Part I: Flame Trial – Mirror of Ruin
Yui accepted the trial.
The dream ruptured into blinding white, then reshaped around her like molten glass cooling into form.
When her vision cleared—
She stood in a familiar throne room.
But the sky outside was black. The earth was cracked. The palace was quiet—too quiet.
And on the throne sat—
> Yui.
Older. Cruel. Crowned in blood and victory. The Empress.
Yui staggered backward.
> "No. That's not me. That can't be—"
The mirror-world Empress rose, descending the throne with perfect grace.
Azazel stepped out from the shadows behind her—this world's Azazel, his body scarred, eyes hollow, chained to her like a dog.
> "You broke the world, Yui," this Azazel said. "For peace, you became her."
The Empress-Yui cupped Yui's chin with a smirk.
> "You think mercy wins wars? I showed them what fire is. And they never disobeyed again."
Yui activated her flame.
> "I'm not like you."
> "Yet." The Empress laughed. "You will be, when he dies. When you lose him."
The throne room shattered into a battlefield—screams and ash.
> [Flame Trial Objective: Defeat the Empress Within]
Power Level: Equal
Bonus Condition: Preserve Azazel's soul
The battle began. Yui's every move mirrored. Her flame clashed with itself. It was like fighting her own shadow—each doubt, each rage, weaponized.
But when she hesitated—when the Empress conjured a vision of Azazel bleeding in her arms—Yui refused to surrender.
> "I'll burn alone before I become you."
With a scream of soulfire, Yui unleashed a blast that shattered her other self's crown.
> [Trial Complete: Empress Within Defeated]
Trait Gained: Unburned Heart – Immune to despair-type attacks
Bonus Skill: Ash Reversal – One-time time rewind in fatal condition
And then—she woke.
But not to peace.
Part II: Assassin from the Other World
Yui jolted upright. Her team was already on alert.
Azazel's eyes were glowing.
> "Someone crossed the rift. And… they know you."
Elion's blade was drawn. Vera had summoned her fire wings.
The assassin stepped into camp—calm, confident, dressed in the sleek black of a modern world.
And Yui froze.
It was her classmate. The one who always sat two rows behind her. Akari.
Dead. Or so she'd thought.
But now Akari was here, in this fantasy world, wielding a blade of obsidian flame—and her eyes glowed with Echo magic.
> "Yui," Akari said softly, sadly. "You left us behind. But I came to bring you home."
Yui whispered, "You… died."
Akari smiled.
> "No. I was taken. And the Empress showed me what this world really is."
She raised her hand—and fire laced with corruption spiraled around her fingers.
> "You're the key. You always were. Come back. Or I'll take your place."
> [New Threat Identified: Akari, Echobound]
Affiliation: Unknown
Emotional Link Detected: Past Life
Special Trait: Memory Bleed – May expose suppressed memories in others
Azazel stepped in front of Yui, snarling.
> "You want her? You go through me."
Akari tilted her head. "Then I'll start with you, Demon Prince."