Chapter 4 - 10 Years Later
Elias Kael wiped the edge of the plate clean with practiced precision, his brow furrowing as he positioned the last tender piece of calamari over the whipped potatoes. Steam curled upward in lazy spirals as the dish sat, an unspoken testament to hours of prep work and perfectionism. For all the effort, Elias barely looked at it as he pushed the plate to the counter.
"Order up," he said with a voice that carried no weight, no excitement.
"Kael," a voice called from the kitchen doorway, heavy with familiarity. Elias's boss stepped into view, arms crossed and a tired smile plastered on his face. He was a big man, a fixture of the restaurant, dressed in his usual sharp white coat stained with a hint of beet reduction. "That's the last one for the night."
Elias glanced at the clock. 6:47 p.m. Early.
"You're off," the man continued. "Go home. Enjoy yourself. Don't think I forgot it's your birthday."
The words landed softly, but Elias felt them settle heavy in his chest.
"Lucky me," Elias muttered, forcing a half-smile that didn't reach his eyes. He unhooked his apron, folding it with quiet care before hanging it on the back wall. A soft clink sounded as he pulled his watch from the nearby counter and slid it over his wrist.
"Don't go drowning yourself in gloom tonight, Kael," his boss added, with the same worn-out encouragement Elias had heard every year. "You've earned some peace."
Elias didn't respond, letting the door swing shut behind him as he stepped into the back alley. The chill hit him first—not cold enough to bite, but enough to remind him the season was shifting. The air still carried hints of ozone and the metallic tang of construction dust. The city was always rebuilding these days.