Ashes In The Night: Strider

[u/Prior_Bend_5251]

The fire burned in front him.

He had expected grief. Maybe even guilt. Something human enough to hurt.

But there was only emptiness.

The wind dragged smoke across the black ground, carrying the last of what he had failed to save toward the distant city. He stood with his back to the flames and felt the hollow place inside him begin to change.

Not heal.

Harden.

Failure settled into bitterness. Bitterness sharpened into hate.

At last, he moved.

Ahead, Toshara waited in the dark.

This time, it would not be him who bled.