The soft rustling of leaves and the distant laughter of children filled the quiet park as the sun dipped slowly toward the horizon. Golden light stretched across the grass, wrapping everything in a gentle warmth that felt almost too peaceful for the world they lived in.
Damien sat on the picnic blanket with one leg stretched out, watching Eden and Edna chase each other across the open field. Their laughter rang freely, untouched by the weight of war, prophecy, or destiny.
For a moment, just a brief moment, everything felt normal.
Elena sat beside him, her fingers lightly brushing over the edge of the blanket as her gaze followed the children. There was a softness in her eyes, but beneath it lay something deeper; the realization that this moment of happiness was only transient.
"They're happy," she said quietly, resting her head on Damien's shoulder.
Damien glanced at her, then back at the children. His eyes held a distant look in them and he didn't say anything for a while.
