The fractured timeline seemed to pause, the world holding its breath as Aaron stood over his dark reflection. Golden light shimmered around him, growing brighter as his power flowed naturally, in harmony with the energy of the Stream.
The dark reflection, still kneeling, sneered up at Aaron. Its crimson eyes burned with defiance, even as its blackened aura flickered like a dying flame. “You think you’ve beaten me?” it growled, its voice laced with venom. “You don’t even understand what I am.”
Aaron clenched his fists, but his gaze was steady. “You’re me. The part of me that gave in, that let this power consume everything. But you’re not the whole of me, and you never will be.”
The dark reflection let out a harsh laugh. “You say that now. But power has a way of changing people. You’ll see. When the stakes get high enough, when the Stream pushes you to the edge, you’ll make the same choices I did. You’ll become me.”
Aaron felt a pang of doubt, but he forced it aside. “No. I won’t. Because I’ve seen what that path leads to, and I won’t let it happen. I’ll learn to control this power—to use it without losing myself.”
The reflection’s sneer faltered, its aura dimming further. “Control,” it muttered, almost mockingly. “You think control will save you? This power isn’t meant to be controlled. It’s meant to be unleashed.”
Aaron stepped closer, his golden light intensifying. “Maybe that’s true. But I’m not going to let fear—or you—decide how I use it.”
He extended his hand toward the dark reflection. For a moment, it hesitated, crimson and gold swirling together in its eyes.
“What are you doing?” it hissed.
“Accepting you,” Aaron said firmly. “You’re a part of me, and I can’t fight what I don’t understand. But I don’t have to let you take over, either. I’ll keep you in check.”
The dark reflection’s form flickered, its features softening as the golden light from Aaron’s hand enveloped it. “You think you can contain me?” it whispered, almost incredulous.
“I don’t think,” Aaron said. “I know.”
The light surged, and the dark reflection dissolved into particles of energy, which flowed into Aaron’s body. For a moment, he felt a surge of overwhelming power—raw, chaotic, and dangerous. But instead of resisting, he let it flow through him, focusing on the balance he had begun to understand.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
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The world around him shattered like glass, the fragments swirling into the Void as Aaron found himself back in the golden expanse. He dropped to one knee, panting heavily, as Crux approached.
“You succeeded,” Crux said, their tone carrying a hint of approval. “You confronted the shadow of your potential and absorbed it without succumbing to its influence. Few can manage such a feat.”
Aaron stood slowly, his body feeling heavier, as if the weight of what he had done lingered in his very core. “I didn’t beat it,” he said, his voice steady despite his exhaustion. “It’s still there, inside me. But now I understand it. And I won’t let it control me.”
Crux nodded. “That is the essence of balance. Power is neither good nor evil—it is how you wield it that determines your path. By confronting your shadow, you’ve taken a significant step toward mastering the Stream.”
Aaron looked down at his hands, golden light flickering faintly around them. He could feel the dark reflection’s presence within him, like a quiet whisper at the back of his mind. But he also felt stronger, more focused.
“What’s next?” he asked, straightening his posture.
Crux gestured, and the Void shifted again, forming a massive golden gateway that seemed to pulse with immense energy. “Your trials in the Void are nearly complete,” they said. “But there is one final challenge you must face before you can return to the Stream.”
Aaron stared at the gateway, his jaw tightening. “Another reflection?”
“No,” Crux said. “This time, you will face the Stream itself.”
Aaron turned to them, confusion flickering in his eyes. “What does that mean?”
“The Stream is vast and infinite,” Crux explained. “It flows through all realities, connecting every moment, every possibility. To truly become its Nexus, you must step into its heart and withstand its pull. Only then will you unlock the full extent of your power.”
Aaron swallowed hard, the weight of their words settling on him. “And if I can’t?”
Crux’s flickering form dimmed slightly. “Then the Stream will consume you, and you will cease to exist. But if you succeed, you will gain the strength to confront the threats that lie ahead—including the one that seeks to destroy the multiverse.”
Aaron’s hands clenched at his sides. He thought of Dr. Kael, his friends, and his world. He thought of the Phantom Hunters and the shadowy figure that had nearly killed him.
“I don’t have a choice,” he said finally. “If this is what it takes to protect everything, then I’ll do it.”
Crux’s form brightened, their energy radiating approval. “Good. Then step forward, Nexus, and face the heart of the Stream.”
Aaron took a deep breath and walked toward the gateway, its golden light growing brighter with each step. As he passed through, he felt a powerful pull, like the entire multiverse was reaching for him.
The last thing he heard was Crux’s voice, faint but steady.
“Remember: balance is the key. Trust yourself, Aaron.”
The gateway closed behind him, and Aaron was plunged into the infinite chaos of the Stream.
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