CH.37 Doppelgänger

A woman's beauty, a tale of mystery, Is she the real one or a doppelgänger's history? Lost in identity, yet resolute and strong, Killed twenty times, but keeps coming back along.The power of the chronotex, a curse or blessing's might, The judge of fate, deciding the path's flight. In the unfolding battle, where will they be led? Who emerges victorious, as the story's threads spread. Doppelgänger. The group continued to ride through the scorching desert, following the path set by General Setka. The heat was intense, searing the skin of every soldier and leaving them thirsty for relief. But their spirits remained high, fuelled by determination and the belief that they were true warriors. The terrain was challenging, with rough, tea-stained mountains rising like waves from the vast sea of sand. There were no signs of human settlement or any other life, except for the soldiers running towards an unknown destination. As they continued riding through the desert, Jack engaged in conversation with Kamil, eager to learn more about their plan. "So, what was your plan, Kamil?" Jack asked. Kamil smiled and replied, "Well, if you look at the front, there are carriages. I told some extra soldiers to bring carriages with beds so that those who haven't had enough sleep can rest properly. What do you think about it, Jack?" "Good idea, I guess," Jack replied, looking towards the sky as the light bounced off his face and the breeze flowed through his long hair. Reflecting on his thoughts, he admitted, "You know, this is my first proper fight." "Liar!" Kasib playfully added While eating Dates from a cotton bag. "No, it's just that I have never fought someone whom I truly wanted to kill. There's no one who exists that I truly want to kill," Jack explained. "Even the one who murdered my father, I never truly wanted to kill him. It's just that I have never fought an enemy that I could ever kill." Kamil understood the weight of Jack's words and nodded in understanding. "Well, you might have to change that statement soon because we are going into battle, and you might have to kill," Ramon chimed in. "But..." Jack attempted to explain. "Nope, Jack, if you can't fight, then how do you protect what you love? I, too, lost everything that I loved because I couldn't fight," Kamil said vividly recalling the harrowing moment from his past when he lost everything, he held dear. At a tender age, he clutched the severed hand of his mother, surrounded by chaos as fires raged and smoke filled the air. Tears of profound sorrow welled up in his eyes while heartless soldiers mercilessly took the lives of countless innocent people in his cityKamil after coming back to reality continued to say "But now, I have everything I need. I have a man I trust, General Setka, and someone I can talk and joke with, Ramon. This is my world, and I fight to protect it. The Royal Army is my family," Kamil said with a big smile. Ramon turned to Kasib and asked, "What about you, Kasib?" "Huh!" Kasib replied, taken aback. "Well, I fight to become the strongest warrior in the land," he said confidently. "Childish!" Ramon teased Kasib. Kasib threw his cotton bag filled with dates at Ramon. "It's not!" Kasib retorted. Ramon deftly caught the bag, opened it, and started eating the dates. The group burst into laughter, and Kasib turned red with shyness.10 Mins away from the Chronotex sitePerched atop the tea-stained mountains, the enigmatic man in black observed the army below, their progress relentless despite the scorching desert heat. His dark robes swayed in the wind, and an aura of mystery and power surrounded him, setting him apart from the ordinary. "It's time," he whispered to himself, a mixture of anticipation and determination resonating in his voice. As the soldiers marched on, their focus fixed on their destination, they remained oblivious to the watchful eyes observing their every move.About 30 minutes away from the Chronotex site, a multitude of bandits rode on horseback, marching towards their destination. Among them, a bandit sitting in a carriage suddenly collapsed, his body convulsing as bubbles of water spewed from his mouth, his lips turning a purplish blue. Another bandit, positioned by the side of the carriage while riding on his horse, quickly shouted, "Commander, the signal is here from Tarek Amunet!" At the front of the bandit group, their leader, a tall and lean woman with dark hair and piercing green eyes, stood out. She wore gleaming armour adorned with intricate designs and carried a sword in her hand. With a determined look in her eyes, she addressed her followers, "All march forward! We must retrieve the Chronotex!" The group finally reached the front of the Chronotex site, where Setka was in conversation with two informers. Kamil, Jack, Kasib, and Ramon joined them, ready to proceed with their mission. "We must be quick," Kamil warned, expressing concern that others might also be trying to retrieve the Chronotex. Ramon asked, "Why the rush?" "Because this is a hotspot for Chronotex, and we can't afford to waste any time," Kamil explained, emphasizing the importance of being vigilant. As they walked forward, Kamil instructed the special unit soldiers to come prepared with shields and remain on high alert. They knew that protecting the Chronotex and Setka was of utmost importance. The soldiers informed Setka that the Chronotex was about the size of a large rock. "I see," Setka replied, his mind focused on the task at hand. Curiosity filled Ramon as he asked Jack, "What power do you think we will get from it?" Kamil interjected, "We can only find out after the bonding process is complete. It's not something we can predict beforehand." Kasib couldn't resist asking, "Who do you think will get it?" Kamil responded, "The Chronotex chooses its user based on the qualities and characteristics of the individual. It will be someoneresponsible and compatible with its power." Looking at Kasib, Kamil couldn't help but tease, "Definitely not you, I can guarantee that." Annoyed, Kasib retorted, "I didn't want it anyway." Arriving at the site, they saw a crater-like pit dug into the ground, with the Chronotex at its centre. The crystal-like rock shimmered with an otherworldly glow, captivating Jack's attention. "Is this really the Chronotex?" Ramon asked in awe. Setka, filled with curiosity, decided to touch the crystal. However, as he did, the atmosphere suddenly shifted, and a sense of foreboding filled the air. "Be careful, General," Kamil Shouted alerting Setka. "What was that?" Jack's voice rang out, astonishment etched on his face as he surveyed the sudden attack. The Special Unit Guards sprang into action, forming a protective shield around Setka and the rest of the group, their weapons at the ready to defend against any further onslaught. Kasib tightened his grip on his spear, preparing to stand his ground and protect his comrades. From the origin of the assault, a figure emerged, clad in gleaming armour. Behind her, a band of menacing bandits took their positions, bracing for a fierce battle. "Isabella Rossi," Kamil called out with a mix of anger and recognition, locking eyes with the formidable woman. "You'll hand over that Chronotex right now, Setka!" Isabella declared with unwavering determination; her bandits poised to attack. Setka's resolve remained unyielding as he countered, "You think I'm a fool? I'll never surrender it to you." "ATTACK! ALL MEMBERS OF THE GUILD, CLAIM THAT CHRONOTEX!" Isabella's voice echoed across the battlefield as her forces prepared to engage in combat. "Soldiers, stand your ground! Drive back the Merchants Guild bandits!" Setka's voice rang out, his pointed finger directing the soldiers to face the hostile threat. In response, the bandits unleashed a hail of fiery arrows upon the unprepared soldiers. Some troops were caught off guard, their skin scorched as they fell victim to the flames. Others swiftly sought refuge behind their shields or took cover on the ground, desperately evading the deadly barrage."General, I suggest we regroup and devise a strong plan to defeat her," Kamil proposed, his voice filled with determination. "Agreed, let's fall back for now," Setka responded, and they swiftly began their retreat while the Special Unit soldiers provided cover, shielding them from any incoming arrows. As the initial barrage of arrows ceased, they reached a safe distance and gathered with the main force to strategize their next move. "Looks like they ran out of arrows," Kasib remarked. "Most likely, but we can't afford to be complacent. They'll likely regroup and come at us again," Kamil cautioned. Ramon interjected, "So, what's the battle strategy?" Kamil produced an ancient brown papyrus scroll, passing it to Setka, who started drawing on it as he explained the plan. "Alright, here's the plan. I'll take the front, leading the main force, and some members of the Special Unit will accompany me. Behind us, Kamil and the rest of the Special Units will provide support. Kamil will use his Shield ability to protect soldiers in danger," Setka detailed. "On the right wing, we'll have Commander Mene's troops, led by Ramon, along with 30 other soldiers. On the left, another group of 30 soldiers. The rest will form the centre or serve as reinforcements, while the archers will stay in the back, ready to provide support when needed." "All troops, do you understand the plan?" Setka called out. "Yes, General!" the soldiers responded in unison, their resolve strengthening with the unified strategy. The tension in the air was palpable as the army prepared to face Isabella and her bandits once more. As they assumed their positions, Jack couldn't help but be curious about the abilities of those around him. Turning to Kamil, he asked, "So, you possess a Chronotex as well?" Kamil nodded with a smile. "Indeed, it's called Shield. With it, I can create strong shields at any location I can see. That's why I'll be a bit back from the frontline, protecting the soldiers who are under attack." "That's impressive," Jack remarked. "I hope your Shield can help me too if the need arises." Kamil reassured him, "Rest assured, if I see you in trouble, I'll be there to lend a hand." Ramon called out, "Jack, quick, let's head to our position!" "Alright," Jack replied, joining Ramon and Kasib. The desert heat was relentless, and the urgency of the situation added to their fatigue as they hurried to their designated spots. Kasib teased Jack, "Already feeling the heat, huh?" Jack grinned, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "It's just a bit too much for my liking." As they jogged, Jack asked Ramon, "What's Isabella Rossi's Chronotex?" Ramon explained, "Hers is called Doppelgänger. You won't believe it, but General Setka and Commander Menes have supposedly killed her about 20 times already, and yet she keeps reappearing." Jack was taken aback. "What? How is that possible?" Ramon continued, "She never shows up for her battles herself. Instead, she always sends her Doppelgänger or gängers to fight in her place."This left Jack stunned and concerned. The impending battle now seemed even more unpredictableFar away from the battlefield, in a place bustling with Bandits, filth covered every inch of the surroundings. Inside a dimly lit room, a woman laid on her bed, surrounded by an assortment of weaponry scattered on the floor. It was none other than Isabella Rossi. Her piercing green eyes opened slowly, and she let out a weary sigh. "Uhh, another battle," she whispered to herself, her mind already calculating the strategies she would employ. As she got up from the bed, her gaze fell on a mirror hanging on the wall. In it, she saw her own reflection, a reflection that seemed to shimmer and waver like a mirage. Her lips curved into a sly smile as she touched the mirror. "The Doppelgänger never disappoints," she mused, her voice echoing with confidence.

ADVERTISEMENT