She climbed the old marble stairs past a pair of golden braziers that had likely not been lite in over a millennium. She came upon two giant wooden doors carved with images of Hyperborean knights on various adventures, this was clearly once a symbol of the power that was rested in this hall but now they were cracked and one hung off its hinges.
Hyperborea stepped into the hall. Inside she found a mess, vases knocked over and tapestries slashed beyond recognition. It was clear some kind of struggle had occurred here once upon a time. She went from room to room until she reached a courtyard in the middle of the palace. Aside from several more rainbow cherry blossom trees the main thing of note in this courtyard was a grand fountain that seemed to be glowing a dark purple.
As Hyperborea moved closer she could see her reflection in blacked waters. Her reflection began to ripple as the watery mirror suddenly smiled up at the young knight of cosmos. “Aaah!” Hyperborea shouted as she stumbled back in surprise. The water began to rise out of the fountain taking a solid shape. It looked like the transcended knight but where Hyperborea was bright this double was dark, clad in a black dress with silver armor she summoned a staff from the fountain matching the knights own. Her transcendence marks glowed dark purple.
“What are you?” Hyperborea demanded as she summoned her own staff. “I’m you.” The copy replied in a distorted version of Hyperborea’s voice. “I’m the true you. I’m every little dark thought you’ve ever had.” She concluded her statement by leaping off of the fountain and swinging her staff at Hyperborea’s head.
Barely dodging crystal wings the young knight slammed her staff into the double’s to try to fend off the attack. “I don’t know what kind of chaos manifestation you are but I want you off my wonder.” Hyperborea growled. “Oh please do you sense any chaos in me? I already told you, I’m you. Well I’m a better you, at least I’m honest.” The double said as she began to push Hyperborea back. “You still haven’t told Carlee exactly how you’re parent’s died, why is that? Is it because you are ashamed. Ashamed to admit how your childish tantrum lead to your own parent’s murder.” The double mocked.
“Shut up thats not what happened.” She yelled her face getting heated. “Oh no and what about Ploutonion. It was your fault he ended up corrupt and you still haven’t done anything to save even all these years later.” The double interrupted. “I….I was just trying….” Hyperborea blanched as she tried to defend herself both verbally and physically.
The double went low slamming her staff into Hyperborea’s gut. As intense pain shot through her already injured midsection Hyperborea doubled over the copy wasted no time getting behind her, she looped her staff over Hyperborea’s head pulling back in a choke as the staff was pressed against Hyperborea’s throat. “Even now you are still getting people hurt and killed. That general you 'fought' a few days ago. How many people got injured in that fight because you were too weak and careless to handle him yourself. If you weren't such an abject failure then maybe a building wouldn’t have been destroyed in a pointless battle. Maybe a general wouldn't be needlessly dead. And maybe a man's starseed wouldn't be lost forever. ” Hyperborea could feel her vision getting darker as she struggle to get air, her ribs burning in agony. Tears of pain and regret rolled down her cheeks as her lungs burned. "You're just a failure. A useless girl who gets everyone who cares about her hurt. You don't think, you are overzealous, and you can't save anyone." The double berated her. "But don't worry once you're gone I'll succeed in everything you failed at."
I can't die here. I can't let it end like this. Hyperborea thought as she fought to not lose consciousness. "All of that might be true but that just mean I need to get stronger I need to keep working, until I can save everyone I care about." She choked out. She slammed her elbow into the double which got her to release her hold. In one motion Hyperborea spun on her heels and brought her staffs crystal wing slicing down into the copy. Crystal feathers slashed through the double as it returned to its watery form. The water dissipated as the last look it wore was a proud smile.
Hyperborea dropped to her knees trying to catch her breath as she clutched her staff. Raising shakily to her knees she made way over to the fountain. She didn't know what had tainted this magic fountain or even what its original purpose was, something she would have to ask Theseus about later, but she knew she wasn't going to let it stay that way.
She placed her hand into the water willing her pure transcended energy into it in the hopes that would burn away whatever impurities were tainting the fountain. As her pure energy entered the fountain it chased away the dark water leaving a sparkling pure fountain. The fountain shined a radiant iridescent light onto the knight of Cosmos. Hyperborea a warmth inside of her as her uniform began to glow suddenly reshaping its self.
Hyperborea looked over her new outfit and weapon. She didn't know why it happened but she did like the new outfit, it offered her more freedom of movement. After all of that Hyperborea felt exhausted and sore, at least she had managed to fix another piece of her wonder but it had taken its toll. Right now the young knight just wanted to go soak in her wonder's bath before getting a good night's rest.
