Next Day – 10 A.M.
The morning sun cast a golden glow over Bloodfort as the city stirred with life. Merchants barked prices along the streets, soldiers drilled in neat formation, and tourists crowded near the old clock tower—the pride of the border town.
Ezra had already gone through his routine. He woke before dawn, completed his daily exercises, cultivated for an hour, then showered. Now, leaning lazily on the base of the massive clock tower, he watched as visitors trickled inside to admire its ancient gears.
Elena had messaged him the night before, telling him to meet her here. But she was running late.
Ezra glanced at his phone, expression flat.
"She's late," he muttered, before strolling toward a bench by the square and sitting down.
