The chase turned into a dance of light and shadow—her radiant wings gliding through the air as his dark trail weaved after her.
"Come on, Daniel!" her voice echoed telepathically through their link. "You'll have to do better than that!"
"Oh, I plan to," Daniel replied with a grin.
For the first time in days, he felt free—his mind clear, his heart lighter.
The pain, the confusion, and the burden he carried faded beneath the rush of wind and adrenaline.
At that moment, there was no secret to keep, no conflict to fear—just him, Anya, and their budding friendship.
And though the truth still lingered unspoken between them, Daniel couldn't help but think… maybe, just maybe, this friendship was worth protecting no matter the cost.
But unbeknownst to the two soaring figures, someone was watching them closely.
Refuge Aegis was always alive with activity—people eating, training, chatting, or working to maintain the self-sustaining systems that kept them all alive.
