I am Maximilian Dusksbane, ancient lord of shadows and architect of my own damnation. For three millennia, I have commanded empires, bent nations to my will, yet I kneel each night before the woman I saved from death's embrace—only to trap her in mine. My love became her cage, my devotion her chains. I whisper apologies to silence, offer treasures to indifference. I will never release her, even as we both burn in this beautiful ruin I have wrought.