Ch 79: Nightmare and Celestia

As Hina slowly regained consciousness, the first thing that assaulted her senses was the acrid smell of smoke and charred wood. Her eyes fluttered open to a scene of utter devastation. The once vibrant kingdom of Ingrasya lay in ruins, littered with dead bodies and engulfed in flames. The taste of ash lingered in her mouth, a bitter reminder of the chaos she had missed.

"Where am I?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the crackling of the fires and the distant cries of the wounded.

Her eyes widened in shock as she spotted an exact copy of herself hovering in the air. The doppelgänger moved with a menacing grace, its red eyes glowing with malevolence.

"Kill, kill all! Destroy everything!" it shrieked, its voice distorted and echoing like a nightmarish chorus.

The clone's maniacal laughter sent chills down Hina's spine as she watched it unleash its fury on the villages below. Buildings crumbled under the onslaught, and terrified screams filled the air, mingling with the sound of collapsing structures. Hina felt the heat of the flames on her skin, the ground beneath her trembling with each explosion caused by the clone's relentless attacks.

The sight of her duplicate wreaking havoc was surreal and horrifying, the sheer power on display a stark reminder of her own capabilities. The smell of blood and burning flesh was overpowering, and the oppressive heat made it difficult to breathe. Hina's heart pounded in her chest, a mix of fear and determination rising within her. She knew she had to stop this doppelgänger, but the sight of her own power being used for such destruction left her momentarily paralyzed.

"How...how can this be?" she murmured, struggling to comprehend the scene before her as the doppelgänger's chilling laughter continued to echo through the ruined kingdom.

Hina's heart pounded in her chest as she shouted, "Stop it!" Her voice echoed through the chaos, but the doppelgänger continued its rampage, unfazed.

Gathering her strength, Hina summoned a skill, "Lightning Javelin." The air crackled with energy, the sharp smell of ozone filling her nostrils as she formed the spear of pure lightning. She hurled it with all her might, the blinding light illuminating the destruction around her.

The javelin streaked through the air with a deafening crack, its brilliant blue light momentarily overpowering the flames and smoke. It struck the doppelgänger, who raised an arm to block it. The impact was tremendous, creating a shockwave that rippled through the air, shaking the ground and causing nearby fires to flicker and dance. The sound was a sharp, piercing crack, like a thousand bolts of lightning striking simultaneously.

But the doppelgänger merely laughed, a sound that sent a shiver down Hina's spine. "Is that the power of the goddess? So weak! Hahahaha!" it taunted, its voice distorted and mocking.

Hina watched in horror as the doppelgänger effortlessly deflected the javelin. The energy dispersed into the air, leaving behind a faint, burnt smell. The doppelgänger's laughter echoed around her, mingling with the sound of crackling flames and the distant cries of those still fleeing the destruction.

The clone's red eyes locked onto Hina, its expression twisted into a cruel grin. "You really thought you could stop me with that?" it sneered, its voice dripping with contempt. The ground beneath Hina's feet felt unstable, as if the very earth were trembling in fear of the doppelgänger's power.

Hina's breath came in short, ragged gasps, the acrid taste of smoke and ash heavy on her tongue. The oppressive heat from the fires made her sweat, and her heart raced with a mix of fear and determination. She knew she had to find a way to stop this twisted version of herself, but the sheer power it displayed left her feeling overwhelmed and desperate.

Desperation clawed at Hina as she shouted, "System, help! Activate all skill arsenal!" But there was no response. Panic surged through her as she repeated, "System!" Still, there was nothing. Her worry deepened, her heart pounding in her chest like a drum.

"System!" she screamed again, her voice cracking with fear and frustration.

Finally, the system interface emerged, but it was a complete copy of her, and the usual blue interface was now an ominous red, glitching with static sounds. "System," she whispered, hope mingling with dread.

The distorted voice of the interface echoed her words, "System? There is no such thing as a system," it taunted, the static growing louder. The user interface flickered and glitched, a cacophony of dissonant sounds filling the air.

The doppelgänger shrieked, a high-pitched, piercing sound that cut through Hina like a blade. She instinctively covered her ears, but the shriek was so intense it felt like needles stabbing into her brain. Her ears began to bleed, the metallic taste of fear and helplessness mingling on her tongue.

The world around her seemed to amplify the doppelgänger's shriek. The ground vibrated beneath her feet, sending tremors up her legs. The once-clear sky above was now a swirling mass of dark clouds, mirroring the chaos in her mind. The acrid smell of burning wood and flesh filled her nostrils, making it hard to breathe.

Hina's vision blurred with tears of pain and frustration. The oppressive heat from the fires made her skin prickle and her clothes stick uncomfortably to her body. She could feel the blood trickling from her ears, warm and sticky against her skin.

The doppelgänger's laughter echoed around her, a chilling sound that seemed to come from everywhere at once. "So weak, so helpless," it mocked, its voice a distorted mirror of her own. The ground beneath Hina's feet felt unsteady, as if the very earth was mocking her futile attempts to fight back.

Every sense was overwhelmed: the sight of the glitching, red interface; the smell of smoke and blood; the taste of ash and fear; the sound of the doppelgänger's shriek and laughter; the feel of her own blood and the heat of the flames. Hina was trapped in a nightmare of her own making, and she didn't know how to wake up.

The doppelgänger loomed closer, its malevolent presence overwhelming. "Die for me," it hissed, its voice dripping with venom. "Give me your power and be consumed. Together we will become more powerful. Hahaha!"

With a swift motion, the doppelgänger's hand wrapped around Hina's throat, choking her with an iron grip. Hina's vision began to blur, dark spots dancing at the edges. She tried to pry the hand away, but her strength was fading rapidly.

"Stop, please stop," she cried, her voice barely a whisper, the words strangled by the doppelgänger's grip. Her breaths came in shallow gasps, each one a struggle. The world around her seemed to shrink, the sounds of crackling fires and distant screams fading into the background.

The doppelgänger's face twisted into a cruel smile. "Die, Hina, die," it whispered, its voice now a sickly sweet caress. "It's for your own good."

Every sense was heightened in her final moments. The sight of the doppelgänger's eyes, glowing with a malevolent light, burned into her mind. The taste of blood and desperation coated her tongue. The sound of her own heartbeat, pounding erratically in her ears, drowned out everything else. The acrid smell of smoke filled her nostrils, mingling with the metallic scent of her own blood. And the feel of the doppelgänger's cold, unyielding grip around her neck was the final, terrifying sensation as her strength ebbed away.

As Hina struggled against the doppelgänger's grip, her thoughts grew increasingly sad and resigned. *Looks like I'm going to die soon,* she mused internally, her vision dimming. *It's been fun hanging out in this world, even if my life has been a mess. It's only been a month and a half living here. I wonder what my age actually is...* She felt a sense of peace amid the despair, accepting her fate.

Suddenly, a radiant light broke through the gloom. "Evil nightmare, vanish!" a powerful, serene voice commanded. Hina's eyes widened in shock and hope as her mother, Celestia, appeared, her divine presence illuminating the darkness.

Celestia caught Hina in her arms, hugging her tightly. Her voice was calm and soothing. "Hina, my dear, what are you doing? Don't let yourself succumb to the darkness."

The entire area transformed around them, shifting from the hellish landscape to a heavenly realm. Flowers bloomed, their sweet fragrance filling the air, replacing the stench of smoke and blood. The chaotic sounds of destruction faded, replaced by a gentle, melodic breeze. The ground beneath them became soft with lush grass, and a warm, golden light enveloped them, bringing a sense of peace and serenity. The entire atmosphere felt like a safe haven, a stark contrast to the terror that had just unfolded.

Hina looked up at her mother, tears streaming down her face. "Mother, thank you for saving me," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

Celestia held her daughter tightly, her touch warm and comforting. "Hush, my dear," she said softly, her voice like a gentle lullaby. "I have always loved you, and even when your heart was corrupted by the demon, I was still watching over you."

Hina's sobs grew louder, her body trembling with relief and sorrow. She buried her face in her mother's shoulder, feeling the softness of Celestia's robes against her cheek. The scent of her mother's familiar floral perfume enveloped her, a stark contrast to the acrid smoke and blood that had filled her senses moments before.

The heavenly realm around them seemed to respond to their emotions. The flowers swayed gently as if in sympathy, their petals glistening with dewdrops. A warm breeze rustled the leaves, carrying with it the sweet scent of blossoms and the soft hum of life. The light grew even more golden, casting a serene glow over everything and creating an almost ethereal atmosphere.

As Hina cried in her mother's arms, the sound of her sobs echoed through the peaceful landscape, mingling with the distant, soothing melody of a stream flowing nearby. The warmth of her mother's embrace made her feel safe for the first time in what seemed like an eternity. Celestia's gentle caresses on Hina's back and the soft murmurs of comfort brought a sense of healing, slowly mending her shattered spirit.

In that moment, surrounded by the serene beauty of the heavenly realm and enveloped in her mother's unconditional love, Hina began to feel a glimmer of hope. The darkness that had threatened to consume her started to fade, replaced by the light of her mother's unwavering support and the promise of a new beginning.

Hina clung tightly to her mother, feeling a profound sense of comfort and connection. As their bond strengthened, Hina's body began to glow with an ethereal light, shimmering softly in the serene atmosphere of the heavenly realm. She pulled back slightly, looking at her glowing hands in awe. "What is happening?" she asked, her voice filled with wonder.

Celestia smiled warmly at her. "Ah, ah, ah! Just call me Mother," she said, her eyes twinkling with joy. "Your spirit is being cleansed, my dear. The corrupted energy is gone."

Hina felt a weight lift from her soul, the darkness that had clung to her evaporating like morning mist. "Ahhh, wow. My spirit feels so light again," she breathed, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you, Goddess Mother."

Celestia's laughter was like a gentle breeze, full of love. "You are waking up, my dear," she said softly.

Panic flickered across Hina's face. "Mother, what is my real age when I am brought to this world?"

Celestia's smile was tender. "You are 1 and a half months old, my dear."

Hina's face twisted into a comically awkward expression. "Huh?" she exclaimed, a hint of disbelief in her voice.

Celestia laughed softly, a sound that seemed to make the flowers around them bloom even more brightly. "Goodbye, dear. I hope we meet again."

As Hina began to fade, she waved to her mother, a bittersweet smile on her lips. "Goodbye, Mother," she called out, her voice filled with love and longing.

The scene around them shimmered with vibrant colors and warm light. The floral scent grew more intense, filling Hina's senses with a sense of peace. The sound of birds chirping and the gentle rustling of leaves created a symphony of tranquility. The warmth of her mother's embrace lingered on her skin, a comforting reminder of the bond they shared.

As Hina's vision blurred, the last thing she saw was her mother's smiling face, glowing with pride and love. The heavenly realm around her faded into a soft, comforting light, and she felt herself being gently pulled back to the waking world.

*To be continue*