Chapter 1095: Can You Defeat Yourself?

Only then, in that moment, did Witch finally stop seeing Orion as a junior.

This Death-Soul, this peerless entity that was unbeatable at its level… it was proof that the Champions Alliance’s newest member was every bit as strong as Arthas, Leonidas, or Alexander were at the same rank. He might even be stronger. Which meant, in a direct comparison, Orion’s current combat power was likely greater than her own or Clown’s.

Damn it all!

A surge of frustration washed over Witch. She had deliberately avoided the Deputy Commander and the others, wanting no part in the high-stakes demigod battle. And now, she’d run straight into a monster on the arch lord battlefield whose avatar was powerful beyond all imagination.

“You’re even stronger than I thought,” she said, her voice strained. “It seems if I don’t use one of my real trump cards, you’ll start to look down on me.”

Witch brought her hands together before her chest in a gesture of prayer.

“Orion, today I will show you a power that transcends the limits of an arch lord!”

VMMMMMM!

It was the sound of divine light blooming into existence, a hum that pierced the void and shattered the senses.

A pure white radiance erupted from within Witch’s Fallen Angel form. The sight was deeply unsettling—a being of darkness, bathed in holy light, the two concepts warring for dominance across her very skin.

“Divine Art: Mirrored Sanctum!”

As Witch’s chanted words echoed, the divine light within her exploded outward.

With a series of sharp cracks, the Ossuary Prison, forged from the very being of the Bone siblings, was instantly vaporized by the light. A golden ripple spread out from Witch’s feet, expanding like the surface of a mirror until it completely enveloped the Deathly Soul-Reaper.

It all happened in an instant.

When the light subsided, Orion looked at Witch and saw… the Deathly Soul-Reaper.

A perfect copy.

Identical to his own avatar in every way, right down to the scythe in its hand, the five rotating blades on its back, and the two silver eyes glowing in their sockets.

“So… this is your true power,” Witch’s voice said, filled with genuine shock. It was coming from the mouth of the copy.

Only now, after using her divine power to perfectly replicate the Deathly Soul-Reaper, did she finally understand how terrifyingly strong Orion really was. If she didn’t have access to her Divine Arts, to the power of a demigod, she would have stood no chance. Even if her true body had been here, she might have been killed.

“The Dimensional Fold… Time Dilation… illusory Stealth, Teleportation… I see it all now,” the copy murmured. A low chuckle followed. “Hehehe… Orion. Can you defeat a foe like this? Or, to put it another way… can you defeat yourself?”

Orion stared intently at his double. He had never encountered a Divine Art of this type before. Beneath his caution, a spark of curiosity ignited. And this mirror-like barrier beneath his feet… he understood instinctively that he wasn’t leaving until his opponent was dead.

This wasn’t just a copycat skill; Witch had created a dueling arena, a fight to the death.

“Is this the power you got for betraying the Champions Alliance?” Orion asked, holding his ground. He was curious, but he was also fishing for intel on the Cult of Four. In a deathmatch like this, the first one to attack wasn’t always the one who won.

“What, you want in?” the copy taunted. “If you do, Orion, I can be your sponsor.”

In truth, Witch had no intention of attacking yet either. She might have a perfect copy of the Deathly Soul-Reaper, but she had just taken control of it. She had none of Orion’s experience, none of his instincts with this form. Talking was a way to stall for time.

“If I agree, will you destroy yourself and let me walk out of here?”

It was a loaded question. If Witch had any intention of letting him go, she never would have activated the Mirrored Sanctum. And there was no way she would sacrifice an avatar this powerful on the off chance he was being sincere.

“Hee hee hee… So that’s a no, then? You’re just messing with me?”

A sound that was distinctly Witch’s—a light, mocking giggle—came from the Soul-Reaper’s throat. It was incredibly jarring.

“No. I’m just wondering what kind of power could possibly be tempting enough for you and Clown to turn your backs on the Alliance,” Orion pressed. “Because if it’s just a fancy Divine Art like this… I have to say, I’m disappointed.”

Sometimes, being direct was the most effective way to get information.

Witch’s copy stared at him and fell silent.

“What, did I hit a nerve?” Orion sneered after a moment, giving her a little push.

“Pfft… Orion, your attempt at goading me is laughably crude,” Witch scoffed. But as she spoke, the copied body shifted and twisted slightly. Orion saw it for what it was—not a natural movement, but a series of tests, an attempt to familiarize herself with her new form.

“Let me put it this way, Orion,” Witch said, her voice suddenly growing distant, as if dredging up memories from a deep well. “Do you have any idea how long Arthas, Alexander, Leonidas, and Edward have been stuck at the arch lord peak?”

“It wasn’t a year or two. Not ten or twenty. We’re talking centuries. Maybe longer.”

“And Clown and I,” she continued, her tone shifting from wistful to high-pitched and excited, “we obtained divine power long before any of them.”

“If it weren’t for the commander, we would have never feared them. In fact,” she hissed, her voice now dripping with venom and unshakable conviction, “we would have killed them all long ago.”

“And yet,” Orion cut in, his voice sharp enough to slice through her rising mania, “you’re the ones being hunted.”

It was a jab aimed straight at her pride.

“You don’t understand. It’s all because of the commander. He’s too strong.” Witch’s voice wavered. “Even the gods…”

She stopped herself abruptly. The commander and the four gods. In her mind, they were untouchable beings, but they were also shadows that loomed over her.

“Why’d you stop?” Orion pushed. “Are you afraid?”

“Hee hee… those little tricks won’t work on me, Orion. Do you think Clown and I have survived this long by being naive?” she giggled. “But fine. I can tell you this much. Join the Cult of Four, and you can have the power of a demigod, right now.”

“Control over divine power, insight into the rules of the universe, the adoration of endless faith, a life without end…”

“How about it? Is that tempting enough for you?”