“Why choose existence?” I repeated the First Dark’s question. “Because choosing is what makes us alive. Because the ability to decide, even when all choices are terrible, is what gives life meaning.”
The presence shifted. Not aggressive. Just considering. “Meaning. Small things speak of meaning like it is real. Like it is not just a story you tell yourselves to ignore the truth. The truth that everything ends. Everything fades. Everything returns to nothing eventually.”
“Eventually is not now. Eventually is not today. We exist today. We love today. We matter today.” Kade’s voice was stronger now. More certain. “Yes, we will die. Yes, everything ends. But the time between birth and death? That time matters. That time is everything.”
“Is it? You spent ten years as the seal. Ten years of s
