Chapter 15: The Aftermath, The Farewell
In the midst of the jubilant chaos, Liora helped a wobbly Elowen steady herself before pulling her into a tight hug. "I'm sorry... I'm late," Liora whispered, her voice trembling with regretful sobs.
Elowen patted her back reassuringly, chuckling softly despite the emotional weight in the air. "late? No, your timing was absolutely perfect. Thank you, for saving me—for saving all of us."
But Liora couldn't shake her guilt. "but so many soldiers died because I wasn't here sooner..." she murmured, tears streaming down her face. Elowen tilted Liora's chin up gently, meeting her gaze with an unwavering smile.
"no, Liora. It's not your fault. If anything, those who fell would be grateful to you. Because of you, the rest of Sanctora gets to live in peace and hope. So cheer up, okay? Fight more, save more lives, keep this peace going—and make sure their sacrifices weren't in vain."
Her words carried warmth and conviction, enough to coax a small but genuine smile from Liora.
Not long after, Elder Gawain and Lucien came sprinting over, tears streaming down their faces as they joined the group hug, turning it into a teary, laughter-filled bundle of gratitude and relief.
Meanwhile, in the distance, Elder Cedric and Alaric were busy directing citizens—some tending to the wounded in medical tents, others gathering and evacuating the fallen warriors.
Amid the organized bustle, Cedric and Alaric managed to catch Liora's eyes. With heartfelt smiles, they placed their hands on their chests and gave her a small, respectful bow—a silent yet profound expression of thanks.
Eventually, Elowen broke free from the group hug, wiping away her own happy tears. "alright, alright," she said with a playful groan, leaning heavily on her own thigh.
"as much as I love this heartwarming moment, I need to lie down before my knees decide to betray me completely. Saving the world is exhausting work!" her comment earned a round of laughter, lightening the mood even further as everyone slowly began to transition from celebration to recovery.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson, a familiar voice called out from a distance. "Lioraaaa... Lioraaaa!" Evelyn's tiny figure raced across the field, tears streaming down her face as she shouted and cried with joy, overwhelmed by how much she had missed Liora after days of separation.