The Grand Cathedral held a feast in Serian's honor.
The Hero of Light.
The Savior of the Realm.
The Weapon of the Council.
Cheers roared. Goblets rose. Music echoed.
And Serian smiled.
> A perfect, hollow smile.
Inside, he was unraveling.
Not from fear.
But from truth.
---
Behind the Curtain
He had planted a fake report. A lie about demon troop movements.
The Council swallowed it whole.
> "They trust me too much," he whispered under his breath.
And that trust would be their downfall.
He had begun gathering evidence—fragments of the Twin Soul Project, glimpses of memories they'd tried to erase, and rumors of a demon lord who only targeted corrupt cities.
And he couldn't deny it anymore:
> "She's not the monster."
---
Whispers of a Name
He remembered something that wasn't his—
A girl's voice.
A promise made in fire.
> "If we die, I'll find you again. Even if we're torn apart."
And he had whispered back, "Then I'll wait."
But that hadn't been Serian.
It was… the Original Soul.
So who was he really?
A copy? A weapon?
Or the echo of someone far greater?
---
Silent Rebellion
Serian walked the halls of the cathedral, passing guards who saluted with reverence.
They had no idea the boy they hailed as a hero had already turned against them.
> "One more mission," he told himself.
"One more lie, and then I'll move."
He would visit the city of Vernas—where the Demon Lord's army had last struck.
He would go alone.
And he would find the children.
Not to kill them.
But to understand.
---
The Puppet Cuts His Strings
That night, Serian stood before a mirror again.
But this time, when his reflection moved… it mirrored him perfectly.
Still, he didn't trust it.
> "If I'm just a clone… I'll decide who I become."
From the shadows, the Original Soul chuckled.
> "That's the first true thing you've said, Hero."
---