With heavy hearts, we turned to one another. My allies, my family, bore the marks of valor and sacrifice upon their weary frames. Together, we set about the solemn task of tending to the wounded, our hands moving with deliberate care while our spirits grappled with the toll of victory.

"Today, we fought as one," I spoke softly, my gaze meeting each pair of eyes that had stood unwavering by my side. "And in honor of those we've lost, we will continue to stand united."

In the quiet that followed, ...