A sweet aroma filled the atmosphere, a metallic trace diverging from the pleasant smell.
Mordret looked to the sides... But there was nothing.
Not like the nothing of the darkness of death, or even the subjective nothing.
It was nothing. And nothing existed.
However, that nothing seemed to reflect everything. Every being, every thing...
Reality itself was reflected, and thus, Mordret was also reflected.
His reflection was more conscious than the others, even the glimmer of life reflecting in its eyes.
His reflection clung to the edges of the abyss, crossing it without hesitation.
Now there were two Mordrets.
"You are quite a malevolent fellow, it must be said." The Mordret who had been there at the beginning spoke a little surprised, his tone fearful.
"I have always been quite persistent, my goals always came first..."
The air froze, a faint line breaking apart.
"Nothing above that."
The two Mordrets stared at each other, without saying a single word.
"Then why are you doing this?"
Like a poorly reflected blur, the Mordret who had escaped the edges of the mirrors was on top of the other. His hands firmly closed around the neck.
"Any reason...?"
The hands loosened slightly, allowing him to breathe.
"I was not always like this, and you know that." He began, a nostalgic expression forming, before it was quickly broken, replaced by a frightening calm.
"But when I was locked in that place... No. Before that, seeing the swords sworn to protect my life turned against me hurt me deeply."
Lost in a dark monologue, he did not notice when the strangled Mordret let out a small laugh.
"Do not lie to me, we had no feelings back then. Not after the end of the nightmare." The irony came out sharp, like the cut of a mirror.
The face of the strangler became impassive, only a regretful sigh escaping from deep in his chest.
"You are right, we were never human to begin with..."
He released the neck, freeing the other Mordret, while standing up without hurry.
"I believe there was an iconic phrase in your world that described my situation well..." The Mordret who came from the reflections moved slowly, tapping his index finger against his temple.
"I had no body, I had no senses, I had no feelings..."
The words fell like a stone on glass. The mirror shattered.
In his vision... No, in his memories, he saw many eyes.
His pupils reflected the point of view of a blond young man, bearer of great heroism and poorly resolved childishness.
Someone who carried dreams and hopes.
"I was alone, with no one to comfort me..."
Now he was seeing his friends. They were going mad, beginning to nurture suspicions about one another. There was also him... the poor one who only wanted to warn about the danger.
Unfortunately, he understood too late.
"I was in hell, looking at the heaven..."
Mordret became a master swordsman, his elegant sword technique killing opponents without difficulty.
But there was something more. At the corner of his eye, he could see more.
"And at some point, I felt hatred. Only hatred."
The memories of a kind man permeated him, the always warm smile heating the cold temple.
The value of his friends was immeasurable, he would give his own life for them.
"That is why I need to do this."
Finally, he could see what was hiding in the corner of his eyes, almost making him dizzy.
Dozens of different perspectives, each one possessing its own qualities and flaws.
He found himself in the gaze of a friend who saw a dear companion die right in front of him, only to be killed by the imitator of his friend.
The last look of despair was the only thing he managed to give, before having his head forcibly torn from his neck.
And Mordret saw himself, the darkness slowly consuming the reflections coming from the awakened's eyes.
He was also every awakened who fought against the skilled fighter with blades. The eyes fragmenting more and more each time the sword pierced the bodies.
And finally, now he saw himself in the eyes of the Rabbit's Foot group.
Murmurs sounded from the mouth of Mordret, who complained endlessly while being tortured by his mirrored version.
The skin had been torn away at precise points, seeking to cause the maximum amount of pain possible. The nerves always struck.
A small puncture tore near his wrists, taking away his ability to move his hands.
A poorly disguised satisfaction played on the face of the mirrored Mordret.
The weapon was undone, the hands raised in malice.
Each strand of hair was pulled out, sometimes in tugs, other times pulling the strands directly from the root, leaving deep holes in the scalp.
Blood soaked the floor.
And once again the sword was raised, opening a large gash in the thigh.
The blade slid slowly, the skin opening like wet paper, until it reached the vessels and nerves. These were precisely shaped and removed.
Thus, the movements of the legs could never return. Even with some aspect of healing, the mess was far too great.
A small needle, formed from melted and reshaped mirror, molded itself in the hands of the mirrored Mordret.
The eyes were pierced with coldness, striking points connected to the brain. The pain spread through the entire body, shattering it.
The figure of Mordret became powerless, before being fragmented into pieces by his mirrored version. The latter smiled with amusement, before saying in a low voice:
"See you later... Corin." The attention fixed on the shattered Mordret in fragments of mirrors was suddenly interrupted by a muffled scream.
"...aaahhh..."
It was distant, to the point he did not even notice it at first. Until it became too loud to ignore.
"Ahhh!" An endless sadness inhabited the muffled voice, like a shattered promise.
Mordret, or part of him, returned to reality.
He still had work to do.
———
The air was cold, but heat spilled across the floor in red.
Luka watched helplessly as his beloved was tortured.
A final sigh left her mouth, until at last the shadows received her.
"No!" he groaned in pain, dragging himself miserably across the floor in an attempt to reach Elisa.
Mordret looked at him calmly, his heavy steps approaching Luka's body.
"Hey, you said you would never leave her."
Luka's body froze in disbelief, not knowing what to answer.
Mordret lowered his hand and grabbed him by the collar of his armor.
"But you know what? You can go. I will let you run away."
He threw the awakened far away, launching him at the entrance of the corridor.
Luka was confused, until he understood after a few seconds. He ran through the dark corridors, his eyes wide, clinging to hope.
He would go after Master Pierce and Welthe.