No Storm Lasts Forever, a DND inspired story, by Allan Concillado

Chapter Five: The Party At The Mansion, Part Ten

     As Slayer, Theodore, and Sancho went to go fight Orinus's clone, Phil's heart was in pain. The clone of Ledias faced him. She pointed her long sword at him.

     "Hey Phil," she said with a warm smile.

     Phil clutched his daggers harder. He was excessively sweating from the stress. It hurt him to fight against his friend, even though he knew very well that she wasn't the real Ledias.

     "I don't know why you're fighting against me. Are you alright?" Ledias asked.

     "Shut up..." Phil murmured as he clutched his blades even harder.

     "Phil, the missions almost done! We just need to take care of Orinus and-"

     "I said shut up!" Phil yelled. "I know you aren't her, so stop trying to trick me!" He knew very well that she wasn't real, but her expression and tone of voice felt just like her. It was extremely convincing.

     The truth why Phil was having such a hard time fighting this specific clone was because he loved her. She was like a little sister to him. He would give his life for her. If it was anyone else, he would've taken them down instantly, but not her. Anyone but her.

     Ledias sighed and stabbed her sword on the ground. She raised her hands and slowly approached Phil. "Please Phil. Put the weapon down. My clone is already dead."

     Phil's hand shook from agony. He couldn't decide if she was real or not. Then he had an idea. If he charged at her and tried to stab her and she dodged out of the way, she's the real Ledias. If she blocked it, she would be fake. How did he know this would work? Because he knew Ledias well. He's known her for such a long time, so he knows what she would do in this situation.

     "Fine..." Phil whispered as his daggers shook. "Please, be my real Ledias." He charged at her with both daggers pointer at her body.

     "I am yours," Ledias said as she took another step towards him.

     Phil closed his eyes and yelled as he thrusted his blades forward. The sound of flesh being torn apart by a blade could be heard as loud as nails on a chalkboard. Phil's eyes widened in fear as he heard the noise. He looked at his hands and saw blood covering.

     "No..." he muttered as he looked up at Ledias.

     "Phil..." Ledias fell over into his shoulder. Her stomach was poured out blood.

     Phil grabbed tightly onto Ledias and slowly dropped down to his knees. "No... no no no. Stay with me, please," he begged as he placed her in a cradling position in his arms. He expected her to move or to at least block it, to fight back, but not to stand still and take the hit. That's when he was convinced that she was the real Ledias. She would've done the same thing.

     Phil places his hand on her cheek and cried, but she held his hand and with the other hand, wiped his tears away. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

     "I'm sorry too," he whispered as he held her hand.

     Ledias touched his chest and sent a purple light into it. Phil choked and grasped his throat. Purple veins made up his neck and arms, suffocating him to death. He fell back while grasping his throat.

     Ledias stood up and healed her wound. She sighed. "You're so kind hearted Phil, that's a good charm of yours, but it's also your greatest weakness." She started to walk away, but paused and looked at the choking Phil. "But I'm curious... you knew the entire time I was a clone, you knew you could've asked about her memories, yet you do something so stupid. Why?"