Location; Anchorheart Chamber – Beneath Silverbridge Estate
The steel doors groaned open, revealing a cold, circular chamber illuminated by glowing sigils etched into the walls. The temperature dropped instantly, breath visible in the air. In the center stood an obsidian platform surrounded by six vertical pylons—each humming with a low, ominous resonance.
"This place is ancient," Charles whispered, adjusting his glasses. "Your father really buried this deep."
Nora stepped forward, gripping a datapad tightly. "It was designed to target neural anomalies. To isolate overlapping consciousness and suppress them temporarily."
Caelum stood silently behind them, jaw clenched. "Temporary won't be enough."
Damien placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We'll make it enough."
Charles activated the platform. Lights surged across the pylons as mechanical arms extended, preparing for calibration.
"Strip off everything metal," Charles instructed. "This system's magnetic fields are lethal."
Caelum complied, stepping onto the platform with nothing but thin cloth pants. He looked at Nora. "If this works, I'll be back. If not…"
"No 'ifs'," she cut in. "We win."
She stepped closer and cupped his face. "Remember who you are. You're not him. You're more."
Caelum managed a faint smile. "Only because of you."
---
Location: Forest Perimeter, Silverbridge Grounds
Subject 01B crouched under the shadows of the trees, his eyes closed. He wasn't looking at the mansion—he was inside it already.
His connection with Caelum had reached full sync.
Every breath his brother took. Every beat of his heart.
"You prepared for this," he whispered. "So did I."
With a single step, he vanished into the night.
---
Location: Anchorheart Chamber
Charles activated the first sequence. Bright blue energy surged into the platform, locking Caelum's body in stasis. His mind, however, spiraled inward.
Inside his consciousness, Caelum found himself in a fragmented world—shards of memories floating around him like broken glass.
Footsteps echoed.
Subject 01B appeared across the void, perfectly still, eyes glowing with unnatural fire.
"You look weaker here," the twin said flatly.
"I'm not," Caelum replied.
"You're afraid. Of becoming me."
"I'm afraid of losing what makes me me."
Subject 01B took a step forward. "Then surrender. Let me lead. Our power would be limitless."
Caelum raised his fists. "Power without purpose is destruction. I'd rather die myself than become your puppet."
---
Location: Estate Monitoring Room
Charles's screens began to flicker.
"Nora—his neural readings are spiking. Subject 01B has made contact. Caelum's brainwaves are overlapping. The anchor is losing sync."
Nora adjusted the dials. "Then I'll go in."
Damien looked at her sharply. "No."
"Someone has to. He needs an anchor. A voice that keeps him grounded."
"You're not trained for that," Charles warned.
She slid into the secondary chair beside the platform and locked the headset in. "He's my partner. My patient. My—"
"Your love," Damien finished softly. "Then go get him."
---
Inside Caelum's Mind
The mirror world trembled as Subject 01B launched forward, fists like hammers, eyes wild. Caelum blocked, countered, struggled—his strength waning.
"You're just a fragment!" Subject 01B roared.
Suddenly, a soft light appeared behind Caelum. A hand touched his shoulder.
Nora.
Her presence shimmered beside him—pure, warm, unyielding.
"You're not alone," she whispered. "I'm here."
The moment their eyes met, a surge of power coursed through Caelum. His form solidified, shadows retreating from him.
"I remember now," he said. "Why I fight. Why I live."
Subject 01B staggered as Caelum lunged, driving his fist into his twin's chest. A brilliant pulse of energy exploded outward—cracking the mirror world around them.
The fragment of 01B screamed, dissolving into embers.
Caelum collapsed, Nora catching him just in time.
---
Location: Anchorheart Chamber – Real World
The systems flatlined for a terrifying second.
Then, Caelum gasped, jolting upright on the platform. Nora opened her eyes beside him, tears sliding silently down her face.
Damien helped them both up.
"Is it over?" he asked.
Caelum shook his head weakly. "No. That was just his projection."
Charles frowned. "Then where's the real 01B?"
---
Location: Silverbridge – Grand Hall
A soft clapping echoed through the empty hall.
Subject 01B stood in the center, head tilted.
"Well played," he said aloud. "But you've only delayed the inevitable."
His palm glowed as he raised it—and every surveillance camera in the estate went dark.