The morning sun rose over the mountains, painting the valley in shades of gold and amber. The birds were singing. The breeze was gentle. The world was peaceful.
But for Ethan, peace was a fragile thing. Something that had to be protected. Something that could shatter at any moment if they weren't careful. Something that required constant attention and care.
He stood on the porch of the global council building, watching the light spread across the buildings below. It had been three weeks since the Summit of Unity. Three weeks of watching the regions implement their new agreements. Three weeks of watching the global network grow stronger and more connected than ever. Three weeks of watching the vision of a united world slowly take shape.
The summit had been a success. The declaration had
