Lightning Is the Only Way

"Isn't the thought actually pretty terrifying that one of us thinks that he has existed for 22 years, even though he has not been alive for even a day?" Gravis B said.

They both sat in the middle of the "arena". It was rather hard to determine the middle of this ever-ongoing expanse of nothingness, but they decided that the middle should be where the distance to each door was about the same.

Gravis A nodded. "It really is terrifying," he said. "On top of that, if everything is the same for both the copy and the original, is there even a copy and an original?"

Gravis B rubbed his chin. "Well, one of them has actually lived for longer than the other, so an original should exist," he explained and then lifted a finger. "I think what you meant to say was that one might not be alive or a real human."

Gravis A also scratched his chin. "Yeah, that should be more accurate. One has been birthed by two people, while one has been created by Heaven."

Gravis B continued. "Yet, wasn't it Heaven that gave life to everything in the first place? So, isn't the origin of both of us the same? Is a human created by Heaven less of a human than a human birthed from two people?"

Gravis A furrowed his brows. "I see what you mean. I wonder, is it our memories, soul, and feelings that make a human? Is a life birthed from Heaven worth less than a life birthed from people?"

Gravis B thought for a while. "I don't think so. We both think we are the original, and if our path ends, we will both be just as hurt as the other. Emotions and the will are what makes a life, I think, at least."

Gravis A nodded. "I also think so. Even though I believe I am the original, I would still feel bad if I were to kill you. After all, you are me. This would be the same as killing myself, just without the direct repercussions to my own life."

Gravis B laughed a little. "Isn't that interesting? No matter if one or both of us die, Heaven would have successfully killed me. So, from a certain perspective, Heaven has won."

Gravis A furrowed his brows. "Is that really a win, though? I mean, if one of us survives, he will still be a danger to Heaven."

Gravis B scratched his chin more. "Speaking of," he said, "I wonder, would the copy still live on or just dissipate?"

Gravis A hadn't thought of that and also fell into thought now. "Honestly? I have no idea. It could be that the copy will vanish, but it could also be that the copy lives on, thinking it's the real Gravis."

Gravis B furrowed his brows again. "That actually sounds reasonable. I think the others are facing the same trial right now. If it doesn't matter which one survives, they will most likely survive this trial."

Gravis A nodded. "One of the Joyces will just kill herself for the other one. The Manuels will probably have a fair competition, but I'm unsure about Nero. He should be in a similar situation to us. After all, two attacks with the dagger would easily kill the other one."

Gravis B sighed. "So, this trial is specifically horrible for us because we have such an aggressive fighting style. The chances are incredibly high that both of us would die, which would be the only true way to fail this trial."

Gravis A ruffled his hair. "This is infuriating," he groaned. "We have already seen through the entirety of Heaven's scheme, but we still can't see a way out of this!"

what you mean," Gravis B said as he leaned back.

Gravis B wouldn't do something like that, which meant that Gravis A thought the same. That was

now. "Why didn't Heaven create a copy and modify it slightly so that it would

bored. "You already know the answer,

dude," he said. "But yes, I know the answer. If Heaven altered the

top of that, if the copy were the one to survive, it would be a completely different Gravis. I mean, Heaven basically has full control over everything in this trial, but at the core, this trial is still meant to temper people. The highest Heaven might

brutally honest, the highest Heaven hasn't

his eyes. "Have you already forgotten Stella?" he asked

to this lower Heaven. Yes, the highest Heaven has still done something horrible with Stella, and I won't forgive it for that, but in comparison to this lower Heaven,

B looked into the "sky" from his laying position. By now, both of them were lying on the floor, beside each other. "But in comparison to this lower Heaven, everything seems more approachable. I don't think that it can be

to this lower Heaven, when everything will obviously be better

"True," Gravis B said.

of silence emerged. None of the two said anything as they just remained silent, thinking about a way

BZZZ!

over to Gravis B. Gravis B, who hadn't expected something like this, seized

he saw Gravis B jerking up. Gravis B was at first, a bit annoyed, but then sighed. He could understand why that was funny. Seems like Gravis A got

BZZZ!

even react. "Oh, come on. You know that you can't surprise me with that. After all, I've already used it

it more for myself and less for you," Gravis

mean for me?" Gravis A asked

B snorted. "I guess

BZZZZ!

Gravis B. The ball harmlessly floated in the sky. "Yet, now you

floating ball. "How

taken aback by the stupid

their eyes wide in realization. Then, they looked at each other and laughed loudly in happiness. Then, both of them stood up and looked at each other

equals

equals

shouted at the same time as they charged at each other.

BANG!

collided into each