Ascendant Among All

Chapter 91 (A message)

It wasn’t about power or money or survival in a warzone. It was about fear, about living with someone who was supposed to protect you but became your worst nightmare.

"You did what you had to do," Jeremy finally said, his voice low. "To survive."

Mary looked up at him, her expression full of sorrow but also something else—hope. For the first time, someone didn’t look at her like a murderer or a victim. Jeremy saw her for what she was: a survivor.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice shaking. "For listening."

Jeremy gave her a small nod. "We all have ghosts," he replied quietly, his eyes flickering with an understanding that came from his own haunted past. "But you don’t have to carry them alone."

*_*

James Detroit's roar echoed through the empty streets, the ground still trembling from the impact of his fist. His bloodshot eyes, burning with frustration and fury, searched in vain for any sign of Jeremy.

The shadows where his opponent had been moments ago were now eerily still, the p