Chapter 11: A New Dawn

The New Horizon sailed through calm waters, the sun rising over a world that felt both familiar and alien. The Convergence had been stopped, but the scars it left behind were deep. Cities lay in ruins, the oceans were rising, and the survivors were scattered and broken.

Alice stood on the deck, her arms crossed as she stared at the horizon. The weight of Kai's sacrifice pressed heavily on her chest, but she refused to let it crush her. She had made a promise—to him, to herself—to carry on his legacy. And she intended to keep it.

"You've been up here all night."

She turned to see Jace approaching, his hands shoved into the pockets of his jacket. His green eyes were filled with concern, but there was a hint of something else—something she couldn't quite place.

"Couldn't sleep," she said, her voice quiet.

He nodded, leaning against the railing beside her. "Yeah. Me neither."

They stood in silence for a moment, the sound of the waves filling the air. Then Jace spoke again.

"You know, you don't have to do this alone."

Alice glanced at him, her brow furrowing. "Do what?"

"Everything," he said, his tone serious. "Rebuilding. Fighting. Surviving. You've got people who care about you. People who want to help."

She looked away, her chest tightening. "I know. But it's not that simple."

"Isn't it?"

She didn't respond, her gaze returning to the horizon. Jace sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Look, I get it. You've been through hell. We all have. But you don't have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders."

Alice's jaw tightened. "Someone has to."

"Yeah," he said softly. "But it doesn't have to be you alone."

She turned to him, her eyes narrowing. "Why do you care so much?"

He hesitated, his gaze flicking to the horizon. "Because I've seen what happens when people try to do everything on their own. They burn out. They break. And I don't want that to happen to you."

Alice studied him, her chest aching. She wanted to believe him—to trust him—but the walls she'd built around herself were hard to break down.

"I'll think about it," she said finally.

Jace nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "That's all I ask."

The New Horizon reached its destination by midday—a small island that had once been a thriving community. Now, it was little more than a collection of crumbling buildings and overgrown vegetation. But it was a start.

Elena gathered the team on the deck, her expression grim. "This is our first step. We'll clear the island, secure the perimeter, and establish a base of operations. From here, we'll begin rebuilding."

The team nodded, their faces filled with determination. Alice stood at the back, her arms crossed. She didn't need a speech to motivate her—she had her own reasons for being here.

As the team disembarked, Jace fell into step beside her. "You ready for this?"

"Do I have a choice?" she asked, her tone dry.

He grinned. "Not really."

They moved through the island's ruins, their weapons raised. The air was thick with the scent of decay, and the only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the distant cry of a bird.

"This place gives me the creeps," Jace muttered, his eyes scanning the shadows.

"Stay focused," Alice said, her voice low.

They reached the center of the island, where a large building stood—a former community center. The doors were hanging off their hinges, and the interior was dark and silent.

"Let's clear it," Elena ordered.

The team moved inside, their flashlights cutting through the darkness. The building was a maze of broken furniture and shattered glass, but there were no signs of life.

"Looks like we're alone," Jace said, his voice echoing in the empty space.

"For now," Alice said, her tone grim.

They spent the next few hours securing the building, setting up makeshift barriers and checking for any signs of danger. By the time they were done, the sun was setting, casting the island in a warm, golden light.

Alice stood on the roof of the community center, her gaze sweeping over the island. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

"You've got that look again," Jace said, joining her.

"What look?"

"The one where you're planning something dangerous."

She glanced at him, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe I am."

He raised an eyebrow. "Care to share?"

"Not yet."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"So I've been told."

They stood in silence for a moment, the sound of the waves filling the air. Then Jace spoke again.

"You know, you don't have to do everything alone. I'm here. We're all here."

Alice looked at him, her chest aching. "I know. But some things… I have to do on my own."

He nodded, his expression softening. "Just… be careful, okay?"

"I will."

That night, Alice lay awake in her makeshift bed, her mind racing. She had a plan—a dangerous one—but it was the only way to ensure the Arks were truly destroyed.

She slipped out of the building, her footsteps silent as she made her way to the shore. A small boat was waiting, its engine idling softly.

"Going somewhere?"

She turned to see Jace standing behind her, his arms crossed.

"I have to do this," she said, her voice firm.

"Do what, exactly?"

"The Arks. They're still out there. And if we don't destroy them, the Convergence could start again."

Jace stepped closer, his expression filled with concern. "And you're just going to take them on by yourself?"

"I don't have a choice."

"Yes, you do," he said, his tone sharp. "You can let us help you."

She shook her head, her chest tightening. "I can't risk anyone else."

"And what about you? Who's going to watch your back?"

"I'll be fine."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"So I've been told."

They stood in silence for a moment, the sound of the waves filling the air. Then Jace spoke again.

"Fine. But I'm coming with you."

Alice's eyes widened. "What?"

"You heard me. I'm not letting you do this alone."

She stared at him, her chest aching. "Jace…"

"I'm not asking for permission," he said, his tone firm. "I'm coming. End of discussion."

For a moment, she wanted to argue. But the look in his eyes—the determination, the concern—stopped her.

"Okay," she said finally. "But you follow my lead."

He grinned. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

As they boarded the boat and set off into the night, Alice couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. She wasn't alone anymore.

And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.