We sat in silence. I tried to suppress my trembling but failed. Would he notice? I didn’t want him to see me like this. Quick, make a joke.

“I gave her a stern talking to. ‘You’re supposed to be a lawyer, not a priest.’ She had many holes in her, you know. She was holy, get it. Of course, she didn’t listen—zombies hold a grudge, trust me—so I had to take her out. Not to dinner, mind you. I can't stomach brains like she could.”

I chuckled even though the pun sucked. If you explain the joke, it’s not funny. Rookie mistake. I’d lose my touch at this rate. At least it got a snort from Iseult, if from awkwardness.

“After we eradicated the last zombie, my team dealt with heavy public backlash. At the same time, when my parents heard about my sister, they stopped talking to me. But it was for the best. I wouldn’t be able to look them in the eyes.”

There was more to that story, but Iseult didn’t need every detail. He got the gist.

“Death threats, lawsuits, politics. Pressure from all sides crushed me. I volunteered to take all the blame and stepped down. The team protested, but my decision would never change. All this sin would hang on my shoulders alone.”

I cradled my forehead with my right hand, unable to look at Iseult. The thought of his disgusted face built in my chest like acid. Would he despise me for my past? Not only was I a hero, I was a failed hero. He hated those the most.

To my surprise, warmth gripped my left hand. I peeked over and Iseult had his eyes locked on a crack in the concrete. Budding hope sprouted in my heart, but I squashed it. Hope was dangerous.

This must have been a trick. Iseult held my hand to keep me from moving. Once I let my guard down, he’d stab or shoot me. My Spectral Vision wouldn’t miss something obvious like an ambush though.

So I closed my eyes. Death was a fitting end for a villain. Truthfully, my life had ended during the Arcana Disaster.

I waited for the void to take me, but the reaper’s cold hands never gripped my neck. Instead, the warmth from his hand persisted and traveled up my arm deep into my heart. When I opened my eyes, his hazel stare bored through me. My chest fluttered.

“Did my crappy life inspire you? It must be hard to suppress your burning love.”

“You wish. But I do not want to fight any longer.”

I held up our linked hands.

“What’s this?”

He grinned, his perfect teeth displayed for the world to see. My heart skipped a beat.

“I wonder.”

Wow, maybe I should spill my guts more often. This felt kinda nice. Iseult snorted.

“Shitty people like us should stick together. We should join hands towards a common goal.”

“The general discomfort of public officials?”

“Death to the corrupt.”

I laughed in his face. For a hardened criminal, Iseult was idealistic.

“There is no victory in death.”

He pulled his hand away and glared at me. The sudden cold left me with regret, but I wouldn’t withdraw my words.

“The strong take from the weak until nothing remains but a fucking corpse. We can break these bonds by killing the bitches at the top. So many can live with the deaths of a few.”

“What do you think happens after a politician or hero is killed? They’re replaced, and we’re back in the same situation. Even the kindest trade morality for power, no matter how small.”

Iseult frowned.

“So we fucking let them go?”

“No, we keep them in line. My pranks tell them they’re being watched. If things got too bad, I’d end my retirement.”

Iseult stood and fumbled around the wall for a light switch.

“That is not fucking good enough. Crimes must be punished. They will face retribution and you cannot stop me.”