Flashback – Graveyard Base
The air smelled like iron and medicine, the way it always did at dusk.
Young Miles — Kai, back then — sat cross-legged on the long metal bench with the other children. Their bowls clinked, their quiet chatter filling the dim mess hall. He was halfway through his plain dinner when a familiar, gentle voice floated from behind.
"Kai, I heard you're already going on missions?"
Miles's head snapped up instantly.
That voice.
He turned, and the exhaustion, hunger, and bruises melted off his face in one heartbeat.
"Sky? You're back!"
He practically jumped off the bench and rushed to her.
Sky stood there — tall, calm, and wearing that soft smile only she had. Her short black hair was messy from travel, and both her hands were wrapped in bandages.
"Kai," she teased, brushing his shoulder, "you grew up big again. Looks like you're taller every time I blink."
Miles beamed, then frowned, grabbing her wrist carefully.
"What's with the bandages? Who did this?"
