The mountain burned behind them.
Smoke rose into the afternoon sky.
The ground still trembled occasionally as the remains of the underground facility continued collapsing deep beneath the earth.
Emily stood silently on the hillside.
Watching.
Thinking.
Everything that had happened felt unreal.
The Core.
The Founder.
The Protocol.
Aurelia.
The First Sanctuary.
It felt less like a memory and more like a dream.
A dangerous dream.
One that had completely changed her life.
Alexander stepped beside her.
His shoulder brushed hers lightly.
"You should rest."
Emily laughed softly.
Rest.
The word sounded almost ridiculous.
"Do you think that's possible right now?"
Alexander glanced toward the distant mountain.
"No."
His answer came immediately.
That made Emily smile despite everything.
At least he was honest.
Nearby, Daniel sat on a large rock, covered in dust and scratches.
"I vote we all take a week off."
Lucien snorted.
"A week?"
Daniel nodded.
