Above the tangerine mountains of the floating fortress, kissed by the sun to their warm blush, the clouds moved like shoals across the sky. Equal parts blue and gray, streaked with silvers and golds, the heavens painted a breathtaking canvas over the serene landscape.
Alex woke with a deep, contented sigh, the first rays of sunlight filtering through his window. He felt unusually lighthearted, a quiet joy simmering within him. Though he couldn't pinpoint why, he didn't question it. Some days simply began this way, with a sense of peace that made the world seem a little brighter.
Rising from bed, he dressed in comfortable training gear and quietly left his room, careful not to wake the girls. He had decided to take advantage of the tranquil morning for a solitary jog through the forest behind the mountain.
