Lucian stood.
And the room bowed.
The shadows flickered, the air thick with power.
Lucian smiled. "You weren't the only one, Shade."
The walls shifted.
And figures emerged.
Not humans.
Not exactly.
Their veins were black. Their eyes hollow.
They were like him.
Shade staggered back. "What the fuck is this?"
Lucian smirked. "You are Revenant."
Shade's breath caught.
Lucian's voice was a whisper.
"You were never meant to be a hero."
Jade grabbed Shade's wrist. "Don't listen to him."
Lucian chuckled. "Oh, but he wants to listen." He stepped closer, his presence drowning the room. "Don't you?"
Shade's veins pulsed.
His body burned.
Lucian's voice wrapped around him like silk.
"You don't have to fight it anymore."
Shade's breath was uneven.
Lucian smiled. "Just let go."
Shade's vision blurred.
The hunger inside him roared.
And for the first time?
He wasn't sure if he wanted to fight it anymore.