Homo Sum — Volume 03

A tense night unfolds in an austere oasis where Sirona, a solitary woman haunted by distant memories, faces an unexpected and unsettling return. Her husband, Phoebicius, bursts into the chamber with a lamp flickering against the darkness, his demeanor shifting from bewildered to menacing in moments. The air is thick with the scent of incense and the weight of ancient symbols, the brand of Mithras stark upon his brow, hinting at a deeper, ritualistic undercurrent.

As Phoebicius’s cruelty surfaces, he shatters Sirona’s fragile comforts—a delicate glass gifted from Alexandria and the beloved greyhound that has been her steadfast companion. The dog’s desperate whimper and Sirona’s desperate plea to protect it reveal a raw, human struggle for mercy amid looming violence. This opening sets the stage for a gripping exploration of power, devotion, and the shadows that linger in a world where love and terror intertwine.