They brought the first group back as evening light painted the sky orange and pink. Twenty Precursor adults in total, a mixture of those found by different search parties, all converging on agreed locations.
The survivors stared at the transformed landscape. Ponds reflected the sunset's colors, grass swayed in a gentle breeze, and the forest beyond showed healthy growth impossible hours before.
White portal opened in the clearing's center, and a circle of light expanded from nothing, creating a doorway to elsewhere. An eagle burst through, a massive bird carrying a bundle in its talons.
The eagle dropped its cargo before circling once and diving back through the portal. The bundle hit the ground with a solid thump, canvas wrapping containing tools and basic supplies.
The portal dispersed as the light collapsed inward, leaving no trace of passage.
