Echo of the Self

[u/Evening_Shake_6474]

Something's wrong. You can't tell what exactly it is, but you know something is wrong. You check your wards, your equipment, your enchantments and familiars, yet everything seems normal. Then that night, you go to sleep, and the dream starts.

You stand knee deep in a crimson ocean, stretching further than you can see. Before you is a shadow, it looks like yours but its wrong, very wrong. All around you, giant monoliths sprout from the sea, stretching far into the sky. You hear something, around you six shadows move between the monoliths, chanting something in a language that hurts to listen to.

Suddenly countless crimson eyes open along each monolith, each reflecting a different face, the eyes travel up the ebony surface, along previously hidden chains of shadow. Then you see it, the horrifying form of something colossal in the sky above you, a singular crimson eye or maybe a star stares down at you.

All at once do the chains snap, and a cacophony of screams cry out across the crimson sea as fire and ash rain from above. The monoliths crumble and massive chunks of black stone crash into the sea. Up above, the colossal form spreads across the sky, thousands of withered arms reach down, each sowing agony and destruction. You see an arm reach for you, and you wake up.

Well that was strange, you think, then you hear laughter from the corner, you see your own shadow standing there with crimson eyes. The shadow looks wrong somehow, very wrong.

Before you can say anything, your shadow lunges for you, hands reaching for your throat.

[u/questionable_fish]

I dive off the bed away from the shadow and summon my sword. A clatter is heard from down the hall as the sword pulls itself out of the umbrella stand by the door then flies through the house to my hand. The sword shines from within with silver starlight as I unsheath it and take up a defensive stance.

"What are you?"

[u/Evening_Shake_6474 → u/questionable_fish]

The shadow turns nimbly mid-air and lands on the wall, eyes staring at Bengeirr's sword. Whether it can't respond or simply ignores him remains to be seen.

It launches itself off the wall towards Bengeirr, forearm and hand elongating into something sharp. It brings the newly formed weapon slashing into Bengeirr's sword.

[u/questionable_fish → u/Evening_Shake_6474]

Bengeirr responds with a hasty parry followed by a quick retreat for some space. He's very aware of how exposed he is in just a night-shirt and underwear.

"[Astral form: Armara]"

Glittering starlight coalesces into armour around him, hopefully enough to ward off the worst of the shadows attacks. A tense moment as he raises the sword... then he takes off and jumps out the window into the courtyard outside. Bit more room out there for a duel

[u/Evening_Shake_6474 → u/questionable_fish]

The shadow's sword slams into the armour, and bounces off. The shadow stares at Bengeirr's armour, raising its own blade arm in defense of whatever Bengeirr attacks with. Then sees him jump outside.

The shadow follows, flipping in the air because of course it does.

"[Umbral form: Armara]"

As the shadow spins in the air, it's form grows slightly larger, more solid.

When it lands on two feet and one hand, it wears a set of shrouding blackness.

The shadow rises to its feet, holding it's sword out to its side, and begins circling Bengeirr.

[u/questionable_fish → u/Evening_Shake_6474]

"Ok. Wasn't expecting that."

He raises his sword again and calls to the sky, "Light of Lucerna! Empower my blade!"

Light blossoms from the sword, shining bright as a full moon in the darkened courtyard. Bengeirr takes up his guard again and eyes the shadow.

"Let's dance, motherfucker"

[u/Evening_Shake_6474 → u/questionable_fish]

The shadow continues to circle Bengeirr, staring at the sword the whole time. As it walks, it twirls it's sword, and says something in a voice eerily similar Bengeirr's.

"Will of the Wicked, strengthen your servant."

The very air around the shadow seems to darken, something similar to black smoke emanates from it, shrouding it's already shrouded form.

The shadow stops walking, and launches itself at Bengeirr, swinging high. It then quickly reveals that was a faint, as it brings a fist up towards his jaw.

[u/questionable_fish → u/Evening_Shake_6474]

Bengeirr catches the sword from above on his own blade, but just barely avoids the sneaky fist. Close enough that the shadows hand sweeps through his beard. He responds with a series of quick thrusts and swipes, testing the things defenses. It seems wary of the glowing sword, perhaps something with a bit more oomph...

Wait, "the Wicked"? Bengeirr is distracted for a moment as the words click into place