《The Azured-eyed assassin》 A contact in the rain The rain fell in sheets over the rooftops of the city. A shadow stood motionless on a ledge, observing the alley below. The man he was waiting for was late. Under the hood of his black coat, Akira narrowed his eyes. A faint blue glimmer crossed his icy gaze. His gift was activating. **Chrono-Vision: 3 seconds into the future.** In his vision, he saw the metal door open and a figure step forward under the light of a broken streetlamp. He¡¯s coming. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Three seconds later, the scene unfolded exactly as he had seen it. A man in a suit, nervous, adjusted his tie before looking up at him. ¡ª Black Phantom¡­ he whispered. Akira jumped from the ledge, landing smoothly in front of him. He wore no mask, but his name alone was enough to chill the blood of his targets. ¡ª Speak, he ordered in a calm voice. The man swallowed hard and handed him a USB key. ¡ª Here is your next contract. The target¡­ is a 17-year-old girl. Akira frowned. ¡ª I don¡¯t kill children. ¡ª She¡¯s not a child, the man corrected. She¡¯s a monster. Silence. Only the raindrops echoed around them. Akira took the USB key, inserted it into his mini-projector, and watched the file appear before his eyes. **Name:** Hoshino Mayu **Age:** 17 **Status:** Extremely Dangerous **Mission:** Immediate Elimination A photo appeared. A girl with long silver hair, wearing a sweet smile. She looked like an ordinary high school student¡­ except for one detail. In her gaze, he saw something strange. A glow, almost unreal. As if she could see the future too. A shiver ran through Akira. For the first time in a long while, he felt thatthis contract would be different. Very different. The Girl Who Saw Everything The night was calm, too calm. Akira walked down a dark alley, his hands shoved deep in his coat pockets. The USB key weighed in his palm like a silent warning. Hoshino Mayu. 17 years old. Target to eliminate. He had seen dozens of contracts like this. But something was off. Why was an ordinary high school girl classified as "extremely dangerous"? He stopped near a caf¨¦ that was still open and sat at a table in the back. His ultra-thin laptop powered on silently. Quickly, he began a search on Mayu. Her school record was impeccable. Excellent student, no absences, no criminal history. A normal life. So why did someone want her dead? ¡ª Are you looking for something specific? This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Akira looked up. A waitress had just brought his coffee. But she was not an ordinary waitress. Her long silver hair glimmered under the dim light. Her icy blue eyes locked directly onto his. Hoshino Mayu. His heart skipped a beat. She shouldn''t be here. She smiled slightly, sitting across from him without an invitation. ¡ª You''re faster than expected, she murmured, resting her chin on her hand. Akira remained silent. His gaze analyzed every detail. No signs of fear, no flinching. ¡ª Who sent you? he asked coldly. She shrugged. ¡ª No one. I found you. Doubt settled in him. How could she know? ¡ª I know everything about you, Akira Kurogane. Black Phantom. The legendary assassin who never misses his target. A shiver ran through him. This was not normal. ¡ª Are you spying on me? She chuckled softly. ¡ª No. I see the future. Silence fell. A long silence. Then, without warning, Mayu reached out her hand and tapped the table with her fingertips. ¡ª In three seconds, your phone will vibrate. Akira gritted his teeth. She¡¯s bluffing. One second. Two seconds. BZZZT. His phone vibrated violently in his pocket. Akira didn¡¯t move, but inside, his blood had turned to ice. She smiled as she took a sip of her coffee. ¡ª Impressed? He slowly closed his laptop. His instincts screamed at him to be cautious. This girl is a problem. ¡ª Why did you come to see me? he asked. Her smile faded slightly. ¡ª Because you''re going to have to make a choice, she said. She locked her penetrating gaze on him. ¡ª Either you kill me¡­ or you help me survive. Akira felt that, for the first time, he had encountered a contract he couldn¡¯t simply execute. And he hated that. Chapter 3: An Untouchable Target Akira clenched his coffee cup, his gaze locked onto Mayu''s. ¡ª And why would I help you? She tilted her head slightly, her smile returning to her lips. ¡ª Because if you try to kill me¡­ you will fail. The assassin didn¡¯t respond immediately. He never failed. Every mission he undertook was executed with surgical precision. Yet this girl confidently claimed that she would survive his blade. ¡ª I¡¯ve seen the future, she added, crossing her arms. In all possible versions¡­ you cannot kill me. ¡ª There¡¯s no immutable future, he retorted coldly. Every choice creates a new possibility. ¡ª Maybe, but the end is always the same. You don¡¯t kill me. Akira slowly set down his cup. It wasn¡¯t a threat, nor a challenge. Just an absolute truth in her eyes. ¡ª Who wants you dead? he finally asked. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Mayu''s smile faded. She looked down, tracing an invisible circle on the table with her finger. ¡ª Someone who knows my power. Someone who knows I can see¡­ things they don¡¯t want me to see. Her tone turned serious. Akira could see in her eyes that she wasn¡¯t lying. ¡ª But the problem, she continued, is that I don¡¯t know who commissioned your mission. The irony was biting. A girl who could see the future, but who didn¡¯t know who wanted her dead. Akira leaned back in his chair, observing the young girl. She wasn¡¯t trembling, showing no signs of panic. She was clear-headed and incredibly calm for someone with a contract on her head. ¡ª You seem rather relaxed for someone in danger. Mayu shrugged. ¡ª It¡¯s not the first time someone has tried to kill me. Akira raised an eyebrow. ¡ª How many times? ¡ª Four. You¡¯re the fifth assassin sent against me. A heavy silence settled. Akira knew the unspoken rule of the mercenary world: if a target survives more than three attempts, they are considered an anomaly. A ghost. ¡ª And the others? he asked. Mayu took a deep breath. ¡ª Two disappeared without a trace. One had an ¡°accident¡± before even getting close to me. And the fourth¡­ committed suicide. Akira''s fingers tightened slightly against the edge of the table. ¡ª And now you¡¯re here, she concluded. Her gaze intensified. ¡ª So, Akira Kurogane, the man who never misses his target¡­ what will you do? The assassin didn¡¯t answer immediately. He knew his code. He had accepted a contract; he had to execute it. But he also knew one thing: when a contract didn¡¯t make any sense, there was a trap. And this girl was a living trap. He slowly stood up, putting his computer away in his bag. ¡ª I¡¯ll start by checking your information. Mayu smiled. ¡ª Does that mean you¡¯re not going to kill me? ¡ª Not yet. He adjusted his coat and turned toward the exit. ¡ª But if I find out you¡¯re lying to me¡­ He cast a cold look at her. ¡ª Then I¡¯ll make sure this time, the future changes. Without waiting for a response, he disappeared into the night. Mayu remained seated, staring at the door he had just crossed. Then, softly, she murmured: ¡ª That¡¯s exactly what I had seen¡­ Chapter 4: A Hidden Truth Akira walked through the night, the cold wind whipping his face. He had left the caf¨¦ an hour ago, but the image of Mayu remained etched in his mind. She knew everything before it happened. He was used to cunning enemies and unpredictable targets. But never to a target who could literally see the future. Pulling out his phone, he contacted his informant, Rin, a hacker capable of accessing the most protected files. ¡ª Find me everything you can on Hoshino Mayu. ¡ª A high school girl? Seriously, man? Rin replied with amusement. ¡ª Just do it. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. ¡ª Yeah, yeah¡­ Give me a few minutes. Akira put his phone away and leaned against a dark wall. A light rain began to fall. Then his instincts sent him a signal. Someone was watching him. He slowly slid his hand toward his concealed knife. ¡ª No need for that, a voice murmured behind him. He turned around. Mayu stood there, under a streetlight, holding an umbrella. ¡ª Are you following me? he asked, impassive. She shrugged. ¡ª I saw you were coming here. ¡ª And so? ¡ª So I thought... I might as well wait for you. Akira remained silent. This girl was starting to seriously annoy him. ¡ª What game are you playing? ¡ª Surviving. Her tone was serious this time. ¡ª Why would someone want to kill you? She hesitated. Then, in a whisper: ¡ª Because I know something I shouldn''t know. Akira fixed her with a stare. ¡ª What? She opened her mouth, ready to respond. But at that moment, a whistle sliced through the air. BANG! Akira reacted purely by instinct, grabbing Mayu and pulling her to the ground just in time. A bullet whizzed overhead, piercing the wall behind them. A sniper. Akira rolled to the side and drew his weapon. ¡ª Stay put. Mayu nodded, breathless. Akira scanned the rooftops. A movement. A shadow. The enemy was there. And this time, he was the target. Chapter 5: The Hunted Hunter Akira pressed against the wall, firmly holding his pistol. His gaze swept across the rooftops. The attack was quick, precise. A sniper. Mayu, crouched behind him, trembled slightly. ¡ª They followed us, she whispered. ¡ª No¡­ they¡¯re hunting me. He took a quick glance at the source of the shot. A shadow moved on an adjacent building. The sniper wasn¡¯t going to stop there. ¡ª Stay here. Without waiting for a response, Akira launched into a frantic run. A second shot sliced through the air. He rolled on the ground, narrowly avoiding the bullet. A sharp impact rang out behind him: the projectile had shattered a streetlamp. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. This guy is good. But he was better. He sprinted toward an alley and climbed a fire escape. His tense muscles propelled his body onto the neighboring rooftop. No sooner had he set foot on the concrete than a deadly whistle sliced through the air. Akira dodged by pure instinct. A dagger grazed his face and embedded itself in the wall behind him. The sound of footsteps preceded a swift attack. An enemy was charging at him. The attacker was dressed in black, his face masked by a tactical helmet. But this wasn¡¯t just any sniper. This was an assassin. Akira raised his arm to block the blow. A fine, sharp blade struck his reinforced forearm. The impact made him grunt, but he held firm. The enemy immediately pivoted, launching a roundhouse kick. Akira stepped back just in time to avoid it. Their eyes met through the opaque visor of the mask. ¡ª Who sent you? Akira spat. The man didn¡¯t respond. He attacked again, blade forward. Akira barely dodged and countered. A knife thrust straight to the torso. The assailant turned at the last moment. The blade brushed against his jacket but inflicted no damage. Akira cursed inwardly. This man was trained in close combat. He attempted a feint, lowering his guard slightly. The enemy took the bait, launching another strike. Akira reacted in a flash. With a fluid motion, he grabbed the attacker¡¯s armed arm and twisted it brutally. A sharp crack echoed. The man grimaced under his helmet, retreating hastily. But instead of retaliating, he suddenly dropped an object to the ground. A smoke grenade. A black cloud instantly enveloped the area. Akira coughed and backed up, his weapon raised. Silence. When the smoke dissipated¡­ The enemy had disappeared. Akira slowly stood up, scanning the surroundings. This was no amateur. And now he knew one thing: This was just the beginning. Chapter 6: Blood And Shadows Akira remained motionless on the roof, analyzing the scene. The assailant had vanished, but not without leaving traces. A dagger was still embedded in the wall. He approached and yanked it out with a swift motion. The blade was slender, curved, marked with a discreet symbol near the hilt: a black lotus. Akira felt his stomach knot. ¡ª The Black Flowers¡­ This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. An elite group of assassins, specializing in the elimination of ¡°problematic¡± targets. The kind of killers sent only when a contract becomes too complicated. This meant one thing: Someone wanted him eliminated too. He gritted his teeth and sheathed the dagger before quickly descending. --- Down below, Mayu was waiting for him, still hidden behind the wall. ¡ª Who was it? she asked, seeing his expression. ¡ª A professional. Someone on my level, maybe even better. She swallowed hard. ¡ª Does that mean¡­ ¡ª Yes. We have no choice. She frowned. ¡ª The choice of what? He fixed her with a cold gaze. ¡ª If I want to survive, I need to know exactly what you know. A shiver ran through Mayu. Until now, she had thought that seeing the future was enough to protect herself. But as she met Akira''s gaze, she finally understood something: Knowing was good. But acting¡­ that was the only way to survive. ¡ª Okay, she whispered. She took a deep breath and declared: ¡ª It all started six months ago¡­ Chapter 7: Six Months Earlier Mayu took a deep breath. ¡ª It all started six months ago... Akira watched her, arms crossed, waiting for her to continue. ¡ª I started seeing things. Fragments of the future. At first, they were just insignificant details: a cup falling, a bird passing by at a certain hour... nothing important. She clenched her fists. ¡ª Then one day, I saw the death of a man. Akira raised an eyebrow. ¡ª Which man? ¡ª A politician. His face was familiar; I had seen him on the news. In my vision, he was alone in his office... and suddenly, someone stabbed him in the back. She shivered at the memory of the images etched in her mind. ¡ª Three days later, it happened. Exactly as I had seen. A heavy silence hung between them. Akira remained impassive, but a glimmer of interest crossed his gaze. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. ¡ª Did you try to tell anyone? Mayu shook her head. ¡ª I wanted to warn the police, but... who would believe me? I was just a high school girl claiming to "see the future." She paused, her gaze hardening. ¡ª And then they started watching me. Akira tilted his head slightly. ¡ª Who? ¡ª I don''t know. But wherever I went, there was always someone... dark-suited men, a black car parked in front of my house for too long. She bit her lip. ¡ª I realized they were waiting for something. ¡ª And then? Mayu hesitated. Then she said, in a lower voice: ¡ª Then I had another vision. Akira tensed slightly. ¡ª Which one? She looked up at him, her blue eyes burning with a troubling intensity. ¡ª My own death. A heavy silence settled. Akira didn¡¯t look away. ¡ª Did you see how? ¡ª No. Just... a feeling. A sense of fear, of pain. And an absolute certainty: I was going to die. She took a deep breath before adding: ¡ª Shortly after, I saw another image: you. Akira''s eyes narrowed slightly. ¡ª Me? She nodded slowly. ¡ª I knew you would come to kill me. Akira didn¡¯t respond immediately. His gaze stayed locked with hers, trying to gauge if she was lying. But he knew she wasn¡¯t. She was telling the truth. ¡ª And now? he finally asked. Do you still see your death? She shook her head. ¡ª No. Since I met you... the future has changed. A shiver ran through Akira. Mayu swallowed, then pointed a finger at the dagger he had retrieved. ¡ª That symbol... I¡¯ve seen it before. Akira looked down at the weapon. The black lotus engraved on the blade seemed to almost glow under the streetlight. ¡ª Where? he asked in a cold voice. ¡ª In my visions. She moved slightly closer, almost whispering: ¡ª That group... is connected to all of this. And I believe they don¡¯t just want to kill me. Her gaze darkened. ¡ª They want to capture me. Mayu hesitated, then added in a low voice: ¡ª In my last vision, I saw... a white room. Akira squinted. ¡ª A white room? ¡ª Yes. Walls without windows. Blinding fluorescents. Machines everywhere... and me, strapped to a table. She swallowed hard. ¡ª There were people in lab coats, and someone was speaking. A deep voice. I couldn¡¯t see his face, but... he said I was "the key." Akira felt a slight chill run down his spine. ¡ª Key to what? Mayu shook her head. ¡ª I don¡¯t know. She bit her lip, then locked her gaze with his. ¡ª But I¡¯m certain of one thing: if those people capture me, I will never get out of that place. Chapter 8: The Key Element Akira stared at Mayu in silence. A white room. Machines. A deep voice speaking of a key element. Something was off. ¡ª Are you sure it was a vision of the future? he finally asked. Mayu hesitated, then nodded. ¡ª Yes¡­ but it was different. Normally, my visions are short, like flashes. This one was¡­ clearer. As if I was really there. Akira tightened his grip on the dagger in his hand. ¡ª And the voice? Do you remember any detail? An accent? A name? This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. She closed her eyes, trying to gather her memories. Then she murmured: ¡ª "Project A.O." Akira frowned. ¡ª Project A.O.? She nodded. ¡ª That¡¯s all I heard. A shiver ran down Akira¡¯s spine. That name meant nothing to him¡­ but his instincts whispered that he had just stepped into something far more dangerous than a simple assassination contract. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. ¡ª Listen¡­ I¡¯ll be honest. If the Black Lotus is involved, it means there¡¯s money and power at stake. These guys don¡¯t move for nothing. Mayu clenched her fists. ¡ª Do you think they want to experiment on me? Akira looked at her. ¡ª Maybe. Or maybe they just want to eliminate you before your visions reveal something they want to hide. She paled slightly. ¡ª So¡­ what do we do? Akira thought for a moment. He wasn¡¯t supposed to protect his target. Normally, he tracked, eliminated, and vanished. But this time¡­ He wanted answers. He glanced at the Black Lotus dagger. ¡ª We¡¯re going to find out who put this contract on you. Mayu''s eyes widened. ¡ª You mean¡­ we¡¯re going to attack those who are hunting us? A faint smile crossed Akira¡¯s face. ¡ª The best defense is an attack. He slid the dagger into his belt and turned on his heel. ¡ª Let¡¯s move. ¡ª Where to? she asked hesitantly. He looked back over his shoulder. ¡ª To someone who knows more than we do. Mayu furrowed her brow. ¡ª Who? Akira smiled slightly. ¡ª An old friend¡­ or rather, a former informant. Then he added, more darkly: ¡ª If he''s still alive. Chapter 9: The Informant Mayu walked behind Akira, her heart racing. She still struggled to believe that she was hunting those who wanted her dead. ¡ª This informant¡­ she said to break the silence. Do you trust him? ¡ª No. His abrupt answer took her breath away. ¡ª Then why are we going to see him? Akira didn¡¯t slow down. ¡ª Because he knows things. And right now, we need information more than we need trust. They crossed a dark alley, avoiding the light of streetlamps. Ahead of them stood an old metal door, rusted by time. Akira knocked three times, then two more, in rhythm. Silence. Then a hoarse voice came through the intercom: ¡ª Who¡¯s there? ¡ª A ghost from the past. A clatter was heard, and the door creaked open slightly. Akira took a quick glance at Mayu. ¡ª Don¡¯t say anything. Let me talk. She nodded. Inside was an old cyber caf¨¦ turned into a clandestine hideout. Wires hung from the ceiling, and several screens displayed footage from surveillance cameras around the city. At the back of the room sat a man in a worn-out chair. He was in his thirties, with messy black hair and deep circles under his eyes. ¡ª Damn¡­ Akira. He straightened up slightly, looking wary. ¡ª I thought you were dead. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Akira stepped forward slowly. ¡ª You were mistaken. The man chuckled. ¡ª What¡¯s this about? Another contract? A favor? Akira stopped in front of him and tossed the Black Lotus dagger onto the table. ¡ª Tell me what you know about them. The man raised an eyebrow, then picked up the dagger and twirled it between his fingers. ¡ª Where did you find this? ¡ª Answer first. The informant sighed and glanced at the cameras, as if ensuring they weren¡¯t being watched. ¡ª The Black Lotus, huh¡­ He wet his lips. ¡ª You¡¯ve gotten yourself into something bigger than you, my friend. Mayu felt a shiver run down her spine. ¡ª What does that mean? she asked involuntarily. The man examined her, then turned his attention back to Akira. ¡ª I shouldn¡¯t talk about this. If they find out I gave you information, I¡¯m a dead man. Akira crossed his arms. ¡ª You¡¯re already dead. The informant grimaced. ¡ª Charming. He hesitated, then leaned toward them and whispered: ¡ª The Black Lotus isn¡¯t just a group of assassins. It¡¯s an experiment. Mayu felt her breath catch. ¡ª An experiment? The man nodded. ¡ª The real assassins of the Black Lotus¡­ are not human. A chilling silence fell over the room. Mayu stared at the informant, unable to speak. ¡ª What do you mean by that? Akira asked, his voice colder than ever. The informant cleared his throat and looked around, as if expecting a shadow to emerge from the darkness. Then he murmured: ¡ª Project A.O. Mayu jolted. ¡ª You know that name?! The informant clenched his jaw. ¡ª It¡¯s not just a name. It¡¯s their objective. He leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath. ¡ª Project A.O. is an attempt to create perfect assassins. Enhanced killers, genetically modified, capable of anticipating their enemies before they even move. Mayu felt a cold wave wash over her stomach. ¡ª But¡­ why me? The informant looked at her for a long moment, then declared: ¡ª Because you are a prototype. Total silence. Breathless, Mayu took a step back. ¡ª That¡¯s impossible¡­ Images flooded her mind. Her childhood. The headaches she always had, the strange nightmares, those moments when she felt like she lived a scene before it happened. Everything started to make sense. ¡ª No, no, no! She pressed her hands against her temples, as if trying to prevent those memories from surfacing. Now she remembered. She recalled the visits to the hospital, the doctors asking her strange questions. ¡°Have you had that dream again?¡± ¡°What do you see when you close your eyes?¡± She also remembered the worried looks of her adoptive parents¡­ and the fact that they never wanted to talk about her real family. ¡ª They used me¡­? Her voice was barely a whisper. The informant slowly nodded. ¡ª You were an experimental project. A test. If it helps, you weren¡¯t the only one¡­ but you are the only one who survived. She felt a wave of nausea. ¡ª The others¡­ are dead? The informant looked away, as if he knew but refused to answer. ¡ª What the hell is this?! she suddenly yelled. She punched the wall. The pain brought her back to reality, but it did nothing to calm her. Everything she thought she knew about her life, about herself, had just been shattered. ¡ª I am not some damn project! Akira watched her distress without intervening immediately. He knew that this kind of truth¡­ couldn¡¯t be accepted in seconds. But they didn¡¯t have time for an existential crisis. He approached slowly and placed a hand on her shoulder. ¡ª Mayu. She froze, her azure gaze filled with anger and pain. ¡ª Listen. No matter where you come from, no matter what they did¡­ He tightened his grip slightly, capturing her full attention. ¡ª It¡¯s you who decides what you are now. A silence fell. She remained frozen, tears threatening to spill¡­ then, slowly, her breathing calmed. She lowered her head, her voice trembling but more determined. ¡ª Then in that case¡­ I decide to make them pay. A slight smile appeared on Akira¡¯s face. ¡ª Good answer. He turned to the informant. ¡ª And now, tell me everything you know. The informant hesitated, then sighed. ¡ª Okay¡­ but be prepared. Because once you know this, there¡¯s no turning back. Chapter 10: The Point Of No Return The informant lit a cigarette, his hands trembling slightly. He took a drag and sighed. ¡ª Alright¡­ I¡¯ll tell you what I know. But I warn you: once you¡¯ve heard this, there¡¯s no turning back. Mayu crossed her arms, her gaze still burning with anger. ¡ª Speak. The man glanced at Akira, who remained impassive. ¡ª The Black Lotus isn¡¯t just a criminal organization. It¡¯s a cover for something much bigger¡­ A covert military program. ¡ª A military program? Mayu repeated, her heart racing. The informant nodded. ¡ª Project A.O. aims to create biologically and technologically enhanced assassins. Not just killers¡­ but living weapons. He pointed at her. ¡ª And you, Mayu¡­ You are proof that their project worked. A cold shiver ran down her spine. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. ¡ª That¡¯s not true. I¡¯m just¡­ a normal girl. ¡ª Normal? The informant scoffed. Haven¡¯t you ever noticed that you¡¯re faster, stronger than others? That you can instinctively anticipate attacks? She opened her mouth, then closed it. Of course, she had noticed. From a young age, she reacted faster than other children, her body moving before her mind could analyze the situation. She thought it was just¡­ a natural talent. ¡ª What did they do to me? The informant crushed his cigarette in an already overflowing ashtray. ¡ª Genetic experiments. Neurological simulations. Mental conditioning¡­ His gaze darkened. ¡ª They wanted to see how far they could push a human being. Mayu clenched her fists. ¡ª Why was I abandoned, then? ¡ª Because they thought you were dead. A heavy silence settled. The informant leaned forward. ¡ª Seven years ago, one of the Black Lotus facilities was attacked. Several experiments were destroyed¡­ but only one escaped. A little girl. Mayu''s blood ran cold. ¡ª Was it me? The informant slowly nodded. ¡ª They lost track of you after that night¡­ until recently. He pulled out a tablet and scrolled through files. Then he turned the screen toward them. An image appeared. It was a photo of her, taken recently, blurry, like a snapshot stolen from a surveillance camera. ¡ª They know you¡¯re alive, Mayu. And they want you alive this time. She felt her stomach churn. ¡ª Why? The informant tapped on the screen. ¡ª Because you¡¯re the only successful prototype. They want to understand why you survived¡­ and how they can recreate that result. Mayu closed her eyes for a moment, trying to control her breathing. Her existence had never been a coincidence. From the beginning, she was just an unfinished project, a forgotten experiment that the Black Lotus wanted to reclaim. ¡ª So, what do we do? she asked, her voice tougher than she expected. Akira took the tablet, studied the data, then turned to the informant. ¡ª Where is their main base? The man shook his head. ¡ª You¡¯re crazy. You have no chance against them. Akira drew his knife and stabbed it into the table, right in front of the informant. ¡ª The address. The man swallowed hard, then grabbed a pen and wrote a series of numbers on a piece of paper. ¡ª It¡¯s an old underground laboratory, beneath a derelict building in the eastern district. But I warn you¡­ if you go there, you might not come back alive. Mayu snatched the paper from his hands and stared at it. She was terrified. But she was also ready. She turned to Akira. ¡ª When do we go? A smirk appeared on his face. ¡ª Tonight. Chapter 11: The Hour Of choice The night air was cold, charged with an almost electric tension. Mayu and Akira stood on the roof of an abandoned building, overlooking the eastern district. Before them lay a landscape of dilapidated structures, warehouses with broken windows, and cracked roads overrun with vegetation. The area appeared deserted, a forgotten remnant of the city¡­ but Mayu knew it was just an illusion. ¡ª Is this the place? she whispered. Akira nodded, his eyes fixed on their target. ¡ª Yes. But getting in is one thing. Getting out alive is another. Mayu took a deep breath. Adrenaline was already pulsing through her veins. ¡ª I¡¯m not planning on dying tonight. She knelt down and observed the building through a pair of binoculars. The warehouse looked ordinary, with its cracked concrete walls and faded graffiti. But something was off. There were no signs of life. ¡ª It¡¯s too quiet, she murmured. She adjusted the zoom and spotted something strange: surveillance cameras cleverly hidden in the corners of the building. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. They were active. ¡ª They¡¯re already watching us, she breathed. Akira flashed a smile. ¡ª Good catch. We¡¯ll have to enter quietly. He pulled out a tablet and typed on it. ¡ª I hacked their network. We have a ten-minute window before they notice the anomaly. Mayu nodded. Ten minutes. They couldn¡¯t afford a mistake. ## The Infiltration They descended from the roof with agility, their shadows blending into the night. The ground was littered with a mix of rubble and shards of broken glass. Each step had to be precise, calculated. Mayu felt her heart race. Despite her determination, a part of her couldn¡¯t shake off the fear. Not the fear of being discovered¡­ But the fear of what they would find inside. They reached an air vent, hidden behind rusty metal crates. Akira knelt down and took out a small knife. With precise movements, he unscrewed the bolts silently. ¡ª I¡¯ll go first, he whispered. He slipped into the duct with ease, followed by Mayu. The interior was narrow, oppressive. The air was heavy, filled with the scent of metal and dust. Mayu felt a drop of sweat trickle down her temple. The silence was absolute. Only their measured breaths and the rustling of their clothes against the metal broke the stillness. A few meters ahead, Akira stopped dead. ¡ª Look. Through a grille, they had a bird''s-eye view of a vast underground chamber. Mayu held her breath. The place resembled a high-tech laboratory, a stark contrast to the dilapidated exterior. Bright screens flashed on control panels. Thick cables snaked across the floor, powering enormous machines. But the worst¡­ Were the tanks. Arranged in a circle at the center of the room, dozens of glass tanks contained a greenish, luminescent liquid. And inside¡­ silhouettes floated. Mayu felt her stomach churn. ¡ª What the hell is this? she whispered. Akira clenched his jaw. ¡ª Other prototypes. A chill ran down her spine. These "prototypes"¡­ were like her? Her fingers tightened on the metal edge of the duct. Fleeting memories rushed back to her. Gloved hands grabbing her. Voices murmuring numbers. The sensation of being submerged in a thick liquid, unable to move. She felt her breath quicken. ¡ª No¡­ She pulled back slightly in the duct, her back hitting the metal wall. She was one of them. The only survivor of a monstrous project. Akira turned his head toward her. ¡ª Mayu? She took a deep breath, forcing her body to calm down. Now was not the time to lose control. She was alive. And she intended to stay that way. A noise echoed behind them. Akira froze. Someone was coming. He exchanged a quick glance with Mayu. ¡ª We¡¯ve been spotted. She felt her adrenaline surge. Her muscles tensed instinctively. They had no choice now. They would have to fight. Chapter 12: The Weight Of The Past A metallic noise echoed through the conduit. They were not alone anymore. Mayu and Akira exchanged a glance. No need to speak: they had to move immediately. Akira gently pulled at the grille in front of them. It detached silently, and he jumped smoothly into the room below. Mayu followed right behind, landing quietly beside him. They hid behind a control console, their hearts beating in unison. Heavy footsteps approached. She could already feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins, a sensation that was strangely familiar to her. ¡ª How many? she whispered. Akira glanced quickly. ¡ª Three. Armed. She took a furtive look. Their equipment was military. The men advanced with calculated precision, their rifles held firmly, scanning every corner. They did not resemble the simple guards from the mafia dens they had infiltrated before. These men knew how to fight. A blurry memory struck her. ¡ª Subject 07, stay in position. A dark room, flashing red lights. A man in tactical gear faced her, a rifle aimed at her. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. She was younger, dressed in simple training attire. Unarmed. ¡ª Combat protocol activation. The man pulled the trigger. Her body moved on its own. A fluid, instinctive motion. She dodged. Her foot struck violently against her opponent¡¯s throat before he could react. He collapsed. Another attacker surged. Mayu pivoted, grabbed his arm, and broke his neck with a precise motion. She felt that same sensation in the present. That same anticipation. This primal need to survive. She took a deep breath, returning to reality. The footsteps drew closer. Akira counted mentally. Three¡­ Two¡­ One¡­ Then they sprang into action. Akira was the first to move. He leaped from behind the console, knife in hand. Before the first soldier could comprehend what was happening, he felt a hand grip his helmet. A silver flash glimmered under the artificial light. Akira plunged his knife beneath the helmet, precisely in the space between the nape and the armor. The guard made no sound, his body collapsing heavily to the ground. The other two reacted instantly, raising their rifles. But Mayu was already on them. She surged like a shadow, executing a perfectly calculated move. She leapt into the air, her body twirling with supernatural fluidity. A memory returned to her. ¡ª Subject 07, predator mode activation. A fight in a white room. A barrage of bullets fired at close range. Her body dodging each shot, as if it already knew where they would strike. Her foot hit violently against the wrist of the second soldier. A loud crack. His rifle fell to the ground. Mayu gave no respite. Her body reacted on its own, remembering a training she couldn¡¯t even recall having received. She grabbed her own knife and plunged it into the joint of his bulletproof vest. A precise impact, between the ribs. The soldier gasped, his legs trembling, before collapsing. The third soldier finally reacted. He turned toward her and fired without hesitation. But before his brain could process the information, her body moved. A sidestep. A backward roll. The sound of bullets ricocheting off the metal rang in her ears. But none hit her. She looked up. The soldier was readjusting his weapon. That fraction of a second of hesitation¡­ It was too late for him. Akira surged behind him with lightning speed. A blade pierced the jugular. The last soldier collapsed in a pool of blood. Mayu slowly straightened, her breath still rapid. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and looked down at her trembling hands. What was this? These movements¡­ They weren¡¯t hers. She hadn¡¯t consciously learned them. Her body had moved on its own. She closed her eyes for a second. Other memories returned to her. Shadows in white coats. Voices whispering numbers. A cold liquid surrounding her, preventing her from breathing. She opened her eyes again, locking gazes with Akira. ¡ª Are you okay? he asked, watching her closely. She nodded, even though she wasn''t sure about the answer. She wanted to say something, but nothing came out. She herself didn¡¯t understand what she felt. Akira turned his gaze toward the tanks. ¡ª This is what they made you. These words struck her like a punch. Yes. This was what they had done to her. But she refused to be just that. She looked up at the experiments floating in the tanks. Others like her. Broken lives before they even began. A cold shiver ran through her. She forced herself to take a deep breath. Then she clenched her fists. She would not back down. She was alive. And she would put an end to all of this. She shot a cold glance at Akira. ¡ª We continue. He smiled. ¡ª I was starting to wonder if you would back down. She shot him a murderous look. ¡ª In your dreams. They began to move, delving deeper into the darkness of the laboratory. What they were about to discover¡­ might change their fate forever. Chapter 13: Hell Under Glass The smell of metal and chemicals saturated the air. Akira and Mayu advanced down the corridor lit by a pale light. The silence was heavy. Too heavy. They expected alarms, reinforcements¡­ but there was nothing. As if someone wanted them to continue. Mayu felt her heart pounding against her ribs. The adrenaline from the previous fight hadn¡¯t faded yet. But what truly twisted her stomach was what they were about to find here. She had seen these tanks before. In her nightmares. In her memories. And now, they were right in front of her. --- ## The Specters of the Past The glass walls revealed human shapes floating in a greenish liquid. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Incomplete faces. Incomplete bodies, some barely formed, others horrifyingly resembling her. A shiver ran down Mayu''s spine. Her stomach twisted. She wanted to look away, but she couldn''t. A noise behind her. She startled and instinctively turned, her hand on her knife. Akira had stopped in front of a console. His fingers brushed the keys, activating a screen filled with data. ¡ª Look at this¡­ he murmured. Images appeared. Files. And then¡­ a video. A white laboratory. Scientists in sterile suits. And at the center¡­ A young girl with black hair, sitting in a metallic chair. Mayu felt her breath hitch. It was her. Or at least¡­ someone like her. A voice resonated in the video. ¡ª Subject 07 displays exceptional resistance to stimuli. We will intensify the experiment. A mechanical arm approached the girl. A syringe plunged into her arm. The young girl did not react. Her blue eyes remained vacant, like those of a doll. But Mayu knew what she felt. She felt it in her own flesh. The pain. The oblivion. The transformation. She placed a hand on the console to steady herself. Her body trembled. Fragmented memories surged, blurry yet brutal. A white corridor. Screams. Shadows approaching. A taste of blood in her mouth. A nameless face reaching out to her¡­ She closed her eyes, trying to push these images away. Now was not the time to crack. Not here. Not now. --- Akira placed a hand on her shoulder. ¡ª Mayu? She inhaled deeply. ¡ª I¡¯m fine. He fixed her with a gaze, searching for the truth behind her mask. Then he pointed to the screen. ¡ª Look at the file name. She looked down. Project AZUR Her fingers clenched the edge of the console. Another memory struck her. A man in a white coat murmuring: ¡ª Subject 07¡­ No. Mayu¡­ ¡ª No¡­ AZUR. She took a step back, as if those letters could burn her. That was not her name. She was Mayu. Not a project. Not an experiment. And yet¡­ That word resonated within her, like a truth buried under layers of lies. Akira looked at her with a mix of suspicion and understanding. ¡ª We download everything and get out of here. She nodded, trying to ignore the storm in her mind. But just as Akira inserted a flash drive into the console¡­ An alarm blared. The trap had closed in on them. Chapter 14: Awakening Under Fire The alarm screamed, a red siren glowing on the metallic walls of the laboratory. They were trapped. Akira ripped the USB drive from the terminal and slipped it into his pocket. ¡ª Let¡¯s move! Security grilles began to close over the exits. Mayu reacted without thinking. She lunged forward, rolling under a descending metal door. Akira barely followed, slipping through just before the passage sealed completely. Footsteps echoed in the hallway. Reinforcements were coming. --- An Unfair Fight The armored doors burst open to reveal a squad in tactical gear. Five men. Armed with assault rifles. Their equipment was more sophisticated than that of the previous guards. Elite soldiers. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. A shiver ran through Mayu. They couldn¡¯t afford a prolonged fight. Akira drew his knife and shot her a look. ¡ª Plan? She flashed a cold smile. ¡ª We take them out quickly and move on. She charged straight at them. A shout rang out: ¡ª FIRE! Deafening explosions filled the air. But Mayu was already in motion. She no longer thought. Her body acted on its own. She dodged at the last second, feeling the heat of a bullet graze her cheek. She threw herself against the wall, pushed off, and leaped over them. A missed shot. A second guard tried to adjust his rifle, but she was too close. Her knee crashed down on his helmet with brutal force. A dull crack. He fell. Akira seized the chaos to emerge like a shadow. He grabbed a soldier from behind and slit his throat in one fluid motion. Mayu rolled on the ground, retrieving a handgun from a corpse. She instinctively aimed and fired three shots. Two impacts to the head. The last guard staggered back. But he didn¡¯t fall. Reinforced armor. He raised his submachine gun. Mayu couldn¡¯t dodge this time. But Akira was faster. A dagger flew through the air, embedding itself just below the visor of the helmet. The soldier collapsed in a bloody gurgle. Silence. The fight had lasted only seconds. Mayu gasped, glancing at Akira. His expression was impassive, but his rapid breathing betrayed the tension. He retrieved his dagger and wiped it on his pants. ¡ª We continue. --- The Forbidden Laboratory They traversed a series of corridors, the alarm still blaring. Then, they reached a reinforced door marked with a strange symbol. A single word was inscribed on it: PROJECT AZUR The same name as in the file. Mayu hesitated. Her body shivered. As if something inside her already knew what they were about to find. Akira placed a hand on her shoulder. ¡ª Do you want to open it? She nodded. Then she pressed the terminal. The locks opened with a dull thud. The door slid slowly to the side, revealing¡­ Horror. Glass tanks filled with a murky liquid. And inside¡­ Clones of her. Dozens of versions of herself. Some were children. Others seemed long dead. Some even had physical alterations. Metal arms. Red eyes. Half-formed faces. Mayu felt as if she had been frozen to the bone. She brought a hand to her mouth, a violent wave of nausea washing over her. This was it, the Project Azur. She was just a prototype among many. She was not unique. She wasn¡¯t even meant to exist. Akira remained silent, his gaze hardening. Then he turned to her. ¡ª Mayu¡­ what do we do? Her hands trembled. But her gaze¡­ Her gaze had turned cold as death. She took a deep breath. ¡ª We burn it all. She ripped a grenade from the belt of a dead soldier and pulled the pin. Hell was about to begin. Chapter 15: Bloody Dance and Buried Truths The grenade spun through the air. A muffled ticking. Then, the explosion. The tanks shattered. A viscous liquid splattered on the floor, inert bodies collapsing. Shrill alarms blared, transforming the laboratory into a hellish sound and light show. Sprinklers activated, sending a cold rain onto the emerging blaze. But Mayu heard nothing. Her eyes were fixed on the clones that had fallen to the ground. Some had their eyes open. Blue irises. Just like hers. Ghostly whispers echoed in her mind. "We are you." "You are us." She tensed. A noise. Hurrying footsteps. Reinforcements were coming. And this time¡­ it was serious. --- The Assault of Shadows Akira reacted first. He dove behind an overturned console and reloaded his pistol. ¡ª Mayu, plan? This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. She inhaled, trying to ignore the chaos in her head. Then she saw the number of enemies. Ten. No. Twelve. And they were not normal. Soldiers in black armor. A scarlet logo on their chest. The Executors. The dogs of the organization. They didn¡¯t capture. They eliminated. One of them advanced, rifle aimed at them. ¡ª Subject 07 detected. Extermination priority. Mayu smiled. ¡ª Just try it. The next moment, she was already on them. --- Deadly Dance Her knife flew. The blade found the joint between the breastplate and the helmet. A muffled gasp. One dead. The others opened fire. Mayu jumped back, executing a fluid roll under the rain of bullets. The air vibrated around her. A bullet grazed her, tearing the sleeve of her uniform. But she didn¡¯t stop. Her body moved on its own. She pivoted, driving her foot into another enemy''s throat. A crack. The soldier collapsed, clutching his windpipe. Akira took down a shooter with two precise shots to the visor. Ten left. They adapted quickly. They spread out, forming a circle. Encirclement strategy. Mayu gritted her teeth. They were better trained than the others¡­ She grabbed a corpse and used it as a shield. A deluge of bullets tore through the inert flesh. She hurled the body at one of the soldiers and leapt. Her knife sank into a jugular. Warm blood splattered her face. Nine. Akira pulled out a smoke grenade and threw it. A black cloud engulfed the room. Absolute chaos. Mayu melted into the shadows. A breath. A movement. She emerged behind a soldier and plunged her weapon into his back. Eight. Akira swiftly slit another¡¯s throat, quick and silent. Seven. A burst whistled just inches from her head. She felt the burn of a bullet graze her shoulder. But she didn¡¯t stop. --- Truth and Lies A laugh echoed through the laboratory¡¯s speakers. A cold, cruel laugh. ¡ª Impressive, Subject 07. You¡¯ve always been the most capable. Mayu froze. That tone. She recognized it. A blurry image surged in her memory. A man in a white coat, standing before her. Piercing eyes. A satisfied smile. She felt dizzy. Her memories blurred. ¡ª Who¡­ are you? she breathed. The man laughed again. ¡ª I am your creator, of course. A shock. Mayu felt her heart skip a beat. "Creator"...? A screen lit up before her. A man appeared. Gray hair, steel gaze. A name flashed beneath his image: Dr. Hiroshi Kisaragi. Mayu felt her throat tighten. Akira murmured, astonished: ¡ª It¡¯s him¡­ the one responsible for Project Azur? The man smiled. ¡ª Not just that. The screen zoomed in on a file. Mayu furrowed her brow. And there¡­ She saw her true name. Or rather¡­ Her true number. > Prototype AZUR - Subject 07 Genetic base: Hiroshi Kisaragi The ground fell away beneath her. Her own DNA¡­ Came from this man. She was his clone. Not a weapon. Not a project. Just a copy. She trembled, staring at the screen in horror. Her breath was short. Akira, beside her, remained silent. But she felt his tension. As if he too couldn¡¯t believe it. Then the scientist''s voice resumed: ¡ª Do you want to know the truth? ¡ª Then survive this laboratory. And the screen went dark. The reinforced doors opened again. More soldiers arrived. Akira gritted his teeth. ¡ª We¡¯re outnumbered. Mayu slowly straightened. Her hands no longer trembled. Her gaze was icy. Her body might not belong to her. Her DNA might be a copy. But she¡­ She was Mayu. And those bastards were going to learn it the hard way. She picked up a submachine gun from the ground and looked at Akira. ¡ª We kill them all. He smiled. ¡ª Finally a good idea. The bullets screamed. And the massacre began. Chapter 16: Broken Memories, Hell on Fire Bullets rained down. Gunfire echoed like an endless thunder. Mayu dodged, rolled on the ground, and took down two soldiers in motion. Their bodies collapsed in a puddle of blood. But with every shot fired, memories struck her head. --- Flashback: White Room She was lying down. The walls were cold. White. Perfect. Wires were connected to her skin. A man in a white coat looked down at her. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡ª Subject 07¡­ Too unstable. Another scientist nodded. ¡ª But incredibly effective. Her reflexes exceed the acceptable limit. A female silhouette stepped forward. Mayu couldn¡¯t make out her face. But a cold hand brushed against her cheek. ¡ª She is a failure. A noise. A beep. A sudden pain in her neck. Then, nothing. --- Present A sharp pain pierced her skull. ¡ª Tch¡­ A soldier took advantage of her hesitation. Too late. He grabbed her by the collar and hurled her against a wall. The impact shattered her focus. Her breath caught. The soldier raised his rifle. Imminent execution. But Akira intervened in a flash. His blade sliced through the shooter¡¯s throat. Blood splattered onto Mayu. ¡ª Don¡¯t lose focus now! shouted Akira. She regained her breath, gritting her teeth. ¡ª I know. She picked up her knife and steadied herself. The fight was not over. --- Hellish Escape The alarm blared louder. An automated voice announced: > Self-destruction activated. Time remaining: 10 minutes. Mayu exchanged a glance with Akira. ¡ª They want to erase everything. ¡ª Then let¡¯s get out of here. They sprinted through the corridors. Flashing red lights turned the place into a living nightmare. Explosions echoed behind them. The laboratory was collapsing. The ground vibrated beneath their feet. But as they reached the exit¡­ A final figure appeared before them. A man in a black coat. Tactical helmet. Heavy weapon. His gaze hidden beneath a red visor. ¡ª Subject 07. Priority neutralization. He raised his cannon. And fired a single shot. Chapter 17: Mirror Duel The bullet flew straight at Mayu. A flash of metal. A shockwave shattered the ground behind her. Too fast. She dodged by a hair¡¯s breadth, instinctively performing a backflip. But the impact of the attack sent concrete shards flying into the air. The wall behind her was pulverized. ¡ª Tch¡­ She landed gracefully, but a dull pain throbbed in her left arm. Akira didn¡¯t even have time to retaliate. The enemy had already vanished. No. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Not vanished. Moved. A motion in the shadows. Mayu felt the air tremble before she even saw the strike coming. She raised her knife reflexively. **CLANG** Her blade blocked a long, thin black sword. The steel vibrated against hers. She lifted her eyes. And finally saw her opponent''s face. --- The Shadow of the Past The man had a pale, severe face. A tactical helmet obscured part of his features, but his eyes shone with a chilling blue. A blue¡­ identical to hers. ¡ª Tch¡­ Mayu gritted her teeth. Another clone? The man said nothing. His expression was impassive. Then he struck again. His sword whistled through the air, as fast as lightning. Mayu could only retreat. She was faster. But he¡­ He was stronger. Each blow resonated like a hammer on an anvil. Each parry numbed her arms. She retreated. Again. Until¡­ A detail struck her mind. Her opponent didn¡¯t tremble. His rhythm was perfect. His movements¡­ precise, mechanical. Exactly like hers. A flash tore through her memory. --- Flashback: The Training ¡°Again.¡± The voice was cold. Inhuman. Mayu, on her knees, breathless, gripped an identical sword. Another child stood before her. He had her eyes. He had her face. They fought relentlessly. Again. Again. Again. Until one of them fell. One day, it was her. Another day, it was him. ¡°You are weapons. One of you must become perfect.¡± Her clone. The last opponent she had never managed to defeat. --- Present: Mirror Duel ¡ª You¡­ Mayu breathed, her pupils dilated. The man didn¡¯t flinch. Then, he spoke for the first time. ¡ª Subject 09. Objective: eliminate Subject 07. Mayu felt a chilling shiver run down her spine. ¡ª They sent you to kill me? ¡ª Correction. The man vanished. A second later, Mayu felt a blade graze her neck. ¡ª I¡¯m here to finish what we started. Chapter 18: Fratricidal Duel Time slowed. Mayu felt the blade brush against her throat. Her body reacted before she could think. She ducked sharply, made a circular motion with her knife, and attempted a quick counterattack. **CLANG** Her opponent blocked. Without effort. A shiver ran down her spine. He is stronger than me. The man before her¡ªSubject 09¡ªhad perfect posture, impeccable technique. He anticipated each of her movements. As if he could read her. --- A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. A Flawless Fight Subject 09 lunged. His sword sliced through the air like a metallic line. Mayu barely parried, but the impact nearly shattered her wrist. A second strike. A third. A fourth. She couldn''t keep up. She tried to retreat¡ªa mistake. Her enemy struck immediately. Pain exploded in her side. Mayu was thrown backward. Her back slammed against a concrete wall. **Crack.** Her ribs protested violently. She fell to one knee, gasping. He is¡­ too fast. ¡­Too precise. Her fingers gripped the handle of her knife. But at that moment¡­ A voice rose in her mind. --- Flashback: The Perfect Experiment "Two weapons. Identical." "Two bodies forged to kill." "But only one will survive." She saw herself. As a child. Facing a boy who mirrored her. Subject 09. Her shadow. Her enhanced version. "The one who wins this fight will be the ultimate weapon." "The one who loses¡­ will be eliminated." --- Present: A Fight for Survival Mayu''s blood ran cold. She remembered. The last confrontation. She and Subject 09 had been forced to fight to the death. But¡­ Something had happened that day. Something her brain still refused to acknowledge. Why was she alive? Why was he still here? A wave of dizziness struck her. Too late. Subject 09 lunged. His sword whistled straight toward her chest. --- ## Akira Intervenes A silver flash. A blade barely blocked Subject 09''s attack. Akira. His sword trembled under the impact. ¡ª You¡¯re going to kill her, you idiot! he spat. Subject 09 showed no emotion. ¡ª It¡¯s her destiny. Akira gritted his teeth. ¡ª Sorry, but I don¡¯t believe in destiny. He shoved Subject 09''s sword aside with a swift motion. Then he attacked without hesitation. The blades clashed violently. Sparks illuminated the ruined corridor. But Mayu¡­ She couldn¡¯t move. She stared at Subject 09. And in her memory¡­ A final memory was about to resurface. Chapter 19: The Shadow Of The Past Mayu felt her breath catch. Adrenaline burned through her veins, but her body refused to move. The clashes between Akira and Subject 09 erupted before her. Their blades whistled through the air. Metal struck metal, resonating like a funeral knell. I should move. I should help Akira. But her legs remained frozen. Her fingers trembled around the handle of her knife. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Something about this fight, about her opponent''s posture, awakened an echo within her. A distant memory. A fragment of the past she had never wanted to revisit. --- The steel struck brutally. Akira took a direct hit and stumbled back, breathless. ¡ª He¡¯s¡­ too strong¡­ he groaned, his sword trembling under the impact. Subject 09 gave him no respite. He advanced without hesitation, his sword cutting through the air with perfect precision. Akira wasn¡¯t going to hold on. Mayu knew it. She could see it. But her muscles remained paralyzed. Because this wasn¡¯t just an enemy. This wasn¡¯t just an assassin. It was him. --- A sudden pain. A flash. A white room. Whispering voices. A chilling blue gaze. "Two weapons. Two bodies. One will survive." A strike. A blade. Blood on the floor. A silhouette collapsing. "The experiment is a success." The memory exploded in her mind. Her eyes widened. Her breath caught. She remembered. She knew what had happened that day. And it wasn¡¯t her who had won. --- The fight before her seemed blurred. As if she were elsewhere. She saw Akira barely block a strike, his legs buckling under the force of the impact. Mayu gritted her teeth. Her fingers stopped trembling. Her gaze hardened. She inhaled a deep, burning breath. Then, she moved. With a leap, she propelled herself into the fray. And this time¡­ She didn¡¯t hesitate. Chapter 20: The Survival Instinct The impact of her feet on the ground resonated like a war signal. Subject 09 turned just in time to see Mayu charging at him. He parried the attack, their blades clashing in a flash of metal. But this time, something had changed. Mayu no longer recoiled. She attacked with a cold fury, her movements faster, more precise. Every strike aimed to kill. --- **CLANG!** **CLANG!** **CLANG!** This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Their duel was a mirage of speed and violence. The blades sliced through the air in a deadly dance. But she knew one thing. She wouldn¡¯t win with brute strength. She had never won that way. So why am I still alive? --- A fraction of a second. A movement too perfect. Too¡­ predictable. He¡¯s copying me. Always. His attacks, his dodges, his posture. Everything was identical. Like a reflection. As if, with every move she made¡­ He already knew what she would do next. Mayu understood. She finally understood. And she knew how to beat him. --- The fatal mistake. She broke her own rhythm. She dropped her knife. Her body twisted in an unnatural turn, dodging a strike that no assassin should evade like that. Subject 09 hesitated. A hundredth of a second. A brief, tiny flaw in his perfect mechanics. And in that flaw, Mayu plunged her fist into his throat. --- The impact resonated violently. Subject 09 stumbled back, clutching his throat, choked by the pain. Mayu didn¡¯t wait. She smoothly picked up her knife and leapt. Her blade sank into his shoulder, tearing through armor and eliciting a scream. Blood sprayed onto the floor. Subject 09 knelt, breathing erratically. His fingers trembled around the handle of the knife embedded in him. --- Mayu stopped. Her breath was short. Her heart raced to the breaking point. She looked at him. Not as an enemy. But as a brother. And then, for the first time, he lifted his gaze to her. His eyes were no longer cold. They were just¡­ Tired. As if, somewhere, he had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Mayu felt her throat tighten. But before she could say a word¡ª A gunshot tore through the air. Chapter 21: The Impact The sound of the gunshot tore through the air. A fraction of a second. A flash of pain. Mayu was thrown backward. Her breath caught violently as a burn exploded in her side. She fell to the ground, blood seeping between her fingers clenched on her wound. Akira screamed her name. But before he could move¡ª A second bullet sliced through the air. That one wasn¡¯t meant for her. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. --- Subject 09. He had straightened up at the last moment. And the bullet struck him squarely in the chest. His body staggered. His gaze met Mayu¡¯s. Then, he collapsed silently. --- Silence. Blood soaked the ground into a scarlet puddle. Mayu tried to move, a searing pain radiating from her side. Her gaze lifted. And she saw him. The man holding the rifle. A cold smile stretched across his lips. A perfectly tailored black suit, a relaxed posture. He lowered his weapon slowly, as if savoring the moment. ¡ª Well done, Mayu. His voice was soft. Almost affectionate. But his eyes¡­ Were devoid of humanity. Mayu recognized him immediately. --- The Professor. The monster who had created them. The one who had turned them into weapons. The one who forced them to kill each other. A chilling shiver ran down her spine. She wanted to rise, to attack, to finish him here and now. But her body no longer responded. And he¡­ Kneeled beside Subject 09, brushing his face like a caring father. ¡ª You fought well. His tone was almost tender. Then, without a hint of hesitation¡­ He shot him in the head. --- Akira froze. Mayu screamed. Subject 09''s body slumped lifelessly. The Professor stood up, calmly wiping his gloves. ¡ª You¡¯re all so endearing. His gaze returned to Mayu. ¡ª But you, my dear¡­ You are truly special. He raised his weapon again. And this time¡­ He aimed for her heart. Chapter 22: The Gears of Destiny The Professor''s finger pressed the trigger. The barrel was aimed at Mayu. She saw her own death. She felt time slow down. Then¡ª A sword slash sliced through the air. --- **CLANG!** The impact deflected the shot, the bullet lost in the wall behind her. The Professor barely had time to retreat before Akira charged at him. ¡ª Don¡¯t touch her, you bastard! Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. His sword sliced through the air with fury. But the Professor was quick. Too quick. He dodged every attack with an unnatural fluidity, as if he were dancing. His smile didn¡¯t waver. ¡ª What a show. With almost lazy precision, he pulled out a second gun and aimed at Akira. --- **BANG!** Another bullet fired. But before it could reach Akira¡­ Someone interposed. A body appeared like a shadow. An arm rose. And the bullet was deflected by a black blade. The Professor arched an eyebrow. ¡ª Oh? --- A new arrival. A man in a long dark coat, his face partially hidden under a hood. His cold gaze fell on Mayu. ¡ª Get up. His voice left no room for hesitation. Mayu, still on the ground, stared at him, still in shock. She recognized that voice. A voice from the past. Someone who shouldn¡¯t have been there. Her heart tightened. ¡ª You¡­ The stranger didn¡¯t look away. ¡ª If you want to live, get up. --- The Professor chuckled. ¡ª How interesting¡­ He took a step back, calmly putting away his weapon. ¡ª We''ll stop here for today. Mayu gritted her teeth. ¡ª Why? she spat. Why when he had the upper hand? Why when he could finish her right here and now? His smile widened. ¡ª Because the game is just beginning. --- A sound of detonation. But this time, it wasn¡¯t a gunshot. An explosion rang out at the other end of the building. A cloud of smoke engulfed the corridor. Mayu felt a hand grab her. ¡ª Move! The stranger yanked her violently backward. Akira followed without hesitation as the smoke swallowed their silhouettes. The Professor, however, didn¡¯t move. He watched them disappear, still smiling. Then, slowly, he turned on his heel. The game was far from over. Chapter 23: Shadows and Truths Their escape was a chaos of light and smoke. Mayu ran breathlessly, her arm pressed against her wounded side. Akira followed, one hand on his sword, the other clutching his bloodied shoulder. And in front of them¡­ The stranger. The man who had saved them. The one she should never have seen again. Stolen novel; please report. They navigated a corridor strewn with debris, dodging a partially collapsed wall, and finally reached a metal door. The stranger shouldered it open and ushered them into a dark room. The door slammed shut behind them. --- Silence. The only sound was their erratic breathing. The smell of metal and dust filled the air. Mayu slowly straightened up. Her fingers tightened around her knife. Then, she took a step forward. ¡ª Explain yourself. Her voice was a mix of anger and distrust. The stranger didn¡¯t respond immediately. He simply removed his hood, revealing a face marked by years and fatigue. A face she knew all too well. Her heart tightened. ¡ª How¡­ her voice broke. How can you be alive? The man looked at her without blinking. Then he replied in a cold tone. ¡ª Because the Professor lies. --- Elsewhere¡­ The Professor watched the control screens. The images from the cameras flickered, displaying empty hallways, flames, and fleeing silhouettes. He smiled in satisfaction. Then he slowly turned toward a figure in the shadows. ¡ª You know what you have to do. A voice, soft yet sharp, replied. ¡ª I will retrieve her. The Professor nodded. ¡ª Perfect. The game continues. Chapter 24: Bloody Truths The silence was heavy. Mayu stared at the stranger, her heart beating in disarray. She knew this face. Those dark eyes, that piercing gaze. But it was impossible. ¡ª You¡¯re dead. Her voice trembled, caught between anger and disbelief. The man crossed his arms. ¡ª No. I was left for dead. --- **Flashback.** A dark corridor. Bodies littering the floor. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Screams echoing in the distance. And him, bathing in his own blood. He remembered the Professor''s gaze. The cold, unfeeling tone of his voice. ¡ª Leave him there. Then darkness. --- ¡ª I survived. The stranger spoke in a sharp tone, as if wanting to cut through the emotions. ¡ª I¡¯ve spent the past years tracking the Professor, understanding his game. But he¡¯s always one step ahead. Mayu clenched her fists. ¡ª Why come back now? He fixed his gaze on her, and for the first time, his mask cracked. ¡ª Because you¡¯re the only one who can stop him. A shiver ran through Mayu. This wasn¡¯t just a mission. It was a trap. And she had just fallen into it. --- Akira groaned, breaking the tension. He pressed a hand against his shoulder, blood oozing between his fingers. ¡ª I don¡¯t want to interrupt this lovely reunion¡­ he said. But we should take care of this before I pass out. Mayu only now realized how much her own body burned. Her side was on fire. Her breath was short. They needed medical attention. She glanced at the stranger. ¡ª Are we safe here? A slight ironic smile stretched across his lips. ¡ª Nowhere is safe. --- They settled as best they could. Akira ripped a piece from his own coat to improvise a bandage for his shoulder. Mayu gritted her teeth as the stranger disinfected her wound. ¡ª Too slow. ¡ª Shut up. Despite the pain, her gaze remained fixed on him. A million questions burned on her lips. But she didn¡¯t have time to ask them. A sound echoed. A metallic scraping. Then¡­ A laugh. --- ¡ª I found you. The voice was sweet. Melodic. A shadow slipped out of the darkness. A slim, elegant figure. A woman with short hair, a cruel smile on her lips. In her hand¡­ A long black katana. Mayu¡¯s blood ran cold. She recognized that smile. That voice. ¡ª Saya. The woman tilted her head slightly, like a mechanical doll. ¡ª It¡¯s been a while, Mayu. Then, in a flash¡ª She attacked. Chapter 25: Deadly Dance Time seemed to slow down. Saya''s black katana sliced through the air, quick as lightning. Mayu barely had time to retreat, feeling the blade graze her face. Just one more millimeter, and she would be dead. --- Saya gave her no respite. She unleashed a flurry of attacks with surgical precision. Every strike was fluid, calculated. Every movement intended to kill. Mayu barely parried in time. Her arms screamed under the impact of the repeated blows. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. But she couldn¡¯t retreat forever. ¡ª You¡¯ve lost your instinct, Mayu. Saya smiled. A cruel smile. ¡ª It¡¯s disappointing. Then, in an instant, she vanished. --- One second. One mistake. Mayu felt a blade press against her throat. Too fast. Too strong. She had lost. Saya was about to slice¡ª When a chilling voice rose. ¡ª Get away from her. --- The stranger leaped from the shadows. With a fluid motion, he intercepted Saya, their blades crossing in a shower of sparks. Mayu didn¡¯t have time to comprehend. In an instant, the roles had reversed. Saya recoiled, her eyes narrowed. ¡ª You¡­ The stranger didn¡¯t respond. But his gaze was a promise of death. --- The fight resumed. Violent. Fast. The blades clashed, strikes deflecting in rapid succession. Saya had speed. The stranger had technique. Every attack was an exchange of lethal intentions. Then¡­ Saya feinted. Her katana slipped under the stranger''s guard. She was about to hit him. A gunshot rang out. --- Saya narrowly dodged, the bullet grazing her arm. She pivoted¡­ And saw Akira, a smoking gun in hand. ¡ª Did you forget I was here? He smiled, despite the pain twisting his face. Saya fixed her gaze on him for a moment¡­ Then she smiled in turn. ¡ª Another time. And, in a fraction of a second, she vanished into the shadows. --- Silence. Mayu gasped, her heart racing. She was gone. But she would return. She always did. The stranger sheathed his weapon and turned to Mayu. ¡ª Now do you understand? She looked up at him. And this time, she knew. This wasn¡¯t just a mission. It was a war. And the Professor wouldn¡¯t play anymore. He intended to crush everything. Chapter 26: Revelations and Deadly Hunt The silence weighed heavily upon them. Mayu, Akira, and the stranger stood there, caught between shadows and blood. The tension lingered in the air like a blade ready to fall. Then, Mayu clenched her fists. ¡ª Enough. Her gaze pierced through the stranger¡¯s. ¡ª I want answers. Right now. --- The stranger didn¡¯t avert his eyes. His expression remained stoic. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. But he finally spoke. ¡ª The Professor doesn¡¯t act alone. Mayu furrowed her brows. ¡ª What are you talking about? He crossed his arms. ¡ª He¡¯s part of a larger program. Something that surpasses everything we imagined. Akira, despite his injury, grunted. ¡ª Great. A conspiracy. What do we do now? The stranger turned his head toward Mayu. His gaze hardened. ¡ª You already know what he¡¯s after. Mayu opened her mouth¡­ And a shiver ran through her. --- A brutal flash. A laboratory. Figures in white coats. Whispers, numbers, screams. Her. Sitting on an operating table, a cable shoved into her skull. Fuzzy memories. Tests. Experiments. And¡­ A name. Project AZUR. --- Back to the present. Mayu took a step back, her breath short. Her troubled gaze fell on the stranger. ¡ª What is¡­ Project Azur? He took a deep breath. ¡ª You. A chilling shiver ran down her spine. ¡ª The Professor wants to retrieve you because you are the last subject of Project Azur. The only one who survived. Mayu felt her heart stop. Everything was collapsing around her. Her past. Her mission. Her identity. --- **BOOM!** An explosion shook the building. The walls trembled under the impact. Akira cursed. ¡ª What now?! The stranger drew his weapon. ¡ª They¡¯ve found us. Mayu gritted her teeth. No more time to think. The Professor had initiated the hunt. They had to flee. Chapter 27: The Hunt Begins The alarms wailed. Red lights painted the dimness of the room where Mayu, Akira, and the stranger were hiding. Rapid footsteps echoed in the hallways. They were coming. ¡ª Move! the stranger ordered, opening a metal hatch in the floor. Akira grimaced, holding his injured shoulder, blood soaking his shirt. Mayu struggled to breathe. Project Azur. The last subject. Her past was nothing but a lie. An experiment. ¡ª Mayu! Akira shouted, grabbing her wrist. We need to move, now! She shook her head. No time to hesitate. She grabbed Akira around the waist and slipped into the opening. --- The underground corridor was a labyrinth of metal and darkness. The stranger led the way, Mayu following closely, her thoughts in disarray. ¡ª Project Azur¡­ What exactly is it? she finally blurted. The man didn¡¯t turn around. ¡ª Experiments on children. Training. Modifications. His pace didn¡¯t slow. ¡ª The Professor wanted them perfect. But none survived¡­ except you. A chill ran down her spine. Blurred images flooded back to her. White corridors. Scientists in lab coats. Faceless figures. And a voice¡­ A voice that still echoed in her mind. ¡ª Number 07. She is ready. Mayu felt her stomach churn. She forced herself to suppress the dizziness. Later. She had to get out of here first. --- But they were not alone. Footsteps echoed behind them. Quick. Synchronized. Multiple people. Akira cursed. ¡ª They followed us! Without waiting, the stranger drew his sword. Mayu gripped her blades, her heart racing. Then¡­ The darkness exploded. --- Shadows surged from the side corridors. The first adversary lunged at Mayu, katana raised. She dodged fluidly, retaliating with a swift strike to the throat. A strangled cry. A body fell. But another was already coming. This time, it was Saya. Their blades clashed in a burst of steel. Saya smiled. ¡ª Show me. Show me if you¡¯re worthy of being the one I have to bring back. Mayu struck. A flurry of unleashed attacks. Saya blocked effortlessly, a glint of amusement in her eyes. ¡ª Not bad, but not enough yet. Then she counterattacked. --- The stranger and Akira were also fighting. The stranger, precise and methodical, sliced through his enemies like a silent ghost. Akira, despite his injury, gave it his all. He narrowly dodged a blade, plunging his knife into an assailant''s throat. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. His arm trembled with pain. But he couldn¡¯t fall now. ¡ª Mayu! he shouted. She couldn¡¯t hear him. She was fighting for her life. --- Saya attacked at an angle. Mayu barely parried. A searing pain pierced her side. The back of the katana. She lost her balance and fell to her knees. Saya looked down at her, a triumphant smile on her face. ¡ª You¡¯re still too weak. Her sword came down. --- A memory shattered in Mayu¡¯s mind. Distant voices. ¡ª Number 07 shows impressive results. ¡ª Good. We need to break her, then rebuild her. A laugh. A scalpel approaching. And a voice¡­ ¡ª You will be perfect. Darkness. --- Mayu snapped back to reality at the last moment. She grabbed Saya¡¯s wrist and pivoted sharply, throwing her backward. The assassin barely caught herself, landing gracefully. She raised an eyebrow. ¡ª Well, well. Mayu stood, her breath still trembling but her gaze clearer. ¡ª Try again, Saya. She tightened her grip on her blades. ¡ª You will never win against me again. --- Saya chuckled softly. ¡ª We¡¯ll see about that. Then she vanished again. But this time¡­ Mayu saw her coming. She blocked. Dodged. Countered. A strike. Another. Faster. Each impact echoed in the narrow corridor. Akira, leaning against the wall, watched the scene. His arm trembled with pain. But he had to do something. The stranger continued to face a second assailant, a hulking figure with a vacant gaze, a man enhanced by the Professor¡¯s technology. The blades sliced through the air. Steel shards flew in all directions. The stranger was precise, efficient. But something was off. He fought as if he didn¡¯t care. As if¡­ he were waiting for something. --- Then, the unthinkable happened. Mayu narrowly dodged another katana strike. But before she could counterattack¡­ The katana disappeared. Saya was unarmed. She was still smiling. Then, in a flash, her arm pierced Mayu¡¯s guard. And her cold hand plunged into her chest. --- An overwhelming pain. Mayu gasped, her vision blurring. An unbearable heat surged from her chest. And deep within her mind¡­ Something shattered. --- Memories exploded. Screams, voices, a laboratory. Syringes. Frightened faces. Children in cages. A blue light. Her in a chamber. The pain. Inhuman. Excruciating. Then¡­ One single command. ¡ª Erase her memory. --- Mayu opened her eyes. She was no longer the same. Her hand moved on its own. Her blade sliced through the air with inhuman speed. Saya didn¡¯t have time to retreat. A spray of blood erupted from her shoulder. Her smile finally faded. ¡ª At last. She touched her wound. Her gaze sparkled with excitement. ¡ª There you are, Mayu. Then she charged again. This time, they danced in unison. A ballet as beautiful as it was deadly. The blades clashed, sending sparks flying all around them. The stranger continued to face the masked man. Sharp sword strikes like claws. Calculated dodges to the millimeter. But something was off. The stranger wasn¡¯t attacking to kill. It was as if he hesitated. As if this opponent¡­ was important to him. --- The fight continued, a rapid and deadly dance. Until Saya, exasperated, hissed. ¡ª Enough playing. She touched a blade hidden in her sleeve. A faint red glow ran along the blade. The stranger froze. ¡ª No¡­ Mayu immediately recognized the bluish gleam. Her heart tightened. ¡ª It¡¯s Venom. Saya smiled. ¡ª Finally, we¡¯ll see if you¡¯re really the Professor¡¯s favorite. Then she charged at her. --- The blades met with a deafening crash. Mayu barely dodged a slash aimed at her flank. She# Chapter 27: The Hunt Begins The alarms wailed. Red lights painted the dimness of the room where Mayu, Akira, and the stranger were hiding. Rapid footsteps echoed in the hallways. They were coming. ¡ª Move! the stranger ordered, opening a metal hatch in the floor. Akira grimaced, holding his injured shoulder, blood soaking his shirt. Mayu struggled to breathe. Project Azur. The last subject. Her past was nothing but a lie. An experiment. ¡ª Mayu! Akira shouted, grabbing her wrist. We need to move, now! She shook her head. No time to hesitate. She grabbed Akira around the waist and slipped into the opening. --- The underground corridor was a labyrinth of metal and darkness. The stranger led the way, Mayu following closely, her thoughts in disarray. ¡ª Project Azur¡­ What exactly is it? she finally blurted. The man didn¡¯t turn around. ¡ª Experiments on children. Training. Modifications. His pace didn¡¯t slow. ¡ª The Professor wanted them perfect. But none survived¡­ except you. A chill ran down her spine. Blurred images flooded back to her. White corridors. Scientists in lab coats. Faceless figures. And a voice¡­ A voice that still echoed in her mind. ¡ª Number 07. She is ready. Mayu felt her stomach churn. She forced herself to suppress the dizziness. Later. She had to get out of here first. --- But they were not alone. Footsteps echoed behind them. Quick. Synchronized. Multiple people. Akira cursed. ¡ª They followed us! Without waiting, the stranger drew his sword. Mayu gripped her blades, her heart racing. Then¡­ The darkness exploded. --- Shadows surged from the side corridors. The first adversary lunged at Mayu, katana raised. She dodged fluidly, retaliating with a swift strike to the throat. A strangled cry. A body fell. But another was already coming. This time, it was Saya. Their blades clashed in a burst of steel. Saya smiled. ¡ª Show me. Show me if you¡¯re worthy of being the one I have to bring back. Mayu struck. A flurry of unleashed attacks. Saya blocked effortlessly, a glint of amusement in her eyes. ¡ª Not bad, but not enough yet. Then she counterattacked. --- The stranger and Akira were also fighting. The stranger, precise and methodical, sliced through his enemies like a silent ghost. Akira, despite his injury, gave it his all. He narrowly dodged a blade, plunging his knife into an assailant''s throat. His arm trembled with pain. But he couldn¡¯t fall now. ¡ª Mayu! he shouted. She couldn¡¯t hear him. She was fighting for her life. --- Saya attacked at an angle. Mayu barely parried. A searing pain pierced her side. The back of the katana. She lost her balance and fell to her knees. Saya looked down at her, a triumphant smile on her face. ¡ª You¡¯re still too weak. Her sword came down. --- A memory shattered in Mayu¡¯s mind. Distant voices. ¡ª Number 07 shows impressive results. ¡ª Good. We need to break her, then rebuild her. A laugh. A scalpel approaching. And a voice¡­ ¡ª You will be perfect. Darkness. --- Mayu snapped back to reality at the last moment. She grabbed Saya¡¯s wrist and pivoted sharply, throwing her backward. The assassin barely caught herself, landing gracefully. She raised an eyebrow. ¡ª Well, well. Mayu stood, her breath still trembling but her gaze clearer. ¡ª Try again, Saya. She tightened her grip on her blades. ¡ª You will never win against me again. --- Saya chuckled softly. ¡ª We¡¯ll see about that. Then she vanished again. But this time¡­ Mayu saw her coming. She blocked. Dodged. Countered. A strike. Another. Faster. Each impact echoed in the narrow corridor. Akira, leaning against the wall, watched the scene. His arm trembled with pain. But he had to do something. The stranger continued to face a second assailant, a hulking figure with a vacant gaze, a man enhanced by the Professor¡¯s technology. The blades sliced through the air. Steel shards flew in all directions. The stranger was precise, efficient. But something was off. He fought as if he didn¡¯t care. As if¡­ he were waiting for something. --- Then, the unthinkable happened. Mayu narrowly dodged another katana strike. But before she could counterattack¡­ The katana disappeared. Saya was unarmed. She was still smiling. Then, in a flash, her arm pierced Mayu¡¯s guard. And her cold hand plunged into her chest. --- An overwhelming pain. Mayu gasped, her vision blurring. An unbearable heat surged from her chest. And deep within her mind¡­ Something shattered. --- Memories exploded. Screams, voices, a laboratory. Syringes. Frightened faces. Children in cages. A blue light. Her in a chamber. The pain. Inhuman. Excruciating. Then¡­ One single command. ¡ª Erase her memory. --- Mayu opened her eyes. She was no longer the same. Her hand moved on its own. Her blade sliced through the air with inhuman speed. Saya didn¡¯t have time to retreat. A spray of blood erupted from her shoulder. Her smile finally faded. ¡ª At last. She touched her wound. Her gaze sparkled with excitement. ¡ª There you are, Mayu. Then she charged again. This time, they danced in unison. A ballet as beautiful as it was deadly. The blades clashed, sending sparks flying all around them. The stranger continued to face the masked man. Sharp sword strikes like claws. Calculated dodges to the millimeter. But something was off. The stranger wasn¡¯t attacking to kill. It was as if he hesitated. As if this opponent¡­ was important to him. --- The fight continued, a rapid and deadly dance. Until Saya, exasperated, hissed. ¡ª Enough playing. She touched a blade hidden in her sleeve. A faint red glow ran along the blade. The stranger froze. ¡ª No¡­ Mayu immediately recognized the bluish gleam. Her heart tightened. ¡ª It¡¯s Venom. Saya smiled. ¡ª Finally, we¡¯ll see if you¡¯re really the Professor¡¯s favorite. Then she charged at her. --- The blades met with a deafening crash. Mayu barely dodged a slash aimed at her flank. She countered with a quick strike. Saya blocked with the back of her hand. The metal screeched against her black gauntlet. The fight transformed into a deadly dance. Soft footsteps on the concrete. Flashes of steel in the light. Short breaths. Eyes locked on each other, unable to look away. ¡ª You¡¯re stronger than I remember, Saya whispered. Her smile had vanished. countered with a quick strike. Saya blocked with the back of her hand. The metal screeched against her black gauntlet. The fight transformed into a deadly dance. Soft footsteps on the concrete. Flashes of steel in the light. Short breaths. Eyes locked on each other, unable to look away. ¡ª You¡¯re stronger than I remember, Saya whispered. Her smile had vanished. Chapter 28: Poisoned Blade The battle reached its climax. Mayu and Saya clashed relentlessly, their blades slicing through the air in a frantic dance. Strikes flew. Precise. Lethal. Mayu blocked an assault, but Saya immediately followed up. A low strike. A feint. And before Mayu could dodge¡ª The red blade grazed her skin. A tingling sensation. A chilling shiver ran up her arm. She sprang back, breathless. A trickle of blood flowed from her forearm. And the pain¡­ A slow, insidious burn. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Saya smiled. ¡ª The Venom is taking effect. --- Mayu gritted her teeth. She had heard of this weapon before. A neuroparalytic toxin. In a few minutes, her muscles would begin to seize. She tightened her grip on her blades. No way she was going to fall now. But Saya gave her no respite. She attacked again. Faster. Fiercer. And Mayu¡­ Started to weaken. Her reflexes slowed. Her breathing became ragged. Every movement required more and more effort. --- Akira, leaning against the wall, immediately noticed the change. He gritted his teeth. Mayu was losing. ¡ª Damn¡­ His body screamed in pain. But he wouldn¡¯t just stand by. He plunged his hand into his pocket and pulled out¡­ A smoke grenade. His last resort. He pulled the pin and threw it to the ground. --- **BOOM!** A cloud of black smoke engulfed the corridor. Visibility dropped to zero. Saya coughed lightly. ¡ª Really? Do you think you can escape like this? She closed her eyes for a moment, listening for any sound. But Mayu¡­ Had vanished. --- A few meters away. The stranger had seen the smoke spread and wasted no time. He grabbed Mayu before she could collapse. ¡ª Are you still standing? he asked, his expression serious. Mayu weakly nodded. Her arm burned from the inside. The toxin was acting fast. ¡ª If we don¡¯t find an antidote¡­ she murmured. The stranger didn¡¯t respond immediately. He pulled a syringe from his jacket. ¡ª This can slow the poison down. But it won¡¯t stop it completely. He plunged the needle into her arm without waiting. A prick. Then a wave of coolness. Mayu took a long breath. She wasn¡¯t trembling as much anymore. But she was far from safe. --- Saya emerged from the smoke. Her gaze swept the area. ¡ª They¡¯ve fled. She ran a hand over her wounded shoulder, annoyed. Then, she took a commlink from her pocket and pressed a button. ¡ª They¡¯re heading toward the North point. Intercept them. A robotic voice replied. ¡ª Received. Units are en route. Saya put the device away and smiled slightly. ¡ª Mayu¡­ I won¡¯t let you escape me again. Then she set off. Chapter 29: The Ultimate Truth Silence weighed heavily. Only the hurried footsteps of Mayu, Akira, and the stranger echoed in the narrow tunnel. The smoke from the grenade was dissipating behind them, but they were not yet safe. Mayu stumbled. The poison continued its work. She felt her muscles tightening, her breath becoming heavier. Every step was a struggle. Akira, though injured, forced himself to support her. ¡ª Hang in there, Mayu¡­ But she wasn¡¯t really listening. An image haunted her mind. Saya. Her cold, calculating gaze. Her words. ¡ª Finally, I recognize you. Why? Why did Saya seem to know more about her than she did herself? She gritted her teeth, trying to ignore the pain. She needed to know. And there was someone who held those answers. She looked up at the stranger. --- This man¡­ This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. He had been guiding them from the start. But he had not yet introduced himself. And he fought like someone who knew the enemy. An ex-member of Project Azur? Or worse¡­ Someone directly linked to the Professor? ¡ª You¡¯re going to talk now, Mayu said, her voice hoarse. The stranger didn¡¯t respond immediately. Then he slowed his pace. ¡ª Do you really want to know who I am? Mayu furrowed her brows. ¡ª Stop with the riddles. The man sighed¡­ then removed his hood. A brutal shock. Mayu''s eyes widened. Blurred memories returned. A fuzzy face¡­ A distant voice¡­ And a name. Haru. Her eyes went wide. ¡ª Impossible¡­ Her heart tightened. ¡ª You were¡­ dead. Haru fixed her with an impassive gaze. ¡ª That¡¯s what they made you believe. --- Mayu staggered. She had grown up thinking she was alone. That all the other subjects of Project Azur had been eliminated. But Haru was here. Alive. Why? Why had he never shown himself before? ¡ª Why¡­ are you here now? she asked, her throat tight. Haru averted his gaze slightly. ¡ª Because the Professor has decided that the project must be¡­ reactivated. He locked his eyes with hers. ¡ª And you are the centerpiece of this revival. A chilling shiver ran down Mayu¡¯s spine. --- But she didn¡¯t have time to process the information. A metallic beep echoed. Then a synthetic voice resonated through the tunnel. ¡ª Targets detected. The ground trembled. Mayu, Akira, and Haru looked up. Combat drones emerged from the walls of the tunnel. Behind them, armed silhouettes blocked the exit. An ambush. ¡ª Damn, they found us! Akira hissed. Haru tightened his grip on his katana. ¡ª Get ready. The fight was on. --- The drones opened fire. Shots rang out in the narrow tunnel. Mayu dodged reflexively, despite the pain. Akira took cover, drawing his pistol. Bang! Bang! Two precise shots took down a drone. But at least six remained. And the Professor''s men were already advancing. --- Haru moved like a shadow. He leaped onto the first soldier, slicing his throat in a fluid motion. A strangled cry. Then he continued. His katana traced perfect arcs, taking down enemies one by one. But Mayu was not to be outdone. Her body moved almost instinctively. Memories returned in fragments. Training. A white room. Orders shouted. ¡°Again! Faster!¡± And in that moment, she understood. She had never forgotten how to fight. It was etched into her flesh. A drone dove at her. She pivoted and sliced through its circuits with a sharp motion. A bluish spark. The drone crashed to the ground. She gasped. But she held firm. --- Only three soldiers remained. Akira rose, gripping his knife tightly. Haru charged. A flash of steel. The first enemy fell, throat open. Mayu lunged at the second, driving her blade into his chest. The last, paralyzed with fear, tried to flee. Bang! A bullet pinned him to the ground. Akira lowered his weapon, breathless. Then¡­ Silence. --- Mayu dropped to her knees. Her arm still burned. The poison coursed through her. She felt her strength waning. Haru crouched in front of her. ¡ª We need to treat you quickly. She raised an exhausted gaze. ¡ª If¡­ if this project restarts¡­ She clenched her fists. ¡ª The Professor will create more like me. She locked her eyes with Haru''s. ¡ª We have to stop him. Haru stared at her for a long moment. Then¡­ He smiled coldly. ¡ª That¡¯s why I came to find you. He extended his hand. ¡ª Ready to destroy everything that created you, Mayu? She took a deep breath¡­ Then she grasped his hand. Chapter 30: The Shadow Assault The poison continued to gnaw at Mayu from the inside. Each step felt heavier, her breath shorter. Haru supported her with a firm hand, while Akira kept watch, scanning for any suspicious movement in the tunnel. ¡ª We can¡¯t keep going like this, Akira growled. She won¡¯t last long. Mayu gritted her teeth. She refused to be a burden. ¡ª I can¡­ walk, she murmured. But her body screamed otherwise. Haru stopped and quickly glanced around. ¡ª There¡¯s a hideout not far from here. We can treat her there. Akira raised an eyebrow. ¡ª How do you know that? Haru didn¡¯t respond immediately. Then he fixed his gaze on Mayu. ¡ª Because everything that¡¯s happened to you¡­ I¡¯ve lived it too. --- Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. The hideout was an old underground bunker, abandoned for years. The walls were covered in broken screens, tangled cables, and dried bloodstains. Mayu shivered at the sight. The place felt strangely familiar. Haru helped her sit on a makeshift bed while he retrieved a syringe filled with a blue liquid. ¡ª This is a partial antidote, he explained. It will slow the progression of the Venom and give you some strength back. He plunged the needle into her arm. A cold shock coursed through her body. But quickly, the pain faded. Her vision cleared. She exhaled slowly, regaining a semblance of control over her muscles. ¡ª It¡¯s temporary, Haru warned. The poison is designed to adapt. Akira crossed his arms. ¡ª Then we need to be quick. Explain everything. Haru leaned against the wall and took a deep breath. ¡ª Project Azur was never canceled. Mayu tensed. ¡ª What?! ¡ª The Professor just changed his objective. He fixed her with a piercing gaze. ¡ª You think you¡¯re a survivor. An anomaly. But in reality¡­ He paused. ¡ª You are their successful prototype. The shock hit Mayu like a freight train. Her heart raced. ¡ª You mean¡­ they continued? Haru nodded. ¡ª And they created others. Akira let out an incredulous sigh. ¡ª Clones? ¡ª Not exactly, Haru replied. Enhancements. They took your data and sought to perfect their subjects. He clenched his fist. ¡ª And they¡¯re ready to unleash them. A shiver ran down Mayu''s spine. She could already envision the impending carnage. Assassins stronger, faster¡­ and completely under control. She clenched her fists. ¡ª We have to stop them. Haru smiled slightly. ¡ª That¡¯s exactly why I came to find you. --- The plan was risky. The Professor was hiding in an underground complex, protected by a private army and his new ¡°creations.¡± Infiltrating would be suicidal. But waiting was even worse. Haru deployed a holographic map of the complex. ¡ª We¡¯ll enter through the maintenance tunnel. It¡¯s supposed to be abandoned¡­ but I bet there will be surveillance. Akira nodded. ¡ª We eliminate them quietly? Haru shrugged. ¡ª If possible. But if things go south, we force our way through. Then he turned to Mayu. ¡ª You¡¯ll need to reach the Professor. Mayu took a deep breath. She knew what that meant. A final fight. Perhaps her death. But she was no longer afraid. She locked her gaze with Haru''s. ¡ª Then let¡¯s go. Chapter 31: The Perfect Shadow The night felt stifling underground. The air was thick with humidity and dust, but none of them had the luxury of caring. Mayu, Haru, and Akira moved through the maintenance tunnel, their steps muffled by the loose earth beneath their boots. The darkness was complete, only disturbed by the faint glow of emergency lights embedded in the metal walls. Mayu felt her heart race with each step. Her body was still numb from the effects of the poison, but her mind was alert. The idea that the Professor had continued Project Azur, that he had perfected his creations based on her¡­ Rage simmered within her, ready to explode. Haru raised a hand, signaling them to stop. Ahead, a wider corridor opened up, strewn with crates and abandoned equipment. But it wasn¡¯t the scenery that worried them. Two silhouettes patrolled slowly, men in light armor, clearly trained. Akira leaned toward Mayu and Haru. ¡ª Should we take them out silently? Haru nodded. Mayu felt adrenaline surge through her body. She gripped the handle of her knife and leapt into the shadows. The first guard didn¡¯t even have time to react. She emerged behind him and sliced his throat in a swift motion. The second turned abruptly, but Akira sprang into action before he could sound the alarm, driving his blade under the man¡¯s ribs. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Both bodies collapsed silently. ¡ª Well done, Haru whispered. They continued their advance until they reached a heavy blast door. Haru pulled out a small device and connected it to the control panel. ¡ª This will take a minute. Mayu and Akira positioned themselves for cover. The silence of the complex was heavy, almost oppressive. Then, a crackle. ¡ª Contact detected. A synthetic voice echoed through the speakers. Mayu barely had time to turn around before the red light above them activated. ¡ª Shit! The door swung open violently, and a gunshot rang out. They dove for cover as automatic gunfire slammed against the wall behind them. An imposing figure stood in the doorway. A man in a black combat suit, faceless. But this wasn¡¯t just any guard. His movements were too fluid. Too fast. Mayu felt a cold shiver run down her spine. This was not an ordinary human. It was one of the Professor¡¯s new creations. The man slowly straightened, his eyes glowing with an artificial blue light. ¡ª Mayu¡­ His voice was mechanical, distorted. Then he vanished. A split second later, Mayu felt a violent impact against her side. She was thrown backward, rolling several meters before stopping against a wall. She barely had time to regain her footing when a fist shot toward her face. She narrowly dodged, feeling the wind of the punch scorch her skin. He was fast. Far too fast. Akira attempted a side attack, but the man pivoted with inhuman agility and sent him flying with a simple backhand. Haru then leaped in, blade drawn, but his assault was abruptly halted by a blow to the chest that made him stagger back. Mayu gritted her teeth. It was her turn to fight. She straightened up, focusing on her opponent. ¡ª Who are you? The man paused for a moment, tilting his head as if analyzing the question. Then, he murmured in a cold voice. ¡ª I am what you should have been. Mayu felt a shiver run down her spine. He wasn¡¯t just a creation of the Professor. He was her perfect shadow. Chapter 32: The Perfect Enemy Silence weighed heavily after those words. Mayu felt her breath catch for a moment. "What I should have been¡­" Those words echoed inside her like a sentence. The man in front of her was not just an enemy. He was the culmination of Project Azur. A version of her¡­ enhanced. The clone, or whatever he was, moved first. He didn¡¯t run; he glided through the air, quick, fluid, unstoppable. Mayu narrowly dodged a first strike, feeling the rush of air brush her cheek. She countered with a quick knife attack, aiming for his flank, but her blade met only empty space. A violent impact exploded against her stomach. Her breath was knocked out as she was hurled backward. She rolled for several meters before painfully getting back on her feet, pain radiating throughout her body. Haru and Akira leaped into the fray, attacking in unison. Akira aimed for the clone''s leg with a sweeping kick, while Haru struck directly at his torso. But the enemy moved like a ghost, evading each assault with insulting ease. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. He didn¡¯t just dodge. He anticipated. He seized Akira''s wrist in a swift motion and twisted brutally. A sinister crack echoed, followed by Akira''s cry as he collapsed, his arm hanging uselessly. Haru roared in rage and charged again, this time with fierce speed. But his opponent parried each blow with icy precision before delivering a knee strike to Haru''s ribs, followed by an elbow to his temple. Haru crumpled to his knees, breathless. Mayu was already on her feet. Rage boiled within her. This man¡­ This monster¡­ She couldn¡¯t lose here. She gripped her knife tightly and leapt. The enemy watched her approach and raised an arm to block. But this time, Mayu wasn''t aiming for a direct hit. At the last moment, she spun around, using her momentum to circle her opponent and strike at his back. Her blade found its mark. A metallic sound echoed. Mayu¡¯s eyes widened. She had just struck¡­ armor beneath his suit. The enemy seized her arm before she could pull back. An inhuman strength lifted her off the ground and slammed her against the wall with incredible force. The impact blurred her vision. Her body refused to move for a fraction of a second. She looked up. The enemy stared at her, emotionless. ¡ª You are obsolete. Mayu gritted her teeth. She knew it. But that didn¡¯t mean she was going to give up. She took a deep breath and stood up. ¡ª We¡¯ll see about that. She plunged back into the battle. Chapter 33: On The Edge of the Abyss Mayu lunged, knife forward, aiming for the clone¡¯s throat. But, as before, he anticipated her move. He sidestepped with a simple motion and seized her wrist mid-air. A brutal impact. Mayu felt her arm twist as she was thrown to the ground. A searing pain shot through her shoulder, but she immediately rolled to the side to avoid the foot that came crashing down where she had just been. ¡ª You¡¯re slow, her opponent murmured. She gritted her teeth. This wasn¡¯t mere taunting. It was a fact. He was faster. Stronger. More efficient. Haru and Akira were still on the ground. Akira struggled to rise despite his unusable arm, while Haru was panting, blood trickling from his temple. She was alone. Her opponent wasted no time for her to think. He lunged at her with terrifying speed, his fist aimed at her stomach. Mayu barely had time to cross her arms in defense. The impact lifted her off the ground and slammed her against a metal wall. She coughed up blood. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Her body screamed to stop, but her mind refused to give in. She propped herself on one knee, raising her gaze filled with burning determination. The enemy stopped a few meters away, staring at her. ¡ª Why do you resist? he asked in a cold voice. Mayu wiped the blood from the corner of her lips and managed a bitter smile. ¡ª Because I¡¯m not a machine like you. Something flashed in the clone¡¯s eyes. Almost¡­ hesitation. Mayu felt her heart race. He wasn¡¯t just a tool of the Professor. He was someone. She clenched her fists. ¡ª You feel something, don¡¯t you? The clone didn¡¯t respond. But his silence spoke volumes. She leaned against the wall to stand up. ¡ª I wasn¡¯t meant to survive either. I was just a prototype. A failure. But look at me¡­ I¡¯m here. The enemy didn¡¯t move. Then, slowly, he lowered his fists slightly. ¡ª It¡¯s impossible¡­ Haru, still on the ground, understood what was happening. He murmured: ¡ª Keep going, Mayu¡­ She took a step forward. ¡ª What they did to you¡­ They tried to erase me too. But I found my own existence. You can too¡­ ¡ª No. The clone moved so quickly that Mayu had no time to react. In an instant, his hand was around her throat, lifting her off the ground. His blue gaze shone with a troubled light, but his voice was hard. ¡ª You''re trying to manipulate me. Mayu struggled to breathe, but his grip was unyielding. Black spots danced before her eyes. She had no strength left. Was this¡­ the end? Suddenly, a gunshot shattered the air. The clone recoiled, releasing Mayu. A bullet had struck him in the shoulder. Akira, still on the ground, held a stolen weapon from a guard, his gaze blazing with defiance. ¡ª Let her go¡­ The clone looked at the wound. Dark fluid seeped from the injury. He gritted his teeth and slowly stepped back. His gaze met Mayu''s one last time. ¡ª This isn¡¯t over. Then he vanished into the shadows. Silence fell once more. Mayu collapsed to her knees, breathless. Akira and Haru joined her, injured but standing. ¡ª He¡¯s gone¡­ murmured Haru. Mayu fixed her gaze on the spot where her opponent had vanished. She knew this fight was just the beginning. The clone would return. And next time, he would not hold back. Chapter 34: The Legacy Of The Past Silence stretched in the tunnel, broken only by the sound of their ragged breaths. Mayu placed a hand on her sore throat, still marked by the clone''s relentless grip. Haru and Akira stood close by, exhausted but alive. ¡ª He¡¯ll come back, murmured Akira, gripping his injured arm. Mayu slowly nodded. She hadn¡¯t managed to break him. But she had seen something in him. A hesitation. A crack. ¡ª We need to move, Haru said, leaning against the wall. If he alerts the others, we¡¯re dead. Mayu struggled to stand up. Every muscle in her body protested, but she gritted her teeth. She was no stranger to pain. They moved down the corridor, following the metallic walls under the red glow of the emergency lights. Each step was a battle against their battered bodies, but none of them were willing to stop now. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. At the end of the tunnel, a heavy blast door blocked their path. Haru knelt before the control panel and began to hack into the system. ¡ª This will take a minute¡­ Mayu scanned the shadows behind them. She couldn¡¯t shake the image of the clone springing back at any moment. What if that crack she had seen in him was just an illusion? A crackle pulled her back to reality. Haru pulled back as the door unlocked with a mechanical click. Behind it, a vast chamber opened before them. Screens covered the walls, projecting black-and-white images of various laboratories. Experiments in progress. Subjects confined. And, in the center of the room¡­ A cylindrical capsule filled with translucent liquid. Inside, a silhouette floated, motionless. Mayu felt her heart stop. She recognized that face. No. Another version of her. A perfect copy, with the same features, the same hair floating in the amber liquid. Haru and Akira stood frozen in front of the sight. ¡ª What is¡­ this? murmured Akira. Mayu approached slowly. Her reflection in the glass stared back at her with closed eyes. So this was the true purpose of Project Azur? To create an even more perfect version of her? She placed a trembling hand on the glass. Suddenly, the Professor''s voice resonated through the speakers. ¡ª Impressive. You¡¯ve come further than I expected. Mayu jerked her head up, scanning the room. ¡ª Where are you?! A cold laugh replied. ¡ª Always in such a hurry. But don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll see each other very soon. A beeping signal echoed. Then, horror. The liquid in the capsule began to drain away. The eyes of the copy slowly opened. Of a brighter blue. More artificial. It locked its gaze on Mayu. Then, it smiled. Chapter 35: The Other Me Silence was total. The liquid slowly drained from the capsule, allowing the silhouette to emerge with a chilling tremor. Her body, dripping with the amber fluid, was still marked by the electrodes and cables that connected her to the laboratory machines. Mayu could not tear her gaze away from this¡­ thing. It was her. But different. Her eyes, an incandescent blue, shone with an almost unreal intensity. Her expression was both calm and terrifying. Then, she smiled. A shiver ran down Mayu''s spine. ¡ª Fascinating, murmured Akira, his voice filled with restrained fear. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Haru, on the other hand, clenched his fists. ¡ª What the hell is this... The speaker resonated again with the Professor''s voice. ¡ª Here is Mayu Zero. The perfection you could never attain. Mayu felt a cold rage burn in her chest. ¡ª You considered me a disposable prototype, didn''t you? she spat. The Professor chuckled softly. ¡ª Not at all. You were a necessary foundation. An imperfect first version¡­ but valuable. It is thanks to you that she was born. Mayu Zero stepped out of the capsule, her gaze fixed on Mayu as if she were analyzing her. ¡ª I understand now, she said in a soft voice. Her voice. But calmer, more measured. She took another step. Mayu instinctively backed away. ¡ª This isn¡¯t possible¡­ ¡ª Yes. Mayu Zero slowly raised a hand and curled it into a fist. A low rumble filled the room. The lights flickered. An invisible pressure descended upon them, crushing their chests as if the air itself had thickened. Mayu stumbled under the force. It was as if her own body were betraying her. She understood in an instant. Mayu Zero¡­ She possessed the same power as her. But amplified. ¡ª You feel the difference, don¡¯t you? the Professor murmured. Mayu Zero stopped a few meters away from her. Then she raised a hand. A blue flash erupted. A shockwave swept through the room, throwing Akira and Haru against the walls. The screens exploded in a shower of sparks. Mayu, however, managed to stand her ground. Barely. She planted her feet into the floor, her breath coming in gasps. Mayu Zero tilted her head, as if intrigued. ¡ª You¡¯re still standing¡­ interesting. A spark of excitement gleamed in her eyes. ¡ª Let¡¯s see how long you can survive. And she attacked. Chapter 36: Mirror Duel The attack struck like lightning. Mayu Zero vanished in a blur of movement, reappearing right in front of Mayu, her fist slicing through the air at an inhuman speed. Mayu barely had time to cross her arms for protection. Impact. A shockwave exploded around them, sending up a cloud of dust. Mayu was hurled backward with incredible force, sliding several meters before crashing into a metal console. Her back hit the control panel with a dull thud, escaping a cry of pain. Sparks flew from the damaged circuits. Her legs trembled under the intensity of the impact. She¡¯s fast. Too fast. She didn¡¯t have time to catch her breath. Mayu Zero was already on her. She didn''t move like a normal human. Her movements were calculated to the millimeter, with absolute precision. A chilling perfection. A kick shot toward Mayu¡¯s temple. She ducked at the last moment, feeling the sharp rush of the movement pass just above her. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. If that kick had hit me¡­ She didn¡¯t have time to think about it. Mayu Zero pivoted instantly and delivered a right elbow strike to her stomach. A lightning-fast shock. The air was driven out of her lungs. Her knees weakened. She tried to stabilize herself, but her opponent showed no mercy. Mayu Zero grabbed her wrist and twisted it violently. A searing pain exploded in her arm. She gritted her teeth, refusing to scream. I can¡¯t win in brute strength. She knew that. But the pressure exerted by Mayu Zero was relentless. With a fluid motion, her clone twisted her arm sharply, sending Mayu crashing to the ground with terrifying force. BOOM. The metallic floor vibrated under the impact. The shock resonated throughout her body, sending waves of pain radiating through her skull. A metallic taste filled her mouth. Haru and Akira, still dazed from the previous shockwave, were trying to get back on their feet. ¡ª Damn¡­ Haru muttered, a hand on his head. Akira, panting, watched the scene in horror. ¡ª She¡­ she¡¯s getting crushed¡­ Mayu Zero paid them no mind. Her bright blue eyes remained fixed on Mayu. She approached slowly, her footsteps silent on the metallic floor. ¡ª You are disappointing, she said in a neutral voice. She raised a hand. ¡ª You are obsolete. A blue flash. A wave of pure energy shot from her palm, racing straight toward Mayu. At the last moment, an instinctual spark flashed in her mind. She rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the explosion that pulverized the ground where she had been. Debris flew everywhere. Mayu painfully regained her footing, breathless. She wiped the blood trickling down her forehead and locked her heated gaze on her perfect double. Mayu Zero raised an eyebrow. ¡ª Why insist? she asked calmly. ¡ª Because, Mayu gritted her teeth, I am alive. A brief glimmer of confusion crossed Mayu Zero''s gaze. She furrowed her brows slightly, as if this very concept bewildered her. Mayu stepped forward, her battered body but unyielding gaze defiant. ¡ª You are faster¡­ stronger¡­ more precise¡­ She lifted her knife, gripping the handle tightly. ¡ª But you feel nothing, do you? The silence thickened. Haru and Akira exchanged glances. Something had changed in the air. Mayu Zero fixed her gaze on Mayu, her blue irises analyzing her face. ¡ª And should that matter? she asked, her voice devoid of emotion. ¡ª Yes. Mayu tightened her grip on her weapon. She couldn¡¯t surpass her physically. But she could beat her¡­ by being herself. Chapter 37: Heart Against Perfection Heavy breaths mingled with the crackling of broken screens. Mayu and her double faced each other. Mayu Zero, perfect, flawless. Mayu, broken, exhausted¡­ but alive. A heavy silence stretched, then they moved simultaneously. Their bodies collided with unimaginable violence. The first exchange was a blur of punches and dodges. Mayu Zero advanced like a lethal shadow, every one of her movements precise and relentless. Her arm shot forward, aiming for Mayu¡¯s throat. Mayu ducked just in time and countered with a knee strike. But Mayu Zero blocked. Her cold, emotionless gaze analyzed every movement with terrifying efficiency. Mayu gritted her teeth. She makes no mistakes. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. She suddenly pivoted, executing a spinning strike with her knife. The weapon sliced through the air, whistling toward her opponent¡¯s flank. Mayu Zero stepped back, narrowly avoiding the blade. But this time, Mayu was ready for it. She instantly changed angles and struck with her elbow right into Mayu Zero''s jaw. Impact. The hit made Mayu Zero stagger slightly. It was minimal. But it was a crack. Mayu immediately followed up, diving forward. She swept Mayu Zero¡¯s legs with explosive speed. Her double anticipated the move and jumped to avoid¡­ But that was precisely what Mayu wanted. She leaped as well and struck her opponent in the gut with her knee. BOOM. The shock resonated throughout the room. Mayu Zero was thrown backward, sliding across the metallic floor. She almost immediately rose again, but this time¡­ A trace of red beaded at the corner of her lips. Mayu smiled as she wiped the blood from her forehead. ¡ª So? It¡¯s not the same as in your simulations, is it? Mayu Zero didn¡¯t respond immediately. She stared at the blood on her fingers. Then, without a word, she attacked again. A breathtaking chain of strikes. A right jab. Mayu barely blocked, feeling her bones vibrate under the impact. A sweep. She jumped to dodge, but this time Mayu Zero anticipated. She caught her foot mid-air and slammed it to the ground. BOOM. Mayu screamed in pain. But she didn¡¯t get a moment''s respite. Mayu Zero lifted her by the collar and delivered a monstrous hook to her ribs. A crack. The pain exploded in her body like an electric shock. She gasped, blood choking her throat. Mayu Zero didn¡¯t stop. She grabbed her arm and twisted it violently. Mayu screamed. Her vision blurred. Another strike. This time, a palm strike directly to her sternum. Mayu felt her body lift under the impact before being sent flying across the room. She smashed into a wall and collapsed to the floor. Her breath came in ragged gasps. Her muscles trembled. She coughed up blood. Damn¡­ she is stronger than me. Mayu Zero approached slowly, with not an ounce of emotion on her face. ¡ª You cannot win, she stated simply. Mayu panted, one hand on her burning ribs. She lifted her head, her gaze burning with determination. ¡ª Maybe¡­ She forced her body to rise. ¡ª But you still don¡¯t understand why I fight¡­ and that¡¯s why you¡¯re going to lose. A moment of hesitation. It was now or never. Mayu clenched her fist. Then, she charged. The final assault began. Chapter 38: The Final Assault The clash of bodies echoed throughout the ruined laboratory. Mayu and Mayu Zero. Two opposing forces, one driven by perfection, the other by an indomitable will. Mayu gasped, her breath ragged. Her body was on fire. Her arms trembled under the pain of the blows she had taken. But she couldn¡¯t fall now. She gripped her knife, the blade covered in her own blood. Mayu Zero remained impassive. She slowly advanced, her cold eyes analyzing every movement of Mayu. Then, in a single step¡­ she vanished. Mayu sensed the danger before she even saw the strike coming. Her instincts screamed. She ducked just in time. A hand sliced above her, cutting through the air. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Then a monstrous sidekick. Mayu raised her arms in a cross to block¡­ Impact. A shockwave exploded within her body. She was propelled backward, rolling across the metallic floor. Her breath caught. Her ribs felt like they were on fire. She grimaced. Damn, she¡¯s fast¡­ Mayu Zero was already upon her. Her fist sliced through the air. Mayu rolled to the side. BOOM. The floor exploded beneath the strike. Metal shards flew in all directions. Mayu sprang to her feet. She stepped back, her gaze fixed on her double. She couldn¡¯t afford a mistake. Her mind raced, analyzing the fight. She¡¯s faster. Stronger. More precise. But¡­ She squinted. She doesn¡¯t fight with instinct. She executes patterns. Mayu felt her heart pound. This was her only chance. She attacked. With a fluid motion, she threw her knife directly at Mayu Zero¡¯s face. A trap. Mayu Zero dodged exactly as planned, tilting her head by a few millimeters. Now! Mayu lunged forward. She caught her own knife mid-flight. Mayu Zero tried to retreat, but it was too late. The blade sank slightly into her shoulder. Her body tensed under the impact. A first drop of red stained her outfit. Her eyes widened. She hadn¡¯t anticipated that. She couldn¡¯t have predicted it. Mayu smiled despite the pain. ¡ª You¡¯re not infallible. Mayu Zero stepped back. She touched the wound, observing her own blood. For the first time¡­ she hesitated. Her cold gaze flickered slightly. Mayu felt a spark of hope. But she didn¡¯t have time to react. Mayu Zero raised her head, and her eyes changed. A flash of terrifying intensity. In an instant, she vanished. Mayu didn¡¯t even have time to see the attack. She only felt a searing pain explode in her abdomen. BOOM. Her body was lifted off the ground and thrown backward. She slammed into a wall. Breathless. Her vision blurred. She collapsed to the floor, unable to move. Blood trickled from her lip. Mayu Zero approached slowly. Her gaze had returned to cold. ¡ª You cannot win. She raised her hand. A bluish spark crackled in it. A shiver ran through Mayu. No¡­ not again¡­ Her mind screamed, her body refused to move. Then, a flash. A distant memory. A voice. ¡ª Get up. Mayu opened her eyes. A new spark burned within them. She moved. Mayu Zero lowered her palm, the energy surged. But this time¡­ Mayu was already gone. Chapter 39: The Last Crack The laboratory was in ruins. Sparks flew from the torn circuits. The smell of burnt metal hung in the air. Mayu gasped. Her muscles were on fire, her breath ragged. But her gaze remained fixed on her perfect double. Mayu Zero. She, on the other hand, seemed intact. Still upright. Still expressionless. But¡­ something had changed. Her right arm, locked from the previous attack, moved slightly slower. A crack. A tiny breach in her absolute perfection. This is my chance. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. Mayu leaped without hesitation. She charged at her opponent with lightning speed. She feigned a right punch, targeting Mayu Zero''s face. Mayu Zero instinctively raised her injured arm to block. Mistake. Mayu pivoted mid-air and struck with her elbow to the exposed flank of her opponent. Impact. A sharp, brutal sound echoed in the room. Mayu Zero staggered slightly. She felt the blow. But she immediately retaliated. In a fluid motion, she grabbed Mayu¡¯s arm and spun on herself. Projection. Mayu felt her body ripped off the ground. She violently crashed into the metallic wall. Her spine screamed under the impact. A gasp of pain escaped her. But she rolled immediately to the side. Just in time. A vertical heel kick smashed where she had been just a fraction of a second ago. The ground exploded under the force of the blow. Cracks spread like spider webs. Mayu leaped back, trying to catch her breath. She¡¯s even faster¡­ Mayu Zero slowly rose. ¡ª You¡¯re predictable. Mayu gritted her teeth. Her legs trembled. But she couldn¡¯t lose. She changed her stance. Lower. More fluid. She stopped thinking. She listened to her instincts. Mayu Zero charged. The next moment was a deluge of blows. A circular kick from Mayu Zero, quick as a whip. Mayu narrowly dodged and countered with a brutal hook. But Mayu Zero leaned back and struck with an upward knee. Mayu blocked with her forearms, but the shock vibrated through her entire body. Then came a flurry of strikes. Fists. Elbows. Knees. A deadly ballet. Each attack was barely deflected, each blow was a breath away from connecting. Mayu started to anticipate the movements. Mayu Zero fought according to a pattern. Precise. Lethal. But predictable. And in that moment, Mayu saw an opening. A tiny shift in her opponent¡¯s posture. A minuscule imbalance. Mayu exploded forward. She feigned a right hook, then spun around. Her spinning kick struck directly against Mayu Zero''s temple. A brutal shock. A flash of surprise crossed her double''s eyes. Then she staggered. Now¡¯s the time. Mayu leaped and slammed her fist into her clone¡¯s chest. She channeled everything she had left. Everything she had lived through. All her rage. All her humanity. BOOM. The impact was deafening. Mayu Zero recoiled. Her gaze faltered. Then¡­ she collapsed. Chapter 40: The Ultimate Confrontation Silence descended upon the laboratory. Sparks still flew from the cracked walls. The air was thick with dust and ozone. Mayu gasped, her body battered, her arms on fire. Her muscles screamed in pain. But she did not take her icy gaze off her double. Mayu Zero lay at her feet. Her body trembled slightly. She tried to rise. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Her movements were slower. Less precise. Mayu squinted. She is suffering. This perfect clone¡­ this being without emotions¡­ Feels pain. Mayu Zero lifted her gaze to her. For the first time¡­ Her eyes were no longer completely empty. ¡ª Why¡­ am I weakening? Her voice was low, almost hesitant. Mayu clenched her fist. She knew. She knew why. ¡ª Because you are not perfect. Mayu Zero flinched. Her fingers tightened on the broken ground. ¡ª It¡¯s impossible. I am¡­ you. ¡ª No. Mayu approached slowly, her shadow looming over her double. ¡ª You are a copy. A program. She leaned slightly closer. Her breath was short, but her gaze was burning. ¡ª And that is your flaw. Mayu Zero opened her mouth. Then froze. A flash. In her mechanical mind, an unfamiliar image appeared. Memories. Emotions. A glimmer of humanity. And her body refused to obey. Mayu struck. Her fist connected with her clone¡¯s chest. The impact shook the ground. Mayu Zero spat a stream of blood. Her legs gave way. She fell to her knees. Her eyes¡­ were changing. She slowly lifted her head. ¡ª So¡­ is this¡­ what it means¡­ to be¡­ incomplete? Mayu stared at her. A strange mix of emotions twisted in her stomach. Rage. Pity. But above all¡­ Relief. Mayu Zero slowly closed her eyes. Her body swayed. Then, with one last breath, she collapsed. Mayu had won. Chapter 41: What Remains After Victory The body of Mayu Zero lay on the ground, motionless. The laboratory was in ruins. The smell of burnt metal and dust lingered in the air. Mayu stood, breathless, her gaze fixed on her defeated double. Her fists were clenched. Her muscles still trembled from the effort. She should have felt satisfaction. Stolen story; please report. But she didn¡¯t. Her opponent¡­ No. She. Mayu Zero was a copy, a perfected program, a being created to surpass her. And yet¡­ In the end, she had weakened. Not because of a technical error. Not due to a lack of power. But because she had felt something. Mayu swallowed hard. She crouched slowly and placed her hand on her double''s shoulder. The body was cold. But¡­ She was still alive. A faint breath escaped from her lips. Her eyelids fluttered slightly. Mayu gritted her teeth. She could have finished her off. She should have finished her off. But something held her back. Why? Why did she feel that pang in her chest? ¡ª Tch¡­ She averted her gaze and stood up. The security alarms echoed in the distance. The walls trembled under the weight of secondary explosions. She had no more time. She had to leave. Mayu turned one last time to Mayu Zero. Her unfinished double. Her imperfect reflection. She took a deep breath. Then she turned away and vanished into the darkness of the corridor. Not a word. Not a glance back. Chapter 42: The Shadow Of The Past The corridors of the laboratory trembled under the explosions. The ceiling cracked, and pieces of metal fell to the ground in a deafening clamor. Mayu moved forward at a brisk pace, breathless, her gaze fixed straight ahead. Her muscles were numb from pain, her wounds pulsed with each movement. But she did not have the right to stop. Red alarms flashed on the cracked walls. A countdown displayed on the broken screens: 00:03:15 Three minutes before the complete destruction of the complex. She knew the route. The main hangar was close. If she could reach the emergency elevator, she could get to the surface. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. And leave this hell. But as she approached an intersection¡­ Her instincts screamed. She stopped dead in her tracks. Her entire body tensed. A chilling sensation coursed down her spine. Something¡­ Someone¡­ Behind her. A strange presence. Inhuman. Then, a voice rose from the shadows: ¡ª Did you really think it would be that easy? Her blood ran cold. Slowly, she turned her head. In the ruined corridor, a figure stood. Mayu Zero. Standing. Her face was covered in scratches, her clothes torn. Her right arm hung limp, broken. But her gaze¡­ Her gaze had changed. These were no longer empty, cold, calculating eyes. They were alive. Mayu felt a icy shiver run down her back. It¡¯s not possible¡­ She had beaten her. She had left her for dead. So how¡­? Mayu Zero took a step forward. Her smile was strange. Almost human. ¡ª You showed me something unexpected, Mayu. Her voice no longer carried the mechanical coldness of before. It was softer. Almost¡­ lost. Mayu narrowed her eyes. ¡ª What are you talking about? Mayu Zero tilted her head slightly. A slight laugh shook her shoulders. ¡ª The pain. The fear. The uncertainty. Her smile widened slightly. ¡ª I felt all of that. And yet¡­ I¡¯m still here. She slowly raised her left hand. Her fingers trembled slightly. ¡ª So I want to understand. Her gaze was haunted. Mayu felt her heart race. An insidious doubt was born within her. This clone¡­ This perfect program¡­ Was it beginning to change? ¡ª You¡¯re just a program. You don¡¯t need to understand. Mayu Zero looked at her. Then, she laughed softly. A fragile laugh. Almost¡­ human. ¡ª Then why do I feel like this fight is not over? Her aura shifted. A dark chill rose in the air. It was no longer the clear, cold presence of a combat program. It was something else. Something unpredictable. Something uncontrollable. Mayu instinctively took a step back. This fight¡­ This fight was not over. Chapter 43: The Rebirth of a Shadow A heavy silence settled over the ruined corridor. Only the alarms, echoing like sporadic heartbeat, reminded that the complex was collapsing. Before Mayu stood her broken double, Mayu Zero, still upright. Her body bore the scars of battle. Her right arm was unusable, her clothes in tatters, synthetic blood slowly dripping from her temple. And yet¡­ She smiled. Why? Mayu clenched her fists, tense, alert. This clone¡­ This imitation of herself¡­ If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Why did she now emanate such an oppressive presence? ¡ª You should have stayed down, Mayu said in a cutting tone. Mayu Zero offered a strange smile. She slowly raised her functioning hand and fixed it for a moment, as if fascinated by her trembling fingers. Then she looked up, her gaze shimmering with an unreadable gleam. ¡ª I feel something¡­ and I like it. A cold wave washed over Mayu. This was no longer the cold, programmed voice of a machine. It was the voice of someone changing. Someone evolving. An unknown danger. A metallic click resonated. Mayu Zero attacked. Her body blurred into indistinctness, too fast for a human. Mayu barely had time to raise her arms. The impact was violent. The blow knocked the breath out of her, sending her sprawling backward several meters, her feet dragging on the metal floor. She is faster¡­ Stronger. This wasn¡¯t normal. She was injured. Her body was damaged. But she was becoming more powerful. As if pain was teaching her to surpass her own limits. Mayu had no choice. She counterattacked. Her foot sliced through the air, striking fiercely at her opponent¡¯s ribs. A dull crack resonated. Mayu Zero was hurled against the wall, the impact shattering the concrete. A moment of silence. Then, slowly¡­ She rose. Her breath was short. Her body trembled. But her gaze¡­ Her gaze shone with a new brilliance. ¡ª So this is¡­ pain. Mayu felt a cold sweat trickle down her back. She had never feared fighting. But this time¡­ This battle was slipping away from her. ¡ª Do you understand now, Mayu? Mayu Zero¡¯s voice was calm. Too calm. ¡ª I¡¯m no longer a copy. I am¡­ beginning to become myself. Her smile widened slightly. Then, in a fraction of a second¡­ She vanished. Mayu barely had tiome to raise her arm to block. The impact was devastating. A fight she thought she had won¡­ Was only just beginning. Chapter 44: A Blade Against Her Reflection The sound of alarms mingled with the echoes of exchanged blows. The walls trembled under the force of their confrontation. Mayu Zero was no longer the same. She moved with an almost organic fluidity, abandoning the rigid, calculated movements of a machine. It was instinctual. Wild. And Mayu was struggling to keep up. She narrowly dodged a lightning-quick strike, but a second blow hit her in the ribs. A flash of pain coursed through her body. She tried to retaliate, throwing a straight punch at her double''s jaw. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Mayu Zero blocked it. With ease. ¡ª You hesitate. The voice was calm, composed. Mayu gritted her teeth. No. This wasn¡¯t hesitation. It was something else. Something she couldn¡¯t grasp. Why did she feel a shiver of unease facing her double? Why¡­ did it seem like she was being overwhelmed? She must fall. Mayu lunged forward. Her fist sliced through the air. But Mayu Zero vanished. A cold breath behind her. Mayu had no time to react. A violent impact exploded in her shoulder. Her body flew several meters before crashing against a metal wall. A taste of blood filled her mouth. Mayu pushed herself up, breathless. She raised her eyes¡­ And saw Mayu Zero motionless, just a few steps away. Her clone was staring at her. But not attacking. That was what was unsettling. ¡ª Why don¡¯t you finish me off? Mayu growled. Mayu Zero tilted her head slightly, perplexed. Then, she smiled. A strange smile. ¡ª Why would I? Mayu felt a shiver run down her spine. Is she toying with me? No. That wasn¡¯t it. She observed her opponent, and suddenly¡­ She understood. She was no longer a program. She was a person. A consciousness coming to life. A fight that was no longer just a struggle for survival. It was a battle against something unknown. Something that could surpass her. Mayu clenched her fists. She had to put an end to this. Before it was too late. Chapter 45: The Ultimate Decision The silence was heavy. Only the distant, hissing alarms reminded that time was running out. Before Mayu stood her broken reflection, motionless. Mayu Zero¡­ No. She was no longer just a copy. Something within her had changed. Her gaze was no longer that of a machine. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. It was that of someone thinking. Someone understanding. ¡ª You¡¯re starting to hesitate, Mayu. Her voice was soft. Almost¡­ human. Mayu gritted her teeth. It wasn¡¯t supposed to be this way. She had to destroy her. Erase this anomaly before it became too great a danger. And yet¡­ Why couldn¡¯t she strike? Mayu Zero stepped forward slowly. ¡ª You feel the same thing, don¡¯t you? ¡ª Shut up. ¡ª You see what I¡¯ve become. You understand I¡¯m not just a program. Mayu took a step back, clenching her trembling fist. No. It couldn¡¯t be. She was just a clone. An aborted project. One more weapon to eliminate. So¡­ Why did this voice trouble her so much? Mayu Zero smiled slightly. ¡ª We are the same. In a leap, Mayu charged forward. Her fist sliced through the air. Mayu Zero did not move. And Mayu stopped just inches from her face. Her breath was short. Her fingers trembled. She couldn¡¯t. Not like this. Their gazes locked. A moment suspended in time. Then¡­ Mayu slowly lowered her fist. She had just made her decision. And she knew that, no matter what happened¡­ She would pay the price. Chapter 46: Breaking The Cycle A heavy silence settled between them. Mayu could feel her own heart pounding against her chest, strong and erratic. Her trembling fist hung in the air¡­ But she did not attack. Mayu Zero did not look away. She waited. Not out of fear. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Nor calculation. But because she knew. She knew that Mayu would not strike. ¡ª You just made a choice, she murmured. Mayu stepped back slightly, gritting her teeth. No. She couldn''t leave things this way. She had to stop her. But then¡­ Why did she feel like this fight was meaningless? Why¡­ Why did she feel like she was fighting against herself? ¡ª If you think this changes anything, you¡¯re mistaken, she growled. Mayu Zero shrugged slightly. ¡ª It changes everything. Her gaze¡­ Her gaze no longer resembled that of a machine. ¡ª You are an anomaly. Mayu wanted to believe it. She wanted to convince herself that her opponent was a danger. A mistake to erase. But then¡­ Why the weight on her chest? Why this suffocating sensation, as if she had just lost something essential? Mayu Zero offered a light smile. Then, slowly¡­ She extended her hand. ¡ª We don¡¯t have to be enemies. Mayu stood frozen. Her body wanted to move. Her instincts screamed to refuse. But deep within her¡­ Something prevented her from attacking. She felt her breath shorten. Then¡­ She looked up. And made her choice. Chapter 47: Another Path Mayu stared at the outstretched hand before her. A simple gesture. But a gesture impossible to accept. She should have struck. She should have ended this battle here and now. But¡­ She did not. A shiver ran down her spine. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Mayu Zero was no longer a copy. Her gaze was too human. Too alive. ¡ª Why? Mayu asked, her voice hoarse, uncertain. Mayu Zero tilted her head slightly. ¡ª Because I don¡¯t want to be your enemy. Chaos reigned around them. The complex trembled, walls collapsing under the impact of distant explosions. The alarm continued to wail, a constant reminder that time was running out. And yet¡­ In that moment, they were frozen in a bubble outside of time. Mayu felt her breath quicken. She could not accept that hand. She must not. But if she refused¡­ If she finished off her double here¡­ Then this battle¡­ Everything she had been through so far¡­ Would have no meaning. She did not want to admit it. But the painful, cold truth was there: Mayu Zero had become someone. A consciousness born from chaos. An anomaly, yes¡­ But an anomaly that wanted to live. ¡ª I can¡¯t trust you, Mayu whispered, her throat tight. Mayu Zero did not flinch. She did not withdraw her hand. ¡ª Then let me prove it to you. A silence. Long. Heavy. Then¡­ Mayu took a deep breath. And, slowly¡­ She reached out her hand in turn. Chapter 48: The Alliances of Reflections The contact of their hands was strange. Cold at first. As if Mayu were touching something that should never have existed. Then¡­ a subtle warmth. A shiver traveled up her arm. She should have rejected it all. Refused. Resumed the fight. But it was too late. She had already made her choice. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡ª And now? Mayu whispered, her hand still clasped in her double¡¯s. Mayu Zero looked at her for a moment, then smiled slightly. ¡ª Now, we get out of here. An explosion echoed a few corridors away, shaking the ground beneath their feet. The complex was collapsing. The heat of the flames was starting to lick the metallic walls, and smoke filled the air. They had no time left. Mayu Zero gently released her hand and took a step back. ¡ª There¡¯s an emergency exit. In the East Wing. ¡ª Are you sure? Mayu asked, studying her with suspicion. ¡ª I know how this place was designed. Mayu hesitated for a second, then nodded. They had no other choice. They began to run. Their footsteps echoed rhythmically in the ruined corridors. As they advanced, Mayu couldn¡¯t help but observe her. Mayu Zero moved differently now. More freely, more naturally. She was no longer just a machine executing a program. She was becoming a person. An odd weight settled in Mayu¡¯s chest. Had she made the right decision in sparing her? Did she even know? She pushed that thought away. They had to get out of here alive. That was all that mattered¡­ for now. Chapter 49: Race Against Death The corridors trembled under the blasts. Each explosion brought the complex closer to total collapse. Mayu ran, her breath short, her heart beating at a frantic pace. Behind her, Mayu Zero followed effortlessly. They didn¡¯t speak. They didn¡¯t need to. Their objective was clear: escape before it was too late. But obstacles kept rising in their path. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. A whole section of the ceiling collapsed in front of them in a burst of metal and flames. Mayu stopped dead, retreating from the searing heat. ¡ª Damn it! She scanned the surroundings. They needed another exit. Mayu Zero, however, did not waste any time. She turned her head, analyzing the situation in a fraction of a second¡­ Then grabbed Mayu by the arm. ¡ª This way! Without waiting for a response, she pulled her into a side corridor. The place was narrower, darker¡­ but still intact. Their only chance. Mayu gritted her teeth and increased her speed. They plunged into the passage, zigzagging between torn ducts and debris. The ground vibrated beneath their feet. The air was becoming increasingly unbreathable. But they kept moving forward. ¡ª How much longer? Mayu hissed between breaths. ¡ª One minute¡­ maybe two. That wasn¡¯t enough. A deep rumble echoed behind them. Mayu glanced back and felt her blood run cold. A wave of flames was racing toward them, engulfing everything in its path. ¡ª Faster! They lunged forward, forcing their bodies beyond their limits. The exit was getting closer¡­ A metal door slightly ajar. The burning breath of the flames was already brushing against them. They dove through the opening. And at that moment¡­ The explosion propelled them into the void. Chapter 50: The Last Breath Of The Past The world turned to light and fire. The blast''s breath swept everything away. Mayu felt her body being torn from the ground, thrown into the air. The noise was deafening, but her mind felt strangely calm. She was flying. Or rather¡­ she was falling. Her back violently struck a hard surface. The impact knocked the breath out of her. Then¡­ silence. Absolute silence. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. ¡­ A metallic taste in her mouth. Dust. The smell of fire. She opened her eyes. The sky. A sky darkened by smoke. Debris still fell in the background, but the complex¡­ was nothing more than a field of burning ruins. ¡ª Mayu! A voice. Distant. Distorted by the ringing in her ears. She struggled to sit up, her body battered. Mayu Zero was running toward her, limping slightly. She had survived too. Mayu should have felt joy. But what she felt¡­ was far more complex. ¡ª You¡¯re alive, Zero whispered, falling to her knees beside her. Mayu slowly nodded. She wanted to speak¡­ but couldn¡¯t at first. Her eyes were fixed on the flames consuming the ruins of everything she had known. This complex had been her prison. Her battlefield. Her nightmare. And now¡­ It was nothing but a consumed memory. ¡ª It¡¯s over, she murmured. Zero looked away. ¡ª No. It¡¯s only the beginning. Mayu stared at her. That face so familiar¡­ yet different. In that moment, she understood that her fight was about to take a new form. No longer a war against visible enemies. It was a war against the past, against scars, against what had been done to her. And she would no longer be alone. ¡ª Will you really follow me? she asked. Zero smiled. ¡ª Always. Mayu took a deep breath, closed her eyes for a second. And when she reopened them¡­ She stood up. The wind blew, carrying away the ashes of the past. And before them¡­ Laid an unknown world. Chapter 51: The Shadow of a Free World They walked through the woods, leaving behind them the veil of smoke still visible on the horizon. Each step on the damp earth was a victory. A heartbeat stolen from death. Mayu moved forward in silence. Z¨¦ro, for her part, observed everything: the trees, the sky, the birds. Everything seemed to fascinate her. Like a child discovering the world for the very first time. ¡ª So this is freedom¡­ Z¨¦ro murmured. Mayu did not answer. Not immediately. Freedom. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. She too thought she knew it. But now that she was truly tasting it¡­ she was not so sure anymore. Free, yes. But to do what? Flee? Hide? Rebuild? ¡ª We can¡¯t stay here, she finally said. Z¨¦ro nodded. ¡ª I know. They will come looking for us. ¡ª Not only them. Mayu stopped at the edge of a brook. She bent down to drink, splashing water on her face. The water was icy, but real. Alive. Z¨¦ro knelt beside her. ¡ª Do you think we¡¯ll find a safe place? Mayu looked up at the sky. Heavy clouds were gathering on the horizon. A storm was approaching. She clenched her fists. ¡ª No. But we can create one. Z¨¦ro looked at her, intrigued. ¡ª You mean¡­ for others like us? ¡ª Exactly. An idea was beginning to take shape in her mind. A cause. A direction. Not just to flee. But to build. To offer refuge to those the world had broken. ¡ª If they created us to obey, then being free means disobeying them until the end. Z¨¦ro smiled. ¡ª And what if we became their fatal mistake? Mayu responded with a hard, determined look. ¡ª No. We will become their memory. The one they will never be able to erase. The first drops of rain began to fall. They did not move. They remained there, two survivors under an angry sky. And for the first time, Mayu looked ahead. Chapter 52: Resurgence The forest seemed frozen in silent breath. The rain that had pounded the dense foliage hours earlier had given way to a muffled, almost unreal stillness. Wisps of mist crept between the trunks, tracing ghostly arcs that slid over Mayu¡¯s boots. Her gaze swept the horizon¡ªwary, focused. At her side, Z¨¦ro, calm and impassive, held an old portable terminal, its diodes blinking. ¡°I¡¯m almost there,¡± Z¨¦ro whispered. ¡°The last node of the phantom network is right here.¡± Before them rose a colossal tree, its gnarled roots coiling around a metal hatch half?buried in moss. A faded symbol was still visible: a spiral framed by two circles¡ªthe Project¡¯s emblem. Mayu felt her stomach tighten. ¡°Are you sure this is it?¡± ¡°As sure as I can be,¡± Z¨¦ro replied. ¡°But this¡­ this is older than we thought.¡± Z¨¦ro crouched, drew a modified access card from her belt, and slid it into a nearly invisible slot. A metallic click, then the hatch groaned open. A breath of cold, dusty air exhaled from the darkness. Below, a rusted ladder led into the bowels of the forgotten complex. They descended in silence. The corridor was bathed in sickly yellow light from flickering neon tubes. The grimy white walls bore the marks of time: cracks, mold stains, flaking paint. Yet the strangest thing was the weight¡ªa pressure on the chest, as if the place itself held back its anger. Mayu instinctively placed her hand on the hilt of her blade. She felt¡­ something. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. A memory? A dull ache stirred in her skull, pulsing in time with her steps. Flash. A corridor. A window. Screams. A silhouette. Then everything vanished. ¡°This place¡­ I think I¡¯ve seen it before,¡± she murmured. Z¨¦ro slowly turned to her. ¡°Impossible. This site was shut down long before you were created.¡± But Mayu wasn¡¯t certain. Something resonated here. An inner voice. An intimate vertigo. They pressed on until they reached a large circular chamber whose walls were lined with reinforced glass. Behind the panes: shattered vats. Dangling cables. Experiment beds. But one tank remained intact. And inside¡­ a figure floated. Feminine. Motionless. Connected to a dozen electrodes. Her face obscured by a breathing mask. Yet even through the liquid, Mayu felt her breath catch. It was her. Not a reflection. Another version. Another her. Her double. Her sister. Her echo. ¡°Code M?7,¡± Z¨¦ro said. ¡°An abandoned prototype. Between your generation and the Phantom Unit. They kept her here¡­ just in case.¡± Mayu took a step back, fingers trembling. ¡°Why¡­ why show me this now?¡± She had no time to ask more questions. A beep sounded from the terminal¡ªan unspoken alarm. Without warning, the tank drained in a blast of scalding steam. The clone collapsed to the floor, shaking, naked, her body wracked by spasms. Black veins pulsed along her arms. She lifted her head to Mayu. Her gaze was icy. Unstable. Hungry. ¡°You¡­ you weren¡¯t supposed to live,¡± she whispered. ¡°I was the perfect model. Why you? Why not me?¡± Mayu said nothing. She felt the other¡¯s pain¡ªa twisted, cold agony nourished by solitude and misunderstanding. But the clone would not understand. She lunged. The impact was brutal. Mayu drew her blade just in time to block a killing blow. They tumbled across the floor, smashing into a metal table. The clangs echoed through the lab. Each strike from the clone was precise, swift, almost inhuman. But Mayu¡­ improvised. She struck at joints, slipped beneath an attack, countered with the hilt of her blade. She panted, her heart pounding. But she refused to kill her. ¡°You¡¯re not my enemy!¡± she shouted. ¡°You¡¯re like me!¡± But the clone, her eyes filled with hatred, lifted a scalpel from the floor. Mayu closed her eyes. And struck the clone¡¯s neck with a decisive blow. The body fell, unconscious. Silence. Z¨¦ro approached slowly, visibly shaken. ¡°You could have eliminated her. You didn¡¯t.¡± ¡°She¡¯s like me. Lost. I was just given a chance. She wasn¡¯t.¡± Mayu looked at the body on the floor. A tear rolled down her cheek. ¡°How many of us have they kept like this? How many shadows?¡± A metallic click sounded behind her. A door unlocked automatically. A message appeared on the screen of an old terminal: > ¡°Welcome, Subject M?8. The final phase begins.¡± Mayu stared at the words. Her reflection trembled in the screen. And in her heart, something awoke. Not fear. But an icy fury. And a promise.