What does the Darkling represent in the novel, The King of Scars?

The Darkling is a representation of how nobody can truly escape his past. While Nikolai, Zoya, and the other main characters believe they have defeated the Darkling, his previous existence alone puts all of them on edge. Many of the characters are tormented by his actions, whether it be Nikolai’s monsters, Zoya’s guilt over the death of loved one’s, or Genya’s scars from torture. While all of them try to move on, they are ultimately brought straight back to the heart of the Darkling’s power. Their future revolves around him, as much as they wish they could forget it all.