Vael smirked as he wiped his hands on the cloth over his shoulder. "Come on. You boys done eating? Karyon Sol doesn't wait."
Joshua glanced at his half-empty plate, then back at Vael. "You're gonna show us around?"
"Damn right. You think I just cook dragon beef all day? This city's got stories to tell—and someone better explain how it's been holding together without you playing Archon babysitter."
Adam stood, stretching his back. "Guess we're getting the old man tour."
Vael just grunted. "Old man's still got faster reflexes than most of the guards on the Sky-steps. Let's move."
They stepped out of Vael's Table and back into the golden dusk of Karyon Sol. The city was transitioning—sky darkening into deep blue, streetlamps casting a soft twilight glow. Mana trails floated like threads in the air, pulsing faintly above the streets. There was music, always music. Somewhere high up, a group of Avien were harmonizing mid-flight, their wings catching the last rays of the sun.
