Night had fallen over the capital like a silent, deep, and dense veil, swallowing the sounds of the day and leaving only the distant whisper of the wind between the buildings and the occasional echo of late footsteps on the farthest streets. It was a kind of darkness that not only concealed—it enveloped, protected… and for some, strengthened.
Kael stood atop a low building, his hands in his pockets, his gaze sweeping the city as if each shadow were an open door to something only he could see. The moon partially illuminated his face, creating soft contrasts between light and darkness, but his eyes… his eyes seemed completely awake, alert, alive in a way that didn't match the apparent tranquility of the night.
Behind him, Elizabeth appeared with light, almost silent steps, her closed umbrella now strapped to her back, as the absence of the sun gave her freedom. Still, there was a tension within her—not fear exactly, but anticipation. It was unlike anything she had experienced before.
