Chapter 112: The Ghost I Won’t Follow
Vincent’s POV
My breath caught.
"Come with me, Vincent. Come home."
I stared at him, chest heaving, sweat dripping down my back despite the chill.
My voice came out hoarse. "Home? You think I still have a home after what you did?"
He sighed like he was disappointed in me. "Son... sometimes you have to make choices that people don’t understand. I did what I had to do. And so will you."
I clenched my jaw so hard my teeth hurt. "The only choice I’m making is getting Zaara and Nomi out of here alive. I’m not abandoning them."
His eyes narrowed. "And what happens when you can’t save them? When this place chews you up like it did me?"
I swallowed hard. "I’m not you."
My father stepped closer, hands raised in that same gentle gesture he used to use when I was a kid and crying over nightmares. "Vincent... I’ve seen what these Trials do. I’ve seen the Aetherions tear people apart. You can’t beat them. No one does."
He nodded into the darkness behind him. "But I have a way out. A real one. You’d never have to fight again. You’d never have to bleed for people who’ll die anyway."