Leo sat across from Sora’s bed in a room within the Vanguard Castle—a colossal fortress of stone and Aether that served as the unified heart of the six citadels.

  “How is he?” Kaelith asked. She was leaning against the far wall, sharpening her blade. She had traded her matte-black mantle for casual attire: a loose, slate-grey tunic made of reinforced linen and dark, fitted trousers tucked into soft leather boots. It was the clothing of a warrior trying, and failing, to find a moment of peace.

  “Fine,” Leo responded, his tone characteristically quiet.

  He was dressed in the Vanguard Uniform: a high-collared, midnight-blue tactical suit constructed from a kinetic-absorbent weave. Silver filigree ran along the seams—conduits designed to help stabilize Neural Load. On his left shoulder, the Vanguard crest—a hexagonal shield surrounding an empty center—glowed with a faint, dormant light. The suit was sleek, built for high-speed mobility, but the way Leo wore it made him look older than his ten years.

  Silence settled between them, a rare and heavy thing in these times.

  “But how are you?” Kaelith asked, her motherly instincts surfacing unintentionally.

  Leo raised an eyebrow, finally shifting his gaze from the window to meet her eyes. “As fine as I need to be.”

  Kaelith bristled. His lack of spirit regarding himself was frustratingly evident. “Really now? I’m surprised you even responded. You’re in quite a good mood today, aren't you?”

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Leo just hummed in response. Kaelith chuckled softly. “Indeed.”

  Sora was asleep, which meant Leo finally had a moment of respite after his morning training. Kaelith stood up, sheathing her sword. “I’ll be going now. Take care, Leo.”

  She walked out, leaving the brothers alone. The silence lasted only a moment before Sora stirred, his face scrunching up before he let out a sharp cry. Leo sighed, picking him up.

  “Agh... stop crying, will you, Sora?” His tone didn't change, but his eyes softened—a look no other living soul had seen since the Fall of the Spire.

  A few minutes passed with the baby wailing against Leo’s chest, and then, without warning, Sora burst into a giggle. Leo raised an eyebrow, confusion lacing his voice. “Weird.”

  Sora continued to laugh as Leo tucked him back into the small bed. “Hey, you. Are you laughing at me? Or because of me?” Leo muttered “annoying” under his breath, though he didn't pull his hand away.

  The door opened. A youthful man with brown hair stepped in. He wore the Standard Vanguard Suit, but his version bore the Zenith Crown Mark: a golden, sun-like burst embroidered on the chest, signifying his mastery over Radiance.

  “Leo. Here you are. Come, it’s time,” the man said.

  A woman followed him in. She was dressed in casual civilian clothes—a soft, cream-colored knit sweater and a long, flowing skirt that contrasted sharply with the cold stone of the castle. She smiled warmly at Leo. “I’ll take care of him while you’re away. Good luck, Beacon’s Child.”

  Leo paused at the door. He turned back, his voice as calm as a frozen lake, but the edge in it was unmistakable.

  “Don’t call me that.”

  He didn't wait for a response. He walked out with the Zenith architect, leaving Sora in the woman’s care. He was concerned, but he had learned that in the Vanguard, trust was a luxury he had to afford if he wanted to survive.