Daniel, Eva, and Vorak slowly made their way back toward the village. The other Fallen Ones had returned to Daniel's Spiritual Sea in silence after the battle ended.
When the first eyes landed on them, a wave of excitement surged through the village.
"Eva!"
Garol rushed toward the girl. Beside him, Mira had tears welling in her eyes.
They each took one of Eva's hands and immediately pulled her into a hug.
"My girl! You're safe... you're safe!"
"You really scared us, sweetheart... we thought we'd never see you again…"
Eva hugged them back. Laughter and tears filled her face at the same time. In that moment, all the exhaustion and wounds seemed to fade.
After her family was slaughtered, it was these two—the old man and woman—who raised her. To her, they were no different from a real family.
"Hero… I can never repay you. You saved my daughter's life. No amount of thanks is enough." A few minutes later, Garol turned to Daniel, voice strong but thick with emotion.
