Morning arrived slowly at the safe house, quiet and gentle. Sunlight filtered through the trees and slipped into the rooms in soft lines. Birds sang outside, their voices calm and steady, as if the world had never known chaos. For Kai, that sound felt strange but welcome. It was the sound of a place untouched by fear.
He woke before Aria, as he often did. Old habits still ruled his body, even when danger was far away. He sat up carefully, stretching his stiff muscles and testing the pain in his ribs. It was still there, but lighter now. Healing was happening, even if it felt slow.
Kai stepped outside and breathed in the cool morning air. The smell of earth and leaves grounded him. He had lived so long surrounded by smoke, metal, and blood that nature felt almost unreal. He reminded himse
