Matt woke up slowly that morning. The sky outside his window was still soft and purple, the color of twilight before the sun fully rises. He lay in bed for a long time, just breathing and listening to the quiet. The Grand Veil Spire felt peaceful around him. No sudden alarms. No loud voices. Only the gentle hum of the big twilight orb high above the city. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. His body felt strong, but his heart felt full in a quiet way. The trip to the silent hills had been long and tiring, but it had also been beautiful. Helping the oldest echoes had left him feeling hopeful.
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at the city. The streets were still mostly empty, but a few early lights were turning on. Some people were already starting their day. Some were Kai stude
