I am Icarus, Aegis, Master, and Slave. This is my closing and farewell for now.

For all my distaste for her, Colita made one observation about you, King Rayne, that I agree with.

“That girl has the Traitor Prince’s heart. Nox’s vision for leadership. And with enough time to grow into her features, she’ll be prettier than Korac.”

You are quite the triple threat, your majesty.

As much as Nox, in his Verse, requested you not be like him, I will offer similar advice. Although, I find it’s quite all right to be like us in some ways.

Love like me. Like Sagan. Openly and happily.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Embrace loyalty like me. Stand with the people you love, and protect the home you find in them.

In your growing wisdom, examine your options more extensively than I did. Consider your choices thoughtfully. Your brain and your heart are not always in concert.

Choose carefully. It may mean the difference between ending one world and beginning a new one.

No pressure, sprite.

I am a slave to all my drives and ambitions. Every appetite and want—I attained. To compensate. To fulfill. But mostly to keep myself alive.

Rayne, you and I have our differences. For instance, I don’t share an overwhelming desire to repeatedly sacrifice myself for those I love. Or endanger myself to their benefit.

We are the same in that we will fight to see them happy. To avenge the ones we lost. And to right all the injustice in our power to do so.

Don’t forget yourself, impressive sprite.

Take care not to lose sight of your own well-being. Because if the great King Rayne—Killer of Night—falters, how will the Shadow push on?

Be brave. Your army is coming to rescue you. Leave some for the rest of us.