chapter 8: the girl and the fractures
ren's head pounded with a dull ache as he slowly stirred from a restless sleep. the cold stone beneath him was harsh, but the soft sound of footsteps and a gentle voice pulled him from the fog in his mind.
"big brother, please wake up," whispered a small, trembling voice.
his eyes cracked open, adjusting to the dim light leaking through the cracks in the ruined walls. sitting beside him was a little girl, no older than six, with messy black hair and eyes too old for her face. she looked at him with a mixture of fear and hope.
"who... are you?" ren's voice was hoarse, pride flickering despite his weakened state.
"i'm… here to help you," she said softly, clutching a small wooden charm. "you don't have to be alone anymore."
ren's mind raced, trying to piece together where he was and why this child was here. the shattered fragments inside him stirred—voices, emotions, conflicting thoughts pulling at his sanity.
"help?" ren scoffed, sitting up with effort. "i don't need help. i'm pride itself. i don't bow or crawl."
the girl's eyes didn't waver. "pride can be a prison, you know. sometimes, you need to let someone in."
before ren could respond, a sharp pain cut through his temple, and suddenly his fractured selves began to speak aloud.
"he's weak." the first fragment sneered, pride dripping from its words.
"he's scared." whispered another, trembling like the girl.
"we are stronger than him," growled a third, filled with rage.
ren's head slammed down on his knees as the voices battled inside. the girl reached out, placing a cool hand on his shoulder.
"listen to me," she said, voice steady. "you don't have to fight alone. i can help you bring your pieces together."
ren's pride warred with the strange comfort the girl offered. he wanted to reject her, to push her away and prove he was invincible on his own. but something in her gaze made him pause—a flicker of something he hadn't felt in a long time. hope.
"why… why are you here?" he finally whispered.
"because i believe in you," she answered simply. "and because the sins are coming."
ren's eyes widened. the fractured selves inside him quieted for a moment, sensing the weight of her words. the path ahead was darker than ever, and maybe, just maybe, this little girl was the key to surviving it.