Richie and Sarah walked hand in hand, their hearts light as they descended from the sacred site where they had destroyed the artifact. The journey back to town was marked by a sense of relief and accomplishment, but also a somber recognition of the losses and sacrifices that had brought them to this point.
Maria walked slightly ahead, her expression reflective. The battle against Fred had taken its toll on all of them, and the weight of their experiences hung heavy in the air. The forest, once a place of fear and danger, now felt almost tranquil in the morning light.
As they approached the outskirts of the town, Richie squeezed Sarah's hand. "It's really over," he said softly.
Sarah nodded, her eyes misty with emotion. "I still can't believe it," she said. "After everything we've been through, we finally made it."
