Immortal Ice Empress: Path to Vengeance-Chapter 784 Prime Disciple Competition: Double Staircase Part 3

As if to prove that she was the real Maria, she showed the golden ring on her finger–the same one Mira gave her right before she left to go on a trip. "If I'm not real, then what about this? Is this fake?"

Mira paused and looked at the obsidian ring on her finger. Sending a pulse of energy inside it, it shone with a dull luster.

Instantly, she felt a pull in a certain direction. When she raised her head to look, she was staring right at Maria.

Mira opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. She wanted to believe that this was fake. It had to be.

However, those rings were directly connected to each other. All the proof pointed toward the person before her was real.

But doubt plagued her mind. The Abyssal Torment Steps were known for their insidious trials that would exploit any vulnerability. Maria being here was too convenient, too perfect.

As the two locked eyes, a palpable tension permeated the air. The abyss around them felt deeper, colder, more unforgiving.

Her grip on the scythe tightened, its cold metal serving as a grounding reminder of where she was.

"Mira," Maria whispered, her voice quivering. "It's really me. I don't know how I got here, but I'm just as scared and confused as you."

Maria's gaze was unwavering, locked onto Mira's, searching for a hint of recognition, a semblance of their shared bond. Tears pooled in her eyes, blurring the line between illusion and reality.

"I don't understand," Mira murmured, torn between the cold logic of the trial and the warmth of the emotions swirling inside her. "You shouldn't be here."

"I... I don't know. The last thing I remember was sleeping," Maria admitted, her fingers absentmindedly caressing the golden ring, "and then suddenly I was in this void, in front of you."

Mira took a deep breath, trying to find clarity amidst the whirlwind of emotions, but with the Abyssal Torment Steps sucking out all positive emotions, it was difficult to do so. Still, thanks to whatever her Nascent Soul was doing, she could make somewhat rational judgments.

"Every step of this trial has been a battle against the memories I hold dear. Why would they bring you here unless..."

The realization hit her like a tidal wave. This could be the final, most challenging trial 𝚋𝚎ｄｎｏ𝚟𝚎ｌ.ｎ𝚎𝚝

—facing a manifestation of her emotions and striking them down herself.

If the Abyssal Torment Steps could create the perfect replica of Maria, right down to the emotions, it was the cruelest test yet.

Yet, something gnawed at Mira, a lingering doubt that held her back from fully accepting the figure before her as a mere illusion. The rings, the resonance, the undeniable bond that drew them together, these couldn't be mere tricks, could they?

It all felt too real.

While Mira was contemplating what to do, she took a step forward in an attempt to descend but hit an illusory wall instead.

"!!!"

Shock and fear shone in Mira's eyes for a moment as her gaze shot to Maria. The fact that she couldn't go down could only mean one thing.

She hadn't overcome the trial yet.

"FUCK!" Mira slammed her fist against the barrier, but it didn't even cause a ripple.

She turned around in an attempt to go back up but was blocked again.

"Dammit! Who the hell came up with this idea?!" Her body shook with rage. She wanted nothing more than to tear through the walls in this tunnel but knew that no matter what she did, she wouldn't cause any damage.

Everything about the Maria standing in front of her looked and seemed real. Her aura, bloodline, strength, personality, everything. She couldn't find a single difference.

To make matters worse, she couldn't deny the possibility that the FLDIL would really teleport her here. It's shown feats countless times greater than that before. Teleportation is almost laughable in comparison.

She tried everything she could to get out of this place. She contacted the Guardian but received no response. She tried to control the Firmament, but it didn't do anything. She even entered her Progenitor form in an attempt to phase through the barriers, but nothing worked.

Even her Nascent Soul, which would occasionally send a calming aura or say something of assurance, was apologizing, saying 'it didn't know.' on repeat.

Mira's eyes darted between the barriers on either side of her, the internal struggle evident in her gaze. Maria, realizing the implications, looked as though she'd been slapped.

"Mira," Maria began, her voice shaking, "do you really have to...?"

Mira took a shaky breath but nodded nonetheless. "...It seems like that's the case, doesn't it?"

Maria's face crumpled, but she nodded. "If I am truly an illusion, then by striking me down, you'll overcome this trial. But if I'm real... then I'd really die."

Silence descended on the two of them, the weight of their emotions pressing down like a mountain.

Mira knew what she had to do but couldn't bring herself to do it. She'd grown quite attached to that silly little girl she met all those years ago. The two were quite the opposite, but that's what drew them together.

'....I can't just let all those years of training go to waste, either.' Mira thought in an attempt to overcome her real feelings.

Suddenly, Maria gave a relaxed, peaceful smile. It was a smile that only someone who knew they were about to die could make.

"It's okay, Mira." She said in the smoothest voice she could muster. "Do what you need to do. All those years ago, you warned me that being together with you would be dangerous. However, I don't regret anything. I guess this is just our fate."

'Fate… Fate… Fate…' That word echoed in Mira's mind.

Ever since her first life, she's spent the majority of her time under someone else's control. Now, god is not only manipulating her, but the universe is directing her future?! When can she ever have control over her own life?!

Standing there motionless, Mira came to a single conclusion, causing her expression to loosen. 'I fucking hate this world.'

Gripping her scythe so hard that her knuckles turned white, she turned to Maria.

"....I'm sorry, Maria." She said without any expression.

"It's okay," Maria just smiled like she always did, "I understand. May we meet again in my next life."

The stillness of the Abyssal Torment Steps hung heavy around them, like a thick blanket that threatened to smother them both.

Mira stood there, her figure emanating an aura of sorrow and determination intertwined. Her soul cried out against the act she was about to commit, yet logic screamed that it was the only way.

Maria, on the other hand, seemed to have come to terms with her potential end. She closed her eyes, taking in one final, deep breath as if to memorize the sensation of the abyssal air around them.

But as Mira raised her scythe, preparing to strike, a soft whisper escaped from Maria's lips, "Remember me."

Time seemed to slow. Every movement, every breath was agonizingly prolonged. The scythe began its descent.

Its cold, hard blade soon pierced Maria's skin, and Mira could feel it ripping through flesh, muscle, and bone. She watched on with dead, cold eyes but felt like her heart was shattering into a million pieces.

Within less than a second, Maria's body was cut in half and dropped to the floor with a thud. Blood spilled out all over the ground, dripping down the lower steps.

Mira stared down at the body, waiting–waiting for it to disappear.

However, after several long minutes, nothing happened except for the stench of blood permeating the air.

Mira's hands shook. She clenched her fists, but that only made things worse.

Putting her scythe away, Mira turned away. She extended her arm out in front of her and realized that the barrier blocking her bath down was gone.

Taking slow, hesitant steps, Mira descended further into the abyss, the weight of her actions settling heavily on her shoulders.

She could feel all positive emotions being drained from her with every step, but she didn't care. If it wanted them, it could have them.

She just wanted to leave this place.

As she walked, the lifeless body of Maria slowly faded from her sight, but it was a sight she would never forget.

As Mira moved deeper and deeper, the darkness intensified. Every step she took felt like an eternity, and the echoing void around her seemed to resonate with the pain and regret she was feeling. Yet she kept moving, like a robot that was programmed to do so.

She was in a state of denial right now, still not believing that she killed the real Maria. That this was all just the FLDIL playing tricks on her.

As if she was spurred on by that thought, her steps quickened. It was hard to tell whether she was escaping or in pursuit of something.