Chapter 28: Dreadful Memories
Zephyr stood in the heart of a forest filled with towering trees, their trunks like ancient giants watching silently. Shafts of golden light pierced through the bruised purple sky, casting a gentle warmth on his skin, while the air itself carried a crisp chill, clean and alive.
"This looks like a VR game," he muttered, eyes wide. "A really realistic one."
The awe of it all gripped him for a moment. But then a thought struck—'my appearance'. Panic bubbling in his chest, he sprinted toward a still body of water ahead. He skidded to a stop at its edge and stared.
Relief washed over him—then confusion.
"I mean... I did like his character, but this is too much."
The reflection staring back at him had crimson red eyes and tousled red hair—his own. But everything else screamed otherwise.
He wore a light-gray, short-sleeved zippered shirt, left open at the chest. A thick purple rope belt tied in a bow around his waist, dark blue pants tucked into black arm warmers, and open-toed ninja sandals. And strapped to his back... a massive scythe.
"Sasuke Uchiha?" he whispered, incredulous.
He turned side to side, watching the reflection copy him. The iconic outfit, the posture, the weapon—it all mirrored one of anime's most infamous characters, except with his eyes and hair.
"This is cosplay on steroids."
His fingers brushed his face, half-expecting the illusion to ripple away. But it stayed. Real. Tangible.