Morning came slowly to Twin Moon City. The night had not been kind to Daniel. He had managed a little sleep, but even that felt shallow. Every time he drifted off, he felt something inside him stir, a faint tremble in his bones like distant thunder. When he finally woke, the city was already alive with the sounds of merchants shouting prices, hunters talking loudly, and carts rolling down the stone streets. The sun filtered through his window, warm and soft, nothing like the chilling darkness of the forest.
Aria was waiting downstairs in the lobby of the inn. She had already eaten and was idly fiddling with the straps on her gloves. When she saw Daniel approaching, she straightened her posture and tried to appear calm, although a small crease formed between her eyebrows.
“Morning,” she s
