**Escape to Freedom**
When Alex saw the exit door, his heart surged with hope. He was ready to leave this nightmare behind, but then he heard more agents yelling in the distance. He frantically looked around and found a stash of grenades. Without hesitation, he grabbed a few, pulled the pins, and threw them towards the source of the voices.
As the grenades exploded, Alex sprinted towards the exit door, adrenaline pumping through his veins. He flung the door open and dove outside just as the bunker exploded and began collapsing in on itself.
**A New Day**
Alex hit the ground hard, but as he lay there, he looked up to see the night sky transitioning into dawn. The trees around him were silhouetted against the emerging light of the rising sun. He felt a momentary peace wash over him, a stark contrast to the chaos he had just escaped.
He started to hear familiar voices yelling his name. It was Thrain and the group.
"Alex!" Thrain called out, running towards him. He knelt down and gently picked Alex up. "We are here, my boy."
Alex managed a weak smile. "I just lost my eye, you old fool," he said, trying to lighten the mood despite the pain.
Thrain chuckled, though his eyes were filled with concern. "Okay, my boy. Let's get to Nothra and get you patched up. Maybe there's a village nearby where we can buy an eye patch."
**Reunited with Friends**
Yuki came running up to them, tears in her eyes. She threw her arms around Alex. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"Yeah, I'm okay," Alex replied, his voice soft. "I just need to rest."
Thrain shook his head. "No time to rest. Lila, get that wheel thing over there so Alex can rest properly. Yuki, I need you to push him so he doesn't have to walk."
Lila quickly found what looked like a makeshift cart with wheels and brought it over. They helped Alex onto it, and he remarked, "It looks like a wheelchair from my world."
Before he could finish his sentence, he fell unconscious, the exhaustion finally overtaking him.
**A Path Forward**
The group quickly packed up their things and prepared to move out. Thrain took the lead, ensuring the path was clear, while Yuki stayed close to Alex, gently pushing the cart along the trail. The forest was quiet, the sounds of nature providing a soothing backdrop to their journey.
As they moved forward, Lila kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, ready to defend against any potential threats. The morning light grew stronger, casting a golden hue over everything.
Yuki leaned down and whispered to Alex, "Once we get to the village, you'll be alright, okay?"
Alex stirred slightly, a small smile forming on his lips, though he remained unconscious.
**A Journey of Healing**
They continued along the trail, the forest gradually giving way to signs of civilization. The thought of reaching a village where they could rest and tend to Alex's wounds gave them all a renewed sense of hope.
As the day progressed, they finally spotted the outskirts of a small village nestled in a valley. Thrain turned to the group, a determined look on his face. "We'll find what we need here. Let's get Alex the care he deserves."
With that, they pressed on, knowing that their journey was far from over but finding strength in each other's company. They were a family bound by more than blood, united by their shared experiences and their determination to protect one another.
This concludes Chapter Thirty-Four.