the indomitable human spirit

I was utterly astonished when I received that news; no words can adequately convey the depth of my emotions...

Throughout that entire duration... Eric...

Turned out to be a non-human entity...

The doctor who attempted to aid me... the very doctor I terminated myself...

Was, in fact, not of human origin...

I found myself in a state of profound shock, mingled with confusion, and an urgent longing for elucidation...

Me: Eric...

Eric: I anticipated that you would attain such a remarkable level of prowess. You are truly exceptional...

Me: Are you suggesting... that throughout all this time...

You were never truly human?

Eric: That is correct. I merely communicated with you while assuming a human guise...

Me: Why... why did you assist me?

What makes me so special?...

Eric: You see, I originate from the absolute void. I knew there would be a force opposing me—a force that embodies all that is good and combats the "malevolent" and the "unfathomable" aspects of this world...

Me: What?... What do you mean by that?

Eric: What I mean is... I embody that which is considered "unknown"...

I am the embodiment of the "evils" in this world,

I exist within the very fabric of everything and everyone...

I represent the unknown and malevolent aspects that reside within all individuals and realms...

I am a pervasive force that has always existed...

Me: So why did you select me?

Did you grant me these powers?...

Eric: Whenever there is evil, there will always be a force of "good" opposing it...

And I knew that the force of "good" would eventually manifest within someone...

And that someone is you...

Me: ?!...

Eric: When I encountered you, I sensed something intriguing within you. I recognized your untapped capabilities...

I knew you possessed the strength to confront the true horrors of this world...

Me: ...

Eric: Enough with the inquiries. I have "endured" an "eternity" in anticipation of this very moment...

I knew you would arrive here... and now you stand before me...

I can finally vanquish you and erase your existence entirely...

Me: We shall see about that...

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And thus, the battle ensued...

The magnitude of this conflict defies description or measurement...

Eric personifies the essence of all that is wicked and enigmatic...

While I embody the essence of all that is virtuous, representing the indomitable will that dwells within every being and every realm...

The will that resides within each and every one of us...

We all endure suffering, a ceaseless struggle, yet we possess that will, that inner strength enabling us to persevere and embrace our lives...

For we have but one life to live.

At this juncture, labeling it merely a "fight" becomes inconsequential... for our encounter transcends such limitations...

It becomes a testament to my unwavering determination to rise above suffering and forge ahead...

The strength of our collective will to survive and confront the horrors of this world is what sets us apart...

I will not vanish, you will not scare me...

As the battle raged on, I persisted, continuously rebounding from each blow, persevering through the challenges...

And so did Eric...

We permeated every being, every facet of existence... united in this relentless struggle...

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We persisted in our relentless battle, each striving to gain the upper hand... and I found myself emerging as the victor...

Eric: !?...

Me: This is the strength of my will. I refuse to be defeated... not after everything that has transpired...

I will not yield to you...

Eric: Good luck with that... No, there will be no "luck" for you. You shall fall, and I shall emerge victorious...

...

We continued our ferocious clash, each unwilling to relent... until finally, I managed to strike him down...

However, something felt amiss...

Me: ?!...

Before I could make any further move, he swiftly regained his strength in a mere fraction of an instant...

His willpower overcame mine, if only for a moment...

I miscalculated...

And then, out of nowhere, a sword materialized and pierced through my abdomen...

Me: ?!...

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