Scar

Beyond the door

Marco stood tall, his eyes burning with determination.

I'm ready. 

Let me retry the Trial of Strength.

Aria nodded approvingly, then vanished into thin air. 

The Ancient One gestured to the ground, drawing the same Trial of Strength symbol as before.

But this time, the task will be different, Marco Valenti. 

Are you prepared to face your own strength?

Marco stepped onto the symbol, ready for anything. 

The ground gave way beneath him, and he fell into darkness once more.

When he landed, he found himself in a familiar place – his childhood home. 

But something felt off.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows – Marco himself, or rather, a dark mirror image of him.

Defeat your darkest past to pass the Trial of Strength, the Ancient One's voice echoed in Marco's mind.

Marco's eyes narrowed, ready for battle.

Come out and fight me! he shouted at his vanished dark self.

But instead of his mirror image, memories began to resurface – painful ones he thought were long buried.

As he walked through his childhood home, Marco stumbled upon a door he never thought he'd open again.

 The door creaked as he pushed it open, revealing a room filled with memories.

A scene unfolded before him like a ghostly vision: his father, enraged, beating his mother mercilessly.

 Young Marco watched, hidden behind the couch, tears streaming down his face as he helplessly witnessed the horrific scene.

His father's voice echoed through the memory: You're weak, just like your mother! You'll never amount to anything!

Marco's eyes widened as he relived the trauma. 

His dark self stood beside him now, whispering: This is one of your fear. Face it all to pass the trial.

Marco ran out of the painful memory, gasping for breath.

 But another memory awaited him – one equally emotional.

He saw himself as a young boy, sitting in the kitchen, his hand cut and bleeding.

 His mother tended to the wound, her face etched with concern and love – despite her own body covered in bruises.

Marco's mother smiled warmly as she bandaged his hand.

My son, you are brave. 

Your heart is strong, and your spirit unbreakable. 

Never let fear or pain define you. 

Rise above them, and always choose love and kindness.

Young Marco looked up at her, tears in his eyes.

But, Mama, why doesn't Papa love us?

Her expression turned sad, but her voice remained gentle.

Papa is lost, Marco. 

His heart is consumed by darkness. 

But yours doesn't have to be.

Marco's eyes widened as he relived the memory. 

His dark self stood behind his mother, whispering: Your mother saw strength in you.

 Do you still have it?

Marco screamed in frustration: What do you want from me?!

 I thought the Trial of Strength was supposed to be a fight! 

What is all this?!

His dark self echoed through the memory landscape:

Trial of Strength means more than physical power. 

How strong are you to face your darkest memories? 

That is what this trial truly tests.

Marco's face etched with curiosity: Do you want me to relive that memory... Do you want me to help my mother? 

What do you want me to do?

 Tell me!

His dark self shook its head: I cannot tell you. 

You must face it yourself.

Then, his dark self spoke a profound quote: The greatest battle is not against the darkness outside, but the darkness within. 

Will you embrace the light of your true strength, or forever be lost in shadows?

The memory landscape shifted, the kitchen fading away.

 Marco stood before a door with a glowing handle – a door labeled "January 10th – The Darkest Night".

Marco feared what lay beyond the door.

 He turned and ran, escaping into another memory – one more recent.

He saw himself standing in the village where his friends  and family were taking refuge. 

Sophia, Caleb, Maya, Ava, and Nana. 

They were laughing together during lunch , enjoying each other's company.

But then, the scene shifted slightly – as if viewed from a different perspective.

 Marco saw himself through his friends' eyes: a brave warrior who had saved them from Ruby's initial attack.

Sophia's voice whispered in the memory: Marco, we trust you, We believe in you.

Caleb added: You're our leader, our friend.

 We'll face whatever comes next together.

Marco's heart swelled with emotion as the memory faded .

 His dark self appeared beside him.

These friends believe in your strength. Do you believe in yourself?

Marco admitted defeat: I don't believe in myself.

He tried to escape the memories, searching for an exit door.

This isn't what I signed up for!

His dark self echoed through the ever-shifting landscapes: Nobody signs up to be a hero.

We have to face it, however it comes.

Frustrated, Marco opened a door at random – but the memory beyond wasn't his own. 

It was Scar's.

He saw Scar, once a noble warrior, working for Ruby – scattering an innocent village, killing villagers, and taking innocent lives. 

Marco felt sickened by the atrocities.

How could he do this to innocent people? Marco thought, horrified.

Scar's inner voice echoed through the memory: I was trapped under Ruby's influence, blinded by love and the power she could offer me. 

She promised me everything... until she took a part of me, bit by bit. My heart, my soul, my freedom.

The memory shifted again – Scar standing alone, realizing too late what he had done. 

Ruby appeared behind him, her eyes gleaming with triumph.

You are mine now, Scar. 

Forever bound to my will.

Scar's voice whispered one final thought: Marco Valenti... you are my only hope for redemption.

Marco sat down, his face filled with desperation and frustration.

I don't know what to do... I can't keep running away from this.

His dark self sat down beside him, a rare hint of compassion in its voice.

Then face what is behind that door, Face what lies on the other side of the Darkest Night.

Marco looked at his dark self, surprised by its words.

Why are you telling me this?

 You've only tried to break me until now.

His dark self leaned back, its expression solemn.

Because, Marco Valenti, I am you – your fears, your doubts, your darkness. 

But also your strength, your courage, your heart.

And your heart is telling you to face this.

Marco took a deep breath, considering the words.

What if I fail? What if I'm not strong enough?

You already are strong enough, his dark self replied. 

You've survived everything so far. 

You survived all my torment. 

This is merely the last obstacle.

Marco nodded slowly, determination rising within him.

I'll do it. 

I'll face whatever is behind that door.

His dark self stood, offering Marco a hand up.

Then let us face it together.

Marco stood before the door, labeled "January 10th – The Darkest Night". 

He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead.

What horrors await me inside? 

he thought.

 The death of loved ones? My own downfall?

With a surge of determination, Marco grasped the handle and pushed the door open.

As the door creaked slowly open, Marco whispered:

The darkness is in me...

The air grew colder, the shadows twisting around him like living darkness. 

Marco stepped forward, into the unknown.

Everything went black.

Marco's voice echoed through the void: I am the darkness…