The city was alive with its usual rhythm, but Lucian felt like he was standing outside of it.
The laughter of merchants, the chatter of adventurers, the ringing of blacksmith hammers—it all blurred into the background.
He had fought. He had survived. He had taken power.
But why did it feel like he wasn't moving forward?
His hands clenched at his sides.
He had told himself it was for revenge. For his grandfather. That if he just got strong enough, it would all be worth it.
But the truth was gnawing at him. Hadn't he already strayed from that path?
His victories, his power—they hadn't been about his goal.
They had been about him.
And the worst part?
He had enjoyed it.
The moment Kael's skill became his. The thrill of taking from the monster. That fleeting rush of feeling undeniable.
Had he really been chasing revenge?
Or had he been chasing the feeling of taking?
A soft chuckle echoed beside him.
Lucian turned sharply, but he already knew.
Envy sat on the ledge, her golden eyes glowing with quiet amusement.
"Poor thing," she murmured. "You're thinking too hard again."
Lucian exhaled. "You already know, don't you?"
Envy smirked. "Of course I do. But saying it out loud makes it so much more fun."
Lucian ran a hand through his hair. "I've been lying to myself."
"Go on."
Lucian hesitated. The words felt heavy—like saying them would make them real.
But finally—he admitted it.
"I haven't been fighting for revenge." His voice was quiet. "Or for my grandfather."
His jaw tightened.
"I've been doing it because I wanted to. Because it felt good. Because I liked it."
The moment the words left his mouth, he felt something crack inside him.
Silence.
Then—a slow, knowing chuckle.
Envy leaned in, her voice smooth, patient—like she had been waiting for this moment.
"What fun is revenge if you find no joy in the path that leads to it?"
Lucian's breath caught.
"If your only purpose is an empty promise, then perhaps it was never your path to begin with."
Something cold settled in his chest.
Because she was right.
She had always been right.
Envy pulled back, stretching lazily, a satisfied gleam in her golden eyes. "Well. That's enough honesty for one night."
Lucian said nothing.
Because for the first time—he didn't know what his path was anymore.