Chapter 178

Chapter 178

I stared at him, my mind racing, anda lowly, the pieces felt into place. I looked into the rider’s eyes and felt a deep, bone chilling home creep over the. This wasn’t some distant enemy, some Laceless monster.

The rider was me. Or rather, a twisted, corrupted version of me.

I took a step back, unable to tear my gaze away from the reflection before me. Her eyes were eald, hollow, a void filled with nothing but malice and hatred. It was as if every grudge, every resentment, every wound I had ever held on to had taken on a life of its own and moulded itself into this creature of darkness. She was a manifestation of every ounce of anger and bitterness I’d clung to, every part of me that had wanted revenge instead of peace.

“No…” I whispered, my heart hammering. I wanted to deny it, but the truth stared back at me, merciless and unyielding. This was the price of letting my rage and hurt fester. If I didn’t find a way to let go, to choose a different path, I would become this. I would lose everyone and everything.

My dark reflection smirked, as if sensing my realization. Keith’s blue flames burned around us, but they felt faint, distant, as though even his power couldn’t save me from this inner battle.

This wasn’t a fight I could win with magic or strength. It was a fight for my soul, a battle to reclaim the parts of myself I had buried in resentment and sorrow. If I didn’t let go, if I didn’t make peace with my past, this twisted shadow would consume me-and I would lose everyone I loved.