Chapter 327: Story 327: Rising From the Ashes

The smoky haze blanketed the horizon, a grim reminder of Zara Kincaid’s sacrifice. Andre sat by the edge of the cliff, his gaze fixed on the smoldering ruins of the hive. His hands trembled as he lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag, though it did little to calm his nerves. Callum paced restlessly behind him, while Mia leaned against a nearby boulder, her face pale, a hastily wrapped bandage on her side.

“She’s gone,” Callum muttered, his voice cracking. “Zara’s really gone.”

Andre exhaled slowly, letting the silence stretch. “She did what none of us could. She saved us—and everyone else out there.”

“But at what cost?” Mia whispered, her voice raw with grief. “We left her down there, alone. We could’ve—”

“She chose this,” Andre cut in, his tone sharp but heavy with emotion. “And now we have to make sure it wasn’t for nothing.”