The morning stretched its pale fingers over the Aqua Astro Station's business district, peeling away the last traces of night. The air was crisp, carrying the lingering chill of dawn as the world stirred to life. Only a handful of shops had dared to open their doors, their weary merchants setting up for the day. Others arrived, leading horses laden with goods, while some knelt to arrange their wares in meticulous rows.
Standing on the district walkway, Kal, Bako, and Bili waited with an almost statuesque stillness. The large axes strapped across their backs rested obediently, their presence a quiet but firm statement. The cold breeze drifted past them, sending an occasional shiver down their spines, though none of them spoke of it.
Bako exhaled, his breath visible in the crisp air. "Is the boss still asleep?" His voice carried through the morning silence, laced with a tinge of concern.
