Elsie’s eyes sparkled as she spied Sans limp toward her. A beaming smile spread across her face while she waved her glowsticks through the air.

“You did it! I’m so proud of you!”

“Proud?”

Sans’ neutral face contorted in anger as he dragged himself closer.

“Are you insane?!”

“Huh?”

Elsie lowered the glowsticks in hands in confusion. Sans stopped just before her with a scowl. His fierce eyes stared directly into her own.

“Look at me! Look at my injuries!”

Sans presented his body with a wave of his arm. His other arm hung loosely by his side, twisted and burned in multiple locations. Across his chest was a mixture of seared flesh and cauterized wounds. Blood stained his clothes from head to toe, and with every cough a new stream bubbled through his lips.

“What? Stop being such a baby. It’s not so bad!”

Elsie folded her arms and turned with a pout.

“Not so bad? …Not. So. Bad?!”

“It’s not so bad. Stop pretending like you’re going to die. You’re tougher than that!”

“What do you mean pretend?! I could have died!”

Sans retorted in anger and spat a mouthful of blood off to the side.

“No, you couldn’t have.”

“Are you saying you would have saved me?”

“Well, no one can enter or exit that arena after a fight has begun. It would be impossible for me to break through the barrier as I currently am.”

Sans grimaced and his scowl deepened. The barrier of blue lasers had disappeared after he beheaded his clone and was claimed the victor, but the sensation of being trapped within was still at the forefront of his mind.

“So, you’re admitting it.”

“Huh? Admitting what?”

“That I could have died!”

“Stop being dramatic. You had the talisman all along! You were perfectly safe.”

“You say that, but since when did you fight your clone?”

“I don’t have to fight a clone. You could have opted out too, but you didn’t.”

Sans tightened his fist and spoke through clenched teeth.

“And you didn’t bother to tell me that I could opt out?”

Elsie rolled her eyes and ignored his piercing gaze.

“You performed well, okay? Let’s move on to the Trial of Fire.”

“No.”

Sans sat down on the nearby bench, staring at the arena angrily.

“What do you mean? We’re done here, let’s move on.”

“No. I’m not leaving until I see you fight your clone.”

“I’m not going to fight my clone.”

Elsie frowned and stood in front of him, blocking his view.

“Why not? You have the talisman, don’t you?”

Sans didn’t bother making eye contact.

“It’s just not the same.”

Elsie rubbed the sides of her head.

“I see. You’re right, we’re not the same. I perform a duel to the death for your pleasure, but you can’t do the same. I understand.”

“It’s really not like that!”

She stamped her foot into the ground in frustration. Why was he being so stubborn?

“No, it’s exactly like that. If you don’t fight your clone today, then you will lose all respect that I have for you. After all, we’re not the same.”

Sans took a single glance at her face before avoiding her once again. He grimaced as he delicately touched his broken arm.

Elsie watched in silence, and after a few minutes simply walked away. Sans snorted in disdain, his eyes lingering on her back.

“Don’t pretend we’re the same when-“

Before he could finish his sentence, Elsie vanished and reappeared at the center of the arena. The lingering phantoms evaporated one by one, leaving Sans the only remaining body in the audience. Blue light encircled the arena once again as the barrier reformed.

“New challenger of old! Claim victory over your inner demon and conquer the Trial of Man!”

The mysterious announcer cried out, but this time there was no audience to return a boisterous response. Only a single man stared at the contestant with a conflicted gaze.

Shadows swirled across the arena, once more coalescing into a floating figure. Before the replica could be completed, Elsie was already prepared!

“Spatial Lock. Fire Dampening. Glacial Freeze.”

She waved her hand through the air with a solemn expression. A mirror-like prism encompassed the reviving replica as she called out spell after spell.

“Totem of the Five Prisons. Tactical Eye. Celestial Chains. Earthen Clutch.”

Sans watched from the audience, his mouth hung open as he witnessed spell after spell cast and formed, creating a fortress of complex restrictions. Finally, just as the shadows were about to dissipate from the clone, Elsie procured one last item.

“And… Man shall fear the heavens…”

She held the blazing talisman with a frown. The next second, the clone’s eyes shot open! Just as the clone threatened to move, the talisman landed directly onto the clone’s chest.

“Hmpf. What an easy fight, and to think she was so against it.”

Sans scoffed and spat out more blood.

As if the arena were replying back to him, a deafening bang sounded off from the clone’s position. Fragments of the floor shot in every direction as a heavy plume of dust piled high before being swept away with a gust of wind. However, much to his surprise, the clone was still alive!

Elsie remained a short distance away from her replica. She stared at her perfect face with a cold gaze, while her clone stared back in fury. A sapphire mist radiated off the fractured chains that bound the clone. At the same time, five wooden totems surrounded the clone with streams of yellow that zapped between the totems and pierced through the clones body.

With a deafening crash, the space around the clone was shattered into a million pieces as the talisman swiftly burned away into nothing. The moment the talisman disappeared, the clone revealed a haunting smile and roared into the sky.

“The talisman didn’t work?!”

Sans stared at the spectacle in shock and terror, only now coming to a certain understanding.

Did I just condemn Elsie… to death?

----

Chains snapped, totems exploded into dust, and the frosty air was set ablaze as the clone broke free of its restrictions. Spheres of fire rose from the floor like massive soapy bubbles. The arena shook as a terrifying pressure crashed down from every direction.

Elsie emotionlessly reached her hand outward as silver bolts of lightning flickered between her fingers. Flashes of light pulsed along the length of her arm as she took aim at her clone. Simultaneously, an illusionary scythe appeared in her hand.

“Execution Railgun. Reaper’s Judgement.”

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She swiped the scythe through the air just as the collected lightning blasted forth, arcing a path toward the clone. An intangible robed figure materialized behind the clone just as the lightning made contact. The figure held a sleek black scythe born of shadows and ash, which was swung down without hesitation.

The clone violently twisted its body, summoning an illusionary scythe of its own and calling forth an earthen shield. The two scythes clashed together while the shield deflected the railgun strike just in the nick of time. Two shockwaves resulted from the collisions as dust swept through the arena once more.

Of course the talisman wouldn’t work.

Elsie clicked her tongue as her mind raced for a solution.

The talisman works by using the laws of space. Sans doesn’t remember those laws yet, but I do.

She clutched her hand upward into the air. The ground rumbled in response as deadly spikes shot from the arena floor and pierced toward the clone.

Reaper’s Judgement failed, now the chances of me winning are abysmal.

Elsie watched as the clone shattered the spikes by matching them with its own. The bubbles of fire that hung in the air suddenly burst, causing a flow of magma to devour the arena floor.

Elsie jumped into the air, landing on a newly constructed column that rose upward. Letting out a deep sigh, she narrowed her eyes and took on a serious expression.

The clone floated in the air with a sinister smile. Shadows spread across the arena while spears of light were conjured within the air. With a motion of the clone's hand, the spears hurtled toward Elsie, leaving streaks of golden brilliance that warped the space around them.

Elsie took a step forward, but before her foot could land she immediately vanished! A puff of black smoke appeared behind the clone, which Elsie instantly shot out of. Her body twisted in the air as a white and gold greatsword appeared in her hands.

The clone spun around, procuring a black sword of its own. Lightning and fire surrounded the two bodies as they collided in midair. Elsie locked eyes with her clone and muttered under her breath.

“Perfect Counter.”

A terrifying slash streaked across the length of the clone’s chest. It roared in anger as it clutched onto the deep wound.

At the same time, Elsie landed on another column with darkened eyes. A second later, blood seeped through her clothes as a long gash appeared on her shoulder.

It mimicked Perfect Counter, but I struck harder due to pre-casting Tactical Eye, which is a one-time use. If I use it again then it’ll most likely copy me.

Elsie clicked her tongue, but she didn’t have time to rest. Space rippled and cracked as a dark portal appeared behind the clone. Stepping through the portal was an amalgamation of nightmares in the shape of a ferocious dragon. Its scales radiated a black miasma, while its massive red eyes reflected blood and fire.

“What a mockery…”

Elsie muttered when the dragon fully revealed itself. With a savage roar, the dragon charged toward Elsie, and at the same time, the clone vanished into thin air. She could already sense the ripple in space forming from behind. With the assault coming from two sides, she had to act quickly or face death.

The moment the clone reappeared, Elsie closed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. Crimson waves burst from her body as a surge of energy enveloped the surrounding area. Just as the dragon’s mouth closed in, and just before the clone finished its artistic slash, Elsie released all the energy with a sonorous battle cry.

Red and black chains exploded outward from her body, riddling the dragon full of holes that soon disintegrated its flesh into nothing. From behind, the clone panicked with rapid swipes through the air, deflecting as many of the chains as it could.

Before the clone could collect itself, the crash of thunder sounded, followed by heavy rainfall that stormed like a hurricane. Upon reaching the molten arena floor, the rain evaporated into boiling steam while the ground was terraformed once again, solidifying into countless mounds and hills.

The clone is trying to exhaust my mana…

Elsie stared at her opponent with her same expressionless gaze, while the clone sneered in response. It taunted her with a flick of its finger, as if it knew that it was predestined to win the fight.

She positioned her sword in front and let out a deep breath. With a flash of light, electric energy channeled through her body from her feet to her head. Blue arcs of lightning bound themselves to her bones and muscles, while her eyes crackled with heaven’s brilliance.

Elsie launched herself at the clone without wasting any time. Her body blurred out of sight as she zipped through the air in every direction. Only flashes of lightning signaled her position, but even then—those were only afterimages.

Seeing this development, the clone readied its sword and mimicked Elsie’s battle plan by exploding with electric energy of its own. Cracks of thunder shook the arena as the two bodies repeatedly clashed along the floor, moving faster than the eye could process. The two combatants collided for the briefest of seconds, causing yet another shockwave to shatter the war-torn arena floor.

The battle became more deadly as space was sporadically torn into thin slices. Should either one of them come into contact with such a crack in space, they would easily lose their life.

Elsie slammed with her clone one final time with all her strength. They stared eye to eye as the force of explosion pushed away the rain, creating a small vacuum within the endless storm. The two blades cracked as they pressed against each other, before shattering into countless pieces.

The two of them jumped back a few paces, allowing their bladeless handles to dematerialize into nothing. Cuts and deep wounds decorated Elsie’s body from head to toe. Her breath was ragged, but she still maintained her noble demeanor, which seemed like would never be sacrificed even should she perish.

As if the two were in sync, they both summoned a familiar illusionary scythe.

There is only one thing the clone fears more than death. I will have to force it to choose its fate…

Elsie readied her scythe with one hand, while her other hand prepared to cast another spell. The clone copied her actions with its iconic sneer, anticipating her every move.

It wants to use Perfect Counter against Reaper’s Judgement.

Elsie revealed a rare smirk as her free hand glimmered with a pale violet hue. A stream of illusionary butterflies shot forth, causing the clone’s eyes to widened in shock!

But you can only counter one of these spells. Now, choose your fate!

Swinging her scythe down, Elsie muttered out two consecutive spells.

“Butterflies of Distorted Nightmares. Reaper’s Judgement.”

Preparing its lethal strike, the robed figure materialized behind the clone once more, but this time the clone didn’t pay it a single attention!

The clone reached out its arm in a panic just as the butterflies made contact with its body. With a gentle pulse, the butterflies suddenly reversed course back to Elsie. At the same time, the reaper behind the clone exacted its judgement, cleaving the clone’s body from head to toe.

However, despite the clone meeting its demise, there was only a look of relief spread across its face as it disintegrated into shadows. Elsie watched in desolation as the clone’s Perfect Counter returned the swarm of butterflies back to her.

So, you’ve chosen… I would have done the same.

She gave Sans a sorrowful gaze just as the butterflies made contact with her body. The next second, her eyes glazed over and her body stood still as if it were in a trance. A single tear lingered at the corner of her eye, which evaporated into the air.

----

“Our winner… Elsie!”

The announcer’s voice shook the arena as it cried out in triumph. However, there was no applause or cries of joy in response, only a deafening silence that filled the arena.

“E-Elsie!”

Sans cried out as the barrier disappeared. With a powerful leap, he tumbled onto the arena floor, leaving a trail of blood in his wake. The throbbing pain of his wounds was no longer given any thought as he hobbled his way toward the lone girl, who stood like a marionette without strings.

“Are you okay? Hello?!”

He grasped the motionless girl with his free hand. His heartbeat spiked as he wiped away the water that dripped freely from her hair and onto her face.

“Why aren’t you responding! I’m sorry! I didn’t think it would be like this!”

Sans embraced her body tightly and cried out. He could feel the warm blood that seeped through her clothes and mixed with the rain.

“Please, just come back.”

“What are you doing?”

A small voice spoke by his ear, catching the boy by surprise. He hid a sniffle and recoiled his head back. Just inches away was Elsie’s angelic face, making him painfully aware of the many details that he previously refused to acknowledge.

Her soft lips were slightly parted, while her once lifeless eyes were now misty and filled with warmth. Rain traveled along the veins of her neck before blending in with her clothes. Her black and red cape was ripped to shreds, while the cloak underneath didn’t fare much better.

Sans’ throat bobbed up and down as he stood, stunned, with his arm wrapped around what seemed like a fragile doll. His eyes lingered on her lips before glancing into her mysterious eyes.

“You’re injured…”

He managed a whisper in the face of beautiful calamity.

“Hmm? This? This is not so bad.”

Elsie revealed an enchanting smile before lightly pushing the boy away.

“It looks bad…”

“Don’t be silly. Looks can be deceiving.”

She snapped her fingers, spawning a stream of golden particles from all around. The particles swirled around the pair like heavenly dust.

“As long as you have the faintest breath within you, I will never let you die.”

Elsie spoke as the golden stream slammed against the two of them. Their skin was seamlessly stitched back together, and the broken bones were mended in place. Each of their wounds were methodically erased without a trace.

Sans stared at his hands in amazement. All of his life, he had only ever considered medicine pills as a form of healing, but that all changed after witnessing Elsie’s methods.

“Elsie, I’m sorry. Please, never put yourself in danger again.”

“Hmm? It was nothing! Just a little flirt with death, but I promise…it was all under control.”

Elsie beamed her familiar smile.

Was it really under control?

Sans stared at her lost in thought. However, his thoughts were disrupted the next moment as Elsie withdrew her two glowsticks. She handed one over to Sans.

“Here!”

“What is this for?”

“It’s the reward for the Trial of Man. There’s one for you and one for me.”

Sans stared at the glowstick in confusion.

“But I thought you had this the entire time?”

“I did, but remember? For us, the Trial of Man is optional.”

The boy smiled as he came to a certain understanding. All of this was merely a part of their adventure together. He let out a sigh of relief as he saw that they would be escaping the trial unscathed.

“How do we leave this place?”

“We can leave whenever you’re ready by channeling mana through the reward token, but before we leave… wouldn’t like to observe the vastness of space with me?”

Her eyes twinkled as she looked above. A fiery comet streaked across the stars, while distant spirals of celestial bodies splashed the black canvas with swirls of light.

“Anything you wish.”

Hours passed by as Elsie pointed out various details of the vast expanse. No matter where they looked, she always shared a thoughtful insight into the planets and stars. Before long, the two of them held their individual reward token and were ready to move on to the next trial.

“Just pour your mana through, and I’ll see you there!”

“Oh, wait. Elsie?”

“Hmm?”

She fluttered her eyes, failing to conceal the happiness that radiated out from her. Seeing that she was in a good mood, Sans smiled back and asked his question.

“Butterflies of Distorted Nightmares, what kind of spell is that?”

Sans fiddled with the token in his hand.

“That…”

Her smile faltered just briefly before blooming once more.

“It’s just a silly illusion. When you cast it on your enemy, it reveals to them their worst nightmare. Every second is stretched into thousands of years, and the only way to escape it is to accept the nightmare as a part of who they are.”

Sans’ expression froze, but Elsie merely batted her eyes in response. Before he could say anything, she channeled her mana into the token and disappeared on the spot.

How long… was she trapped in her nightmare?

He grit his teeth in hatred toward himself for manipulating her. Due to his callousness, she had to spend an eternity trapped an unknown nightmare. What made it all worse was the fact that she was able to escape, which meant that she somehow accepted the nightmare.

“…I promise I will listen to you from now on.”

His voice echoed into the empty arena, and with a final glance at the stars, he channeled mana into the token and vanished.