Fire Supreme is smug. It’s not a good look, in case you were wondering.

“Why did you allow this?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” he retorts. “I’m tired. You saw that the first time you met me.”

“I did, but you could’ve just ended it yourself.”

“You’ve misconstrued my intentions.” He smiles, but it isn’t the smile people get when they’re happy. This smile is pure hatred, laced with an unhealthy side of malice.

“You don’t want to die,” I realize.

“No, I don’t want to die, but you do.”

My fire rages on behind us, eating what’s left of Sheelin, merciless in its consuming. “I don’t see why that’s still a requirement.”

“Because I’m taking everything you’ve so neatly consumed for me,” he says coldly.

“Then take it,” I challenge him. “Take it all if you want it so badly.”

And he does.

Am I concerned? Yeah, no. He can’t hold it. I know he can’t.

That’s why my mom kept me. She wasn’t trying to get one over on him. She wasn’t growing his evil seed inside her, either, afraid what he might do if she snuffed out my light. She was protecting the hope that something good could come from something bad with nourishment and care. Nature versus nurture. She thought giving birth to me would kill her, and it almost did, yet she welcomed suffering to protect that hope. She spent eighteen years unable to do anything about what was happening while lying in a hospital bed. It didn’t matter. Why? I was safe. She’d left me in the capable hands of my father. My actual father, who’s bound to me through blood and love.

And, even in her weakest state, she still loved me so much that she rose above herself to be with me. Superego turned Supermom. She guided me, and she did it selflessly. I hope I’ve made her proud. I didn’t always listen to her. Sometimes, I deliberately ignored her, but she didn’t give up on me. In turn, I was determined to get her back.

When I finally woke her up, the Sumair I anticipated was, in reality, a Solathair. That was a hard pill to swallow, but it wasn’t nearly so daunting as getting her back in pieces. Her brain wires were all crossed, likely due to all the astral projecting to keep me on the correct trajectory. That couldn’t have been easy. I seldom did anything the easy way. Plus, my execution is epically problematic on the regular. Brody saved her from that, shocking her system right.

What should’ve been our happy reunion was devastation. The Sentry swooped in, taking her from me. If not for Molly and Seán’s help, they’d have taken me, too. That wasn’t all I lost. I lost my friend during that mission. More than a friend. It felt like I was starting all over again from the beginning. Everything I’d worked so tenaciously for was working against me in the worst possible ways, the blistering inferno consuming me from the inside out.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Did I quit? No, I kept right on burning the midnight oil. I still had work to do. I had to make sure the people causing all the pain and suffering we survived couldn’t hurt anyone else the way they hurt us. I couldn’t allow the pain to continue, regardless of how easy it would’ve been to cut and run. The easy road is incredibly tempting. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t consider going down it several times for several reasons. I wanted to give up, but that wouldn’t have been the proper way to thank everyone for what they did. It wasn’t the way to honor Brody’s memory. I needed to show them my appreciation. This, my death, is the ultimate thank you. My greatest flame-induced misfortune of all time. My final goodbye.

Can he hold all this fire fuel? Can I even hold it all? How did I ever hold it? I didn’t. Not alone. It’s so much. Too much. The blaze raging on inside me is too strong for Fire Supreme. He’ll never hold it because it can’t be contained using hatred. It can’t be stopped with calculated control. It can only be managed with love, and he has no love in his heart. My heart is completely saturated with love. Not just for my mother and father. Not just for my friends. Not just for Brody. It’s love for everyone around me that I’ve accepted into my heart. Thankfully, the people I tried to push away were just as stubborn as me and didn’t listen.

I’m content standing here watching the whole place engulfed in flames. I’m happy to let my fire blaze through me until nothing is left, until there’s no me. I’m fine with that. I did so much more than I ever expected to. They were right when they repeatedly told me I didn’t give myself the credit I deserved. I rarely did, but in the fiery inferno I’ve made here in Sheelin, I see only the good.

I helped my mom and dad find their happy ending. I helped my friends become human so they could spend the rest of their human lives how they want. I gave the Amazonians hope to advance to the next level in our evolution. Hopefully, their lifestyle will catch on over time. If not, the sky-fliers, land-walkers, and water-gliders will be there to protect those in need.

While the Tribunal is eradicated, I didn’t do it alone. My friends were with me the entire time. From Barry’s guarding shield to Brody’s unconditional love, I have the strength of a hundred warriors used to ensure lasting peace. I did good. I really and truly did good and am proud of my accomplishments. Not many can say the same when coming to the end of their journey.

I feel Brody in my tinder heart. We’ll forever be connected. He’s part of me just as surely as I’m part of him, and as the flames suck dry what’s left of Sheelin, I focus on the freedom I gave him. The new life I breathed into him. My life.

Now, I feel the pull. I was right. It’s too bright for Fire Supreme to hold. Rays rip free, beams reflecting back at me.

All my hopes.

All my dreams.

All my memories.

All my love.

A rainbow of light. He’s imploding from how awesome I am. It’s a freaking glorious kaleidoscopic ka-BOOM.

That’s a nice touch. I’m headed over the rainbow bridge. You know who’d appreciate that? Seán. Only, it’s not a rainbow bridge. It’s an arrival. Brody. He’s wearing pants. Heh, pants that are way too small for him. He must’ve pilfered them from Derry. And, holy smokes, he’s shining. My knight in shining armor. Finally! No, not armor. Scales. What on earth? Whatever. Beggars can’t be choosers here. Wrapped in Kevlar and fiberglass, we’re off into the swirling vortex as Sheelin explodes.