The needles flew around me in a deadly dance, each movement precise. I raised my arm, deflecting one with the side of my wrist. Pain shot through me like lightning, but I felt the needle shift slightly off its path. Not enough to take it, but enough to know I could do it.

I pressed forward. My feet slid across the white surface, body low. The needles came faster, swirling around the clone like a storm. One after another, they slashed past me. My muscles screamed, my skin stung with every cut, but my mind stayed locked on the pattern.

There was always a pattern.

The clone took a single step backward. The orbit of the needles expanded. For one second, the nearest one dipped slightly, slower than the others, almost brushing against her shoulder.

Opportunity!

I lunged for it, fingers stretching as far as they could go. The needle jerked upward at the last moment, avoiding my grasp by a hair. Another needle shot toward my stomach. I twisted, caught the edge of it with my palm, and pushed it aside. The sting made my hand tremble, but I held on long enough for it to tip off its path.

It dropped to the ground.

My eyes widened. I threw myself forward, ignoring the needles whipping toward my back, and snatched it from the floor. The moment my fingers closed around it, the system screen flickered faintly in the corner of my vision.

One recovered.

My chest tightened from the small, dangerous hope blooming there. I hid it quickly. Hope could get me killed faster than fear.

The clone stepped forward, and her remaining nine needles lifted with a silent fury. She raised her arm, and they charged.

I moved faster this time. I had to. The first needle flew at my face. I tilted my head, letting it slice past my ear. The second tried to pierce my collarbone. I caught its side with my palm again, redirecting it downward. The impact made my fingers numb.

The third and fourth came together. I rolled aside, letting them bury themselves into the floor. The fifth curved behind me, aiming for my spine. I arched forward, reaching back blindly. My fingers brushed cold metal. I caught it with a pained hiss and tore it free from the air.

Two.

My breathing grew ragged, but I didn't stop. I held the needle tightly, spun it between my fingers, and used it to deflect the next attack. Metal collided with metal. Sparks scattered. The clone tilted her head, finally acknowledging the change.

I rushed her.

She shot the rest of the needles at once. Seven streaks of silver, each one aimed to kill. I bent backward so sharply my spine screamed. Two passed above me. I twisted sideways, grabbing one as it skimmed past my ribs. My fingers wrapped around it, tearing it out of its path with sheer desperation.

Three.

The fourth needle pierced the floor near my foot. I stomped on it, pinning it down before the clone could recall it.

Four.

The fifth one clipped my shoulder, spinning blood into the air. I gritted my teeth, ignored the pain, and jumped toward it, catching it mid-flight.

Five.

The sixth grazed my thigh. I grabbed it anyway, forcing my muscles to obey.

Six.

But the seventh needle pierced straight through my side.

Air left my lungs in a sharp gasp. Pain blossomed down my ribs like fire. My vision blurred for a heartbeat, but I refused to fall. I grabbed the needle embedded in my flesh, ripped it out with a growl, and hurled it aside. My body shook violently, but I stayed standing.

Seven.

The clone raised her hand again. Only three needles remained. She sent them forward with a speed that blurred. I dodged the first by dropping low. The second cut a deep line along my arm as I tried to catch it. I used the momentum to twist and lock my fingers around it.

Eight.

The last one flew toward my throat, the tip humming with a cold, merciless intent. I tilted my head just enough to feel it brush my skin. A line of blood followed its path. I reached out, fingers trembling, and caught it at the curve of its spin, using the motion to pull it against my palm.

Nine.

I stumbled back, holding the nine needles tight. My chest rose and fell in sharp, uneven breaths. Blood dripped down my arms, my side burned, and my knees threatened to give out.

The clone stood still, watching me with unreadable eyes.

Only one needle remained.

The tenth floated behind her shoulder, motionless and calm. It felt like staring into the last step of a cliff that held nothing but a storm below.

My grip tightened, and I took a single step forward...

The clone also moved the instant my foot touched the floor. Her silhouette blurred, the white surface cracking beneath her step as the final needle shot forward. It came faster than any of the others, so fast the air trembled around it.

My body tried to react, but I was already late. Pain flared in my ribs just from the pressure of it passing. For a moment, I thought it would tear straight through my skull.

I forced myself forward anyway. My legs felt like stone, blood soaking down my side, but I pushed through it. The needle curved around me, shifting directions with perfect control. It grazed my cheek, then disappeared from sight entirely.

I spun, searching for its shadow. The clone was already closing the distance, her steps silent. The needle appeared at her side again, then vanished, then appeared above me. It was toying with me, testing the last of my strength.

I exhaled slowly, forcing my nerves to settle. It was now or never. When the needle came again, it aimed straight for my heart. I moved on instinct.

My hand shot out, catching the needle at the very end of its arc. The metal cut into my palm, warm blood dripping around it. But my fingers closed around it. The tenth needle

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