Ares

It had been seven months since the war ended. Seven months of rebuilding, of peace that finally felt real. Sterling Industries was thriving again, Atlas running the rehabilitation center, and the city finally felt safe. Hope was growing fast, her laughter filling the house, the most fragile and perfect reminder of everything worth fighting for.

Yet, tonight, as I stood on the balcony watching the city lights blink like distant stars, unease crawled over me like a shadow I couldn’t ...