Location: Spiral Reversal Field — a shattered dimension where memories clash and bleed into each other.
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Everything was falling apart.
But some things... refuse to be forgotten.
I — Aren Kael — stood at the center of a memory storm, Spiral Rod clenched in my hand.
The field around me was distorted — flashes of twisted recollections scattered like ash.
And in front of me…
Kuze.
But not the one I remembered.
No… this was a Kuze forged not by pain, but by an insatiable hunger for memories.
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Kuze (cold voice):
> "You think you're strong because you chose to remember everything?
I became what I am… because you chose to forget me."
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Aren (softly):
> "I could never forget you, Kuze.
But I can't remind you of who you were…
If you have already forgotten yourself."
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Tomo (glitchy):
> "Bro… Spiral has reversed his memory stream.
There aren't just one — but three Kuze fragments inside him now.
And each one… hates you for a different reason."
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[SPIRAL BATTLE BEGINS]
Kuze activates: Reverse Fang Release
A Spiral blade forms in his hand —
A weapon that rewinds the memories of anything it cuts.
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Kuze (yelling):
> "I'll tear you apart, Aren — one past at a time!"
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I raised my Spiral Rod —
The engraving glowed softly:
> "Flame doesn't burn what's already healed."
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PHASE 1 — Memory Lock Combat
Each of Kuze's strikes steals a piece of me.
My Spiral training.
Aika's hand in mine.
Tomo's first laugh.
I staggered.
My vision blurred.
Even my breath felt… unfamiliar.
---
Tomo (shouting):
> "BRO! One more memory lost, and Spiral might erase your entire Contract!"
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PHASE 2 — Heartfire Counter
I closed my eyes.
And chose just one thing to hold on to:
> "Let the pain shape you." — Mom.
Flame burst from the Rod —
A new inscription lit up:
> "Epoch Fang – Memory Anchor Mode"
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Aren:
> "Memories hurt. But it's that hurt… that keeps me alive."
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Kuze (snarling):
> "Then I'll give you a pain… that even you will never forget!"
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PHASE 3 — Final Clash: Kuze's Truth
A flashback surged forward —
Somewhere, buried deep in Spiral's fractured corners…
Kuze. Alone. Broken. Forgotten.
And a single line haunting his soul:
> "Would Aika have chosen me… if Aren never existed?"
It was all it took —
To forge a Spiral soldier out of a boy who just wanted to matter.
---
Back in the present —
Kuze's blade cracked. Shimmering.
His form faltered.
I stepped forward.
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Aren (gently):
> "You fought me. Burned in grief.
But you never became the villain, Kuze."
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Kuze (cracking, tear forming):
> "All I ever wanted… was just one memory…
where I mattered."
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The Spiral Rod pulsed —
A new trait etched into its side:
> "Even forgotten threads still exist."
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Ending Scene
Kuze fell to his knees.
A single ash tear trailed down his face.
The Spiral unbound him.
His contract — broken.
Tomo's signal stabilized.
And then —
A ripple tore through the fractured horizon.
A familiar voice.
A haunting presence.
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> "You survived another version of yourself, Aren…
Now let's see if you can survive me."
Voice: Echo_17.t
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TO BE CONTINUED…