"Do you know," Hiraeth flipped through the pages of his journal, "of a time where the world was filled with monsters of darkness?"

Cyrus shuttered at the thought? "I've heard stories."

"And do you know," Hiraeth stared deep into Cyrus's eyes, "how they were controlled?"

There was a flash of thunder and a boom of lightning as Hiraeth said that. Cyrus knew what was coming next.

The shadows were creeping into the corners of his eyes. Paranoia crowded his mind, but he refused to give in.

"I've been briefed, yes," Cyrus said.

The sky was as dark as ever. Cold, bland, colorless, and daunting. The same sky that had been clear blue the day before. An unnatural pit of black lay where the sun was supposed to be.

It created an aura of domination and pressure. Cyrus's shoulders slumped, his head was tilted down, and his eyes were wide and dilated with fear.

"So, you were the only one to take the job?" Hiraeth closed the journal and stood up, offering a hand.

Cyrus gave a small nod and took the hand. "I'm the only one who would go through it."

Hiraeth's brown eyes turned a shade darker as he stared into the sky. The sky responded with a blue flash of lightning.

"I hope you the best," he said, light illuminating his eyes. "This choice is a hard one. The road ahead is paved with endless and eternal suffering."

"I understand," Cyrus said firmly. He squeezed Hiraeth's hand and offered a tentative smile. "That's why it should be me."

Hiraeth faltered for a moment, his eyes flickering down. He pulled Cyrus into a hug. A warm and everlasting hug that would resonate with Cyrus till the end.

An end that could never come because of the choice he had made.