The Last Bargain

Chapter XXX: Reflections Of Doubt

Shin stood his ground, feeling the tension building in the air around him. The mirrored chamber seemed to hum with a low, throbbing energy, the walls of glass vibrating as if alive. His reflection—his other self—stared back at him with a mixture of contempt and amusement, its eyes gleaming with a cruel light.

"You say you're ready," the mirror Shin mocked, its voice sharp as a blade. "But are you really? Do you even know what you're fighting for?"

Shin clenched his fists, his breath steadying as he focused on the figure in front of him. "I'm fighting for Raito," he said firmly. "I'm fighting to bring him back."

The reflection laughed, a hollow, bitter sound that echoed through the chamber. "Oh, how noble," it sneered. "The great Shin, always playing the hero, always pretending to be something he's not."

Shin felt a surge of anger but forced himself to stay calm. "I'm not pretending," he replied, his voice steady. "I know why I'm here. I'm here because Raito needs me."

The reflection's smile widened, its eyes narrowing. "Needs you?" it scoffed. "Raito doesn't need you. He's stronger without you. In fact, he's always been stronger without you. You're just a distraction... a liability."

Shin's jaw tightened, his heart pounding in his chest. "You're wrong," he shot back. "Raito and I... we're friends. We're stronger together."

The mirror Shin shook its head slowly, its expression filled with disdain. "Friends?" it repeated, as if tasting the word. "Do you really think he sees you as a friend? Or are you just another reminder of everything he's lost?"

Shin felt a flicker of doubt creep in, but he pushed it aside. "I know Raito," he said firmly. "I know he's hurting, but I also know he hasn't given up. I won't let him give up."

The reflection's eyes gleamed, and it stepped closer, its smile turning vicious. "And what makes you think you have the right to save him?" it asked softly. "What makes you think you're worthy?"

Shin took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. "Because I'm his friend," he answered, his voice strong. "And because I've made mistakes, but I'm willing to fight for him. I won't let the past define me."

The mirror Shin's smile twisted into a sneer. "Oh, but the past does define you," it hissed. "You left your family, your home... you abandoned everyone who ever cared about you. And now, you think you can just stroll in and be a hero?"

Shin's eyes burned with unshed tears, but he refused to look away. "I've made mistakes," he admitted. "But that doesn't mean I can't do what's right now. It doesn't mean I can't help Raito."

The reflection's face darkened, its expression filled with fury. "You're a coward," it spat. "A coward who ran away from everything that mattered. You think you're here for Raito, but really... you're just trying to save yourself."

Shin's breath caught in his throat, the words hitting him like a physical blow. For a moment, he felt the old familiar doubt, the guilt that had haunted him for years, rising up inside him like a wave.

"No," he whispered, his voice shaking. "I'm not... I'm not trying to save myself. I'm trying to save my friend. I'm trying to make things right."

The mirror Shin's smile widened, its eyes gleaming with triumph. "Liar," it whispered. "You're just a scared little boy, running from the truth."

Shin's heart pounded in his chest, the fear and doubt clawing at his insides. "No..." he muttered, his voice barely audible. "I'm not..."

The reflection moved closer, its voice dropping to a low, taunting whisper. "You can't save him," it said. "You'll only fail... like you've always failed."

Shin felt a surge of anger, hot and fierce, burning away the doubt. "I won't fail," he snapped, his voice stronger now. "I'm not that person anymore. I'm not running away."

The reflection's eyes narrowed, its face twisting with rage. "Then show me," it growled. "Show me you're not a coward. Show me you're not a failure."

The air around them crackled with energy, and Shin felt a surge of power build within him. The mirror Shin's stance shifted, its hands raised as if preparing for a fight. Shin's muscles tensed, his body readying itself for the confrontation.

"You think you're ready?" the reflection taunted. "You think you can face me?"

Shin nodded, his gaze steady. "I know I can," he replied. "And I will."

The mirror Shin let out a roar of anger, its body shimmering with energy. "Then prove it!" it shouted, and with that, it lunged forward, its hands outstretched, a blast of energy shooting toward Shin.

Shin dodged to the side, the blast missing him by inches, shattering a mirror behind him into a thousand pieces. He felt the adrenaline surge through his veins, his senses sharpening, his mind focused.

He wasn't going to let his reflection—his doubts—win.

The mirror Shin attacked again, moving with speed and precision, its strikes aimed directly at Shin's heart. Shin ducked and weaved, his movements fluid and quick, but he could feel the intensity of the blows, the force behind each strike.

"You can't hide from me," the reflection snarled. "You can't run from yourself."

Shin gritted his teeth, his mind racing. "I'm not hiding," he shot back. "And I'm not running."

The mirror Shin came at him again, faster this time, its hands glowing with a dark, crackling energy. Shin felt the heat of the blast as it grazed his side, the pain sharp and searing.

He stumbled, his foot slipping on the slick floor, but he caught himself, his eyes blazing with determination. "You won't break me," he said, his voice low and fierce. "I'm stronger than you think."

The reflection paused, its eyes narrowing. "We'll see about that," it hissed, and then it lunged again, its form blurring with speed.

Shin braced himself, feeling the energy building within him. He knew this was only the beginning. The real fight was just starting, and he would have to dig deeper, find the strength within himself to face the darkest parts of his soul.

He took a deep breath, his gaze never leaving his mirror self. "I'm ready," he whispered, more to himself than to his opponent. "I'm ready to fight."

The battle was far from over, but Shin felt a newfound determination burning within him. He would face this reflection, this embodiment of his fears, and he would not back down.

Not today. Not ever.