Waves of heat crashed into me as I stared silently at Rachel (Shadow Self) before me. She smiled with a fox-like charm, raising one hand, flames gathering as particles in her left palm. I swallowed hard—the flowers all around had already been burned to ashes.
"Where did you get such power?"
Rachel (Shadow Self) smiled and replied.
"From the moment of death. Have you forgotten?"
My eyes widened. Such overwhelming power filled me with dread. Suddenly, a purple sword—the Phoenix Blade—appeared in Rachel (Shadow Self)'s hand. I cried out in shock.
"How is this possible?"
The Phoenix Blade is the strongest spiritual sword in Hades, its power recognized by any wielder who can earn the Vermilion Bird's approval. Only those acknowledged by the Vermilion Bird can grasp the Phoenix Blade and harness its strength. Though I too could manifest the Phoenix Blade, compared to Rachel (Shadow Self), I was far too weak.
A pink glow appeared in my hand. I gripped Belle, my palm already slick with sweat. I knew I was no match for Rachel (Shadow Self).
"During the time you were dead, after we split completely, you were busy repairing your body. But I was different. Every day, I trained in the world of shadows, constantly growing stronger. Want to keep fighting? If you do, I’ll leave you battered and broken."
Rage surged in my heart. The figure before me was a part of myself, yet she had developed her own consciousness—a consciousness that was utterly detestable.
Scarlet flames began to wrap around my body. Faced with her already activated Vermilion Mantle, this was my only option. My power still couldn’t match hers, but the battles John Chou put me through weren’t meaningless—I had improved a lot in technique.
"If you don’t believe me, just try."
Gradually, the scarlet flames materialized, forming the body of the Vermilion Bird. The wings on my back began to move slightly. The heat was gone—once I used my power, Rachel (Shadow Self)'s strength was formidable, but our powers were of the same nature.
With a thunderous boom, I shot out, flames trailing behind me like a bullet. I unleashed my power with everything I had.
With a sharp clang, the scattered flames swept across the ground. Rachel (Shadow Self) still smiled, raising her left hand and crouching slightly. The Phoenix Blade easily blocked my Belle.
"How is this possible?"
I stared wide-eyed at Rachel (Shadow Self). On her body, the Vermilion Mantle hadn’t fully materialized, only a pair of wings appeared. She giggled.
"Can’t comprehend what’s happening before your eyes? I’m the real Rachel Lan. You should just go to sleep. You can’t handle what’s coming next. Such a heavy burden isn’t meant for you."
With a boom, Rachel (Shadow Self) blocked me with a slight motion. I felt a massive force push me back, stumbling over ten meters before I finally stopped, nearly losing my balance.
"What? You really want to fight me?"
Rachel (Shadow Self) asked.
Rachel Lan would never say something like that!
With a whoosh, I swung Belle, sending a stream of fire toward Rachel (Shadow Self). Just as the fiery arc was about to hit her, the purple wings on her back suddenly flapped, and with a boom, my scarlet flames vanished. I seized the moment and moved to her side.
As the scarlet light faded, darkness closed in. I quickly abandoned my attack, raising a hand to block. With a crash, I was sent flying, landing hard on the ground.
"See? This is what happens. I haven’t even gotten serious yet."
I stubbornly got to my feet, looking at my aching right hand and weighing my options. I couldn’t go head-to-head with her—my power was indeed weaker, but I wasn’t entirely without hope. I didn’t understand why Rachel (Shadow Self) wouldn’t just fully manifest the Vermilion Mantle and instead chose to fight this way, almost as if toying with me. But there was something suspicious about it. My mind was now clear—her provocations had made me lose my cool for a moment.
Gradually, the Vermilion Mantle faded from my body, leaving only a pair of scarlet wings, still gently flapping.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
Rachel (Shadow Self) giggled. Suddenly, Rachel Lan lunged at me. I saw it clearly—there was a boom as I dodged to the side, then quickly beat my wings and flew backward. A powerful gust swept past. Rachel Lan crouched on the ground, then stood up with a faint smile, raising the Phoenix Blade.
With a boom, a burst of purple flames exploded beneath me. I didn’t feel heat—just a tremendous impact. Instantly, I was struck, and the scarlet wings on my back nearly vanished.
"Do you really think you have what it takes to defeat me? Or do you want to witness the ultimate power of the Vermilion Bird?"
I swallowed, landing far away, still watching Rachel (Shadow Self) closely. All I could do now was dodge Rachel Lan’s attacks as best I could.
With two booming roars, twin pillars of purple flame rushed toward me. I beat my wings desperately to dodge, and above the crossing flames, I surged straight at Rachel (Shadow Self), my speed suddenly spiking.
With a crash, I dove from above, swinging Belle with all my might. It worked—Rachel (Shadow Self)’s smile vanished, and she glared at me viciously, her stance crouched and tense.
With a boom, a pillar of purple flame shot skyward. I was a bit too slow—one wing vanished in the fire, and the impact sent me spinning through the air. After tumbling several times, I crashed to the ground.
With a crash, I rolled across the ground, only stopping after a while. When I got up, my whole body was covered in bruises and scrapes.
"See? I warned you—if we keep fighting, I won’t be responsible for what happens. Of course, I don’t want to hurt you. After all, this is my own body too."
I stood up, brushing the dust off, and shouted angrily.
"Shut up! Do you really think you’ve already won?"
I manifested my wings again. Though I was a bit scraped up, my body was mostly fine, and my energy was still strong.
Rachel (Shadow Self) looked grim, a hint of anger in her eyes. She flapped her wings again, charging at me with force.
This time, I didn’t plan to clash head-on. Instead, I shot into the air, beating my wings, and sent a barrage of flaming feathers at Rachel (Shadow Self).
Explosions rang out as I quickly retreated. Rachel (Shadow Self) was clearly starting to get anxious.
I understood now—if this fight kept going, I’d be the last one standing.
With a boom, Rachel (Shadow Self) rushed up to me, swinging the purple Phoenix Blade with all her strength. The powerful attack came at me, and I could only block a few blows before using my wings and the impact to push myself backward.
"What exactly did you train in the world of shadows?"
After landing, I faced Rachel (Shadow Self) as she dove from above. Gripping Belle with both hands, I accelerated straight at her. With a crash, we collided, red and purple flames mingling and eroding each other’s power. Soon, the energies merged, and with a sudden push, Rachel (Shadow Self) sent me flying into the distance.
I exhaled, feeling much lighter.
"It’s true, we’re the same person. Your power is far greater than mine, but only in terms of raw force."
I said quietly. Rachel (Shadow Self) got up from the ground. It wasn’t my imagination—her purple wings had shrunk a little.
"In that darkness, I learned a lot from the Flame Emperor and Yellow Emperor. You can’t win a fight with just a burst of power—especially when our strengths are equal. Whoever can control their power better has the greater chance of victory."
Back in that dark forest, most of my training was about controlling power. Later, John Chou had me fight my own corpse, which further honed my awareness of my limits and taught me how to get the most out of what little power I had.
"It’s a shame—everything you said before doesn’t hold up. Your explosive power is much greater than mine, which is why you can overpower me in an instant. But when it comes to endurance, with equal total strength, I’m far superior. If the fight drags on, I’ll be the last one standing."
With a boom, as soon as I finished speaking, Rachel (Shadow Self) appeared before me, sweeping the Phoenix Blade at me without mercy. Facing such speed and force, the old me might have been knocked flying, unable to get up again.
"Things aren’t the same as before."
I calmly retreated a bit, my flaming wings on my back growing larger. Gripping Belle in reverse, I blocked the Phoenix Blade with a clang. Thunder rumbled as I angled my body, reducing the impact to its lowest. I was still knocked back, but I’d completely neutralized her explosive attack.
After stumbling back several steps, I steadied myself and smiled.
"John Chou is a great teacher. You’re no match for me anymore."