AIDAN
Aidan paused outside the gate to Outer Chicago.
He’d considered seeking out Kianna. Telling her his plan. Giving her the choice to join him. But he didn’t want to tempt her, didn’t want to give her any reason to leave this place. They’d known from the beginning they’d part ways. That had always been the endgame. He was just following through, and letting her do her thing guilt free.
Not that he really thought she had it in her to feel guilty.
Did he?
He stared out at the ashes. Sun was beginning to peek through the clouds, illuminating the reds and the blacks, the embers and sparks, all of it billowing slightly in a breeze. He felt it, that siren’s call, but it was muted.
Fire was no longer as angry.
Without that heat, he thought he’d feel empty. Without the Dark Lady whispering in his heart, he thought he’d feel aimless. He’d killed all the Kin. He’d saved the world. Well, mostly him, anyway.
Did it redeem him? For everyone he’d killed?
He looked down to his arm, to the Church’s brand and his mangled fingers. He’d never believed in redemption. And if he did, he’d already paid in blood. At the end of the day, it evened out.
At least, that’s what he told himself.
He also realized that, if he found his family, he might leave a few details of his claim to fame out of the narrative.
He knew he was lingering. Drawing this out.
If he was honest with himself, he was scared. Not of any monster, but of what he might never find. But that was no reason to stay.
He’d spent his life seeking out reasons to kill.
Now, it was time to find a reason to live.
He looked back one more time. Hoping to see Kianna standing in a window, waving him on. Giving him her blessing. Behind him, there were only shadows. He looked forward.
Looked ahead.
He opened to Fire and, like a spark in the sun, vanished into the light.