The Fractured Soul [1]

"This is... me."

Aurelius stared, wide-eyed and dumbfounded, at Rhea. His mind raced, trying to make sense of her words. His body, bound and immobilized, could do nothing but watch as she stood over the lifeless figure lying before her. His heart pounded in his chest, the tension growing unbearable with every passing second.

Her voice, cold and distant, cut through the silence again, as if she were talking more to herself than to him.

"No..." she whispered, her gaze fixed on the motionless body. "I was her... There was no Rhea. There was no me..."

'...!'

Aurelius's pulse quickened, his breath coming in short, shallow bursts as he struggled to comprehend what she was saying. He wanted to speak, to demand an explanation, but the gag silenced him. All he could do was listen, helpless and confused, as Rhea continued.