At Zion's residence, evening settled quietly over the courtyard.
The apple trees were in bloom, their pale petals drifting across the stone path whenever the breeze passed through the branches. The scent of the flowers lingered in the cool air, creating an atmosphere almost too peaceful for the storm gathering elsewhere in the city.
Callista sat beside the stone table, one hand resting lazily against her cheek as she watched Zion pour tea.
She had come to see him shortly after hearing what had happened at Origin Medical Hall.
For a while, neither of them mentioned it.
Then Callista finally broke the silence.
"I heard you crippled Icarus today."
Zion's hand did not pause as he poured the tea.
"The Imperial City is certainly efficient," he replied. "It hasn't even been two hours."
Callista smiled.
Her gaze lingered on him for a moment before becoming slightly more serious.
