Chapter 146: The Price of Victory

The group trudged out of the fortress, their steps heavy with exhaustion and the weight of their recent victory. The battle had been brutal, and though they had triumphed, the cost was etched into their faces—bruises, cuts, and a profound weariness that settled into their bones. The shadow of the now-destroyed weapon loomed over them, a stark reminder of the power they had just dismantled, but also of the lives lost in the process.

The air was thick with tension as they made their way back to the rebel base. The path was familiar, but it felt different now—more oppressive, as if the very land bore witness to the blood that had been spilled. Silence reigned among them, each member lost in their thoughts, grappling with the aftermath of their mission. They knew they had struck a significant blow to the council, but the victory felt hollow. The faces of fallen comrades haunted their minds, and the burden of leadership weighed heavily on Emily's shoulders.