EPILOGUE

1 month later

The drones were planting the seeds in the outside and harvesting the mature plantations. The green was gradually coming back, and some trees began to grow already.

That day was particularly special. After a long month of testing, it was determined that the oxygen was clean again. Therefore, the dome was no longer necessary and was being removed after so many years.

There was a certain audience on the lookout point of the city witnessing that remarkable act: Caleb–who was able to walk again after weeks on crutches–, Ariadne, and Icarus were in the front row. Ava, Eudora Radcliffe, and Joanne Lynch also accompanied them.

In recent weeks, a myriad of changes had taken place: the purifier had been operating successfully and the world was slowly returning to normal, Carmichael had been found guilty of crimes against life and the environment and arrested along with the council.

A new council was formed to replace the former, and Genesis received a new mayor: Councilwoman Eudora Radcliffe, whose first order was to open the doors of the city to the outsiders.

As for Caleb, he underwent emergency surgery and made a slow recovery, but he survived and was much stronger now. After the operation, he had his long-awaited reunion with his parents, who helped him recover from his wounds.

"Thank you," Icarus told him by his side.

"For what?"

"For showing me there are still good people in the world."

Caleb smiled and turned around to see the workers retiring the dome creators of the walls.

"You helped us save the world so… thank you, too."

"A pleasure, boy."

Icarus also gained importance in the new world, he became a member of the council, but could still was able to live in Genesis, where he helped the new mayor clean up the environment.

"Do you want to know why I ended up accepting your request?" He asked Caleb.

"Why?"

"Because you reminded me of someone I met years before the disasters."

"Really? Who?"

"Me."

Caleb blushed, and Ariadne slapped him kindly in the arm, she had never separated from him since his accident, and they became best friends. He raised his eyes to see her, and they both laughed.

"You never told me your middle name," she said.

"What?"

"You're Caleb A. Smart. What is that A for?"

Caleb sighed.

"Aristotle. My middle name is Aristotle."

Both Ariadne and Icarus laughed at the revelation.

"And that's why I never use it," Caleb admitted with a laugh.

They stayed silent for a while, just admiring the landscape. Soon, it would be exactly as it was decades ago, and Caleb was eager to witness that metamorphosis.

"Look over there." Ariadne smiled, pointing at the ocean.

Caleb followed the direction of her finger and also smiled. Far off the coast, he observed a large tail above the water. Next to it, more and more emerged to the surface, followed by huge animals that chased water out of their heads: whales.

They were coming back.