow. Sparks flew. The floor trembled.

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Flash Clash – Soul vs. Fate

Selene watched as Rael dueled his twisted self. Every strike was matched. Every movement mirrored. But the Echo didn't hesitate. Didn't doubt. Every move was perfect... soulless.

"You're hesitating," the Echo hissed. "You still carry her name like a weight."

"Lyra... gave me that weight," Rael growled, blood dripping from his arm. "It's what keeps me human."

The Echo lunged.

But Rael stepped forward—faster.

He didn't block.

He embraced the strike.

Let it wound him.

Then drove his sword through the Echo's heart.

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System Notification: Mirror Soul Defeated.

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> [Path Confirmed: The Defiant Soul.] [Skill Unlocked: Fate Breaker – Passive Resistance to Time & Prediction magic increased.] [New Title Acquired: Challenger of the Self.]

Rael dropped to one knee.

Selene ran to his side, healing light flaring from her palm. "That was reckless."

He looked up, eyes fierce.

"That was necessary."

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Elsewhere – Tower Floor 99

Veyon trembled. His grip on the mirror shattered.

"He overcame it? Already?"

He stood, walking to the edge of the divine altar.

"Then it's time. Prepare the Sanctum of Judgment. Let's see how far the little ghost can go."

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