#(first off.

“I…”

His fingers flex as silver orbs dance over the injured form of his son. His head lifts at the sounds of the dragon, flying dangerously nearby and keeping a close eye out for its next hunt. The next human victim that would fall to its power.

Clenching his jaw, he looks back at the blue orbs locked on him. The very same that are no longer filled with a light he recognizes, but with panic and desperation. They look to him, as a father, for reassurance. For safety amid the storm of terrifying thoughts raging war within his head.

Viren could lie to him. Tell him that everything would be alright. That if he searched his knapsack, right now, he could find something to stop the bleeding. He could fix the broken limbs. He could drag his beaten body back to Katolis and get him to his study, where everything he needed would be present. Where he could heal him and fix him. Save him from that which was inevitable. 

But could he ever forgive himself if he did so? If he lied to his son before…

Swallowing hard, the man was reminded of Sarai, and another look was given to the dragon. The beast that took them by surprise. Took him by surprise. It appeared in the sky before Viren had any time to react and its attack was meant for him. Not for the Crownguard dutifully waiting in the nearby treeline. Not for the boy that sprinted forward to defend his father. 

If he wanted his revenge, he would need…

Another breath is taken. 

Another moment to mull over the facts. To come to terms with that which he is unable to do. Not in this moment. 

If Sarai had asked him the same question, as he held her in his arms, would he have lied to her?

“Yes, Soren…”

He wraps his hands around one of his son’s, thumbs kneading at the rapidly cooling skin.

A wheeze exits the blonde - words that hold no strength finding defeat in his throat. The father shakes his head gently, offering a smile he doesn’t feel. Reassurance pulled from the guilt and shame and regret that coil in his chest.

“But I…will stay with you.”

Viren sets one of his hands atop Soren’s chest, patting the armor gently. He keeps his gaze locked on the orbs of his child. On the boy he failed time and time again. 

There was too much to say, too much to apologize for, but not enough time to say it all. He simply hopes that his words, now, carry with them all that he wishes to convey.

“Until the very end, Soren…I will be here.”

Allen had always been a light sleeper, and had ended up pressed close to Alfreds side in the night after finally getting Alfred and Peter both situated and asleep. Of course the position was comforting…or it wouldve been if his datemate wasnt a mini sun. Allen slowly slipped out of Alfreds arms and smiled at Alfreds goofy sleeping expression, kissing his head and going to check on Peter.

He cared for the boy, that was for sure, felt oddly protective of him, but when didn't he want to protect the roudy, younger supers?However, something about this bright, young boy reminded him of himself. Innocent, curious and stuck in the system. He desperately wanted to help. He brushed Peters choppy blonde hair back and smiled as the boy happily snoozed, leaning down to kiss his forhead too.

Allen then walked out to his terrace, he had always enjoyed the veiw, especially when his brain decided he was a night owl instead of a tired man who needed a lot of rest.

Allen smiled at the cool night air, breathing deep and reveling in just how…happy he was in this moment. He finally had someone by his side who honestly cared for him, who made him laugh even if his stubborn attitude made him quite the challenge. A lovable challenge. He could finally think clearly, make decisions for himself, his over reacting powers not an issue any longer. He had begun actually taking time to eat three meals a day, plus snacks, when he had been running on half a box of Cheeze-it's and stomach aches for the past three weeks.

Life was wonderful, his datemate was safe, his friends, god he’d never though he’d have any, were safe, and the fire from earlier had finally been sorted out, the police department having finally proved themselves useful.

How could he ask for more?

Allen closed his eyes in the cool night air, humming softly…however, he begun to notice his palms slowly grow warm, and he glanced down at them curiously, eyes widening in fear at what he saw. The mark.

“No, god no, no please-”

Allens body jolted, and he started to shake as the rest of his body slowly became a furnace, agonizing fire sinking back into his veins as his vision went red.

He could see them, hear them, close enough to touch. He loved them so much and yet he couldnt recall their names. Allens throat closed off a ragged sob as his memories, all of them, crashed down at once, Scramblers powers couldnt last forever, after all.

Allen reached out blindly for them…he knew now who they were at least.

His family

“M-mama….mama please make it stop-” he choked, trapped in his own little hell as his Mother simply smiled sadly.

“It’ll be over soon, bubba, I promise.” She promised softly, hand over her heart, and Allens heart wrenched as his brother smiled too, somehow even more sad.

“You did good, you held out longer ‘n I would, brat. Come on home. Its okay to let go.”

“I can’t, I cant-”

“Oh, but you can.” Allen flinched at the new voice, eerily familiar, and though he couldnt place it, it terrified him to no end, made his body shake violently, bile threatening to climb and claw its way up his ragged throat.

Allen sobbed at the breath in his ear, unable to see as the heat became unbearable. He had begged for death, but never had he wanted it as bad as right this moment.

“Let go.” Allen could see the horror before him now

“Look at what youre doing to them-”

“Mama! Mich!” Allen tried to scream, no sound reaching the outsife world, just him and his inferno.

“Look at how youre hurting them. Let go, let them go.”

He felt the voice double over, consuming his every nerve as he double over before suddenly.

“…I-I’m sorry…”

And everything…went white.

Allens body arched as his powers finally became too much. Faces of those he loved blurred together, making tbem unreachable, yet unavoidable. He screamed with no sound as his body lifted, knees hovering over the terrace as silent tears slid down his face.

It was then the lock that kept the two workds seperate shattered, and all could be heard, all could be seen as Allen hunched forward, shaking slowimg until he was deadly still, floating up until he was well above the terrace, well above the rooftops of new rome.

When he lifted his head there was nothing in his eyes, no love, no laughter, none of the kindness or even sarcasm.

They were empty save for one emotion.

Need

The need to burn.

To burn it all down, to cleanse, to wipe away everything, everything was a threat , confusing, terrifying. The sight before him was no longer a city but a cesspool, fear and agony rolling through his body as he scannned over the city, his eyes which were once such a soft and gentle rusty brown now a dull and vacant purple. His eyes darted like scared animals as he saw horrors that didnt exsist, horros made just for him, looking over the city as he fell silent...

And let loose.

(Power swap event end)

(Lost Phoenix event start)