Chapter 270: Chapter 270- Fly

The night air was cool, carrying a slight chill that made Zoe’s small hand feel cold in Julian’s. He instinctively tightened his grip, his own warmth seeping into her skin as they walked under the pale glow of the streetlights.

The bustling night market they strolled through was a symphony of life, a stark contrast to the silent, focused intensity of their usual battles.

"Zoe," Julian began, his voice low and calm, not looking at her but straight ahead. "How does it feel? Being with everyone like this. Are you... comfortable?"

Zoe, who had been quietly observing a vendor selling glowing crystals, didn’t turn her head. But after a moment of silence, she spoke, her voice as flat and straightforward as ever, yet carrying a clear meaning.

"It’s not boring."

A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched Julian’s lips. That was high praise coming from her.

He then asked a more delicate question, his tone gentle but direct. "Do you miss your father?"

This time, Zoe’s steps faltered for a half-second. She looked down at their joined hands, then up at the crowded street, her blank eyes seeming to look through the people.

"...Yes," she admitted, the word simple and heavy. She fell silent again, struggling to articulate the complex emotions, a slight frown creasing her brow. Julian waited patiently.

Finally, she looked up at him, her gaze clear.

"I miss him. But..." She paused, searching for the words. "...it gets distracted. Because..."

She gestured vaguely at the lively scene around them, the chatter, the laughter, the sizzling food stalls, and the presence of the people she now lived with.

"...Because everyone is noisy. And warm."

He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "I see. That’s good."

"Let’s walk a little longer," Julian said, his voice a low rumble in the quiet night.

Zoe stopped walking and turned to look up at him. Her large, usually vacant eyes were fixed on his face with an unusual intensity.

"Is there something you want?" Julian asked, recognizing the specific look she got when a desire formed in her mind.

Zoe nodded slowly. Her voice was a soft, clear whisper in the night air.

"I want...to fly."

A genuine, warm smile—one that rarely saw the light of day spread across Julian’s face. The request was so pure, so quintessentially Zoe, that it bypassed all his usual reserve.

Without a word, he knelt down on one knee. "Hold on tight," he instructed.

Zoe immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, her trust in him absolute. The moment she was secure, Julian activated his [Gravity] skill.

A subtle, shimmering aura enveloped them. With a gentle push against the laws of physics, they lifted off the ground. It wasn’t a violent launch, but a smooth, effortless ascent, as if the very air had become a solid staircase for them to climb.

Zoe’s breath hitched, a tiny, startled sound. Her eyes widened, not with fear, but with pure, unadulterated wonder as the world fell away beneath them.

The bustling market became a tapestry of shifting lights and colors, the noises softening into a distant, musical hum. The cool night air brushed past them, now a companion in their flight rather than a chill on the ground.

Julian held her securely, one arm supporting her back as they hovered above the city.

Julian looked down at the girl in his arms, her silver hair whipping softly in the high-altitude breeze. "Do you like it?" he asked, his voice softer than usual, almost lost in the wind.

Zoe responded with a series of quick, joyful nods, her eyes sparkling as she took in the panoramic view of the city lights below them. The usual flat line of her mouth had curled into a small, unmistakable smile.

"For a long time... I wanted to say this." She took a small, shaky breath. "Thank you... for showing me the outside world."

Her arms tightened around him just a little more.

"That there are still... beautiful things in this world."

Her words, so simple and direct, struck Julian with a force greater than any physical blow. He knew her past was shrouded in isolation, a world likely limited to survival and silence.

To him, this city was a battered fortress in a broken world. But to her, through his eyes, it had become a place where she could see beauty—in the glittering lights below, in the vastness of the sky, and in these quiet moments of shared flight.

He didn’t reply with words. Any response felt inadequate. Instead, he held her closer, his embrace becoming a silent vow. He would ensure she would see more of it. He would show her every remaining shred of beauty this harsh world had to offer.

The gentle hum of his gravity skill was the only sound between them for a long moment, a lullaby amidst the stars. Below, the city continued its life, unaware of the small, profound healing taking place high above its rooftops.

Finally, he spoke, his voice a low, steady promise against her hair.

"I’m glad to hear that."

Then Julian remembered something.

Julian’s gaze drifted from her face to the expansive, dark blue canvas of the night sky. A logical thought occurred to him. "Can’t you fly by yourself?" he asked, genuinely curious. "With your Beast skill, transforming into a creature with wings should be possible."

A faint pink blush instantly spread across Zoe’s cheeks. She lowered her head, hiding her face against his shoulder, her voice emerging as a muffled, embarrassed mumble.

"...I can."

She paused, gathering her courage, then lifted her head just enough to meet his eyes for a fleeting second before looking away again.

"...But I wanted to fly... with you."

The simple, honest confession hit Julian with a surprising warmth. He looked at her—truly looked at her. In that moment, he didn’t see the formidable fighter or the enigmatic, detached girl. He saw a young woman, shyly expressing her fondness in the only way she knew how.

Seeing him looking at her so intently, Zoe’s embarrassment peaked. She let out a small, flustered sound and completely buried her burning face in the crook of his neck, her grip around him tightening.

Julian didn’t laugh or tease her. Instead, a deep, fond tenderness welled up inside him. He could feel the faint heat of her blush against his skin. He adjusted his hold on her, making sure she was secure and comfortable.

"I see," he murmured, the words meant only for her. The gentle rumble of his voice vibrated through his chest and into hers. "Then... we’ll fly together like this whenever you want."

Held safely in his arms, suspended between the earth and the stars, Zoe gave a tiny, contented nod against his neck. For her, flying alone was just a mode of movement. But flying with him? That was a feeling she couldn’t name, but one she never wanted to end.