After a while, everyone returned to the village.
"We did it!"
"We deactivated it!"
"We won the battle!"
All four groups, each from a different tower, came back battered and wounded, but victorious.
They had lost people.
The price had been heavy… but they had still won.
One by one, survivors reunited with the families who had been waiting in fear and hope.
"Big brother! Dad!"
Ethan was pulled into an embrace by his little sister and mother, their relief spilling out in tears. Mark stood beside him, greeted just as warmly.
Oliver returned to his father and the rest of his family.
So did Steffney, Julian, and Katherine.
They were safe. They had made it back. But not everyone was so fortunate. Some stood alone… with no one waiting for them.
Nora and Malphas had no one left.
The joy of reunion was shadowed by silent grief.
Soon, the injured were taken to the healing center.
