IN THE MIRROR'S GAZE

Kiel remembered the powerful surge of energy, the feeling of changing into something monstrous, and the intense emotions that followed. It was a dizzying mix of raw emotion and uncontrollable force, completely opposite to the calm Astra had offered him.

The memory was unsettling, a harsh reminder of how fragile his grip on reality seemed. As he stared into the darkness, Kiel struggled with the fear that he was losing his mind, unable to tell what was real anymore.

The power, fear, anger, all of it felt like a storm building inside him, ready to take over. With every breath, Kiel tried to calm himself, repeating the word "logical" to focus his thoughts. But despite his efforts, he couldn't shake the feeling of isolation, as if reassurance was slipping further away.

Standing alone in the dimly lit bathroom, the flickering bulb cast eerie shadows across the plain white tiles. Kiel gripped the edges of the sink, staring into the mirror, where his reflection seemed foreign, his eyes hollow and distant. The faint scent of soap mingled with the clean, sterile air. His thoughts swirled chaotically, memories intertwining with the present, each more haunting than the last.

"You think you're strong, don't you?" The voice hissed from the mirror, sharp and venomous. Kiel's reflection twisted, lips curling into a sneer, his eyes darkening into empty black voids. "Look at you, a broken soldier pretending to be whole."

Kiel clenched his fists, his breathing heavy. "I am strong," he signed with controlled, defiant movements. "I've survived everything thrown at me."

From the corner of his vision, another figure appeared beside him—a doppelgänger. Its form solidified slowly, unsettling in its eerie precision. Its eyes were black, hollow pools, and yet, beneath the darkness, a faint shimmer of blue flickered like buried light. "Survived?" It mocked, stepping closer. "Or are you just barely scraping by? You've lost your voice, Kiel. You're useless."

Kiel shook his head, frustration burning in his chest. "I'm not useless," he signed, hands trembling as his movements grew more forceful. "I can still fight. I can still make a difference."

The doppelgänger's grin widened, cruel and mocking. Its black eyes reflected Kiel's desperation. "You're a ghost," it whispered, voice chilling. "Pretending you still matter. But deep down, you know the truth, don't you?"

The reflection leaned closer, so close Kiel could feel a coldness radiating from it. Its eyes narrowed, and now, the red glow was unmistakable, shining from beneath the black corneas like an evil spark. "Or are you just lying to yourself? How long can you keep running before you break?"

"You can't run forever," the doppelgänger remarked, its voice unnervingly calm. "Sooner or later, they will find you."

"And hurt you again," the first voice chimed in, echoing through the sterile space.

Kiel's breath hitched, the words cutting him deeply. He felt the crushing weight of his failures and the silent screams that haunted his nights. His hands moved in a desperate dance, signing, "Stop it. Just stop."

The taunting voices reverberated around him, a relentless chorus of doubt and self-loathing. "You're weak. You're broken," they echoed, each word a piercing assault on his shattered resolve.

"Just leave me alone, you two!" Kiel's hands flew up, signing with frantic urgency, his desperation evident.

"Only this time, they'll hurt her too," the doppelgänger said calmly, a cold expression on its face. "And it will be entirely your fault for failing to protect her."

"You know what you have to do," the first voice whispered, its tone smooth as silk. "Or rather, you know what you want to do."

"I'm not going to listen to you." Kiel's voice cracked, his desperation palpable. He buried his face in his hands, fingers trembling as he tried to block out the relentless assault of his mind. As he fought to steady his breathing, he signed frantically, his gestures sharp and erratic, a silent plea for peace amid the turmoil.

The voices grew louder, more insistent. "You're nothing. You're just a shadow, a ghost. You don't belong here," they jeered, their intensity swelling until they seemed to fill every corner of his mind.

"Give in, Kiel," a voice whispered closer, more insidious. "Let us take control. You're too weak to handle this alone."

Kiel's hands flew up, signing fiercely. "No! No! I won't let you. I'm still here. I'm still fighting," his gestures declared, a testament to his enduring resolve.

The mirror's reflection erupted in a cacophony of jeers and sneers. "You're a fool," the first voice scoffed, dripping with derision. "You think you can silence us? You think you can keep us at bay?"

Kiel's hands trembled as he signed frantically, "Stop. Leave me alone."

"Why should we?" The reflection jeered, a sneer curling its lips. "You can't even speak for yourself. You're a failure."

The relentless assault became unbearable, pushing Kiel to the brink. With a roar of raw frustration and rage, he hurled his fist at the mirror. The glass splintered violently, shards cascading across the sink and floor. His knuckles bled, but the sharp, tangible pain offered a welcome reprieve from the ceaseless torment within.

"Kiel!" The bathroom door flew open, and Astra rushed in, her eyes wide with shock and concern. "What happened?"

Kiel looked up at her, his eyes wild and tormented. He signed, "Astra, I… I can't…"

Astra crossed the room swiftly, kneeling beside him. "It's okay," she said gently, her touch warm on his shoulder. "I'm here."

"They won't stop," Kiel signed, his movements unsteady and fragmented. "They keep telling me I'm useless, that I can't save anyone. Not even you."

Astra's eyes softened with empathy. "Kiel, those voices are your fears and doubts. They don't define you. You're stronger than you know."

His hands trembled as he signed, "Earlier, you asked if it was an admission of fear. I'm afraid, Astra. Afraid that they're right."

"They're not," Astra insisted, her grip firm and reassuring. "You've been through so much, and you're still here. That's strength, Kiel. That's resilience."

Kiel took a shaky breath, the storm within him gradually subsiding. "I don't know if I can keep fighting," he signed, his movements slower and more deliberate.

"You don't have to do it alone," Astra signed gently, her movements soothing and steady. "We're here for you. I'm here for you. We'll face this together."

Kiel nodded, feeling the pressure on his chest ease slightly. His gaze drifted to the fractured mirror, its shards casting fragmented reflections of his face. "Together," he signed, finding solace in the word. With Astra by his side, a faint flicker of hope stirred within him, a quiet affirmation that he was not alone in his struggle.