The dim light of dawn filtered through the shattered windows of the ancient chamber. Riku sat cross-legged, the three shards glowing softly on the stone altar before him. Each one pulsed with memories and promises, but the burden they carried was heavier than he had imagined.
Aria's voice was gentle yet firm. "You've seen your past and your fears. But there is one truth left — the one you must choose to face yourself."
Kaito stepped closer, his gaze steady. "This isn't just about you anymore. The fate of both worlds hinges on what you decide."
Riku clenched his fists. The weight of responsibility pressed down, but beneath it stirred a flicker of determination. "I can't afford to run. Not now."
He lifted the third shard, a brilliant amber light radiating warmth and power. As the glow enveloped him, the chamber around him dissolved, replaced by a sprawling battlefield drenched in fire and shadows.
---
Inside the Third Mirror
Riku stood amidst chaos — warriors clashed, spells ignited the sky, and cries of battle echoed endlessly. But this wasn't just any war; it was a war he had forgotten, one buried deep within his soul.
He saw himself, younger and uncertain, fighting alongside allies whose faces blurred like fading memories. Each choice he made had shaped the man he was now, but at a cost he hadn't yet understood.
A voice whispered in the chaos — a voice he recognized but had buried beneath layers of pain. "You must accept who you are to change what is to come."
Riku's heart pounded as visions of betrayal, loss, and sacrifice flashed before him. The mirror showed not just what was, but what could be — if he allowed fear to control him or if he chose courage instead.
---
Back in the Chamber
Riku collapsed to his knees, breath ragged but spirit unbroken. Aria and Kaito watched silently, respect evident in their eyes.
"You've faced the hardest truth," Aria said softly. "Now, the choice is yours."
Kaito's voice was resolute. "We're with you — whatever you decide."
Riku looked at the shards, then at the friends who had stood by him through every trial. He knew the road ahead would be treacherous, but for the first time, he felt ready.
"I choose to fight," he said, voice steady. "For this world. For the people I care about. For the love I haven't yet lost."
The shards flared brightly, a promise of power and hope intertwined.
---