"I'm different from you." I gave him a defiant smile.
"Oh? In what way?" he asked. "Just like me, you've been twisted by your gifts. You're nothing but a parasite, growing stronger at the expense of others."
"You're wrong." I met his gaze dead-on. "The difference between us isn't purpose or power. It's what you choose to protect with it."
"Oh?" The amusement didn't reach his eyes. "Protect. Interesting word choice."
He let it hang in the air like smoke. "Tell me, boy — what exactly are you protecting? A world that was already dying before I arrived? You're not a shield. You're just the last torch in a burning house, convinced the fire can't reach you."
"I plan to make sure neither you nor the Architects ever get close enough to find out."
The smile died. Not in anger — something colder than that. Disappointment, almost.
"A shame," he murmured. "I genuinely hoped you were smarter."
