The city didn't calm down.
It paused.
Like a crowd holding its breath after someone speaks the truth too close to their wounds.
In the command center, the screens still flickered now and then, but the red pulses had faded to orange. Operators spoke again, cautiously, as if loud voices might crack the air.
Viktor stood with his arms folded, staring at the latest anomaly graph. It had dipped. Not solved. Not gone.
Just… interrupted.
Aria could feel the change too. The strain in the air had eased, but it hadn't left. It was still there like a bruise under the skin of the world.
Kai stayed near her, quiet. Watchful. His hand brushed her lower back once, a small grounding touch, then withdrew.
Viktor didn't turn when he spoke.
"That worked," he said.
Aria didn't answer right away. "It worked because people were heard."
Viktor's mouth twitched. "No. It worked because fear dropped. Fear is energy. Energy is impact."
