The Epilogue

Markus gasped for breath as he emerged from the crumbling mine, his heart pounding in his chest. The stale air of the underground cavern had given way to the cool breeze of the outside world, carrying with it a sense of both relief and foreboding. His clothes were torn and covered in grime, a testament to the harrowing escape they had just made. Behind him, his friends struggled to keep up, their faces etched with exhaustion and fear.

Rachel, her body riddled with wounds, was the first to reach Markus. He gently lifted her in his arms, her breath shallow and labored. Blood stained her clothes, mingling with the dirt and sweat on her skin. Her eyes flickered open for a moment, a weak smile forming on her lips before she succumbed to unconsciousness once more.