Nightfall spread over the city like ink spilling across a page. The sun had vanished, replaced by a thin crescent moon that cast a pale glow over the towering buildings and empty alleys. Shadows stretched long and jagged, swallowed by the neon lights flickering to life.

The city never truly slept. Streetlights buzzed, billboards flashed in bright colors, and a constant hum of life filled the air.

On the edge of a skyscraper, a young man stood, his figure dark against the glowing skyline. The wind tousled his black hair, but he didn't move. His deep red eyes, once full of ambition, now held only emptiness. The weight of his past pressed heavily on his shoulders.

A cold breeze brushed against his skin. He took a slow breath and brought the cigar in his hand to his lips.

Puff.

Smoke curled into the night, vanishing into nothing. A faint, bitter smile tugged at his lips.

"I never thought I'd come back here," he murmured.

In his hand, he held a worn photograph, its edges frayed from years of handling. The picture barely showed in the dim light, but he didn't need to see it—he knew it by heart.

"This place..." He let out a hollow laugh, flicking the cigar into the abyss below. "This damn place made me feel pain all over again."

Sliding his hands into his pockets, he turned toward the shadowy figure standing at the edge of the rooftop. She stood still, almost ghostly, her presence colder than the wind.

"Funny, isn't it?" His voice darkened. "I used to hate her. Every part of me despised her." His expression shifted, pain flickering in his eyes. "And now... I'd give anything to see her again."

A voice rose from the darkness—soft but sharp, like the edge of a blade. "What do you want to ask?"

His grip on the photograph tightened. His voice wavered. "Why? Why did she do it?"

The shadowy figure remained still. "You already know the answer."

"Stop," he snapped, his voice cracking. "Stop saying that! I did everything for her! I tried to protect her, to keep her happy! And now, you're telling me it was my fault?" His chest ached as he turned his gaze to the sky.

"You left," the figure said, her voice calm but firm. She stepped forward, holding a small book close to her chest. "That was your choice. Not hers."

His fists clenched. "Then why did she jump?" His voice broke, raw with pain. "Why did she do this to me?!"

The figure's words didn't waver. "You were all she ever wanted," she said. "But you pushed her away. She was hurting, too. So why do you only blame her?"

Laughter burst from his lips—sharp, broken, almost manic. "Me?! I was all she wanted? Then why couldn't she just forget me?!" His breath hitched. "She could've had a better life! With someone who wasn't... me. Someone who wasn't cursed to be alone."

Tears streaked down his face. His voice barely came out. "She promised... She promised she wouldn't leave me. But she did. Just like everyone else."

He staggered to the rooftop's edge and screamed into the night, a cry of pure agony.

"That won't take away your pain," the woman observed, her voice steady.

He turned to her, his face pale, drained. "Where is she?"

The woman stepped forward, moonlight revealing her delicate features. Her long black hair shimmered, and her empty eyes seemed to look straight into his soul. "Far away," she whispered. "But I can take you to her."

His expression darkened. "That's not what I asked."

Without warning, he pulled a gun from his coat, pointing it straight at her chest. The barrel glinted under the moonlight. "Start talking."

She didn't even flinch. "That won't work on me," she said, almost amused.

"Maybe not," he muttered.

Bang.

The bullet hit the ground, harmless. The air between them rippled, as if some unseen force had blocked the shot.

"You're not human," he said, lowering the gun.

"No," she replied, a small, knowing smile forming. "So, what will it be?"

Silence stretched between them. He exhaled slowly. Then, finally, he spoke.

"... Fine. Take me to her."

"Very well," she murmured.

The ground beneath him vanished.

Wind howled in his ears as he fell, the city lights blurring into streaks of color. He looked up, seeing her still standing on the rooftop, watching him.

For a brief second, as the moonlight touched her face, he thought she looked beautiful.

But not as beautiful as her.

Then, the world went black.

[Soul detected.][Destination selected.][Error.][Eternal influence detected.][Destination altered.][Processing…][Error.][Tampered soul. Memories cannot be erased.][Records in sequence… Assimilating time thread…][Character analysis…][Classification: Villain.][Error…][Character status: Anomaly.]