Chapter 35

Gregor Dandolo stands in his childhood bedroom, detached and observing from within his mind. Memories of his brother Domenico surface alongside the pain of his current compulsion. Ofelia Dandolo enters, exhausted and tearful, and forces him to answer whether he remembers the room and if he is happy to be back.

Under command, Gregor admits he remembers and that he is not happy. Probing further, Ofelia asks what he knows of her deeds. Gregor states that she sabotaged the carriage, killing their father and, unintentionally, both Domenico and Gregor; he declares his current existence—control and choicelessness—is not life.

Ofelia weeps and insists she fought to save him and bought him love and life. Gregor rejects this, saying he believed he had found a cause and family but remained her enslaved lie. Confronted with the city’s ruin, Ofelia tries to release him from his bindings, commanding him to awaken.

Nothing changes. Gregor explains he is bound to the will of the Maker—Crasedes—who granted Ofelia limited permissions, not true control. Realizing her powerlessness, Ofelia promises to fix him and make him free again; Gregor says he does not believe her.

Ofelia departs in shock. Left alone, Gregor’s consciousness begins to recede back into the enforced void, but he briefly remembers he carries a box in his pocket before the compulsion subsumes him again.