Chapter 28: Just Who?
It was around 1 a.m. in Lehar City. Most folks had gone to sleep, but the city wasn't completely quiet. Some lights still flickered in windows, cars moved lazily on the roads, and that soft hum of life just... stayed.
From the top of Falcon Tower, everything looked different. Bigger, but also kind of peaceful. The city lights spread out like a messy painting—some parts bright, others swallowed by shadow. You could see all the way to the edge, where the big freight station sat like a pile of sleeping giants, containers stacked up like rough blocks. Beyond that was the shipping dock, where huge ships waited, still and heavy under faint blue lights. The water barely moved, and the moonlight made it shine like a sheet of glass.
Up here, the wind felt cool. Not cold—just enough to keep you awake. The tower was tall as hell. Falcon Tower really made everything below feel like little toys. You could stand there and see the whole city breathing.
Alven stood near the edge, one hand resting on the cold railing. He leaned slightly forward, letting the breeze mess with his black coat, the long fabric swaying behind him like a slow-moving flag. Some of his hair had fallen over his mouth, but he didn't bother fixing it. His eyes were fixed on the city below.
Just beside him, Rowan leaned back on the same railing, head tilted up, eyes on the sky. His sleeves were rolled up, arms bare in the cool air. A cigarette burned lazily between his fingers, the orange tip flickering every time he took a drag.
Alven looked toward Rowan, who seemed lost in thought. The moonlight flickered gently across his face.
"You've become a really good father," Alven said, a pale smile curling on his lips.
Rowan glanced at him, exhaled a cloud of toxic nicotine, then softly closed his eyes. He didn't say anything.
"Huh~" Alven exhaled sharply, turning his gaze back toward the distance.
"I can't believe it's been 20 years..."
His voice was calm, his eyes half-lidded. The wind howled faintly, slapping against their ears like a whisper that wouldn't leave.