The evening sky painted Sophie's apartment in hues of orange and gold. From her balcony, Noah found a secret. He could see the academy all the way from here and she never told him.
The academy looked like a miniature fortress in the distance, its spires and training domes silhouetted against the setting sun. Noah sat on the plush couch, a mug of hot chocolate warming his hands as Sophie settled beside him, tucking her legs beneath her.
"So, you never really told me about your life before the academy," Sophie said, tilting her head. "I mean, I know bits and pieces, but..."
Noah's eyes drifted to the framed photos on Sophie's wall—her father in military dress, Sophie at various combat competitions, both of them smiling in front of landmarks. What struck him most was what wasn't there: no mother in any of the photos.