"So in the end it's still turned out like this." Amelia's heart sank as she stood at the edge of the battlefield, her eyes filled with sorrow and disbelief. The scene before her was a cruel reminder of the unpredictable nature of fate. All the hopes and dreams they had clung to, all the battles fought with unwavering determination, seemed to crumble in an instant.
Throughout the long and grueling battle, Amelia had been entrusted with the crucial task of securing the retreat option. She had diligently carried out her duty, making sure that their escape route remained viable in case the worst-case scenario became a reality. But as she prepared to join her comrades in the fight after carrying out her task, her world was shattered by the devastating sight that greeted her.
The weight of grief descended upon Amelia like a heavy cloak, threatening to consume her. The faces of her injured comrades and Ethan's current situation, the sound of their cries and the clash of weapons, all merged into a haunting symphony of loss. The pain was overwhelming, and she struggled to comprehend the magnitude of the tragedy that had unfolded before her eyes.
In that moment, Amelia couldn't help but question the fairness of it all. How could they have fought so valiantly, clinging to the smallest glimmer of hope, only to be met with such a devastating blow? It seemed as though fate reveled in playing its twisted games, toying with their lives and dashing their hopes.
But amidst the grief and despair, Amelia found a flicker of resolve. She knew that she couldn't let herself be consumed by sorrow. They all knew what possible future laid ahead them when they decided to fight. She had knew and already expected with heavy heart of such possibilities. And with that, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead.
As Amelia joined the battle, she channeled her grief into a burning determination. Every strike of her weapon, every step she took, became a testament to the resilience and strength of her fallen comrades. She fought not only for herself but for the friends who continued to fight with the slightest glimner of hope despite despair eating them slowly but still willing to sacrificed everything for safety of one another.
Max's recovery from the direct attack was a testament to his resilience. As he regained his strength, a newfound determination burned within him. Unlike his usual lighthearted demeanor, there was a seriousness in his voice as he spoke.
"Don't forget about me," Max declared, his teeth gritted with resolve. He was ready to join the assault and make his presence known. The days of rest had not dulled his fighting spirit; if anything, they had fueled his determination to contribute to the battle.
Sam, who had been fighting alongside Jack, turned to Max with a mixture of relief and gratitude. "Took you a while," he said, acknowledging Max's delayed return. "Go take over. We're almost at our limit as well."
Despite Sam's words, both he and Jack continued to fight with unwavering effort. The reinforcements brought by Max's arrival were welcomed, but they did not let up in their own relentless pursuit of victory. The battle raged on, and every ounce of strength and determination was poured into each strike, each maneuver.
As Max joined the assault, he seamlessly integrated himself into the fight, his presence a much-needed boost for his comrades. Max fought with a ferocity that surprised even himself, his every move fueled by a deep sense of purpose. He fought not only for victory, but for the the sake of Lucy and the others giving them enough room to check on Ethan.
As the battle reached its peak, Max, Sam, Luke, Jack, and along with Jake, Noah, Will Oliver, Rayana and Amelia, they pushed themselves beyond their limits. Fatigue threatened to overwhelm them, but they refused to give in. With every strike, every act of defiance against the odds, they proved their unwavering resolve.
Ethan, on the other hand, felt his consciousness slowly fading. Memories of his family and friends flooded his mind—the mischievous moments they shared, his brothers' serious yet playful personalities, his parents' loving presence, and his little sister who idolized him. As Ethan reminisced, a single tear escaped his eye, knowing the despair he would bring to his friends who were still fighting. He was fully aware of the impact it would have on them. He knew.
Ethan couldn't help but yearn for more. "I wish I could spend more time with them," he thought. "I wish I could go back home and express my love and gratitude to my family. I wish I had been more open and affectionate." Ethan chuckled inwardly, realizing how regret tends to haunt a person in their darkest moments. "Ah, how I wish I could do more to help them overcome this tragedy," he pondered. Among all his wishes, he knew that helping them in this moment was the closest he could come to fulfilling his regret. Yet, deep down, he also knew it was impossible. He knew.
Ethan's final thoughts lingered as he could no longer think, feeling something grasping his soul. Was he being asked to finally let go and depart? He didn't know. With a peaceful acceptance, Ethan closed his eyes, surrendering to wherever his soul was being guided to.
Lucy, who had witnessed every second and every change in Ethan's face, was overcome with despair as she wailed.
For the first time in a while, Lucy wailed like a child. She couldn't help but wonder when was the last time she had cried like this.
Lucy's mind raced with memories of past pain. Was it the time her father slapped her? Or when her mother said hurtful words? Or perhaps when she realized her brother's indifference to her suffering? Maybe it was when her life was at risk, and her family remained nonchalant until the press intervened. She couldn't remember the exact moment. "How funny," she thought. "I was still helpless after all," she added with a hint of bitterness. "No matter what I do, it will never be enough," she concluded, feeling a sense of hopelessness. "What more can I do?" she stubbornly questioned. "What do I have to do?" Her anger welled up inside her. "What exactly do you want me to do?!" she shouted, her anger directed towards the heavens. With tear-streaked face, she looked up as if the ceiling of the dome didn't exist, and she directly asked the heavens for answers.
In that moment, Lucy felt a tugging feeling, as if a question was being asked without words. It was a question that resonated with her soul, one that she knew and understood deep within.
The question of what Lucy needed to do instead weighed heavily on her mind. Was that the question being asked? Or was it an answer she needed to find? She didn't know for sure. The consequences she might face by taking action no longer mattered to her. She had reached a point of acceptance, willing to do whatever it takes. The thought of giving up crossed her mind, but she couldn't bring herself to accept it. "But I don't want to," Lucy answered defiantly. "I'm willing to give up anything within me if it means I can have a chance!"
Unbeknownst to Lucy, there were unseen eyes that had been observing their every move from the very start. An unknown entity, with a smile on its face, had been silently watching over Lucy, Ethan, and the others. It was gratified to witness their worthiness and continued to keep a watchful eye on them.
As Lucy pleaded, her tears glistening, her face soon became devoid of emotion. It was as if she had been agonizing over the answer to a complicated equation, only to realize that it had been simple all along. Her gaze then shifted towards Ethan's fading body. With a tender touch, a radiant glow surrounded him, and his wounds began to miraculously heal at a visible pace, even to the naked eye.