-Mordecia: Well we are done for the day but before you go there is something i have to ask.

-Vivo: Go ahead.

-Mordecia: What fighting style do you prefer ?

-Vivo: Hm I have no idea never really thought about it.

-Mordecia: well then think about it and make yourself a weapon and bring it tomorrow.

After thinking about it through the night he finally decided to make a mace and shield

for himself. Ralph said it was ok as long as he paid for the materials used he even gave

a few tips.

Mordecia stood outside his house waiting for him when he arrived.

-Mordecia: Follow me my boy.

It was getting dark as they headed towards the Lords castle or rather the remains that

the lord lived in. they took a left at the gates not entering the castle and headed down a

narrow path until reaching a hidden door in the wall.

-Mordecia: this was once the door which thief catchers used to bring in their prisoners

but now it is unused.

He put his hand over the lock before he opened the door. It was dark inside until

Mordecia made a flame appear above the palm of his hand. Vivo studied the flame for a

second before he made another flame appear inside his own palm.

Heading down into the depths of the old castle, everything around him was covered in

dust and spider web, it all seemed untouched for centuries. A few minutes later the sides

of the tunnel began being lined with cellars and at some points there where a few guard rooms

and barracks filled with old furniture that seemed ready to collapse with the gust of a wind.

They reached a door made completely in metal with a black cross drawn on it.

-Mordecia: Behind this door lies the darkness that haunts this town. It is a doppelganger.

What i want you to do is to try and defeat it while you analyze it with your mana.

remember it will copy you almost entirely so don't lose focus.

Vivo strapped on his shield and grabbed his mace with the other hand as he made the flame

disappear while Mordecia opened the door and stepped aside.

The room was completely empty but well lit from the four strange lanterns one in each corner

of the room and a man. The man looked to be about 190cm well built, broad shoulders,

his face was a bit square but sharp his ears where long and pointy,

his skin looked to be almost shining in gold.

He was equipped with exactly the same items as Vivo. He yawned and looked at Vivo.

-Doppelganger: another weakling here to challenge me, or are you here to finally let me out

of this forsaken place? I guess not.

He took the same stance as Vivo. Keeping his shield in front of him he walked towards the doppel

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as it mirrored his movements perfectly. He began charging forward swinging the mace against

the right shoulder. His mirror did the exact same thing, continuing his swing he raised

the shield to catch the mace heading towards him, a clash of metallic sounds was heard as

the two maces hit the shields at the exact same time.

Neither of the attacks had any particular speed but the strength behind them staggered them

booth, a second later they regained their posture, charging again he once again aimed

at the doppel's shoulder but this time he didn't raise his own shield in defense rather

he threw himself past his opponent while his attack connected. Simultaneously he felt

his opponents mace graze his left shoulder.

He charged in again swinging the mace against the torso while defending his own with the

shield. They traded blows for 10 more minutes Vivo attempted to outsmart and strike

faster than the doppelganger, but to no avail the doppel mirrored just mirrored his

movements.

Remembering what Mordecia told him he started analyzing the mana flow of the doppelganger.

At first glance it seemed to be like looking in a mirror, the mana flow matched his own,

but when taking a closer look there were a few anomalies that didn't match.

Beginning to circle the room moving his different body parts while watching closely

at the mana flow of his opponent. Not noticing any more anomalies he stopped.

They where now standing about 2 meters from each other, the doppelganger seemed to mirror

his movements perfectly, Vivo decided to take a breather and plan out his next move.

Maybe I should try attacking him without dodging or defending that way at least I

might get a few hits in on him and test if he has the same endurance as I.

While thinking all of this the doppelganger was standing still in the same stance

as him.

He resumed his assault aiming at the ribs, his attack connected, he felt his own

ribs cracking by the force behind the mace. It got harder to breath but he charged

again striking at upper arm, his arm went slack as the bone broke, the pain

of the two wounds became almost unbearable but once again he took a battle stance before

charging.

This time tho as he begun striking at the torso again the doppelganger threw himself

backwards dodging the attack. He had a smile on his face as he began speaking.

-doppelganger: Even tho you're weak you still amuse me by being so reckless.

Vivo felt his body slowing down as they continued to exchange blows until he found himself

kneeling before his opponent panting, every breath he took was an endless flood of pain,

just before he passed out he saw Mordecia walking towards him.