The city felt real.
Too real.
Not like an illusion.
Not like a memory.
It had weight.
Temperature.
Sound.
Rahim could hear footsteps.
Distant conversations.
The wind moving between buildings.
"…You recreated this perfectly."
The Architect's voice came softly.
"…I didn't recreate it."
A pause.
"…I restored it."
Rahim frowned slightly.
"…This existed?"
"…Still does."
Silence.
Rahim walked forward.
People passed by him.
Unaware.
Unaffected.
Or maybe—
They couldn't see him.
He reached out.
His hand passed through one of them.
Not fully real.
But not fake either.
"…A possibility."
"…A path you abandoned."
Rahim stopped.
"…I didn't abandon anything."
"…Didn't you?"
The question lingered.
Rahim didn't answer.
Instead—
He kept walking.
And then—
He saw it.
A younger version of himself.
Living.
Normal.
Laughing.
For a moment—
Rahim froze.
Not out of weakness.
But recognition.
"…So this is your move."
The Architect stepped into view.
Standing beside him now.
"…Power always comes with a cost."
Rahim watched silently.
"…You gave up everything for strength."
"…And I'd do it again."
Rahim replied instantly.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
The Architect tilted its head.
"…Would you?"
The world shifted slightly.
The younger Rahim looked up.
Straight at him.
Impossible.
"…You can see me?"
The younger version smiled.
"…You look tired."
Silence.
Rahim's eyes narrowed.
"…You're not real."
"…Neither are you."
The words hit—
Harder than any attack.
For a brief moment—
Rahim's presence flickered.
The Architect watched carefully.
"…Even now, you're not fully stable."
Rahim clenched his fist.
"…Don't try to confuse me."
The younger version stepped closer.
"…I'm not confusing you."
A pause.
"…I'm reminding you."
Rahim's aura surged.
The entire world shook.
"…Enough."
The city cracked.
Buildings splitting apart.
People freezing mid-motion.
The illusion—
Breaking.
Rahim stepped forward.
"…I didn't come this far to go back."
The younger version smiled softly.
"…Then don't."
Silence.
"…Just don't forget why you started."
Rahim stopped.
Just for a second.
Then—
The world shattered.
Completely.
Back to the void.
Back to the Architect.
Rahim stood still.
"…That didn't work."
The Architect smiled.
"…It wasn't meant to stop you."
A pause.
"…It was meant to complete you."
Rahim frowned slightly.
"…What?"
The Architect stepped closer.
"…You were powerful."
Another step.
"…Now you're stable."
Rahim's aura—
Changed.
Not stronger.
Clearer.
Sharper.
Controlled.
"…You removed the last hesitation."
Rahim exhaled slowly.
"…So that was your plan."
"…Part of it."
Silence.
"…Now we can fight properly."
Rahim smiled.
"…Finally."
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