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Chief Styles Sawyer

Zorion

They walked through a set of frosted doors with the words Greens Den etched into it.

Once inside, the door closed behind them with a soft click, and the room became another world.

Zorion’s gaze swept over the vast space.

The low lighting shifted to the color of warm amber.

The faint sound of trickling water whispered from the recessed stream along the far wall.

Zorion inhaled the scent of moss, wet stone, and clean air as his pulse began to slow the farther he walked.

He stared at the vertical garden wall, the live greenery crawling up a tall trellis. He ran his hand along the damp, cold moss that gave under his touch. It grounded him as the anxiousness in his chest began to fade.

Valor peeled off his towel and draped it over a wooden hook. He walked barefoot toward a body of water glowing soft blue and knelt low, skimming his palm over the surface. He submerged his sore hands deeper as if the water had healing power.

The lotus blooms floating across the still water were tranquil and inviting.

Zorion smiled as he walked towards the koi tank fogged by the steam still wafting off their bodies.

There were no screens, no tech, just stones, water, wood, and life.

It wasn’t as dramatic as their living quarters at the Ravens facility, but no less perfect.

Valor dropped onto a woven bamboo pad and stretched out, his broad chest rising and falling, his limbs loose.

A low rumble emerged from deep in his chest, not aggressive, not a warning, just a satisfied release.

Zorion watched him curl his hands into the fibers and release a long, drawn-out sigh. He stayed close to where he knelt on the floor at the same time as the soundscapes morphed into winds and distant eagle calls.

The walls darkened, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw a blackened opening to an area with a cave-like entrance labeled Feral Zone .

Valor eyed it as well.

Whatever was in there must be the highest level of Zen that man could make to calm a wild beast.

“Not today.” Zorion stroked his hands along Valor’s shoulders. “Inside of me is where you’ll find your peace. But we’ll know the feral zone is there if we ever need it.”

They didn’t speak anymore, allowing the room created for them to do its work and strip the fight from their minds.

Bit by bit, breath by breath, scent by scent.