Months passed since the destruction of the [System], and the world, though still scarred, began to show signs of life. The skies were clearer, the air fresher, and the overwhelming sense of control that had once gripped humanity was now gone. People were free, but they were also uncertain, lost without the structure that had once been imposed on them.Lena and Elias had settled in what remained of one of the larger cities, using the remnants of the old [System] infrastructure to help rebuild. They'd created a council of survivors, a mix of former rebels, scientists, and even former Ascendants who had managed to regain their humanity. Together, they were working to ensure that the power left behind by the [System] would never be used again.But despite their efforts, it wasn't easy. The people were still wary, hesitant to trust in the new order that Lena and Elias had established.One day, as Lena surveyed the city from a high vantage point, Elias joined her, his face grim."We've made progress," Elias said, "but not everyone is on board. There's still a lot of fear. People are afraid of what the future holds without the [System] watching over them."Lena turned to him, her expression thoughtful. "I know. But we can't force them to accept change. We have to show them that we can build something better together. It's going to take time."Elias nodded, though doubt lingered in his eyes. "Time is something we don't have in abundance. We're being watched—there are factions out there, groups that think the [System] was the answer. They'll stop at nothing to recreate it."Lena clenched her fists. "Then we'll stop them. We can't let the world fall back into that nightmare."