Chapter 81: The Weight of Victory

Chapter 81: The Weight of Victory

Silvia's POV

The battlefield smelled of blood and smoke as Silvia walked among the fallen. The last embers of battle still flickered in the distance, the cries of the wounded mingling with the crackle of dying flames.

She sheathed her sword, exhaustion seeping into her limbs. The fight had been won, but the cost was etched into every bloodstained stone beneath her feet.

Dragon stood a few paces away, surveying the battlefield with narrowed eyes. "It's over for now, but they'll come back. They always do."

Silvia nodded. "Which is why we need to be ready. No more waiting for them to strike first. We need to rebuild stronger, fortify the city, and send a message that this land is ours to protect."

Tarren approached, her bow still slung across her back, her expression unreadable. "We've captured over thirty Remnants. Some are willing to surrender and talk. Others… not so much. What do you want to do with them?"

Silvia glanced toward the makeshift prison where the captured soldiers were being held. Men and women who had fought for a broken cause, who had been willing to die for Adrian's vision of Titan's return. Now, leaderless, they looked lost.

She took a deep breath. "We separate them. The ones who will talk, we listen to. The ones who refuse… we'll decide what to do with them later."

Garrik snorted. "You're too soft. They'll turn on us the second they get the chance."

Dragon chuckled. "She's not soft. She's just smarter than you."

Garrik muttered under his breath but didn't push the issue further.

Silvia turned back to the prisoners. "No one gets executed unless they prove beyond doubt that they can't be reasoned with. If they can change, they should be given the chance."

Dragon tilted his head, studying her. "You keep trying to see the best in people, even after everything."

She glanced at him, exhaustion in her eyes. "Someone has to."

Rebuilding the City

The city was eerily quiet in the days following the battle. Soldiers and civilians alike worked tirelessly to repair what had been damaged, to bury the dead, to move forward. But the scars of war would not fade easily.

Silvia walked through the streets, watching as blacksmiths reforged broken weapons, as families rebuilt shattered homes. The people of her city were strong, resilient. But how much more could they endure?

Tarren joined her, handing her a parchment with an updated count of casualties and damages. "It could have been worse."

Silvia exhaled. "But it could have been better."

Tarren hesitated. "The people trust you, Silvia. They fought for you, and they'll keep fighting for this city as long as you lead them."

Silvia nodded but said nothing. The weight of leadership was heavier than any sword she had ever wielded.

She walked through the markets, where merchants had begun setting up again. The city still breathed, still fought to exist. People greeted her as she passed, some with weary smiles, others with nods of quiet respect. They had fought for this city, and they still looked to her for guidance.

She stopped at a blacksmith's stall, watching as a young apprentice hammered out dents in a broken shield. The older blacksmith, likely his father, saw her and gave a firm nod. "We'll be ready for the next fight, Commander."

Silvia felt the lump in her throat tighten. "Hopefully, we won't need to fight again anytime soon. But I'm grateful for your work."

The blacksmith smiled faintly. "A city must be prepared, even in times of peace."

A Private Moment

That night, Silvia found herself on the outer wall, staring at the vast darkness beyond the city. Dragon found her easily, as he always did.

"You're thinking too much again," he said, leaning against the stone beside her.

She smirked. "That's what leaders do."

Dragon tilted his head. "You're more than a leader, Silvia. You're the heart of this city. If you let it break, everything else falls apart."

She turned to face him. "And what if I don't know how to keep going? What if this was just the beginning?"

He grinned. "Then I'll make sure you don't fall."

She searched his gaze, finding only unwavering certainty. He had been by her side through every battle, every decision. And he wasn't going anywhere.

For the first time in days, she let herself lean against him, just for a moment. The world could wait.

A New Dawn

The next morning, Silvia awoke to the sound of hammers and saws echoing through the city. The people wasted no time in restoring their home. She donned her armor, more out of habit than necessity, and made her way to the command center where her council had gathered.

Garrik had a map spread across the table, marking weak points in their defenses. "We need to reinforce the outer walls. If the Remnants regroup, we can't afford another breach."

Tarren nodded. "Agreed. We also need more patrols beyond the city perimeter. We can't be caught off guard again."

Silvia listened, then finally spoke. "We fortify, but we also expand. This war isn't just about survival. It's about making sure our people thrive. We need trade, alliances. We can't live in fear of the next attack."

Dragon smirked. "Look at you, planning for the future."

Silvia exhaled. "If we don't, then what was the point of all this?"

She looked around the room, at the people who had fought beside her, who trusted her. "We move forward. And we make sure no one takes this city from us again."

The council members nodded, determination in their eyes.

The battle was won. But the future was just beginning.