Morning came slowly.
The sky was pale gray, like it was unsure what kind of day it wanted to be. The city lay quiet under the soft light. No sirens. No gunfire. No screaming screens.
Just silence.
For the first time in a long while, the world rested.
Aria sat on the steps outside the medical center, wrapped in a thin blanket. Her clothes were still dirty from dust and blood. Her hair was a mess. Her body ached in places she did not even want to name.
But she was alive.
And so was Kael.
He sat beside her, leaning back against the wall. His arm was in a sling. Fresh bandages showed through his shirt. He looked tired, but his eyes were calm.
They watched the sun climb slowly over the buildings.
“Marcus is really gone,” Kael said quietly.
Aria nodded. “Yes.”
She waited for the fear
