The dawn stretched across the city, bathing the ruins in a gentle light that seemed to cleanse the aftermath of William's destruction. Streets that had once been chaotic with fear were eerily still. People peeked out of their homes, stepping onto the streets to find the air free of the heavy oppression that had clung to it for so long. As Stella and Ethan made their way down the empty road, they could feel a shift—a fresh, tentative hope settling into the city's bones.
Stella looked up at the cracked skyline and sighed. Though William was gone, she knew it would take a long time for the city to heal. His followers were still out there, lingering in the shadows, and the trust among the city's people had been shattered by the violence and manipulation they had endured. Now, it was up to her, Ethan, and the others to rebuild that trust and restore order.
"Do you think they'll ever truly feel safe again?" Ethan asked, his voice barely a whisper.
