Chapter 6 · of peace still asked courage. Time moved forward. That was the win.

Kael carried those hours in his shoulders like armor that didn't fit yet. Every conversation with Dorian was negotiation between blood and choice. Every song from Liora was blade turned healing. Every pulse from harbor was clock they hadn't agreed to serve but couldn't ignore.

He wrote nothing in the hidden ledger that night. Instead he spoke aloud to empty room: "If this is the last day, I spend it with eyes open."

Dorian answered from the other bed, voice rough: "Not last. Next."

Hope dangerous. Hope necessary.

Morning would come without fold. They would meet it together.

## Chapter 26: Rival's Epilogue

Corin sent one package before leaving city—sixty-three marbles, each labeled with a day.

Note: *I remember all. Don't waste the one.*

Kael kept marbles in jar.

Dorian said, "He'll come back."

"Maybe as ally."

"Maybe as problem."

Progress.

Kael trained wards publicly, helped Renn pass exams, walked harbor at dusk.

Scar beautiful now—aurora over water.

City council debated power sources to replace breach harvest.

Academy faced scandal, reform, funding cuts—and survived.

Kael faced something harder: ordinary time.

Months after the loop, Kael learned ordinary time had its own grind. Corin's marbles arrived—