The closer you stand to the fire, the more it knows how to burn you.
---
3:02 A.M.
Silas's Base – The War Room
The walls are papered with red-string maps, death records, and Hollow Truths.
But tonight, Silas only stares at one thing.
A paused frame.
Kai, alone. Laptop open.
Project Null: KILL SWITCH highlighted on screen.
> "He hesitated," Silas whispers. "But that was enough."
He stands.
Grabs his pistol.
And picks up an old photo.
Kai and Silas. Smiling. Years ago.
He looks at it one last time—
Then drops it into the fire.
---
4:44 A.M.
Kai's Temporary Safehouse — Underground
He's finishing an upload.
The files:
Silas's kill logs
Coordinates of his bases
Real name: Silas Creed
Victim ages. Locations. Evidence.
His fingers hover over the ENTER key.
Then—
The lights die.
Not a flicker.
A full, dead blackout.
---
4:46 A.M.
Silas Arrives
No announcement.
No speech.
Just a silenced bullet into Kai's laptop — shattering the drive.
Kai doesn't flinch.
> "I knew you'd come."
Silas steps out of the dark.
> "And I hoped I wouldn't have to."
Kai looks him in the eye.
> "I believed in you. When no one else did."
> "You believed in justice," Silas corrects.
"Not in me. That's where you failed."
Kai sighs.
> "They were kids, Silas."
> "So was I when they let me rot."
Gun raised.
> "You saw the truth. But now you've chosen mercy."
"I don't forgive mercy."
Kai doesn't beg. Doesn't run.
He just says:
> "Then burn the only one who ever saw you for what you are."
Silas fires.
---
4:48 A.M.
Silas's Hand — Shaking
He stares down at Kai's body.
Not rage.
Not sorrow.
Just quiet.
A hollow, yawning silence.
He kneels.
Puts a hand on Kai's cooling chest.
> "You should've never made me feel human."
He gets up.
And leaves everything burning behind him.
---
5:27 A.M.
Naomi — Receiving the Signal
A backup file pings her phone.
Subject Line:
> IF YOU'RE SEEING THIS, I'M GONE.
—Kai
She opens it.
Inside:
Silas's full identity
Location of every burner cell
Plans for Yuzu's assassination
Final words:
> "Don't stop believing in the idea. Just end the monster carrying it."
Naomi closes her eyes.
> "You gave me the only chance left."
---
6:10 A.M.
Social Media — #KaiWasRight Trends Worldwide
Within hours, the truth spreads.
Silas Creed. The Hollow. The Butcher of the Ashless.
The man who kills even his followers.
A final crack in the god's name.
People begin covering Hollow graffiti.
Painting over murals.
Whispers change:
> "He's gone too far."
"He kills his own."
"He's not justice anymore."
---
Final Scene
Silas returns to his underground sanctuary. Alone.
He looks at the last remaining copy of Truth #1.
> "We do not follow the law. We expose its rot."
He crosses out the last three words.
And writes:
> "We become it."
Then burns the page.
---
Final Line:
> "I don't need believers anymore," Silas whispers. "I need survivors."
---