The sun was high in the sky by the time Drake and the survivors left the ruins of Gruter's fortress behind them. The land, once ravaged by war and darkness, seemed to be coming alive again. Green shoots of grass pushed through the cracked earth, and in the distance, birds began to sing—a melody the world hadn't heard in years.
The path ahead was long and uncertain, but for the first time in what felt like an eternity, there was hope. Drake, though weary, felt a sense of peace settle over him as they walked toward the horizon. He had faced the greatest evil the world had ever known and lived to tell the tale. But as he looked around at the faces of those who had fought beside him, he knew that they all bore the scars of battle—both physical and emotional.
As they traveled, stories of the battle spread throughout the lands, reaching villages and towns that had long since given up hope. Word of Gruter's defeat traveled fast, and with it, the legend of Drake, the Chosen One, grew. He became a symbol, not just of victory, but of resilience, of the power that lay within even the most ordinary of people to change the world.
Days passed, and soon the survivors reached the heart of the free lands. Crowds greeted them with cheers, tears of joy running down the faces of those who had lived in fear for so long. Drake stood before them, his hand resting on the hilt of the now-silent Blade of Shadows, and spoke softly but firmly.
"The darkness has been driven back, but it is not gone. We will rebuild, we will heal, and we will protect this world from whatever comes next."
His words were met with thunderous applause, but in the back of his mind, Drake knew that his journey was far from over. There were still remnants of Gruter's forces out there, still challenges that lay ahead. But for now, the people needed hope, and he would be that hope.
As the sun began to set on this day of celebration, Drake stood at the edge of the gathering, gazing out at the horizon. In the distance, he could see the faint glow of the sunset, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold. It was a beautiful, peaceful sight—a stark contrast to the chaos and destruction he had faced not long ago.
He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the warmth of the sun wash over him. He had won, but at a great cost. The faces of those he had lost—his friends, his comrades—flashed in his mind. Their sacrifices had made this moment possible, and he would never forget them.
But as the night descended and the stars began to appear in the sky, Drake felt a sense of calm. A new age was dawning, one filled with promise and hope. And though the road ahead would not be easy, he knew he would face it head-on, just as he always had.
The world had been saved, but Drake's story was far from over.
To be continued in Volume 2:RISE OF THE ETERNAL FLAME
Volume 1:BLADE
The End.