The morning after the war dawned softer than any before it. The sky, once torn apart by blood and fire, now stretched wide and pale, carrying a fragile peace across the horizon. The scent of ash still lingered faintly in the air, but beneath it was something new, fresh earth, cool wind, the quiet promise of life returning.

Selene stood at the edge of the ravaged plains, watching the sunrise bleed through the smoke. The golden light caught in her hair, softening the sharp exhaustion that had ...