Chapter 135: Healing the Wounds

Chapter 135: Healing the Wounds

Return to Solara Prime

The Defender-Class Armored Transport hummed steadily as it carried the battered team back to Solara Prime. The mood inside was heavy—silent except for the occasional faint crackle of the comm system. The victory over Kaelthar, the Abyssal Sentinel, had come at a cost, and the weight of those losses hung over everyone.

Eryndra sat beside Jack, her shoulders slumped, her bow resting across her lap. Her silver eyes stared blankly at the floor, replaying the moment she had watched Kaelis fall. Jack, seated across from her, glanced at her from time to time, unsure of how to break the silence.

Finally, he spoke, his voice low. "He fought well."

Eryndra looked up, her expression hollow. "That doesn't make it easier."

"No," Jack admitted. "It doesn't."

The transport jolted slightly as it crossed uneven terrain, and Eryndra sighed, closing her eyes. "How do you do it, Jack? How do you keep going, carrying all this weight?"

Jack leaned back, resting his head against the wall of the transport. "You don't think about it. You just keep moving forward. Because if you stop... it all catches up to you."

Eryndra studied him for a moment, her expression softening. "That's no way to live."

Honoring the Fallen

When the team arrived in Solara Prime, a quiet procession was held for the fallen soldiers. The streets were lined with civilians and soldiers alike, their heads bowed as the caskets were carried through the city. Mana crystals, glowing faintly, were placed on each casket by elven priests as a symbol of remembrance.

Eryndra stood at the front of the procession, her armor polished and her expression calm, though the grief in her eyes was unmistakable. Jack stood beside her, his uniform pristine but his face as cold and unreadable as ever.

As the procession reached the central plaza, Eryndra stepped forward to speak. Her voice carried through the still air, strong despite the emotion behind it.

"They gave everything for a world they believed in," she began. "Their sacrifice was not in vain, and we will carry their memory with us in every step we take forward. We owe it to them to build a future worthy of their courage."

Her words resonated with the crowd, a mix of humans, elves, and dwarves. Even Jack felt a faint stir in his chest as he watched her speak. For the first time, he saw not just a leader, but someone who could inspire hope in a way he couldn't.

A Moment of Connection

That evening, Jack found himself standing on the balcony of his quarters, the city's lights twinkling below him. The sound of soft footsteps behind him made him turn. It was Eryndra, dressed in more casual elven robes rather than her usual battle armor.

"I thought you might be here," she said, stepping closer.

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Do I have a reputation for brooding?"

Eryndra smirked faintly. "A little."

They stood in silence for a moment, the cool night air brushing against them. Finally, Eryndra spoke, her tone quieter. "Kaelis looked up to you, you know. He believed in what you're building."

Jack's gaze dropped, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "I didn't even know him."

"You didn't have to," Eryndra said, her silver eyes locking onto his. "He believed in the idea of you. That's enough."

Jack exhaled slowly. "I don't know if I deserve that."

Eryndra stepped closer, her voice firm but kind. "You do. You're not perfect, Jack. None of us are. But you keep fighting, even when it's hard. That's what makes people believe in you."

Jack looked at her, something unspoken passing between them. "You have a way of making things sound... simple."

"It's not simple," she replied with a small smile. "But it's worth it."

A Glimpse of Vulnerability

Eryndra leaned on the railing beside him, her expression softening. "You know, when I first agreed to work with you, I thought you were just another human leader—driven, pragmatic, maybe even cold. But now... I see someone who cares deeply. Even if you hide it."

Jack chuckled softly, though there was little humor in it. "You make it sound like a weakness."

"It's not," Eryndra said firmly. "It's what makes you strong. You just need to let people see it."

Jack turned to her, his expression unusually open. "I don't know how."

Eryndra's gaze softened, and for a moment, the tension between them shifted into something unspoken. "You let me see it," she said quietly. "That's a start."

The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable. Instead, it was filled with an understanding that words couldn't quite capture.

The Next Challenge

Their moment was interrupted by the soft chime of Jack's comm device. He sighed, pulling it out and glancing at the message. Astraeus's voice echoed through the comm. "Commander, new intelligence suggests increased demonic activity near the southern borders. A large force is mobilizing. You'll need to prepare for another campaign."

Eryndra straightened, her calm demeanor returning. "It never ends, does it?"

"No," Jack replied, his voice cold once more. "But at least we're ready."

Eryndra placed a hand on his arm, stopping him before he turned away. "You're not alone in this, Jack. Remember that."

Jack hesitated, then gave her a small nod. "I'll try."

A New Resolve

As Jack prepared for the next campaign, he felt a faint shift within himself. Eryndra's words lingered in his mind, a reminder that even in the face of unrelenting darkness, there was still light to be found.

The war was far from over, but for the first time in years, Jack didn't feel like he was fighting it alone.

End of Chapter 135