Counting losses

The deafening cacophony of the defensive systems finally began to wind down, the piercing alarms tapering off into an eerie silence. Eleanor exhaled a shaky breath, unclenching her white-knuckled grip on the firing controls.

Shane let out a low whistle beside her, brushing a hand over his sweat-dampened brow. "Well, that was...intense. I have to hand it to your ancestors, Your Majesty - they really knew how to pack a punch when it came to cosmic calamities."

Eleanor managed a weary nod, eyes sweeping over the still-sparking vaults. Technicians and arms men hurried about, cautiously inspecting the contingencies they had just unleashed with barely contained trepidation.

"Indeed," she murmured, flexing her stiff fingers. "Though I confess, part of me dreads to learn the bill we've just incurred to keep our world intact." She cast a worried glance toward the surface, wondering how much devastation the city had endured in their absence.

A gruff cough drew her attention. Deputy Marshal Brandt stood at attention nearby, his weathered face grim but resolute.

"The rift has been...sealed, Your Highness," he reported, voice low. "Our deepest Overseer protocols succeeded in collapsing the dimensional breach before the incursion could fully manifest."

Eleanor felt a twinge of relief, though it was tempered by the somber weight of Brandt's tone. "And the cost?" she prompted gently.

The old soldier's jaw tightened. "Heavy, I'm afraid. The outlying districts were all but destroyed, and the central city...well." He shook his head slowly. "We're still tallying the casualties, but it's already clear this will be remembered as one of the darkest our history."

Eleanor closed her eyes briefly, stomach twisting with guilt and sorrow. So many lives lost, all while she and her advisors had been holed up in the palace, consumed by cosmic distractions.

Shane cleared his throat, drawing her attention. "Don't be too hard on yourself, Your Majesty," he said, uncharacteristically somber. "You did what you had to in order to protect this entire realm from annihilation. Sometimes...the needs of the many have to come before the needs of the few."

She nodded slowly, conceding the truth of his words even as they did little to assuage her heavy heart. With a steadying breath, she turned to Brandt.

"Gather what able-bodied forces remain and prepare my personal escort. I will return to the palace at once to assess the damage and coordinate the relief efforts." Her tone left no room for argument.

The Deputy Marshal saluted sharply. "At once, Your Majesty." He spun on his heel, barking orders at the nearby arms men.

Eleanor watched him go, gaze hardening with grim determination. Her kingdom was in ruins, her people suffering - but she would not allow this attack to break their resolve. Not when she still drew breath.

"I'll help coordinate the logistics from my end," Shane offered, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Get those poor souls some food and supplies, start restoring basic infrastructure. Can't have the Queen's kingdom falling apart while she's busy saving the universe, after all."

A faint smile tugged at Eleanor's lips. "I appreciate the offer, Shane. And your...unexpected restraint, I must say." She quirked an eyebrow at him. "I was half-convinced you'd be champing at the bit to test out those doomsday toys."

He chuckled, though the levity didn't quite reach his eyes. "Oh, believe me, the engineer in me is dying to get his hands on those Archon-era toys. But even I know when to put the tinkering aside and focus on more pressing matters."

With a final nod, he turned to join the bustling activity, leaving Eleanor to gather herself for the journey ahead. She took one last look around the vaults, committing the sight to memory.

Who knew when - or if - she'd have cause to return here again. With a steadying breath, she strode toward the exit, her battered but resolute personal guard falling in around her.

As they emerged into the late afternoon sunlight, Eleanor's gaze immediately sought out the distant silhouette of her palace. Smoke still curled from some of the towers, a grim reminder of the devastation that had been wrought.

But the walls still stood, a defiant bastion against the chaos that had threatened to engulf them all. And with a steely determination, Eleanor knew she would do whatever it took to ensure her kingdom weathered this storm.

They had faced the unimaginable and survived. Now it was time to pick up the pieces and rebuild.

As Eleanor and her battered guard made their way through the castle gates, the queen couldn't help but notice the frantic activity all around them. Servants rushed to and fro, barking orders and carrying armloads of decorations and supplies.

She paused, brow furrowing in confusion. "What on earth is going on here?" she asked her marshal, nodding toward the commotion.

The grizzled soldier had the decency to look slightly sheepish. "Ah, yes, Your Majesty. Forgive the chaos - it seems the staff have been busily preparing for the coronation celebration."

Eleanor blinked, momentarily taken aback. In the midst of all the apocalyptic madness that had consumed her kingdom, she'd completely forgotten about the milestone coronation fast approaching.

"My...coronation?" she echoed dumbly. How could they possibly be wasting time on such frivolities when her people were suffering, when the very fabric of reality itself had been threatened?

The marshal cleared his throat awkwardly. "Yes, my queen. The festivities were meant to commence in three days’ time. I'd imagine the staff have been scrambling to ensure everything is in order, despite the...recent upheaval."

Eleanor felt a headache blooming behind her eyes. Of course - her loyal subjects, in their dogged dedication, would want to maintain a sense of normalcy and tradition, even in the face of such calamity.

She let out a heavy sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Very well. I suppose we mustn't disappoint them, given the circumstances." Waving a hand, she fixed the marshal with a stern look. "But make it clear that any excessive frivolity is to be toned down. I want the focus to be on the rebuilding efforts, not...lavish celebration."

The soldier nodded, looking relieved. "Understood, Your Majesty. I'll see to it personally." With a sharp salute, he hurried off to relay her instructions.

Eleanor watched him go, feeling a familiar weariness settle over her. Her coronation celebrations - a milestone she should have been excited to reach. Instead, it felt like a cruel joke, a distraction from the very real challenges her kingdom now faced.

Still, she knew she couldn't dismiss the event entirely. Her people needed something to lift their spirits, some semblance of normalcy in the wake of such devastation. And as their queen, she had a duty to at least make an appearance, even if the festivities were muted.

Squaring her shoulders, she resumed her march toward the palace, her mind already whirling with plans for how to strike that delicate balance. The rebuilding effort would have to take priority, of course, but perhaps she could find a way to incorporate that into the coronation celebrations.

Maybe they could have a grand parade showcasing the resiliency of Quothan citizens, or a special ceremony honoring those who had fallen in the defense of the realm. Anything to remind her people that, even in the darkest of times, there was still hope.

As she approached the towering palace doors, Eleanor felt a renewed sense of determination settle over her. She would see her kingdom through this crisis, no matter the personal cost. And she would do it with the same strength and grace that had defined her reign thus far.

This was her duty, her burden to bear. And she would not falter, not even on the eve of her party.