Night fell over Solaris Reach, bathing the city in a soft, artificial glow.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Evan and Aidan had a real roof over their heads, real beds, and the illusion of peace.
Aidan slept soundly, the stress of the past days finally easing off his young shoulders.
But Evan couldn't sleep.
He stood at the balcony, the warm breeze tousling his dark hair, his eyes never resting. His mind, sharper than any blade, sifted through the layers of psychic noise around the city — feeling for threats, for lies, for the inevitable storm Gravemind was weaving beyond the horizon.
And underneath all that vigilance... he thought.
About retirement.
About who he had been.
About the title that still whispered like a curse in the back of his mind: The Psychic Reaper.
---
For years, Evan had ruled the underground — a villain so feared that governments had made secret pacts just to keep him contained. His telekinesis alone could turn cities into graveyards if he let it. But the killing, the endless conflict... it had hollowed him out.
He hadn't wanted to rule.
He just wanted to survive.
And now, standing in Solaris Reach — seeing what humanity could still build — he wondered if he had been wrong all along.
Maybe Aidan was right.
Maybe there was something left worth saving.
Maybe... he could finally stop.
---
But Evan knew better.
The world didn't forgive monsters.
It only forgot them... until it needed them again.
---
A knock at the door jolted him from his thoughts.
Evan crossed the room silently, opening it just enough to see a familiar face.
Sera Solaris stood there, her arms crossed.
> "We need to talk," she said without preamble.
Evan tilted his head slightly but stepped aside to let her in.
She moved with soldier's precision — every step measured, every glance sharp.
She waited until the door was closed before speaking.
> "You're dangerous," she said bluntly. "I can feel it. Everyone here can. You might be masking your power... but you can't hide what you are."
Evan said nothing.
He didn't have to.
Sera continued:
> "I don't know what you want. I don't know why Aidan trusts you. But if you harm him — if you bring chaos to Solaris Reach — I will stop you. Personally."
There was no threat in her voice.
Only a simple, cold promise.
---
Evan's lips curved into the faintest smile — not mockery, but something closer to respect.
> "You care about him," he said quietly.
> "He's family," Sera replied.
For a long moment, they just stood there — two weapons shaped by different wars, recognizing each other.
Finally, Evan nodded.
> "I don't want to hurt him," Evan said, his voice low and honest. "I want to protect him. Even from myself."
Sera studied him a moment longer, then gave a single, sharp nod.
> "Good," she said. "Because we're going to need him."
---
Before Evan could ask what she meant, alarms flared across the city.
Red lights swept through the skyline.
Aidan jolted awake in the next room, already moving toward them.
> "What's happening?" Aidan asked, voice sharp.
Sera's expression hardened.
> "It's Gravemind," she said grimly. "He's moving."
> "Already?" Evan muttered, his mind racing.
Sera nodded.
> "Our scouts found one of the old Academy's secret vaults. Buried tech, forbidden experiments. We think Gravemind is trying to reactivate it — to rebuild what the Academy lost."
The weight of it settled on them instantly.
If Gravemind succeeded, no fortress — not even Solaris Reach — would stand for long.
---
Evan glanced at Aidan, whose fists clenched tightly at his sides.
Young.
Hopeful.
Strong.
Everything Evan wasn't anymore.
> "Stay behind," Evan said, already turning toward the door.
> "No," Aidan said, stepping up beside him. "We do this together."
There was no hesitation in his voice.
No fear.
Just trust.
And maybe, Evan realized, that was what terrified him most.
---
Together, they moved toward the rising storm.
The Reaper and the last son of Solaris.
And somewhere in the darkness, Gravemind smiled wider.
The real game was beginning.
---
End of Chapter 12