The golden light of late afternoon bathed the city of Magnulia, casting long shadows that stretched like fingers across the bustling streets. The noise of the day’s end echoed upward, a symphony of voices, carts creaking, and the distant clamor of blacksmiths finishing their work. Above it all, on the sloping, terracotta rooftops, two figures darted with the nimbleness of cats, leaping from one building to the next.

Juliana’s laughter rang out as she landed gracefully on the roof of a narrow house, her dark hair trailing behind her like a banner of victory. “Come on, Noah!” she called back, glancing over her shoulder at her friend, who was just a few paces behind. “You’re going to lose again!”

Noah, panting slightly, pushed himself harder, his legs burning with the effort. “I’m not losing! You just cheated!” he shot back, though his tone was light, his lips curved in a reluctant grin.

Juliana laughed again, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “You always say that. But it’s not cheating if you just don’t know the shortcuts!”

They continued their playful race, the rooftops beneath their feet a blur as they sprinted toward their favorite spot—the highest point in their part of the city, where the view of the sunset was unmatched. The city below them was a maze of activity: merchants packing up their wares, children being called inside for supper, and the distant toll of the evening bell signaling the close of the market. It was a world both familiar and distant from their elevated perch, a world that seemed to belong to someone else entirely.

Juliana reached the top first, skidding to a stop and raising her arms in triumph. “I win again!” she declared, turning to face Noah as he arrived a moment later, breathless and smiling despite himself.

“You’re too fast,” he conceded, plopping down beside her, his chest heaving. “But one day, I’ll beat you.”

She smirked, sitting down as well, her gaze shifting to the horizon where the sun was beginning its slow descent. “We’ll see about that. But for now… look.”

Noah followed her gaze, and the sight before him was one he never tired of. The sun, a brilliant orb of fire, was sinking into the distant hills, painting the sky in hues of orange, pink, and violet. The city of Magnulia, with its sprawling streets and towering spires, was bathed in a warm, golden light that made it seem almost otherworldly. For a moment, everything was peaceful, the worries of the world forgotten in the face of such beauty.

“See?” Juliana’s voice was soft, almost wistful. “There’s beauty in the world, despite how ugly it can be.”

Noah glanced at her, seeing the thoughtful expression on her face. He knew what she meant. They both did. The world outside the safety of their city was filled with dangers—Haltuers, the monstrous creatures that lurked in the dark, the ever-present threat of war. But here, in this moment, it was easy to believe that there was still something worth fighting for.

“It’s beautiful,” Noah agreed, though his voice held a note of hesitation. “But… it doesn’t change what’s out there.”

Juliana turned to him, her brown eyes searching his face. “I know. But that doesn’t mean we should give up on it. There’s more to life than just surviving, Noah. There’s something out there worth seeing, worth experiencing. Even if it’s dangerous.”

Noah sighed, leaning back on his hands as he looked out at the city. “Maybe. But it’s hard to see it that way sometimes.”

Juliana nodded, her gaze returning to the sunset. “I know it is. But that’s why we have to hold on to moments like this. To remind us that there’s still beauty in the world, even when everything else seems dark.”

They sat in silence for a while, watching as the sun dipped lower and lower, the sky darkening as the first stars began to appear. The air grew cooler, the sounds of the city below quieting as the day gave way to night.

“I wish it could stay like this,” Juliana murmured, almost to herself. “Just for a little while longer.”

Noah didn’t reply, but he understood. The world was a harsh place, and moments of peace like this were rare. But they couldn’t last forever.

As the last light of day faded, they both knew it was time to head home. They made their way back across the rooftops, moving more slowly now, their playful race forgotten. The city below them was still alive, but it had taken on a different tone, the vibrant energy of the day giving way to the quiet anticipation of night.

When they reached the place where they would part ways, Juliana turned to him with a small smile. “You know, Noah, one day you’re going to see the world the way I do. And when that happens, you’ll understand.”

Noah gave her a rueful smile. “Maybe. But until then, I’ll just have to keep racing you to the rooftops.”

She laughed, the sound light and carefree, before turning and heading down the stairs to her home. Noah watched her go, a strange feeling settling in his chest. Juliana had always been the optimistic one, the dreamer. He admired that about her, even if he couldn’t always share her views.

He started walking towards his own home, but the feeling lingered, nagging at him as he climbed into bed that night. The world was beautiful, she had said. But in his dreams, it was a different story.

He found himself on a rooftop again, but this time it was not the familiar one where he and Juliana had watched the sunset. The streets of Magnulia below him were darker, the streets filled with a restless energy that made his skin crawl. He could hear shouts, the distant crash of something heavy, and then, as he looked down, he saw it—a long carriage making its way through the crowd, its wheels grinding against the cobblestones.

The scene shifted, there was an explosion in chaos. Fire, corpses, the deafening roar of destruction. It was a nightmare, but it felt too real, too vivid. Noah’s heart pounded in his chest as he watched the city below him fall apart, the peace he had known just moments ago shattered in an instant.

And then he woke up, gasping for breath, his heart racing. The dream had been so real, so intense, that for a moment he wasn’t sure where he was. But as the darkness of his room settled around him, he realized it had just been a nightmare. A hellish vision that left him shaken.

He lay back down, trying to calm his racing thoughts, but the dream lingered in his mind, a shadow that refused to leave. There was beauty in the world, Juliana had said. But there was also darkness. And sometimes, it was hard to tell which would win.