As Elio concluded his speech, he felt the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. Yet, looking at the faces surrounding him, some fearful, others hopeful, he knew he wouldn't be alone on this journey.
The room, once filled with tension and fear, now buzzed with a different energy.
Gradually, the message began to spread among the soldiers to unlock the main door. The building's occupants started to move, some with haste, others with caution, but all with the sense of living through a historic moment.
The sound of footsteps and murmurs filled the air as people headed towards the exit. Some discussed animatedly about what they had just witnessed, while others remained silent, still processing recent events.
The building, which had been the stage for a historic battle moments ago, now slowly emptied, as if exhaling a long sigh of relief.
♢♢♢♢
A few minutes later, amidst the general movement, Lucien opened his eyes…