The Void churned like a living entity, its golden rivers of energy bending and twisting as if anticipating the next trial. Aaron stood at the center of the expanse, his body still tingling with residual energy from the timeline fragment he had just stabilized.

“Each trial is a step closer to mastery,” Crux said, their form flickering slightly. “But control isn’t enough. The Stream is unpredictable. You must learn to adapt to its chaos.”

Aaron adjusted his stance, his golden aura flickering around him. “Adapt how? Every time I think I’m starting to understand this power, something crazier happens.”

Crux gestured, and the Void rippled, forming a shimmering surface in front of Aaron. The surface solidified into a mirror-like plane, its reflection distorted and fractured.

“This is the Reflection Nexus,” Crux explained. “It’s a manifestation of the choices you’ve made, the timelines you’ve touched. Each fracture represents a path not taken, a possibility unrealized. To truly understand the Stream, you must confront these reflections.”

Aaron frowned, stepping closer to the mirror. “What am I supposed to do? Just… look at it?”

“No,” Crux said. “Step into it.”

Aaron hesitated, his reflection staring back at him with an intensity that made his stomach twist. The fractures in the mirror shimmered, and he saw glimpses of other versions of himself—one clad in battle-worn armor, another with a dark, ominous aura, and yet another standing triumphant atop a mountain of fallen enemies.

“This feels like a bad idea,” Aaron muttered.

“It is necessary,” Crux said firmly. “The Reflection Nexus will test your resolve. It will show you what you could become—both the best and worst versions of yourself. Only by confronting these possibilities can you fully embrace your role as the Nexus.”

Aaron took a deep breath, his heart pounding. “Alright. Let’s do this.”

He reached out and touched the mirror. The surface rippled like water, and before he could pull his hand back, the Void shifted violently, yanking him into the reflection.

---

Aaron landed hard on a cold, metallic surface, the clang echoing around him. He groaned, pushing himself to his feet, and looked around. The world was a dystopian wasteland, the sky a sickly green hue and the ground littered with the remnants of a shattered city.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“What is this place?” he whispered.

“It’s a fragment of what could be,” Crux’s voice echoed in his mind. “A timeline where you embraced power without restraint.”

Aaron turned and froze. Standing a few feet away was a version of himself—his armor blackened, his eyes glowing with crimson energy. This Aaron radiated a malevolent aura, the ground cracking beneath his feet with every step.

“Who… are you?” Aaron asked, though he already knew the answer.

The dark version of himself smirked, his voice dripping with disdain. “I’m you. Or at least, the you that stopped pretending to care about the rules. The you that realized control is for the weak.”

Aaron took a step back, his golden energy flaring defensively. “That’s not me. I wouldn’t let this power corrupt me.”

The dark reflection laughed, a hollow, menacing sound. “You think you’re so different? That you’re better than this? Power like ours isn’t meant to be restrained. It’s meant to be used. To dominate.”

Before Aaron could respond, the dark reflection lunged, moving with blinding speed. Aaron barely had time to react, dodging the attack by a fraction of a second.

The two clashed, their energies colliding in a burst of light and shadow. Aaron fought with everything he had, but the dark reflection was relentless, every move calculated and ruthless.

“You’re holding back!” the dark reflection taunted, landing a blow that sent Aaron skidding across the ground. “You’re afraid of what you can do. That’s why you’ll never win.”

Aaron gritted his teeth, pushing himself up. “I’m not afraid of my power—I’m afraid of becoming you.”

The dark reflection sneered. “Then you’ve already lost.”

---

The battle raged on, each strike sending shockwaves through the fractured timeline. Aaron began to realize that brute force wasn’t enough. His dark reflection wasn’t just stronger—it was smarter, using the environment and its knowledge of Aaron’s abilities to its advantage.

“Think, Aaron,” Crux’s voice echoed faintly in his mind. “This isn’t just a fight—it’s a test. The Stream isn’t about power. It’s about balance.”

Balance.

The word echoed in Aaron’s mind as he dodged another attack. He closed his eyes, focusing on the golden energy within him. Instead of forcing it outward, he let it flow naturally, harmonizing with the chaos around him.

When he opened his eyes, the world seemed clearer. He could see the flow of energy around his dark reflection, the way its movements disrupted the Stream.

Aaron stood his ground as the dark reflection charged again. At the last moment, he stepped aside, redirecting the reflection’s momentum with a precise strike. The reflection stumbled, its aura flickering.

“You’re starting to understand,” Crux said.

Aaron pressed his advantage, not with brute force but with precision. Every move was deliberate, every strike calculated to disrupt the reflection’s flow.

Finally, the dark reflection faltered, dropping to one knee. Its crimson aura faded, revealing a faint shimmer of golden light beneath.

“You think this changes anything?” it growled, glaring up at Aaron.

Aaron stepped closer, his expression calm but resolute. “You’re a part of me