The Timekeeper's Hourglass
I squared my shoulders, drawing in a deep breath as I stared down my dark reflection. My heart raced, but this time it wasn’t fear—it was determination. I knew, deep inside, that this was a battle I had to face. Not with spells, not with the powers I was still learning to control, but with the strength that had always been inside me. This twisted version of myself wasn’t real—she was just a manifestation of my own doubts, the fears that I’d carried for so long.
“I’m not afraid of you,” I said, my voice steady, echoing through the forest. “You don’t control me.”
The dark version of me smirked, her hollow eyes narrowing. “You keep telling yourself that,” she sneered, her voice dripping with contempt. “But you and I both know the truth. You’re weak, and you’ll never be able to master the power inside you.”