Chapter 33: The Cost of Victory
As they made their way out of the ruins, the morning light cast a soft, golden glow over the dense forest surrounding them. The eerie quiet of the previous night was gone, replaced by the gentle rustling of leaves and the occasional call of a distant bird. Yet, despite the peaceful scene, George and his team felt the weight of their battle pressing down on them. Each step was slower than the last, exhaustion settling into their bones, their breaths labored after the grueling fight.
Lucy walked beside George, her arm brushing his as they moved through the underbrush. She was silent, her gaze fixed on the path ahead, but George could see the tension in her face, the tightness in her jaw. She was still processing everything, as they all were.