I’ve stood in fire before, Felix.

I’ve walked through carnage and ruin with blood on my boots and ash in my lungs. I’ve done unspeakable things, and I’ve worn every scar like a badge of honor. That’s who I’ve always been — the monster in the shadows, the devil at the door.

But none of that prepared me for you.

You weren’t supposed to matter.

You weren’t supposed to mean anything.

But you did.

And that scared me more than any punishment, more than death, more than hell itself.

You stood by me when I didn’t deserve it. When the whispers of my past got louder, when the skeletons rattled in my closet, you stayed. You didn’t run like the others. You didn’t flinch when the cracks started to show.

You loved me.

Not in the way that people sing about or write poetry over—but real love. Brotherhood. Loyalty. Faith.

And I didn’t know what to do with that.

So I destroyed it.

Because that’s what I do.

When things get too real, when they start digging beneath the armor, I panic. I lash out. I hurt people.

I hurt you.

Not because you were weak, but because I was.

I told myself it was strategic. That siding with Nox made sense. That burning bridges was part of the plan. But that was a lie. The truth?

I didn’t choose Nox over you.

I chose the only thing I’ve ever known—villainy.

That cold, empty place where no one expects anything of you. Where there’s no disappointment, because there’s no trust to break.

That’s where I’m from.

That’s where I live.

You brought me out of it—for a time. You made me laugh. You made me hope. You looked at me like I could be more. Like I could be good.

But I wasn’t strong enough to live up to it.

When the truth about my past caught up with me—when the walls started closing in—I did what I always do.

I ran.

I attacked.

I betrayed.

And God help me, I regret every second of it.

You didn’t deserve that. You never did.

So here I am.

Standing across from you not as a challenger. Not as a villain. But as a man.

A broken one, maybe.

But a man all the same.

And I know words won’t fix what I did. I know no apology can undo the damage. But I need you to hear me.

I’m sorry, Felix.

I’m sorry I treated you like a dog.

I’m sorry I put the gun to your head.

I’m sorry I wasn’t brave enough to say this sooner.

At Ascension, I’ve got a choice to make. One more time.

I could be the man I’ve always been—the monster. I could gouge, claw, cheat, steal.

Or I could do what I should have done long ago.

I could man up.

I could look you in the eyes and fight you not out of hatred…

…but out of respect.

I’m not asking for forgiveness.

I’m not asking for redemption.

I’m just telling the truth.

For the first time in my life… I’m choosing that.

Not evil.

You.