You are all that holds back the darkness. For the Empire. For the mothers and fathers. For the sisters and brothers. For the lovers. For the Empire, Helene Aquilla. For your people. I grab at my face and tear. I claw at my skin, howling, wailing, begging the mask to release me. I don’t want you anymore, I just want my people to be safe. Release me, please, release me. For the Empire, release me. For my people, release me. Please—please—
