Chapter 97: The Final Judgment

There was silence in the world.

With the scars from his last blow still visible, Magnus stood in the middle of the deteriorating terrain. There was a gap that extended to the horizon where the rift had fallen. Nothing changed. There was no breathing. The stench of decay, the remains of a struggle that had almost destroyed the globe, filled the air.

The ground seemed to move and writhe as though it were alive, yet he hardly noticed the tremors beneath his boots. His gaze was focused on the luminous symbol that had been the key to the rift's demise—the remains of the seal. Its force was now fractured and depleted, and it had cracked open like a wound.

Was it finished? Magnus was unable to tell. He could not even recall the exact moment of release because the last explosion had happened so quickly and with such tremendous force.

Magnus's heart skipped when he saw a black figure move in the distance. He was not by himself. Standing there, peering at him through the cloud of destruction, was the figure—the real enemy.

Breaking the quiet like a whip, the figure's voice whispered, "Did you believe you could just reverse it all?" "You are just getting started."

Magnus's fists clenched. "Then let us get it done."

Malicious joy radiated from the figure's eyes. It hissed, "You do not understand, do you?" "The rift was never the issue. It concerns you. Your fate.

Magnus tensed up as the figure moved closer, its footsteps resonating in the quiet. Even though he had put in a lot of effort and sacrifice, the inevitable clash had returned.

The figure continued, circling him like a predator, "You have performed your part." You believe that you are the world's savior and the hero. However, you are not. You’re simply a pawn. A tool. A much older puppet in a game than you

Magnus gasped for air. "I am not a puppet for anyone."

The figure came to a halt in front of him, its weight oppressive and smothering. Why are you still here, then? How come you have not fallen? You are not even aware of the reality, are you?

Magnus's gaze grew strained. "What is the truth?"

A sly smirk twisted the figure's lips. "The rift was always supposed to be opened by you. to let it go. Magnus, there is no need to save the world. It must be recreated.

The ground around them shook as the apparition raised its hand. You will now be the one to complete the task that was initiated. The secret to everything is you.

Magnus felt as though he was being choked by the weight of the figure's remarks. Is it possible? Had he been the one to let this madness in? The notion swirled in his head, feeling so strange and incorrect. However, something inside of him clicked; it was something he had known all along but had not yet fully comprehended.

He had been used and manipulated by powers bigger than himself. But he knew there was no turning back now that he was standing in the wreckage of the world he had fought for. No more falsehoods. No more games. It was his fate, his choice.

"What are you looking for from me?" Magnus spat, his rage evident in his voice. "Tell me."

The figure smiled. "I have nothing to ask of you. I want you to achieve your goals. You and I are connected together. Our veins are filled with the same blood.

Magnus was hit hard by the realization. As the figure's words sank in, his mind raced. Blood. A link. a connection he was unable to break.

"You..." Magnus muttered. "You are who I am. Are you not?

The figure gave a gloomy laugh. "You have not seen it because you are too blind. It is true, though. What you will become is me. You were always destined to be me.

The shape of the figure started to change and blend in with the darkness. Magnus, you will have to decide shortly. It is unavoidable. And this planet will kneel down to you when you do.

Magnus stumbled back, his thoughts whirling. He had always sensed that something was off with the course of events, but this... this was incomprehensible.

"You are me?" he said in an almost audible voice. "How? Why? Even so, what does that mean?

The figure, his own warped mirror, moved forward, overwhelming him. It indicates that you are already a part of the end of the world. Whether you like it or not, you have been selected to guide it into its next stage.

Magnus felt the weight of the choice pressing down on him. All of his decisions and his fate were now coming to a head. Was there nothing that could be done? Or was he destined to become into the same thing he had opposed?

The earth beneath them trembled furiously, and the rest of the seal was swallowed by a gap that opened in the ground. The rift's might threatened to shatter reality as light exploded from it.

"No." Magnus took a step back and murmured. "This cannot be it."

Raising its hand, the figure called forth the power of the fissure. Magnus, this is the start of the end. Embrace your destiny. Or watch it all burn.

Magnus's eyesight became blurry as the force of the rift enveloped him, his pulse racing in his chest. A tempest of power threatened to engulf everything, much like a storm. Fear filled the air, and every instinct in him cried out for him to flee.

However, there was no running. No way out.

His dark counterpart, the figure, was observing him, waiting for him to move. Everything had culminated in this instant.

Magnus knew something, and his breath seized in his throat. He could not simply oppose the rift's force or the evil energy pulsing through his veins. He was a part of it. Whether he liked it or not, it was part of his fate.

"I refuse to become you," Magnus stated in a calm, icy tone.

The figure grinned more broadly. "We will check on that."

 The world around them was shattered as the fissure exploded with a final, thunderous boom. Magnus's mind screamed as the light engulfed everything, and his body felt like it was being torn apart.