[Ace's POV]
The village glowed softly under the fading daylight, lanterns flickering to life in windows and shopfronts. The streets lay unusually quiet, the absence of villagers making the air feel thick with anticipation.
I reached into the paper bag. The scent of warm pan de coco and smoky grilled corn hit me, and my stomach growled in response. "Here," I said, pulling out a piece of each before passing the paper bag to Ray. "This should hold us over until we're done."
"Perfect timing," he said, already tearing into the bread. "I was starting to feel the hunger." He handed the remaining food to Chief Gareth with a satisfied grin.
"Thanks," Chief Gareth murmured, his smile warm as he accepted the paper bag. The golden light from the passing houses played across his weathered face. He tore off a piece of bread and ate slowly, savoring it in a way that spoke of years when food had not come easily.
