[ TT ] The fire dies and the darkness encroaches .

It was over. Finally, it was over. 
 
 A long, harrowing journey, filled with endless trials, monsters, and death, and it was over. My final foe, the protector of this sacred, dying flame, lay at my feet, its broken form crumbling to ash. I had overcome every obstacle, every trial, and reached the end. All that was left was for me to give myself to the holy blaze, and bring light back into the world. 
 
 And yet it did n't feel like any sort of triumph. 
 
 Everything I had done was because of this flame, but it was this same flame's existence that had cursed so many before me to a life of eternal suffering and madness. How many have I killed? How many have killed me? How long before the madness that had consumed them begins to afflict me as well? 
 
 I've seen all that this world has to offer. And it sickened me. This world is as mad as us hollow, undying souls, and yet here I am, about to save it. Here I am, preparing to continue this unending cycle of light and dark, life and undeath, all of it leading to madness in the end. 
 
 I have already lost what little I had, possessions and people alike. My friend, who I saved from a life in a cell, I sent him to his death. The one I loved, I helped them complete their journey, and then was forced to strike them down when the madness took them. My closest ally, whom I fought alongside throughout my own journey, took his own life when his quest was at an end. There was nobody left for me but a blind maiden, chained to this accursed fire as a servant, whose only reason to live is to ensure that it remains alight. 
 
 No. I refuse. 
 
 I refuse to save this wretched world. This land of misery, and death. I choose to turn my back on it, and this holy fire, let it all plunge into darkness. Let those of this world reap the rewards of their malice, their hatred, their inhumanity. I cast my blade aside and leave this light to fade and flicker until it dies, taking everything with it. I choose to let the madness take this world, just as it will take me in the end. 
 
 I choose to let the First Flame die.
