Stan stood before Niam’s apartment, the sun casting a dull, dusty light across the street. He knocked twice, firm but not loud, and called gently, “Niam!”
The door opened a moment later. She didn’t say a word—just pulled him into a long embrace. Her arms wrapped tightly around him as if she were anchoring him to the ground, as if his presence alone was proof that he was real and safe.
Stan embarks on a mission that could shift the balance of the war. He is searching for answers, yet he walks a path where every step raises more questions than it resolves.
Stan returns from a mission that left a mark on him, though no one can tell what he truly brought back besides silence and heavy thoughts.