“Yes, I’ll remember that.”

Theo’s response to Kyle was firm and resolute, but tinged with a deep sense of longing.

He knew this would be their final conversation, the last exchange of words they would ever share.

He couldn’t help but imagine a different scenario—one where Kyle had chosen to remain as the Elder Patriarch instead of transcending. If so, they could have shared all the conversations they had missed over the years.

Whooosh!

A soft wind began to blow.

The storm clouds that had covered the sky slowly dissipated, and beams of dawn pierced through, casting golden light over …