Trial 3.1: The Trial I Created

Sora: What comes next? What do you mean by that? Plus, what are you doing here?

Fuwa says nothing and smiles faintly at Sora.

Suddenly, there's an 'ahem' sound announced. Sora flinched. That voice again. The Trial Master.

Trial Master: "Trial" 3... Final "Trial"... Face what you created.

Sora tilts his head in confusion. Not only because it's the first time the Trial master announced something before a Trial starts, but also because of the word: Created.

Sora: What I created...? What did I even create...?

Sora thinks to himself and tries to recall. 

Is it Wonderland? If it is, that's possible. Facing the world kind of thing sounds like something these "Trials" can do based on the first 2...

Wait... But since Fuwa is here, it might be him. But he is just a friend, that's... Less likely. Unless... Both?

Sora: Umm... Fuwa. Since you are here... Are you perhaps... Part of the Trial?

Fuwa's smile turns into a wide smirk.

Fuwa: No... I am the Trial. 

Sora: Huh...? What do you mean?

Fuwa: Good job clearing both of the earlier "Trials". And since this is the final one... I think there's no more point in hiding this from you.

Fuwa walks around as he said. He turns to Sora and removes his purple hat. 

His face looks almost identical to Sora's. However, his eyes are red, and he has sharp teeth.

Fuwa: You've come far, but I'm not your friend. I'm everything you're trying to bury...

I'm what you humans call hatred and fear.

Sora was stunned. His childhood imaginary friend… was actually his fear and hatred.

Sora: So... All the things we went through together, having fun and stuff... You've always been... My negative feelings?

Fuwa: That's right. 

Fuwa starts walking around the white space again.

Fuwa: You can call me... Your other half... Your other personality... Created by all the negative feelings you felt when you were a kid. 

Fuwa spoke calmly, but at the same time, he sounded like... he had some regret in them?

Fuwa: I'm the reason why you survived... When no one else cared.  All these ideas come from me.

Sora: Ideas? What do you mean by that?

Fuwa stopped in his tracks and continued.

Fuwa: You becoming a shut-in, you having all those imaginations about me and Wonderland, this world... All these ideas come from me. 

Sora went speechless. All this information he received right now is so... Unexpected. 

Fuwa: After you survive your past... And broke your chains... You are going to abandon me, your "best friend", aren't you?

Sora froze.

Sora: N... No. I'm grateful for you being by my side and helping me... But now I don't need to shut myself anymore... Of course, after I leave here, we can still be friends...

Fuwa sighed and shook his head.

Fuwa: I'm afraid... That there's only one choice. So, tell me, would you stay here in Wonderland with me and have an enjoyable life that lasts forever... Or would you clear this "Trial", me, for that sister who might be the reason for your suffering? 

Sora paused and looked down, thinking about how to put his feelings into words. 

The silence is loud and slightly awkward.

Fuwa: ...Well?

Sora grips his fists tightly in confidence and determination. 

Sora: Staying with you here... Hanging out at Wonderland every single day... Doesn't sound bad. It could even be the best life I could ever ask for. But...

Sora looks up and into Fuwa's eyes.

Sora: ... But Aoki is waiting for me. I have to go to her.

Fuwa looks at him in the eye darkly.

Fuwa: Even though she may be the reason why your life is so horrible?

Sora: Yes, even though she may be the reason why.

Fuwa sighs and makes a 'tsk' sound out of irritation. 

Fuwa: Don't you hate her...?

Silence. Sora doesn't answer. 

Fuwa: You know...I've always hated her.

Sora: Huh...? 

Fuwa starts stomping his feet aggressively on the floor like a child throwing a tantrum.

Fuwa: She took everything away from us. She took away the chance for us to show how good we are to Dad and Mum. She made us look like ugly ducklings in our family. She made us look pathetic in front of everyone in my school. She gets all the awards that only we deserve...

I hate her. I hate her. I hate her!!!

Sora was stunned. It was the first time he saw his usually cheerful imaginary friend-- or rather, his other self-- break down like this.

Since he is my negative emotions, did I... Feel like this towards Aoki?

Fuwa: Yet you still want to be by her side? Fine then, guess I have no choice. 

Fuwa claps his hands, and two metal swords popped out of nowhere in both of his hands.

Sora: What are you...

Fuwa: Ah, don't worry. I won't kill you. For now, at least. 

Fuwa throws one of the swords towards Sora, and the sword lands on the floor right in front of him. 

Sora: ...What are your plans? We are not gonna fight... Aren't we?

Fuwa's eyes glowed red, and he smirked. 

Fuwa: You passed the first "Trial" and accepted your weak self. You passed the second "Trial", and you have overcome your fears and broken free from all the pain you've gone through... But-- If you want to pass the final "Trial" and get out of here... You have to kill me first. 

Sora reached out to pick up the sword, but midway, he stopped. 

Killing Fuwa? That was the final Trial? I... I can't...

Fuwa: Hm? What's wrong? Scared?

Sora: N... No... I just... Cannot bring myself to fight my best friend--

Fuwa: Shut up! We are never friends! Now pick up your sword and fight like you mean it! You wanna get out of here, don't you!?

Sora hesitantly picked up the sword. His grip loosened. The blade in his hand trembled.

Immediately after he stood up, Fuwa rushed towards him, with eyes similar to a murderer. 

The dream world starts to crack apart.