Chapter 30

A New Dawn

The city had changed.

In the aftermath of the Shadows' collapse, their influence unraveled like a thread pulled too tight. High-ranking officials, once thought untouchable, were being dragged into the light. Corporations linked to their dealings faced investigations. And their lower-level operatives? Most vanished into the wind, scattering like ashes in the breeze.

But the scars they left behind remained.

I watched the news from a small apartment, my bags packed by the door. It was strange seeing reporters dissect the empire we had spent years trying to destroy. The world now knew what had been lurking beneath their feet, but for most people, it was just another headline. Another scandal.

For me, it had been my entire life.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I already knew who it was before I opened it.

Marcus stood there, his usual sharp suit traded for a casual jacket, exhaustion lining his face. But there was something else in his eyes—something I wasn't used to seeing.

Relief.

"Thought you'd be long gone by now," he said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.

I smirked, shutting the door behind him. "I was considering it."

"You should," he admitted. "No one would blame you for walking away after everything."

I crossed my arms, leaning against the table. "And yet, you're here."

Marcus sighed, rubbing his temple before reaching into his jacket. He pulled out a file and placed it on the table between us. The weight of it felt heavier than paper should.

I hesitated before flipping it open.

Inside were documents, names, and photos. Not just of those we'd already exposed—but of others. Unfamiliar faces. Some in law enforcement, some in politics, and others in places I would have never expected.

"The Shadows may be gone," Marcus said, watching me closely. "But corruption like that? It doesn't just disappear overnight."

I closed the file, my fingers lingering on its cover. "So what? You're telling me there's more?"

"There's always more," he said simply. "But this time, it's up to you. You don't have to keep fighting. You can walk away. Start over."

I stared at the file, my mind warring with itself. I had spent years chasing justice, sacrificing everything. My safety. My relationships. My peace. And yet, as I sat there, the weight of it all pressing down on me… I realized something.

I wasn't ready to let go.

"I thought I'd feel free after this," I admitted. "That once the Shadows fell, I'd finally be able to breathe."

Marcus watched me carefully. "And do you?"

I met his gaze. "Not yet."

A slow, knowing smirk crossed his lips. "Then I guess you're not done."

I exhaled, shaking my head. "I guess not."

Silence stretched between us before he pushed away from the table. "If you ever need backup, you know where to find me."

I nodded. "Same to you."

Marcus lingered for a moment before giving me a final nod and stepping out the door.

I looked down at the file again, my fingers tracing the edges.

Maybe I could have walked away. Maybe I could have let someone else fight the next battle. But deep down, I knew the truth.

The war wasn't over.

And I wasn't done fighting.

Taking a deep breath, I grabbed my bag, tucked the file under my arm, and stepped out into the city.

A new dawn was rising.

And I was ready.

The End.