CHAPTER 124: REFLECTION OF WAR

CHAPTER 124: REFLECTION OF WAR
"You're not real," I said in a shaky whisper.

The clone narrowed her eyes and cocked her head.

"Ivanka, I am just as genuine as you are. Perhaps even more.

The air was heavy with tension and smoke as we stood in the middle of the destroyed laboratory. Ethan's blood pooled beneath him as he lay still behind me. We were alone now that the troops had withdrawn.

"What are you doing?" I moved forward and asked.

"Because I am the first." The copy is you.

I was struck hard by what she said. I had a wave of perplexity and rage.

"That is untrue! I have memories, feelings, a life!”

She smirked. It is possible to implant memories. It is possible to program feelings.

She suddenly threw herself at me. I hardly had time to respond before I raised my arms to deflect her blow. We fought while mirroring each other's actions and anticipating one another's next move.

I was just as strong as she was. The sound of our fists reverberated throughout the laboratory as we traded punches. She staggered back as I was able to smack her in the jaw.

She smiled as she wiped the blood from her lip. "Not too awful. I'm still better, though.

Our battle was a whirl of action as we clashed once again. I could sense the Aria code throbbing inside of me as it responded to the conflict. Memories flashed through my head, some mine, others not.

Suddenly, a voice crackled across the lab’s speakers.

“Ivanka, you must destroy her. Now.”

It was Ethan’s voice, feeble yet insistent.

I paused, clenching my fist. The clone's expression was inscrutable as she gazed at me.

"Ivanka, do it," Ethan begged in his voice.

I noticed something unexpected as I peered into her eyes: dread.

"I can't,"

She grinned. "Your weakness is that."

She smiled at me as if she had already triumphed.

She repeated, "That's your weakness," in a lullaby-like manner, but her eyes were icy.

I put my hand down. I didn't want to do her any harm. She reminded me of myself. moved similarly to me. even had a voice similar to mine. However, there was something vacant inside of her. No warmth. No heart.

Whispering, "You don't have to be like this," "We can put an end to our argument. We can figure out another method.

She chuckled. Not a joyful chuckle. One that's keen.

She took a step closer and replied, "There is no other way." "Only one of us may leave this place."

I had trembling hands. Like enraged bees, the Aria code hummed in my veins. My head was hammering. I had glimpses of my mother, the fire, Damian's grin, and Ethan's caution. Then nothing. Only black.

Then she threw her fist at my face.

I managed to duck just in time.

She kicked and whirled. I staggered back. I stepped on some shattered glass. I fell hard to the ground. She leaped on me. I shoved her away. Wires and instruments were knocked down as we rolled across the facility.

"I'm more powerful!" she said.

I grabbed a pipe and responded, "No, you're just louder."

I made a swing. She managed to catch it. We both breathed heavily as we struggled.

Then, behind her, I noticed something.

A red light. blinking.

"What is that?" I pointed as I asked.

She didn't look around. She was aware of the deception.

I wasn't lying, though.

The red light flashed more quickly. I narrowed my eyes.

Ethan had it on his wrist.

A clock.

Ten, nine, eight,..

A bomb?

"Leave me alone!" I pushed her while screaming.

She took hold of my arm. "No! You also die if I do.

Five, four,

I kicked her.

Three, two,

“We are the same!” she shouted.

One.

Boom!

In white, everything burst.

I opened my eyes after that.

Smoke. Fire. There is metal everywhere.

I raised my head.

She was above me.

Not scorched. Not damaged.

Grinning.

And Damian, behind her.

keeping her hand in me.

Through the smoke, I blinked. I had ringing in my ears. My head ached. I was surrounded by shattered things. The lab, the floor, the lights. It was a complete disaster.

However, I did see them.

She.

as well as him.

She had my clone's hand in Damian's.

"No," I muttered. Like a feather in the wind, my voice sounded tiny.

He avoided looking at me.

He gazed at the clone as if she were genuine. As if she were me.

"Damian?" I called again, more loudly.

Slowly, he turned.

His looks weren't kind. They were acerbic. chilly.

He responded, "You ought not to have followed me."

My heart broke like a piece of glass.

"I'm not her!" I yelled. "My name is Ivanka. I am the authentic one!

The clone only grinned and gripped his hand more tightly. She said sweetly, "Funny." “That’s what I said about you.”

I got to my feet. I remained tall even though my knees trembled.

I said, "You know me, Damian." You know my laugh, my hopes, my scars—everything.”

He took a step forward. I believed he was approaching me.

However, he didn't.

He was standing next to her.

He remarked, "She remembers those, too." "And perhaps—perhaps better than you do."

The air seemed to have been knocked out of my chest. I was having trouble breathing.

"She is lying," I remarked. "You're doing something wrong."

Damian's voice was muted now as he gazed down. "Perhaps. However, I'm not sure who I can trust anymore.

The clone then muttered something in his ear while glancing at me.

He nodded.

He stepped back.

And guards emerged from the darkness. They were holding guns. pointed in my direction.

"Damian?" I muttered.

He remained silent.

He remained still.

The clone then approached me and leaned in.

"It appears that the real Ivanka has simply lost her position."

Then, in an even quieter whisper, she said, "And you'll lose your life soon."