Chapter 37: The Game That Plays YouScene 1: Enter Nyssel
Nyssel stood barefoot on the jagged edge of the world, grinning like a child who knew too much. His form shimmered—one moment dressed in a court jester's motley, the next in flowing robes stitched from pieces of broken realities. Eyes like shifting puzzles stared at Kael, blinking in irregular rhythms.
"You always play the noble hero, Kael. But tell me—when was the last time you lost on purpose?"
Kael narrowed his eyes. "What are you?"
Nyssel spread his arms wide.
"I am the Herald of the Third Lie. The trickster of balance. The paradox that guards the truth behind truths. And I'm here to test you—not your strength, not your will, but your ability to be honest."
Zeraphin muttered, "Oh great. A cosmic prankster."
Nyssel grinned. "Correct! And you've all been drafted into my game."
Scene 2: The Rules of the Game
With a clap, the world around them shifted.
One moment they stood under a fractured sky, the next they were inside an impossible room. It had no walls, no ceiling, and no floor—only reflections of themselves in infinite variations.
Nyssel spoke, his voice coming from everywhere and nowhere.
"The rules are simple. Each of you must face one question. Just one. But you must answer honestly. If you lie… the truth will manifest in your place. And it won't be kind."
Mira whispered, "I don't like this."
Elenai drew her blade instinctively, but it vanished into mist.
Kael looked around. "I'll go first."
Nyssel clapped again, delighted. "The brave always lead. Very well."
Scene 3: Kael's Question – The Forbidden Name
Nyssel's voice darkened.
"Kael. Who was the person you let die... to save yourself?"
Time froze. The reflections around Kael stilled. He lowered his head.
"Her name was Lysara. My sister."
The others turned to him in shock.
"She was the one who first told me about the throne. She believed it was meant to be shared. But when the gods came for us… I ran. She didn't."
"She died… and I forgot her."
For a moment, nothing happened. Then the reflections resumed.
Nyssel's voice: "Honest. Painful. Perfect."
Scene 4: Elenai's Question – The Shadow of Betrayal
Now Elenai stepped forward. Her jaw was tight, knuckles white.
Nyssel chuckled. "Elenai. What secret have you kept from Kael… even now?"
Elenai hesitated. Then:
"I… once planned to betray him."
The room fell silent.
"When we first met, I was ordered by the Watchers of the Fold to kill him if he ever remembered who he really was. I said I wouldn't. But I meant to. I even kept the blade they gave me."
Kael's eyes flickered. "I knew. That's why I never asked."
Elenai stared at him. "You knew?"
He nodded. "You never tried. That was enough."
Nyssel laughed. "Oh, you two are boringly honest. Let's move on."
Scene 5: Mira's Question – The Hidden Self
Mira stepped forward reluctantly.
"Mira. What do you really think about this quest? About Kael?"
She hesitated.
"I think… it's a beautiful lie. I think Kael is doing the best he can, but none of this will work. I think we're all destined to fail. But I still want to see how far we can go before the world ends."
Kael gave her a sad smile.
"That's probably the sanest thing anyone's said all week."
Nyssel clapped again. "Delicious cynicism. Love it!"
Scene 6: Zeraphin's Question – The Inner Flame
Finally, Zeraphin stepped forward, visibly tense.
"Zeraphin. What are you afraid you'll become?"
His voice broke slightly. "Like my father."
The others looked surprised. Zeraphin had rarely spoken of his past.
"He was a tyrant. A manipulator. Brilliant, yes—but cruel. He built empires just to burn them down for fun. And I inherited his power. Sometimes… I feel it in me. The itch to control. The temptation to be a god."
"But I won't. I swear."
The shadows around him stirred, then faded.
Nyssel nodded. "Good. The game is nearly complete."
Scene 7: The Final Twist
The mirrors around them began to glow. The chamber began to unravel.
Nyssel stepped forward, smiling wide. "Congratulations! You have passed the test."
Everyone relaxed—but then he added, "Except for Kael."
Kael blinked. "What?"
Nyssel's grin widened. "You did lie. Just not with your words."
A shadow detached from Kael's reflection—tall, terrible, glowing with white fire and black mist.
"This," said Nyssel gleefully, "is the True Kael. The version that never forgot, never forgave, and never hesitated. The one you buried when you became a 'hero.' Now… he's here to reclaim his place."
The shadow spoke in Kael's voice—but deeper, colder.
"Hello, old self. Time to finish what we started."
To Be Continued in Chapter 38: When You Face Yourself