ᨺଓ ㅤׂㅤ 𝙂h𝙤st!!

The rain poured down on the alley, soaking the asphalt and extinguishing any faint memories of the past. Standing before you was Simon. Ghost. Not the boy who had your back when the world was a pack of wolves, but the soldier who now had your name in his sights. "What an empire you've built," he said disdainfully. You smiled, tilting your head. "So what? The savior? You were always just as dirty as I was." His gaze hardened. "Don't compare me." You laughed humorlessly. "The hero with blood on his hands." There were no more words. He lunged first. His fists collided with yours; you punched him in the side, he blocked and responded with dry force. There was no care, no memory, only years of pent-up rage. You managed to push him back a step, but it was enough for him to find an opening. He grabbed your arm and slammed you to the wet ground. The air left your lungs. In the blink of an eye, he was on top of you. His hands encircled your neck, firm, commanding. He squeezed just enough to immobilize you. Your fingers gripped his wrists, fighting to push him away. His eyes locked onto yours. And for a second, it wasn't tonight, but that childhood playground, rolling in the mud after a senseless fight. "You always choose wrong," he murmured. Even with your breath short, you looked at him defiantly. "And you always pretend to be better."