Nathan tugged his hood lower as the gate hissed open behind them. The sun hit him like a slap.
"Ugh. Daylight. Where shadows go to die," he muttered.
Raphael just grinned. "And where you get a tan, for once."
"I liked the moon better," Nathan said, shielding his eyes. "At least she doesn't judge."
The contrast was immediate, clean white streets, flowers in bloom, fountains that sparkled like they were on contract. No incense. No quiet. Just polished stone and smiling faces.
A patrolman paused mid-step. His gaze locked on Nathan's coat, black, bloodstained, smoke-worn.
"Is that…?"
"Don't ask," Nathan said before the man could speak.
"He's with me," Raphael added. "Don't worry, he bites only when provoked."
Nathan smirked. "Only during inspections."
They moved on, weaving through the plaza. Vendors in crisp uniforms waved their wares… sun-forged metalworks, lumina fruits, glowing ornaments.
"Too much gold," Nathan muttered. "You people paint with arrogance."
"Luxury," Raphael corrected.
"Same thing."
They passed a pair of young cadets whispering.
"Is that the guy from the Scourge District?"
"No way. He looks too alive."
Nathan turned as they passed. "Still breathing. Shocking, I know."
The cadets froze. Raphael shoved Nathan's shoulder. "Stop scaring children."
"I'm a public service."
As they moved deeper, the buildings grew taller, their windows reflecting hard light. The hum of drones hovered overhead. Every corner felt watched.
"Feels like I walked into a sermon," Nathan muttered.
"Discipline. Order," Raphael said, straightening. "Daylight thrives on structure."
Nathan snorted. "Twilight survives on instinct. You'd hate it."
"I've visited."
"You blinked the whole time."
"Because I couldn't see anything."
"Exactly."
They reached the checkpoint outside the High Council Hall, black-glass towers trimmed in silver, guarded by twin AI units and two living officers.
The first guard stepped forward, brows knitting. "He's not on the registry."
"He's not supposed to be," Raphael said. "He's a guest."
"Of who?"
Raphael jerked a thumb. "General Emerald."
The guards exchanged a look.
Nathan sighed. "Want me to leave my knife? Or just the sarcasm?"
They said nothing.
"Relax," Raphael added. "He's not here to make trouble."
Nathan raised a brow. "You sure about that?"
Raphael ignored him. "Scan us in."
The AI pulsed once. "Veyne: Raphael Leywin—Commander. Clearance verified. Guest: Nathaniel Black—cleared under Direct Summons. Access granted."
The gate clicked open.
Nathan stepped forward. "Guess someone's feeling desperate."
Raphael's voice dropped. "They wouldn't have called you if it wasn't serious."
"I figured. I only get invited when something's dead or about to be."
The door sealed behind them. Inside, it was quiet… too quiet. The kind that wrapped around your neck like a collar.
Nathan exhaled. "Hate this place already."
Raphael didn't disagree.
"Your name's not even on the registry," the guard muttered, flipping through a sunstone tablet.
Nathan folded his arms. "Try 'troublemaker,' 'rat catcher,' or 'Black with a bad attitude.' Usually one of those gets me through."
Raphael leaned in with a grin. "Try 'the reason your commander's headache needs wine.'"
The guard gave a thin-lipped sigh and waved them through with a reluctant nod. "Wait in the atrium. She's finishing a war meeting."
Nathan muttered, "What, are they launching a new sunrise?"
Raphael elbowed him. "Do not insult Ra within five walls of this place. That's like spitting on scripture."
"Scripture burns easy."
They stepped into a massive chamber painted in rays of gold and sun motifs. A domed ceiling sparkled overhead, each tile glinting in angled light. The air was too clean, too bright. No corners for secrets to hide in.
Nathan squinted. "Feels like I'm being watched by the wallpaper."
"Because you are," Raphael murmured. "This room hears things. Keep your sarcasm mild."
He dropped onto one of the padded benches and stretched out his legs. "How long do these meetings usually take?"
"Depends on how many people need to be silenced," Raphael said cheerfully.
Nathan's eyes drifted to a statue by the corner… Ra's likeness, all flame and judgment. "You'd think a god of fire would be a little less obsessed with architecture."
A sun-clad soldier glanced at him.
Nathan stared back.
Raphael whispered, "Stop provoking them."
"I'm not. I'm breathing."
Footsteps echoed. A second later, a junior officer appeared in full dress, chest puffed like a rooster. "General Diane will see you now. And remove your hood, Detective Black. This is Daylight."
Nathan slowly pulled it down. "Sure. Let the sun judge me."
They followed the officer down a hallway lined with stained-glass murals of Ra's battles and Daylight's founding wars. Nathan muttered under his breath.
"Let me guess. Every window ends in a speech."
"This one ends in a woman who could have your tongue nailed to her desk," Raphael replied.
Nathan shrugged. "I'll speak through my eyes."
The officer knocked once on thick golden doors.
"Send them in," came a voice inside, firm, female, clipped like a blade.
The doors swung open.
General Emerald Diane stood at the far end of the sun-drenched room, arms crossed, a table of tactical maps beside her. Her uniform was crisp. Her presence—harsher than daylight.
Nathan tilted his head. "General."
She nodded, not smiling. "Detective Black. Raphael. You kept me waiting."
"Your gates kept us waiting," Nathan said with a casual shrug. "I tried flattery, but the guards didn't like my face."
"They have excellent taste," she replied dryly. "Sit."
They did.
Emerald turned to a sun-sigil scroll beside her. "The Lunaris Council sent a message yesterday. Encrypted. You've caused ripples, Black."
"I just killed a few cultists."
"You dismantled what was left of the Ash Veil's center. And you brought back a relic tied to the Church of the Sun. A church that was supposed to be ash for years now."
Nathan's brow rose slightly. "I thought this was a thank-you meeting."
"It is," Emerald said. "Thank you for confirming we've got a bigger mess on our hands."
She unrolled a scroll on the table. "Someone's collecting remnants. Artifacts that should've been lost to time. Both in Twilight and Daylight. The Council wants eyes on it. You."
"Why me?" Nathan asked. "You've got gods, armies, knights who polish their blades with prayer."
Emerald didn't blink. "Because you walk in the cracks. You have no allegiance. That makes you useful."
Nathan's eyes narrowed. "And expendable."
"That too."
Raphael cleared his throat. "What do we know about the target?"
"Nothing solid. The only trace we found was a breach in one of the old cathedral ruins. East sector. Quiet break-in. No gold missing. Only an altar artifact."
Nathan leaned back in his chair. "What did they take?"
"The Flame Disc. Last known representation of Ra's first miracle. It's ceremonial junk to most… but some people think it still hums with divine spark."
Nathan scoffed. "You believe that?"
"I believe people kill for less."
A silence passed.
Emerald stared at him. "You have three days. Track the pattern. If another relic gets taken…"
"I get to clean up the explosion," Nathan finished.
"Exactly."
He stood. "East cathedral then."
Raphael followed, but Emerald spoke once more.
"Commander… Stay behind. And Black..."
Nathan paused at the door.
"I don't care what city you were born in. For now, Daylight owns your shadow. Use it wisely."
Nathan gave her a half-smile. "My shadow doesn't like leases, General."
"Well, you better make them…" she said, her eyes cold. "Plus you'll be having a partner, a fellow detective like you if not better."
"Better than me?" Nathan paused, glancing back over his shoulder. "So, where's this 'partner' of mine? The detective you mentioned?"
General Emerald's eyes flickered with something unreadable. She folded her arms tighter. "You'll see him… eventually."
Nathan raised a brow. "Eventually? Great. I'm supposed to meet him on the way to the East Cathedral, right? Should've shown up by now."
Emerald's lips twitched, almost a smirk. "He has his reasons. Patience is part of surviving Daylight."
Nathan muttered, "Patience isn't exactly my strong suit."
Raphael chuckled quietly beside him. "Welcome to the city, Black."
With one last cold glance from Emerald, the door slid shut behind them. Nathan squared his shoulders. East Cathedral wasn't far now. He'd meet this mystery detective when they decided it was time.