Forgotten character.

Illia approached the exit - where the illusion had previously launched a strike and revealed a corridor. But behind it... emptiness. The labyrinth showed nothing more.
> The second stage is completed.
"What?.." she whispered. "I passed?"
She stood in surprise, confused, but her eyes were shining - finally, the first success. She was the first to leave.
"No one yet... So this is a chance," Illia whispered, trying to contain her inner delight.
A majestic hall opened up to her gaze. Tall columns covered with runes supported a dome, in the center of which was the Crystal of Unity. It was enveloped in a shimmering barrier.
"Father... You will see. Today I will become stronger," she said reservedly, but with faith. "I will earn your pride.
A few minutes earlier...
"Damn, when are we going to find the exit?!" Marcus whined, wandering down another corridor, leaning against the wall. "Cry... cry..."
> System: Oh, poor thing... a couple more centuries, and you'll definitely find it. Or you'll die first - as it turns out.)
Marcus rolled his eyes:
"Why did I get the most sarcastic system in the world?
> System: Because you're not the chosen one. Just... funny. :)
"Lior!" he cried. "Tell me a joke, my brain is melted!"
"Are you... asking me?" Lior raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Yeah, just don't get cocky. There might be another Lior here - that's what I'm telling him.
"- ………
"Moron! Of course you are! Who else?!" Marcus exclaimed.
Lior laughed, tilting his head slightly to the side. He clearly enjoyed teasing Marcus.
- Are you that bored?
- If it weren't, I wouldn't be talking to a strange man in a dark corridor!
> System: Don't worry, you'll soon become strange yourself, and although you're already strange. Go to the light, Marcus. (I'm kidding. Or not?)
They walked, talking, and despite the strangeness of the situation, there was comfort in it. Two people lost in a labyrinth, one of whom might not be human.
Marcus laughed, but suddenly froze. His gaze stopped on Lior's hand.
- Hey... what's wrong with your hand?
- Hm? - Lior raised his palm. It was half... transparent.
- What is this... invisibility magic? Or are you from the local ghost theater?
Lior looked at his hand sadly, even tiredly.
— Sometimes... it happens, — he answered quietly, but unnaturally calmly.
— Lior, don't push me. Are you a ghost cosplayer? Or do you have the Hidden Essence perk?
— Oh, shut up, — Lior muttered, but without malice.
A few more minutes later.
Marcus noticed how Lior's gait had changed. He seemed to have become heavier, his movements - slower. His eyes - were turning purple.
— Hey... is everything okay? — he asked worriedly.
Lior's hands were shaking. But it was not the trembling of fear. It was... something else.
— It's okay, — he whispered. — You go... I'll catch up.
— What nonsense?! We came together - we'll leave together!
— Please... run. I beg you...
Lior began to take out his sword. There was pain in his voice.
— What's going on?! Who cursed you? Or is it the magic of anger?! I will not abandon you, okay?!
Lior took a deep breath. His voice became clear, almost emotionless:
“I am... an illusion, Marcus.”
Silence.
“What?” Marcus whispered. “You... no... you are not...”
“I was supposed to be your copy. I appeared when you passed through the first corridor. You stepped on the magic circle then. The Labyrinth created me... to kill you.”
“Then... why didn’t you attack?”
“Because I am you. And you became... too aware. And I became too. I didn’t want to be an enemy. I... wanted to be a friend. At least for a moment. I... took the image of the character you once created. And threw it away. Like a draft.
Marcus stood rooted to the spot. His eyes filled with tears.
“No...” he whispered. “No, no... You are not an illusion. You are... real. We talked, joked, you... you understood me!
"I am just a projection. But that doesn't change our words, our friendship. I was you. And that means... I lived."
He chuckled weakly.
"While I'm still conscious... kill me. Or... I will lose myself. And then you... will lose yourself."
Marcus looked down. He was shaking like a leaf in the wind. His voice broke:
"Why... why are you an illusion?.. You are the only one... who truly understood me..."
"You are the author. And I... am a character. Even the crossed out characters dream of living, even if only for a moment. Maybe one day... you will write me for real."
He smiled - sadly, but warmly. And brought the wall down on himself.
"I hope... we'll see each other again, my author..."
"Damn... No!.. Nooo!!!" Marcus screamed, rushing forward. Dust. Debris. Nothing.
He fell to his knees. His hands were shaking. His chest was filled with emptiness.
He was crying.
Five minutes later.
He stood up. He looked into the darkness. Quietly.
"You were my best character. And I... your worst author."
>System: How dramatic. Are you so attached to all illusions?
"Shut up," he said quietly. And he walked forward. Alone. But no longer... the same as before.