Kazen's breath caught as the two mirrored versions of himself clashed against his core. The child—innocent, frightened, fragile—fought with desperation. The tyrant—cold, calculated, divine—fought with intent to dominate.
They were both him.
> Memory Sync Initiated
> Internal Conflict Detected
> Core Integrity at Risk
Rael tried to step in, but an invisible barrier locked him out. "This is his soul trial," Patchling said, appearing beside him. "Only he can walk through his contradictions."
Inside the paradox field, Kazen blocked a strike from his younger self, then twisted to dodge a chain whip flung by the tyrant. Every movement pulled pain from his memories.
"You don't deserve the system," child-Kazen cried. "You let people die!"
"You waste its power," the tyrant hissed. "You could remake everything. Rule. Control. Why resist?"
Kazen panted, blade flickering. "Because I'm not afraid of the pain anymore."
He let the attacks come—and instead of blocking, he absorbed them.
Not physically. Emotionally.
> Soul Fragment Recovered: Regret
> Soul Fragment Recovered: Responsibility
His blade stabilized.
Then he turned toward the tyrant, who sneered. "You think emotion is power?"
"No," Kazen said. "But choice is."
He activated Core Override: Inner Rewrite.
> Skill Activated: Paradox Sync
> Effect: Merge Past & Potential into Present
> Result: Core Evolution in Progress
Light exploded. The paradox shattered.
Both mirrors of Kazen faded—accepting his choice to walk forward not as who he was or could be, but as who he *chose* to become.
He landed on solid ground.
Rael rushed over. "You good?"
"Better than ever," Kazen said, grinning. "I just survived myself."
> Core Evolution Complete
> Title Gained: Code Sovereign
> System Access Expanded: Debug Layer Entry Granted
Patchling floated slowly, eyes wide. "You're no longer a user. You're part system."
"And I'm not done yet," Kazen said.
Ahead, a new gate formed—silver and thin, humming with developer-level code.
> Access Granted: Layer Four – Debug Abyss
Rael cracked his knuckles. "This one's gonna be a nightmare."
Kazen nodded. "Good. I'm ready."