Location; Silverbridge Estate – Nora's Lab, Midnight
The hum of machines echoed through the silent lab as Nora adjusted the neuro-link strapped to Caelum's temples. He lay motionless, eyes closed, while the holographic brain scans flickered above him like a constellation in flux.
"We're running out of time," Damien muttered beside her. His jaw was tight, his arms crossed.
"I know," she replied. "The twin consciousness is accelerating. It's no longer dormant."
On the screen, spikes of neural activity flared in crimson bursts. Caelum stirred, sweat beading his forehead.
Then his eyes opened—glowing faintly with a light that wasn't his.
"I see you… sister," a low voice echoed from his mouth.
Nora stepped back.
"That's not him," she whispered.
"No," the voice said through Caelum, sitting up slowly. "He's watching… from behind the veil. But I am what he would've become. Without your mercy."
"Who are you?" Damien demanded.
"I was born in the same cell," the voice replied. "But I didn't get rescued. I was perfected. Refined. Forgotten."
The lights flickered. A shadow stretched behind Caelum, longer than the shape of his body.
Then—he slumped, unconscious.
The scans dimmed.
"He's… back," Nora confirmed with a heavy breath. "But that voice—his brother—is awakening faster than we feared."
Damien paced the room. "If he fully emerges, will he take over?"
Nora hesitated. "That's the fear. The silent brother isn't just a voice. He's an identity. And our Caelum… might lose the fight."
---
Location: Tavara Capital – Elite Heights Tower
The High Seer stood on the topmost floor, overlooking the glowing cityscape. In the room behind her, Subject 01B sat calmly, dressed in a suit tailored to match the elite Tavaran fashion.
His features mirrored Caelum's.
But his eyes were pale—emotionless.
"Is the merge scheduled?" the High Seer asked her lieutenant.
"Yes, Supreme. In three days, the proximity of both twins will trigger the final phase. They will either destroy each other… or one will dominate."
The High Seer smiled faintly. "And with your upgrades?"
The lieutenant gestured to Subject 01B. "He has been genetically enhanced further. He will win."
The clone spoke, voice devoid of emotion. "I will complete the purge."
"Good," the High Seer whispered. "The capital must bow."
---
Location: Damien's Underground War Room – Silverbridge Estate
The council was assembled: Nora, Damien, Charles (Damien's cousin and tech specialist), Juno (former military, now security chief), and a hologram of Nora's mother, patched through a secure channel.
"Phase Wing's objective was to birth duality," Nora said, pointing at the projection. "Two bodies, one origin. But one was given emotion, and the other was programmed to suppress it."
"And that other twin is now active?" Juno asked.
Nora nodded. "They call him Subject 01B."
Her mother's voice crackled through the speakers. "I warned your father years ago, Nora. The Gemini Project was never shut down. It was moved—to Tavara."
Damien leaned forward. "Then we bring the fight to them."
Charles cleared his throat. "If we do, we risk full-scale war. The High Seer has influence across Tavara's government."
"She has influence," Damien said coolly, "but we have Nora, Caelum, and the truth."
Nora locked eyes with Damien. "If the merge completes, we lose both twins. Caelum's body will remain—but not his soul."
"Then we stop it," Damien declared. "Before they make him a weapon."
---
Location: Caelum's Quarters – Later that Night
Caelum sat alone, trembling fingers brushing the edges of an old photograph Nora had given him. His vision blurred. The voice had been growing louder each hour.
He could feel the pull—like a magnet—toward a place he couldn't name.
Then it came again.
"You were born to end them… not protect them."
He slammed his fists into the wall. "Shut up!"
The mirror cracked.
A shadow flashed behind him. In its reflection stood not him—but a colder version of himself. Same eyes. Same face.
Different soul.
"I am you," the reflection said with a crooked smile. "Just purer."
The mirror shattered.
Caelum fell to his knees, panting. Tears streamed down his cheeks.
"I'm not a weapon…"
The door burst open. Nora rushed in, Damien close behind.
Caelum looked up, broken. "He's getting stronger. I don't know how long I can hold him."
Nora knelt, holding his face in her hands. "Then we hold you, Caelum. We fight for you."
Damien reached into his coat and handed him a small device.
"A pulse-blocker," he explained. "It'll slow the merge, temporarily."
Caelum gripped it tightly.
"But you need to be ready," Damien continued. "When the time comes… you'll face him."