Just as he did every morning, Zion arrived at Storm Manor at exactly eight o'clock.
The timing was so precise that the guards at the gate had long since begun setting their sense of routine by his visits.
On most days, the gates would open almost the moment he appeared, because everyone in Storm Manor knew that Zion was not merely a young Spirit Warrior who came to spar with Lucian Storm.
He was also a close subordinate and a sibling figure to the mysterious owner of Nexus Weapon Store, the woman who had slain Cerberus, challenged noble houses, and turned the Imperial City upside down with inventions that seemed to have fallen from the heavens.
But today was different.
As Zion approached the towering gates, one of the guards stepped forward and crossed his spear before him in a respectful gesture.
"Master Zion," the guard said, bowing slightly, "Young Lord Lucian is currently occupied."
Zion stopped.
For a moment, he simply blinked.
