The cement top of the building is slick with rainwater. You’ve nearly lost your footing multiple times, barely managing to dodge as Silas delivers what would have been a fatal blow.

The two of you have been fighting for what feels like hours. The once bright red light of the setting has now faded into a dusty blue. Silas’ breathing is ragged. He’s getting tired, sloppy. Good. It will be hard for him to keep the advantage when he looks as if he could pass out right there.

Silas clutches what was once two and is now one razor-sharp dagger in his hand, throwing it straight for your neck. You duck away just in time and Silas’ dagger clatters uselessly on the concrete.

You hear an angered noise of frustration, but it’s muffled by the pounding of your heartbeat in your ears. As soon as you lift your head, a blinding beam of light shoots out at you, making you squint and cover your eyes. While you’re stunned, Silas tackles you to the ground.

Both of you are empty-handed, relying on bare fists to win this fight. The two of you wrestle around on the ground before you eventually start to gain the upper hand.

You’re on top of Silas. His face is covered in blood. Your hands are covered in blood, raised to deliver what could very well be the final blow of the fight.

“This won’t change anything,” Silas says just as you’re about to bring your fist down. “Take a look around. Everybody hates you. If I die, they will riot, and even with your ability, you can’t take on the entire city and come out on top.”

He’s just saying things at this point, but it seems to be working. Your fist is trembling just slightly. He could still get through to you. Preferably without having to hurt you.

A few seconds pass by, each one agonizingly slow. Then you stand, grabbing Silas’ discarded dagger from the ground. Why must he insist on being so difficult?

It’s a years-long argument, started all because you had enough common sense to realize that this kind of ability isn’t given to someone who was meant to live an ordinary life. No, you were meant for something greater. You and Silas both. He just couldn’t see that yet.

Silas doesn’t move to stand as you stalk closer to him. It looks like it takes a great deal of effort to even breathe.

“I’m not joining you. No matter what you say. No matter what you do. I know that what you’re doing is wrong. This isn’t what we were meant to do. If you truly want to be great, you could try helping people for a change.”