Chapter 5: Thorns in the Garden
Dorian stood in front of the cathedral ruins—his next target's sanctuary.
Reverend Aldric. The man who preached virtue while feeding darkness behind closed doors. The one who turned a blind eye when Dorian's family begged for help… and later, fed their secrets to the wolves for favor and gold.
Now he was adored, respected, worshipped.
Dorian would change that.
He had waited for this moment. Every piece was in place—documents, photographs, recordings… proof of hypocrisy, ready to unravel his spotless image.
But as he watched from the shadows, preparing to strike, a voice echoed in his mind.
"You were meant to survive. Not become the monster they wanted you to be."
Evelyn.
Her presence lingered like the scent of rain on scorched earth. She had awakened something in him—a flicker of who he used to be. Of innocence. Of grief.
Of love.
He cursed under his breath. This wasn't the time to feel.
He released the evidence slowly—leaks in the press, whispers in the streets, doubt in the hearts of believers. The reverend's kingdom began to crumble.
Yet, for the first time, Dorian didn't smile.
That night, he found himself walking back to the garden. The same willow tree. The same soft wind.
And she was there again.
Evelyn.
Sitting quietly, as if waiting for the stars to speak.
"You destroyed another," she said gently.
"I brought justice."
"Then why do you look so hollow?"
He sat beside her, eyes lost in the branches.
"Because I thought revenge would taste sweet," he confessed, voice lower than a whisper. "But all I feel is… ashes."
"You were always chasing fire, Dorian. But you forgot how to feel warmth."
She reached out, brushing his hand. He didn't pull away this time.
"I don't know how to stop," he admitted.
"Then let me remind you how," she said, and for the first time in years… he wanted to be saved.