“BWACH ACHKKK!” Sterling gagged, spluttering as he realized he was face-down in a lake. He wasn't sinking; instead, he found himself scrambling to his feet on the lake's smooth surface. As he stood up, he was met with a surreal and unsettling sight. Everything around him was reflective—the lake, the sky, the mountains, even the trees. It was as if he had stepped into a world made entirely of mirrors, each surface gleaming and shimmering in an eerie, otherworldly light.
A voice spoke around him; it was above, below, and all around him, making it impossible to pinpoint its origin.
“Sterling Davidson, you have been chosen for greatness! You will take the trial to ascend to a higher purpose! These are your attributes.”
The entity quieted down, and a panel made out of light appeared in front of him.
**Attributes:**
- **Curse of Misfortune:** The user is afflicted with a supernatural aura that makes them more prone to experiencing bad luck. This curse subtly alters the probabilities around them, leading to a higher likelihood of unfortunate events occurring in their life.
- **Child of Reflection:** The user possesses a unique supernatural ability to communicate and travel through reflections, enabling them to interact with and move between mirrored surfaces. This extraordinary power grants a range of applications, from espionage and stealth to rapid movement and escape.
**Flaw:**
- **Reflection from Another World:** The user's supernatural ability to communicate and travel through reflections is plagued by a disturbing flaw. Within the mirrored surfaces lies an alternate version of the user, a darker and malevolent reflection from a parallel dimension. This alternate self is determined to break free from its confines and take over the user's life, leading to a constant struggle for control and identity.
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Do not trust it…
“What the…” Sterling looked at the panel, his eyes glued to the words. “Attributes, flaws? No way that brat was right! How did he manage to predict that? Out of all possibilities, how did he guess the correct one?”
Sterling started to verbalize what he was thinking, his voice carried across the empty landscape. “Why isn't the Curse of Misfortune my flaw? That sounds like a pretty big flaw to have. But no, I'll be stalked by an evil twin instead. Honestly, how bad can that be? I already talk to myself a lot and even out loud. Matter of fact, I should probably stop. But then again, who’s here to stop me—the voices?”
The voice spoke again, this time with a clearer, more authoritative tone. “Sterling Davidson, the trial is a series of challenges designed to test your abilities, resilience, and character. Each trial will push you to your limits, forcing you to confront your strengths and weaknesses. You will face both physical and mental obstacles, and you must use your attributes wisely to overcome them.”
“Great, just great,” Sterling muttered, rolling his eyes. “And what happens if I fail this trial?”
“The trials will place you in the past, where you must avoid the same mistakes made by others. The bigger the change you make, the stronger your innate abilities will become. However, if you meet the same fate as the original person whose life you are reliving, you will die, never to wake up again. Failure is not an option, Sterling”.
Sterling's heart pounded in his chest as the gravity of the situation sank in. “No pressure then,” he said sarcastically.
The voice continued, “Your performance in each trial will be graded based on the magnitude of the changes you make and their impact. A higher grade will enhance your abilities and bring you closer to your ultimate goal. However, remember that with greater changes come greater risks.”
Sterling took a deep breath, steeling himself for the challenges ahead. “Alright, let’s get this over with. What’s the first trial?”
“Trial starts in 3, 2, 1. Good luck, Completionist!”