Everything turned against me.

It wasn’t even surprising anymore, was it? Every time I tried to do the right thing, every time I thought I could make things better, it all fell apart. Maybe that’s just how it was always meant to be. Maybe the problem wasn’t the world or the people around me. Maybe the problem was me.

How do I pull myself out of this? Can I even pull myself out of this?

My breath came in short, uneven bursts, the weight of my thoughts suffocating me. What if I was in the wrong? What if everything I’ve done, everything I thought I was fighting for, was just…a lie? What if the monster wasn’t my mom, or the sirens, or anyone else?

What if the monster was me?

The thought clawed at me, tearing apart whatever shreds of self-worth I had left. I was the one who died, wasn’t I? The moment I let myself become consumed by all this pain, the moment I stopped fighting for who I wanted to be, I died. And now? Now, I was just some shadow of the person I used to be, stumbling through the wreckage of a life I couldn’t recognize anymore.

I was too kind to everyone else but a monster to myself.

I couldn’t shake the image of the sirens from my mind. The way they fought, the way they fed on the energy of everyone around them, it was cruel, sure. But was it really evil? Or were they just doing the only thing they knew how to do? The only thing they were created to do? Could I blame them for that?

Were they even the real villains?

Or was Sunset?

She wasn’t evil, not really. Yeah, she took the bad path for a while, but wasn’t that because she was chasing something? Because she was trying to live up to the expectations placed on her, trying to fulfill the destiny everyone said she had? She made mistakes, sure, but who doesn’t? Maybe she wasn’t the villain of this story. Maybe she was just…lost.

Just like me.

And now? Now I’d lost her.

I’d lost everything. My girlfriend, my mom my mentor all of it, gone. Every anchor I had, every piece of stability, ripped away from me. And for what? For this? For me, standing here in the cold, drowning in my own self-pity and regret? What was the point of any of it?

Maybe…maybe there wasn’t a point.

If the world was going to take everything from me, if it was going to leave me broken and hollow, then maybe it didn’t deserve to exist.

If I have to destroy this whole world to make a better one, then so be it.

The thought was horrifying, but it was also…liberating. If the only way to fix things was to become the monster everyone feared, then I’d do it. I’d become the villain, the shadow, the nightmare they couldn’t escape.

I’ll become the monster like none they’ve ever known.

For a moment, I closed my eyes, imagining it. A new world, one free from pain, free from loss, free from the endless cycle of suffering that had brought me to this point. I’d build it, brick by brick, even if I had to tear this one apart to do it.

I’ll make us a new home, Sunny. I’ll do it for you.

The thought of her brought a lump to my throat. I could still see her face, the way her eyes lit up when she smiled, the way she looked at me like I was someone worth saving. But I wasn’t. Not anymore.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

The sound jolted me from my thoughts, and I pulled it out, staring at the screen.

Sunset.

Her name lit up the display, and for a moment, I just stared at it, my mind racing. What could I even say to her? What could I possibly tell her that wouldn’t make things worse? But at the same time, I couldn’t ignore her. Not now.

I hesitated, my thumb hovering over the screen. The phone buzzed again, the sound loud and insistent in the quiet night.

“Sunset…” I whispered, my voice heavy with regret. “I’m sorry. But this is something I have to do.”

I closed my eyes, breathing deeply as I let the world around me fade. The faint hum of streetlights, the distant sound of a car passing by it all became background noise, swallowed by the storm brewing in my mind. I could feel it now, the fear, the shadows clawing at the edges of my consciousness. Instead of fighting them, I opened myself to them, letting the darkness seep into me like a long-lost friend.

Time seemed to slow, the world around me losing focus. In the stillness. This was my path. This was how I would bring justice not just for me, but for everyone who had ever been broken by this world.

The shadows whispered to me, urging me forward, guiding my steps as I made my way through the deserted streets. The cold wind bit at my skin, but I barely noticed it. My thoughts were consumed by what I had to do.

The alley loomed ahead of me, dark and foreboding, but I walked into it without hesitation. As I approached, the faint sound of crying reached my ears. It was them. The sirens.

I smirked, the confidence in my stride almost foreign to me. For once, I wasn’t afraid.

“What’s up, bitches?” I called out, my voice echoing off the brick walls. “Miss me?”

The three of them jerked their heads up, their tear-streaked faces contorting in fear the moment they saw me. Adagio was the first to react, her voice trembling as she whispered, “No… you died… we saw it… you’re supposed to be dead.”

Aria shrank back, clutching Sonata’s arm, who was wide-eyed and trembling like a leaf.

“Don’t… don’t hunt us,” Adagio stammered.

I let out a low chuckle, taking another step closer. “If that could kill me,” I said, spreading my arms wide, “do you really think I’d be standing here right now?”

They flinched as I moved closer, their fear palpable.

“I don’t have time to play games,” I continued, my voice firm but not angry. “I need you. I need your power.”

Adagio’s eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion flickering through her fear. “Our power?”

“Give me the remnants of your gems,” I demanded, stepping forward until I was towering over them. “Now.”

“NO!” Sonata shouted, her voice cracking as she clung tighter to Aria. “We won’t! You can’t make us!”

I tilted my head, a dark smile curling at my lips. “Can’t I?”

The shadows around me shifted, swirling like living things. They grew darker, more oppressive, and for a moment, the faint outline of horns emerged behind me. A cruel, echoing laughter filled the alley, not entirely mine, as the darkness seemed to pulse with life.

Their fear was tangible now, a weight in the air as they cowered before me. Adagio’s defiance crumbled, her hands trembling as she reached into a small pouch at her side. She pulled out a handful of broken red shards, the remnants of their shattered gems.

“Here” she whispered, holding them out to me. “Take them. Leave us alone, we've lost everything.”

I snatched the shards from her hand, holding them tightly in my palm. The jagged edges bit into my skin, but I didn’t care. These fragments were nothing now, but I could change that.

“Heh,” I muttered, a smirk tugging at the corner of my lips. “Let’s see if this works.”

I closed my eyes, focusing on the shards in my hands. I imagined them whole, unbroken, radiating power. The darkness within me swirled, feeding on my resolve, and I felt it pour into the shards like liquid fire. The air around me grew colder, heavier, as the shadows coiled tighter, their whispers growing louder.

When I opened my hands, the shards were gone. In their place were three pristine gems, their surfaces gleaming with a dark, iridescent blue light.

The sirens stared in shock, their mouths agape.

“You… you did it” Aria whispered.

I held the gems up to the faint light filtering into the alley, watching them shimmer. A strange sense of satisfaction washed over me. This was power raw, untamed, and mine to wield.

“From now on” I said, my voice low and commanding, “you work with me. Together, we’re going to reshape this world into something better. Something that works for all of us.”

Adagio hesitated, her fear giving way to something else, something like hope. She exchanged a glance with the others before nodding slowly.

“We’re in”

I smirked, giving them the gems.

“Good,” I said, turning to leave the alley. “Because this world is about to learn what happens when the hero falls… and the monster takes his place.”

Sirens hesistated , my presence casting a shadow that seemed to swallow the dim light in the alley. My words hung in the air, sharp and cutting, as I glanced at Aria. She looked at me, trembling, and for a moment, I saw her try to muster some semblance of courage. It faltered instantly under my gaze.

“It wasn’t my decision” I said coldly, my voice laced with disdain. “Back then, none of this was my choice. It was hers. My whore of a mother.”

The word burned my tongue. I wasn’t sure if I meant it, but it felt right to say in the moment. It was easier to hate her than to keep wrestling with the guilt and confusion she left me drowning in. The sirens flinched, even Sonata’s usual cheer faltering as she shrank back.

I repeated it, slower, more deliberate this time, letting it pierce through them. “It wasn’t my decision. Not then.”

I exhaled heavily, looking down at them, at their pitiful state. “But it is now. And this,” I gestured to the grimy alley around us “isn’t cutting it. Lead me to your place. Now.”

Sonata’s face lit up for a moment as if she’d forgotten the tension entirely. “Yeeeeah! We have a small house in the—”

“Shut up!” Aria snapped, cutting her off with a glare. She turned to me, cautious, her voice trembling as she added, “Fine. Follow us.”

They led me through the city, their pace hurried and awkward, stealing glances back at me every few steps. The quiet sound of Sonata humming nervously was the only thing breaking the silence.

When we arrived, I stared at the building in front of me a small, dilapidated house that barely seemed fit to stand. The windows were covered in grime, the walls cracked and faded. It was a box, a shelter, and nothing more.

I stepped inside, the floorboards creaking under my weight. The place was even worse on the inside. A single room with mismatched furniture, a table piled with empty takeout containers, and a faint smell of dampness hanging in the air. I stopped in the center of the room, slowly turning in a circle as I took it all in.

“This” I said finally, my voice dripping with disgust, “isn’t enough.”

Raising my hands, I let the shadows surge through me, their power humming in my veins. The air in the room grew colder as the darkness twisted and coiled, flowing outward like smoke. The walls shuddered, the floor rippled, and the entire space groaned as if it were alive.

The transformation was instant. The walls expanded outward, pushing the boundaries of the house until it defied the laws of space itself. The cracks and grime melted away, replaced by polished black marble and gleaming gold accents. The ceiling stretched upward, adorned with a massive crystal chandelier that radiated an eerie, otherworldly glow. Velvet curtains draped over expansive windows that weren’t there a moment ago, and luxurious furniture filled the space, deep blacks, blood reds, and gilded edges.

From the outside, it was still the same small, decrepit house. But within, it was a mansion fit for royalty. Or monsters.

I lowered my hands, satisfied, and glanced down at my own appearance. My clothes were ragged, still a reminder of the boy I once was. That boy no longer existed. The shadows swirled around me again, reshaping everything I wore. A long black jacket draped to my feet, its fabric shimmering faintly as if it were alive. A black shirt and jeans hugged my frame, and a crimson tie hung loosely, carelessly around my neck. My reflection in the newly formed mirror caught my eye my hair, once its usual dull shade, had transformed into a stark white with a faint gray shading.

For the first time, I looked the way I felt.

The sirens were huddled together near the doorway, their eyes wide with fear and awe as they took in the transformation of their home. When I turned to face them, they stiffened, instinctively falling into defensive stances.

I raised a hand, watching them flinch before my magic swirled in my palm. The dark energy twisted and shimmered as I directed it toward their pendants.

“Relax” I said, my voice calm but unyielding. “Think of this as… a contract.”

They didn’t move, their fear anchoring them in place. But the magic found its mark, pouring into the shards of their gems. The once broken pieces glowed with renewed power, their surfaces now polished and gleaming with an ominous dark blue light.

“It’s more than you could have managed on your own.”

Adagio was the first to react, her hand tentatively reaching for her pendant as she stared at it in awe. Aria and Sonata followed, their expressions a mix of relief and unease.

“This power” Adagio murmured, her voice barely audible. “It’s… different.”

“It’s better,” I said firmly, cutting her off. “And it’s only the beginning. You’re mine now. And together, we’re going to reshape this world into something that actually works for all of us.”

They didn’t argue. They didn’t question me. They simply nodded, the weight of their submission hanging heavily in the air.

I turned away from them, walking toward one of the massive windows and staring out at the city below. The night stretched endlessly, the faint lights of the city flickering like dying stars.

This was my path now. The boy I once was—the boy who tried so hard to be a hero, to live up to expectations he could never meet—was gone.

The sirens came to me, visibly shaken but doing their best to mask their fear. Their broken confidence was clear in the subtle tremble of their hands and the way they avoided meeting my gaze. This was no partnership of equals this was power they couldn’t begin to understand, power they feared but also couldn’t resist.

“We need more” I said, breaking the silence. My voice was calm, almost conversational, as if I hadn’t just shattered their lives and reshaped their existence. I tapped a finger against my temple, as if thinking aloud. “Friendship magic... It’s tricky. Messy. But we’ll figure it out.”

Adagio raised an eyebrow, her arms crossed in a half-hearted attempt to reclaim her composure. “And how exactly do you propose we do that?”

A smile tugged at the corner of my lips, dark and humorless. “We start from the start. You three failed because you didn’t understand the power you were dealing with. You ran straight into the heart of it like idiots, thinking brute force would win. Not me. I’m not reckless. We’re going to dismantle it piece by piece.”

“And how exactly do you plan to do that?” Adagio asked skeptically, her voice laced with suspicion.

I turned to her, my steps deliberate and slow, each one echoing in the expansive room. The shadows that surrounded me seemed alive, writhing and twisting with a life of their own. They danced on the walls, towering and distorted, casting shapes that looked more monstrous than human.

“First” I said, my voice dropping into a near whisper “we get rid of the source of that power.”

Adagio’s eyes narrowed, and she tilted her head slightly. “The source?”

A laugh bubbled up from my chest, starting low and growing louder until it filled the room, sharp and unhinged. “Exactly. We’re going to seal the portal to Equestria.”

The room fell silent again, the weight of my words settling over us like a storm cloud. Adagio’s mouth falled open in disbelief.

“What?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “You can’t be serious. Not even you have that kind of power.”

I stopped in front of her, tilting my head to the side as I studied her. Slowly, I reached out, sliding a single finger under her chin and lifting her head so she had no choice but to look at me. The shadows behind me seemed to surge forward, curling around her like living tendrils, but they stopped just short of touching her.

“You don’t even know what I’m capable of now,” I said softly, my voice dripping with dark confidence.

Her breath hitched, her body stiff with fear. For a moment, I could see the war in her eyes, her pride clashing with the primal instinct to submit. She didn’t answer, didn’t dare to argue.

Aria, however, wasn’t as quiet. She crossed her arms and gave me a skeptical look, her voice sharp as she asked, “Why are you doing this? Just a few hours ago, you wanted to kill us. You were ready to rip out our hearts, and now you’re suddenly on our side? What changed? Did you get dumped or something?”

That last word struck a nerve I hadn’t expected. My mind raced back to Sunset, to the look in her eyes when I left, to the tears streaking her face, and the way her voice cracked as she yelled at me to stay. For a moment, the darkness inside me faltered, replaced by a pang of guilt so sharp it took my breath away.

But I couldn’t let it show. I wouldn’t.

I moved in a blur, faster than even I thought possible, and closed the distance between us in a heartbeat. My face was inches from hers, my eyes burning with a fiery red hue that made her flinch. Her breath hitched, and I could see the fear in her eyes, raw and unfiltered.

“Something like that,” I said, my voice cold and detached.

Aria swallowed hard, her body tense as if she expected me to strike her down then and there. She wasn’t wrong to think it, I could’ve. For a moment, I even wanted to, just to feel something other than the hollow ache that had consumed me.

But I didn’t.

Instead, I took a step back, forcing myself to relax as I ran a hand through my now stark white hair. The tension in the room was suffocating, the sirens frozen in place as if they feared any movement would set me off.

“You wouldn’t understand,” I said finally, my voice quieter now but no less menacing. “None of you would. You’ve always had each other, always had someone to lean on, even when things were at their worst. I don’t have that. I never did. And now…”

I trailed off, the words catching in my throat. For a brief moment, I felt the weight of everything I’d lost, everything I’d given up in my pursuit of something better. Sunset’s face flashed in my mind again, and my chest ached.

“Now, I’ll do whatever it takes to feel whole again,” I finished, my voice low and raw.

The room was silent once more, the sirens too stunned to speak.

“We’ll start with the portal. Then we’ll rebuild everything from the ground up. A world where none of this…” I gestured vaguely, “matters anymore. Where there’s no magic to corrupt, no power to abuse. Just order. Just… peace.”

I glanced over my shoulder at them, my expression unreadable. “You’re either with me, or you’re in my way. Make your choice.”

The sirens knelt before me, their heads bowed in a display of submission that sent a ripple of satisfaction through me. “Lead us, Prince” Adagio said softly, her voice carrying both reverence and hesitation.

Prince?

The title echoed in my mind, unfamiliar yet intoxicating. For a moment, I let it linger, rolling it over like a fine wine.

Prince. It had a nice ring to it, a declaration of power, of authority. A crown without the burden of someone else’s legacy hanging over me. I could make this title my own, shape it into something that reflected who I was becoming.

A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips as I looked down at them. “Prince, huh?” I murmured, almost to myself. Then louder, with a flick of my hand, I said, “Get up. We’ve got work to do.”

The three of them rose, their movements hesitant but obedient. I stepped past them, my coat sweeping behind me as I moved toward the door. With a swift wave of my hand, the once-glorious mansion around us shimmered, the dark energy receding into the walls until it looked like a simple, run-down house again. The illusion was perfect, seamless.

As I stepped outside, a chill wind met me, ruffling my hair and whispering through the trees. For a moment, I caught a glimpse of someone standing at the edge of the shadows, a figure draped in a black cloak, her face pale and expression cold. Death. She was watching me, her presence both haunting and strangely comforting.

She smirked, her skeletal fingers twitching in a silent greeting.

I couldn’t help but grin back at her, my smile sharp and devilish. “I’ll get you the souls you wanted,” I said softly, my voice dripping with confidence.

Her expression shifted, a flicker of satisfaction crossing her features before she disappeared into the shadows. But even as she vanished, her face lingered in my mind,her face, yet not hers. It was hers. Sunset. Even now, even after everything, she was still the most important thing in my heart. The thought burned, a hollow ache that I couldn’t extinguish.

But I buried it.

“Let’s go,” I said, my voice firm as I began to walk.

The sirens followed closely, their footsteps echoing mine as we made our way through the darkened streets. The city around us was eerily quiet, the usual hum of life subdued as if the world itself sensed the shift in power.

Death. Her promise lingering like a sweet poison. This magic, this power—it felt right. I ran a hand through my hair, the strands falling back into place with an almost unnatural precision. It wasn’t just strength,it was control. I spotted a trash can sitting crookedly on the sidewalk, its lid askew and its contents spilling onto the pavement. With a flick of my fingers, I set it ablaze, the fire roaring to life with unnatural speed. The flames licked at the air, their heat brushing against my skin like an old friend.

The sirens stared, their confusion written plainly on their faces.

“What?” I asked, glancing over my shoulder at them. My smirk returned, sharp and confident. “Just getting used to it.”

Adagio exchanged a look with Aria, but neither said anything. Sonata, however, seemed almost amused, a small giggle escaping her lips before she quickly stifled it.

We continued in silence, the tension between us thick but unspoken. The closer we got to the school, the more I could feel the magic coursing through me, alive and hungry. It pulsed in time with my heartbeat, a steady thrum that filled every inch of me with purpose.

When we arrived at the courtyard, the gates loomed before us, their iron bars locked tightly. For a moment, I simply stared at them, the cold metal gleaming in the faint light. Then, without a word, I stepped forward.

The sirens watched as I reached out, my hands gripping the bars. The cold metal bit into my skin. With a deep breath, I pulled, the sound of groaning steel filling the air as the bars twisted and buckled under my strength.

With a final, deafening crack, I tore the gates apart, the pieces falling to the ground with a resounding crash. I turned back to the sirens, their wide eyes reflecting a mix of awe and fear.

“After you” I said, gesturing for them to enter.

They hesitated for only a moment before stepping through, their movements cautious but obedient. I followed close behind, the weight of the destroyed gates lingering in the air like a challenge.

Inside, the courtyard was eerily quiet, the familiar sight of the school now shrouded in darkness. The memories hit me like a tidal wave, the laughter, the battles, the friendships I thought would last forever. But those memories were tainted now, each one a painful reminder of everything I’d lost.

“This is just the beginning,” I said softly, my voice carrying across the empty space. “We’ll take it all apart, piece by piece. And when we’re done…”

I trailed off, the words catching in my throat.

When we’re done, what?

Would I feel whole again? Would the ache in my chest finally fade? Or was this just another distraction, another lie I was telling myself to keep going?

“Let’s get to work,” I said, my voice echoing through the empty space. It felt like a proclamation, a declaration that this was the beginning of something new. Something dark.

“Heyo again, new look.”

The voice came out of nowhere, casual and laced with amusement. I froze, my eyes narrowing as I turned toward the source.

There she was again, a girl with bright blue hair leaning against the statue, a cigarette dangling between her fingers. She took a long drag before exhaling a plume of smoke into the cold night air.

“What the fuck?”

She smirked, tilting her head as she studied me. “So, the night was that rough, huh? You’re hanging with villains now? Well, I guess that’s just how it goes.”

Her tone was dismissive, almost mocking, and it set something off in me. I raised my hand, dark energy flickering at my fingertips as my shadow twisted behind me like a living thing. “Who are you?” I demanded, my voice cold and sharp. “You didn’t just meet me by coincidence, did you? You know something.”

She didn’t flinch. If anything, she seemed amused by my display, her smirk widening as she extinguished her cigarette against the base of the statue. “Yeah, yeah, enough with the formalities,” she said, waving a hand as if brushing off my anger. “I know a lot more than you think, and I know how I can help you.”

“Help me?” I repeated, my tone skeptical.

“Let me into your little group,” she said, stepping closer, her movements casual but deliberate. “You won’t regret it.”

I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms as I studied her. “And what exactly would you bring to the table?”

She laughed, a sharp, almost cruel sound. “Oh, don’t even start,” she said, her eyes flicking toward the sirens behind me. “You brought in three dumbasses who didn’t even know when to run. They lost to you twice using the same tired tricks. And now look at them, cowering behind you like scared little kittens.”

Adagio bristled at the insult, but I held up a hand, silencing her before she could retort. My attention remained fixed on the girl. “You’re awfully confident for someone I’ve seen only once”

She shrugged, her smirk never faltering. “Confidence comes easy when you know the game better than anyone else.”

I narrowed my eyes. There was something about her—something off. She wasn’t just some random stranger. “Who are you really?” I asked, my voice low and dangerous.

“You can call me Prophet”

Her tone was light but her gaze piercing. She placed a hand on the statue, her fingers brushing against the cold stone as if it were a talisman. “And before you start asking a million questions, let me make it simple for you. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, right?”

Her words hung in the air, heavy with implication.

I studied her for a long moment, my mind racing. She was an unknown, a potential threat. A joker.But she was also intriguing. There was a confidence in her, a certainty that couldn’t be ignored. She had something, knowledge, power, or perhaps both.

The sirens shifted uneasily behind me, their distrust of her evident. I could feel their eyes on me, waiting for my decision.

“You’re asking me to trust you” I said finally, my voice measured.

“No” she said, shaking her head. “I’m asking you to use me. Big difference.”

Her honesty caught me off guard, but I didn’t let it show. Instead, I took a step closer to her, closing the distance between us.

“If I let you in,” I said, my voice low and dangerous, “and you betray me…”

She smiled, a wicked, knowing grin. “You won’t have to worry about that.”

Her confidence was infuriating, but it was also compelling. There was something about her, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. I didn’t trust her, not yet. But trust wasn’t necessary.

I glanced back at the sirens, their expressions a mix of confusion and unease. They were watching, waiting for my next move.

“Fine,” I said, turning back to Prophet. “You’re in. But don’t think for a second that I won’t tear you apart if you step out of line.”

Her smirk widened, her eyes gleaming with something almost predatory. “Wouldn’t expect anything less,” she said.

The decision felt dangerous, reckless even. But as I looked at her, standing there with an air of unshakable confidence, I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was exactly what I needed.

She stood there, her confident smirk never wavering as she regarded me with a mix of amusement and curiosity. The sirens hung back, their unease palpable, but I didn’t care. This moment wasn’t about them.

“You know,” I said, narrowing my eyes at her, “I’m not here to play games. What’s your name, Prophet?” The title came out like a sneer, dripping with skepticism.

She raised an eyebrow, unfazed by my tone. “Dawn,” she said simply. “And you? You don’t know your name, do you?”

“Fuck you,” I snapped, the words sharp and biting. My fists clenched at my sides as I fought to keep my composure. “You can call me… Prince Umbra. For now. Until I figure out who I really am.”

Dawn chuckled softly, the sound low and mocking. “Okie dokie, Umbra,” she said, the name rolling off her tongue with deliberate ease. “But don’t let this ‘Umbra’ thing take over your identity. Just sayin’.”

I felt a flash of irritation surge through me, but I buried it deep, letting the darkness within me smolder instead of erupt. “Fuck you. I know what I’m doing.”

“Sure you do. I'm just a prophet i don't know what i'm sayin” she replied, her smirk widening.

I turned away from her, my gaze shifting to the statue that loomed before us. It had once been a proud symbol of hope, a gateway between worlds that carried the promise of connection and understanding. Now, it was nothing more than a tool, a means to an end in the war I was about to wage.I reached out, my hand hovering just above the cold stone. As my palm came into contact with it, the surface seemed to ripple, the faintest spark of energy pulsing beneath my fingers. It was a weak resistance, a feeble attempt to reject the darkness I carried.

But I wouldn’t be denied.

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath as I summoned the shadows within me. They surged forward eagerly, a roiling mass of power that twisted and coiled like a living thing. I felt them pooling in my chest, spilling down my arm and into the statue as though I were pouring water from one cup to another.

The portal began to shift, its once vibrant colors fading into muted shades of gray. It was as if the life were being drained from it, the very essence of what it stood for unraveling beneath my touch.

Behind me, I could feel Dawn watching, her gaze heavy and unrelenting. I didn’t need to look at her to know what she was thinking, that I was walking a razor’s edge, one misstep away from losing myself entirely.

“Impressive” she murmured, her voice laced with something that might have been admiration, or mockery. “But are you sure you’re in control?”

“Shut up” I muttered, my focus unwavering.

The shadows continued to flow, their energy saturating the portal until it was almost entirely devoid of color. It wasn’t just a gateway anymore it was a reflection of what I had become, cold, hollow, and steeped in darkness.

Finally, I withdrew my power, the last tendrils of shadow slipping from my fingers as I stepped back. The portal remained still, its surface dull and lifeless, a testament to what I’d done.

“Done” I said, my voice quiet but firm.

Dawn tilted her head, her expression unreadable as she regarded me. “That’s it? No dramatic speech? No triumphant declaration?”

I turned to her, my gaze hard and unyielding. “You don’t understand,” I said, my voice low and dangerous. “This isn’t a victory. It’s a warning.”

She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “To who?”

“To everyone”

I glanced back at the portal, the once proud symbol of hope now a muted echo of its former self. It was a fitting representation of my journey, of everything I’d lost and everything I was willing to sacrifice.

“This world will know what it means to suffer,” I said, my voice cold and resolute. “And when it does, it will finally understand why monsters like me are necessary.”

I turned away, my shadow stretching long and dark across the ground as I began to walk away. Behind me, the sirens and Dawn exchanged uncertain glances, their unease palpable.

But I didn’t care.

This was my path now, and I would see it through to the end. No matter the cost.

Author's Note

Again i had so funnnnn doing this, this is different, writing when following movies is diffrent than writing own moment's like this, and who is this dawn? what would she bring, hope? lose? What about mh father, what about the girls, sunset, portal is sealed, why using the power is so easy to mh? why he's using the bad site when he can do so much good with his good one? Let's see in later chapters!! Also sadly i have 7 days of work in line.... so i don't know if i will have time to give chapters as quickly as before, anyway Have fun reading !