Chapter 117: First Contact.

Just over a day later, as the sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows over Green Arbor, the quiet tension of anticipation lingered in the air. Ava stood at the center of the bustling town square, watching as the final preparations were made. The villagers-turned-militia moved quickly, setting up barricades and securing defensive positions. Sweat gleamed on their faces, but their determination was clear.

“Miko,” Ava called out, her voice carrying the weight of authority and urgency. “Get your best marksmen up high. I want overwatch on every possible approach.”

Miko nodded, signaling a handful of sharpshooters who hurried to the makeshift towers and rooftops around the town’s perimeter. "I've got eyes north and south. We'll be ready," Miko confirmed, his usual relaxed demeanor now sharpened with focus. He exchanged a quick glance with Ava, reading the tension in her posture, though both knew this needed to be done.

For a moment, there was an eerie silence, the calm before the storm. Then, a single gunshot shattered the stillness. Ava’s head snapped toward the sound—so it begins. The distant crack of more gunfire soon followed, and within moments, the sky filled with flashes of muzzle fire. The raiders had arrived.

"Let’s go," Ava growled, already moving as Talon fell in step beside her. Her twin pistols drawn, she led the charge toward the sound of battle.

They rushed toward the eastern gate, where the first skirmishes had already begun. The raiders, relentless and vicious, stormed the defenses. Ava could see the villagers holding their ground but struggling under the weight of the assault. Eli was among them, fighting with everything he had. His face was a mixture of fear and grit, but his movements were precise—Ava’s training had paid off.

"Hold the line!" Ava yelled, her voice a commanding force as she plunged into the fray. She moved like a storm through the chaos, her twin pistols firing in a rapid, deadly rhythm. Each shot hit its mark, dropping raiders before they even had a chance to react. She holstered her pistols mid-stride, drawing her sword in one smooth motion as she engaged a group of raiders in brutal close combat.

Ava’s blade flashed in the dying light, each swing cutting down another enemy. Talon fought at her side, his weapons a blur as he cleared space around them. His movements were precise, calculated, but there was a deadly elegance to his fighting, much like Ava’s own.

"Push them back!" Talon roared, covering Ava’s flank with a powerful strike that sent two raiders reeling. "Don’t give them an inch!"

The battle was fierce. Raiders fought with savage intensity, driven by a hunger for blood and plunder. But Green Arbor’s militia—though new to battle—held their ground with a kind of stubborn, desperate courage that only comes from defending one’s home.

The clash of steel on steel, the explosive retort of gunfire, and the shouts of combatants filled the air. Dust kicked up underfoot as bodies fell, the battlefield becoming a chaotic swirl of violence. Ava could feel the heat of it—the fight, the adrenaline, the desperate need to protect this town and its people.

She ducked a swinging blade, countering with a thrust of her sword that sent the raider crashing to the ground. The attackers kept coming.

Talon, called out to her, “You good, Blondie?”

“Still standing,” Ava shot back, something of a smile on her face. She fired her pistol over her shoulder without even looking, taking down a raider creeping up behind her.

In the midst of the battle, a hulking raider charged at her, his face twisted with rage. He swung a massive axe, the force of it enough to cleave a man in two. Ava sidestepped, the blade missing her by mere inches. With fluid precision, she spun, bringing her sword down on his back with lethal force. He crumpled at her feet.

Suddenly, there was a shout from Miko’s position. “We’ve got one alive!” Talon, quick as ever, had pinned a raider to the ground, his knee pressing hard against the man’s chest.

Ava stalked over, her sword still dripping with blood. She pressed the blade to the raider’s throat, her eyes cold and hard. “Why the attack? Who sent you?” Her voice was low, dangerous.

The raider, a wicked smile creeping across his bloodied face, coughed out a laugh. “You’re her, aren’t you? The Blonde Death.” He spat blood at the ground. “Goran sent us. He’s offering a fortune for your head.”

Ava’s heart went cold. Goran—a name that made even the most seasoned fighters uneasy. Her reputation had finally caught up with her.

“You Sentinels think you’re invincible,” the raider continued, sneering despite the blade at his throat. “But you’ve all got prices on your heads now. You’re not untouchable.”

Ava’s grip tightened on her sword. She exchanged a glance with Talon, who looked equally grim. “Take him,” Ava ordered, signaling for the militia to drag the prisoner away for further questioning.

As the adrenaline from the fight began to ebb, Talon clapped Ava on the shoulder, his voice laced with admiration and concern. “Blonde Death, huh? You really do have a reputation.”

Ava let out a humorless laugh. “Seems I’ve pissed off the wrong people.”

“More like the right people,” Talon replied, though his grin faded as the gravity of the situation settled in. “But this puts us all in the crosshairs.”

Ava nodded, her gaze drifting back to the town. “We’re all in this now. And they’ll be coming for more than just me.”

As night began to fall once more, Ava, Talon, and Miko returned to their posts. The raiders might have been pushed back for now, but Ava knew it was only the beginning. Goran wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted.

Standing in the flickering light of the fires around the town, Ava felt the weight of her new name settle on her shoulders. It was a name that inspired both fear and respect, but it came with a cost—a target on her back and the backs of those she cared about.

But as the sounds of gunfire resumed in the distance, Ava’s resolve hardened. Green Arbor wasn’t just a stop on the road for her anymore. It was worth fighting for.

And she would face whatever storm came her way.

Chapter 118: The Onslaught.

Darkness fell thick and heavy over Green Arbor, casting long shadows across the embattled town. The air was thick with smoke, the acrid stench of gunpowder mixing with the earthy scent of rain-soaked soil. The sporadic crack of gunfire and the distant screams of raiders filled the air as Ava stood at the frontlines, her expression carved from stone. Every breath, every movement was purposeful, as if each action carried the weight of life and death.

Suddenly, the deep, guttural roar of engines split through the chaos, sending a fresh wave of dread over the defenders. Vehicles, bristling with mounted machine guns, tore through the treeline like demons from the abyss. As they emerged, the air lit up with tracer rounds, illuminating the night sky as bullets shredded anything in their path.

"Of course, they brought toys!" Talon shouted over the deafening sound of gunfire. His voice, though laced with grim humor, was barely audible amidst the cacophony of violence. Without waiting for a response, he took off, sprinting towards the oncoming vehicles. Bullets whizzed past him, kicking up dirt and debris, but Talon moved with the reckless abandon of a man who’d faced death too many times to be afraid.

Ava, her rifle firing relentlessly from the front lines, caught sight of Talon's bold move. Watching him charge toward the vehicles, she couldn’t help but laugh amidst the chaos. "Show-off," she muttered, shaking her head as she continued picking off raiders who advanced on her position. Each shot was precise, her aim deadly, living up to the legend of the "Blonde Death."

Talon reached the first vehicle, throwing himself into a tackle that sent the gunner sprawling to the ground. The struggle was brief but vicious—Talon’s combat knife flashed, and the gunner’s body slumped lifelessly, blood pooling in the mud. Wasting no time, Talon swung into the gunner's seat, his hands finding the controls of the mounted machine gun. With a savage grin, he turned the weapon on the approaching raiders and unleashed a relentless barrage.

The sheer volume of gunfire was overwhelming. Raiders were torn apart as Talon swept the gun from side to side, mowing down enemies in a brutal storm of bullets. Blood sprayed, limbs twisted in unnatural directions, and the ground quickly became a graveyard of shattered bodies. But Talon wasn't done.

With the first vehicle neutralized, he leapt from the gunner's seat and dashed toward the next, moving like a shadow through the chaos. Raiders screamed and fired blindly, but Talon moved with purpose, slipping between enemy fire with an almost supernatural agility. He reached the second vehicle, dispatching the crew with the same deadly precision. By now, the battlefield had become a scene of carnage, the ground littered with the dead and dying.

"Boom!" Talon shouted with wild glee as he rigged explosives to the captured vehicles. One by one, the raiders' vehicles erupted in massive fireballs, the explosions tearing through the night and throwing raiders into the air like ragdolls. The fiery wreckage created a makeshift barrier, halting the raiders' advance and buying Green Arbor precious time.

Back at the north gate, Ava's sharp eyes caught sight of Eli and a group of villagers caught in a deadly flanking maneuver. Raiders had encircled them, pinning them down with heavy fire. Without hesitation, Ava surged forward, her body moving before her mind had time to calculate the risk.

"Talon! I need cover, now!" Ava shouted as she sprinted towards Eli’s position, her heart pounding with the urgency of the moment.

Talon, hearing the desperation in her voice, glanced at the dwindling ammo in his gun. "I'm on it!" he shouted back, sending the last few rounds into the advancing raiders before abandoning his post. He sprinted back toward the front lines, detonating the charges behind him, sending a series of controlled blasts that rocked the battlefield. Fire and shrapnel tore through the raider ranks, scattering them in a confused retreat.

Ava pushed forward through the chaos, bullets whizzing past her. Her sword flashed in the darkness, cutting down any raider foolish enough to stand in her way. She reached Eli and the villagers, her body moving on pure instinct. "Get to cover!" she commanded, her voice cutting through the gunfire as she shielded them from the onslaught.

Eli, face pale but determined, moved with the villagers, his eyes darting to Ava as she stood between them and certain death. Raiders closed in, but Ava was a wall of unrelenting force, her rifle spitting death as she fought to buy the villagers precious seconds.

Talon’s voice rang out from behind as he rejoined the fight. "You can’t save everyone, Ava!"

"Just cover me!" she shouted back, her voice filled with unyielding resolve.

Talon did as he was told, his rifle barking as he took down raiders trying to outflank Ava. His eyes flicked between the enemies and Ava, a mixture of admiration and concern flickering across his face as he watched her move through the carnage.

Ava moved with the precision of a seasoned warrior, her every motion deliberate and deadly. Her sword slashed through flesh and bone with terrifying efficiency. Eli, crouched behind cover, could only watch in awe as Ava fought to protect him and the villagers. She was fierce, unrelenting, and utterly fearless.

"You okay?" Eli shouted over the gunfire, his voice shaky but filled with concern.

"Just fine," Ava replied through gritted teeth, her gaze never leaving the battlefield. "Get them out of here!"

Eli nodded, ushering the villagers towards the relative safety of the barricades as Ava and Talon held the line. Raiders fell in waves, their bodies piling up as the defenders of Green Arbor fought with every ounce of strength they had.

As the gunfire intensified once more, the raiders regrouped for a second push. The real battle was just beginning.

The battlefield around Green Arbor had become a violent maelstrom, a brutal test of endurance and will. The once quiet town was now a warzone, and every inch of ground was fought for with blood and fury. Ava’s focus was razor-sharp as she pushed through the chaos, her every step calculated as she fought her way towards Eli and the trapped villagers.

Gunfire echoed around her, bullets whizzing past as she dodged between the rubble and carnage. Raiders fell in her path, dispatched with ruthless efficiency by the deadly dance of her twin pistols and blade. Ava was relentless, her movements fluid and precise, leaving no room for hesitation.

As she approached the small group of villagers, a raider lunged at a young child who had become separated in the chaos. Without hesitation, Ava threw herself between them, her body a wall of protection. Her blade flashed, and with a clean, brutal strike, she cut the raider down before he could harm the child. The fight lasted only seconds, but in those brief moments, lives were saved.

Eli, standing protectively in front of a woman holding a baby, looked up in desperation. His eyes met Ava’s, a flicker of fear mixing with determination on his face. "Ava, we can’t just—" he started, his voice shaking under the weight of the moment.

“Eli, don’t!” Ava’s voice cut through the noise, sharp and commanding. It wasn’t just the raiders she was fighting—it was her fear for him. She reached out, grabbing his arm and yanking him back as another raider swung a crude weapon in Eli’s direction. "This isn’t a game! You can't take risks like that!"

“But I can fight, Ava!” Eli protested, his voice rising above the din of combat, his body tense with adrenaline.

Ava’s eyes bore into him, fierce and unyielding. "Listen to me, Eli, I need you alive," she snapped, her voice full of more than just professional concern—it was personal. "Get these people to the tunnels, now. That’s an order!" Her tone left no room for argument, though beneath the commanding exterior was a deep and desperate fear for his safety.

Eli’s breath hitched as the severity of her words sunk in. For a moment, the battle faded away, and all he saw was the intensity in Ava’s eyes—the vulnerability behind her strength. He nodded, swallowing hard, his voice barely above a whisper. "Okay, okay, I’m on it," he replied, immediately turning to usher the frightened villagers toward the safety of the hidden tunnels.

Ava stood still for a split second, her heart pounding as she watched Eli lead the group to safety. She felt an unfamiliar twinge of fear for him, something she hadn’t allowed herself to feel in years. She wasn’t just protecting civilians—she was protecting someone she cared about.

The harsh crackle of her radio brought her back into focus. "Ava, fall back! We’re regrouping at the north gate!" Miko’s voice was tense with urgency, the situation far from under control.

“Copy that, on my way!” Ava responded, her voice clear and resolute, masking the storm raging inside her. She took one last look at Eli’s retreating figure, reassuring herself that he was safe, before turning on her heel and sprinting back toward the front lines.

Reaching the northern defenses, she found Talon already in the thick of it, his face a mixture of exhilaration and fury as he fought off the raiders with a ferocious intensity. “About time, Blondie!” he called out, his tone light despite the chaos. "We could use a little more of your fancy footwork over here!"

Ava quickly joined him, her pistols blazing as she provided cover for the militia who were desperately trying to hold the line. The raiders were relentless, pushing forward in waves, testing the town’s defenses with every passing minute. The gunfire was deafening, the acrid smell of spent ammunition and blood hanging heavy in the air.

Chapter 119: Through the Fire.

Ava and Talon fought side by side as the militia struggled to hold the line, each of them displaying the skill and brutality that had earned them their reputation.

Ava’s pistols barked in rapid succession, each shot finding its mark with deadly precision. Every movement she made was calculated—efficient, ruthless. She danced through the combat with a grim elegance, her blade flashing as it cut down any raiders that got too close. The adrenaline pumping through her veins sharpened her focus as she carved a path through the enemy.

Next to her, Talon fought like a man possessed, his broad frame a whirlwind of violence. His rifle barked intermittently between bouts of brutal hand-to-hand combat, his fists and blades just as deadly as any firearm. He covered Ava’s flanks with a ferocious intensity, their unspoken bond on the battlefield stronger than ever.

"Blondie, they're pushing harder!" Talon shouted over the deafening roar of battle, his voice barely audible over the screams of the wounded and the cacophony of gunfire.

Ava didn’t respond immediately, her focus entirely on the raider who had just lunged at her. She parried his wild strike with a deft movement of her blade before slashing across his chest, dropping him where he stood. She finally looked over at Talon, her eyes blazing with determination. "We can’t hold them here much longer! We need to fall back to the north gate."

Talon nodded, his gaze darting towards the militia. They were struggling, barely holding their ground as the relentless wave of raiders pressed in on all sides. "Fall back!" he bellowed, his voice cutting through the chaos as he motioned for the militia to retreat towards the north gate. "We’ll cover you!"

The militia hesitated for only a moment before obeying, scrambling back towards the north gate as Ava and Talon held their ground, providing cover fire. Ava’s pistols clicked empty, and without missing a beat, she holstered them and drew her sword, slashing through the raiders who dared to get close.

"Come on, Talon, we’re moving!" Ava shouted, her voice strained with the effort of holding back the advancing force.

"I’ve got your six!" Talon barked, moving in sync with her as they slowly retreated towards the north gate, their backs against the tide of raiders.

As they moved, Talon’s rifle barked again, cutting down a raider who had charged from the side. "They're not letting up!" he growled, switching seamlessly to his blade as his rifle ran dry. The fighting became more desperate, each step backward contested by the relentless surge of raiders.

Ava and Talon worked as one, their blades moving in perfect harmony, cutting down raiders with the ease of seasoned warriors. Despite the overwhelming odds, there was a strange joy in the fight—a reminder of their shared history, their bond forged in blood and battle.

The militia had managed to retreat to the north gate, hastily setting up makeshift defenses as they awaited their two Sentinels. "We’re almost there!" Ava called out, her breath ragged but steady as she and Talon closed in on the gate.

Suddenly, a raider rushed Ava from behind, his blade raised for a killing strike. Talon’s eyes widened in alarm. "Ava!"

Without thinking, Talon surged forward, slamming into the raider with brutal force, sending them both crashing to the ground. With a swift motion, Talon dispatched the raider, blood splattering across the dirt as he rose to his feet. "You’re welcome!" he quipped breathlessly, his eyes twinkling despite the chaos.

Ava shot him a quick glance, a small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "I had it under control," she replied, her voice tinged with mock annoyance.

"Sure you did," Talon laughed, his expression softening for a brief moment before the seriousness of the situation set back in.

The sound of gunfire from the north gate signaled that the militia had reestablished a defensive position. With one final push, Ava and Talon reached the defensive line, the raiders still hot on their heels the militia opened fire on the approaching enemies, holding them at bay—for now.

"Here they come again," Miko called out over the radio from his overwatch position, his voice tense as the next wave of raiders emerged from the shadows of the treeline, their battle cries echoing across the night.

"Get ready to fall back through the gates." Miko called out, his voice even more tense than before, as he saw the numbers of raiders emerging from the treeline.

The night was far from over, and the battle for Green Arbor had only just begun.

Chapter 120: Retreat Under Fire.

The battle for Green Arbor had devolved into a desperate, chaotic struggle as the raiders pushed their assault with unyielding force. Ava’s voice cut through the melee, directing the retreat as the defenders fell back toward the village walls. The air was thick with smoke, the deafening roar of gunfire, and the frantic cries of the wounded.

Through the haze, Ava spotted Miko, his rifle clutched tightly as he provided cover for the retreating villagers. But in the next instant, a volley of gunfire tore through the air, and she saw Miko’s body jerk violently as the bullets struck. Her heart seemed to stop as she watched in horror—Miko staggered, then collapsed to the ground, his rifle slipping from his hands.

“Miko!” Ava’s shout was swallowed by the chaos around her, but she couldn’t move. She was pinned down, helping a wounded villager to safety. Helplessly, she watched as Miko lay on the ground, unmoving.

Talon, catching sight of Miko’s fall from the corner of his eye, reacted instantly. Without a second thought, he sprinted across the battlefield, weaving through gunfire and debris. His face was a mixture of fear and determination as he reached Miko, dropping to his knees beside him.

“Come on, buddy, stay with me,” Talon muttered, his voice a low plea as he hoisted Miko over his shoulders in a fireman’s carry. He could feel the blood soaking through his clothes as he pushed forward, his muscles straining under Miko’s weight.

“Cover him!” Ava shouted, her voice cutting through the clamor. The militia responded with a hail of bullets, firing at the raiders who were surging toward the village. Talon, moving as fast as he could under the weight of Miko’s body, pushed forward, refusing to let his friend die on the battlefield.

The explosion from the detonated charges echoed behind them, providing a brief reprieve. Talon finally reached the makeshift barricades inside the village, collapsing to his knees as he lowered Miko gently to the ground.

“Miko, come on, don’t do this. Stay with me,” Talon pleaded, his hands trembling as he cradled Miko’s bloodied form. The red was everywhere—seeping through Miko’s shirt, staining Talon’s hands, pooling beneath them.

Ava ran over, her face a mask of terror as she knelt beside them. Her breath hitched as she saw the blood, the pallor of Miko’s skin. “We need to move him. Get him to the med center now!” Her voice was firm, but the fear in her eyes betrayed her.

Together, they carried Miko toward the makeshift hospital, each step feeling like an eternity. The village around them was a warzone, but inside the hospital, a different kind of battle was unfolding. Jess was tending to another wounded defender when she saw them enter, her eyes locking onto Miko’s limp form.

“No...” Jess whispered, her voice breaking. Her legs nearly buckled as she rushed toward them, her hands covering her mouth as the reality of Miko’s condition hit her. Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them away, forcing herself to focus.

Lucas, who had been coordinating the medical effort, immediately sprang into action when he saw the group. His face was grim, his tone sharp with urgency. “Clear a space, now! Get him on the table!” he barked, motioning for other medics to prepare.

Talon, his hands still clutching Miko’s shirt, struggled to let go as Lucas moved in to work. “Talon, let him go,” Lucas said firmly, gripping Talon’s shoulder as he pulled him away from Miko’s side.

Jess, her tears finally falling, took a deep breath and moved to assist Lucas, her hands trembling as she grabbed supplies. She pressed a hand to Miko’s chest, feeling the shallow rise and fall of his breath, clinging to the hope that it wasn’t too late.

Lucas worked methodically, his hands moving with precision as he examined the wounds. “We’ve got heavy internal bleeding. Jess, I need you to keep pressure here,” he ordered, his voice steady but tense. “We’re not losing him.”

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Ava stood by Jess, her heart in her throat as she watched the scene unfold. Her fingers itched to help, to do something, but all she could do was stand there, helpless, as the medics fought to save her friend.

Jess’s face was a mixture of fear and determination. Her training was keeping her focused, but the sight of Miko—her husband, her rock—lying broken on the table was tearing her apart. “You’re going to be okay, Miko,” she whispered through gritted teeth, as though her words alone could will him to survive.

Outside, the sounds of battle continued, but in the small, blood-stained room, the war was personal. For a moment, time seemed to stand still as the weight of everything crashed down on them. Ava, standing by the door, felt a helplessness she hadn’t known in years.

Lucas and Jess worked in tandem, their movements desperate but controlled, as they fought for Miko’s life. The minutes dragged on, each second feeling like a lifetime as the war outside raged on, but inside, it was a different kind of fight—a fight for one of their own.

Chapter 121: A Brief Respite.

After the echoes of gunfire faded and the last of the raiders were taken down, a heavy silence fell over Green Arbor. The once-bustling chaos of battle had been replaced by the quiet aftermath—broken barricades, blood-stained ground, and weary defenders catching their breath. Ava and Talon, still standing outside the makeshift hospital, allowed themselves a brief moment to lean against one another, their foreheads touching in silent acknowledgment of the battle they had survived together. It was a rare, unspoken bond, forged in the fire of countless battles.

"Another day, another round of saving the town," Talon muttered with a smirk, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Yeah," Ava responded with a weary smile, her eyes betraying the weight of responsibility she carried. "No rest for the wicked, huh?"

They exchanged a look that spoke volumes—gratitude, exhaustion, and an unbreakable trust. But their moment of vulnerability was short-lived as they quickly slipped back into their roles as leaders.

Moving among the defenders, Ava gave quiet words of encouragement, her hand resting on the shoulders of those who needed reassurance. One young militiaman, barely old enough to shave, looked up at her with wide eyes, awe etched into his face.

"Never thought I’d get to fight alongside the Blonde Death herself," he said, his voice a mixture of disbelief and admiration.

Ava snorted softly, shaking her head. "Just Ava. The raiders can keep their dramatic names."

The boy chuckled nervously, clearly in awe, but the pride in his eyes was undeniable. Ava gave him a gentle pat on the back, sending him off with a nod.

Meanwhile, Talon was in full commander mode, directing people to reinforce the barricades and making sure they were prepared for the next wave. His voice carried over the field, strong and unwavering. "I want eyes on the north and west at all times! No one gets through. Sentries, rotate every two hours."

The defenders moved swiftly under his guidance, their confidence bolstered by his calm in the storm.

As the preparations continued, Eli approached Ava, his eyes searching hers for any sign of injury, worry evident in his face. Without a word, Ava stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace. In that moment, the battle, the blood, and the chaos faded away. The world shrank to just the two of them, standing in the midst of a warzone but finding solace in each other’s presence.

She pulled back just enough to plant a soft, lingering kiss on his lips. It was a kiss that spoke of gratitude, relief, and a promise that no matter what happened next, she would always fight her way back to him. Eli’s arms tightened around her, his forehead resting against hers for a brief second.

"Stay safe," she whispered, before pulling away with a rueful smile. "I’ve got work to do."

Eli nodded, watching as she turned to rejoin Talon at the overwatch position, his heart heavy but filled with admiration for the woman she was.

On the ridge, Ava and Talon shared a lighter moment, both of them eager to shake off the lingering weight of the battle. "Remember that time in the swamps?" Ava asked, a chuckle escaping her lips. "When you tried to use a gator as a weapon?"

Talon’s grin was wide, his teeth flashing under the moonlight. "How could I forget? I thought it was a genius idea. I mean, who else could say they’ve fought with a gator?"

Ava rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face betrayed her amusement. "Yeah, right up until it almost took your hand off. Barely saved you from that one."

"Hey, I like to keep things interesting," Talon quipped, checking his weapon. "Now, here we are, defending Green Arbor—'Blonde Death' and 'Gator Wrestler.' What do you think? Should we start charging for autographs?"

Ava laughed, shaking her head. "Maybe after we get through this, we’ll set up a booth."

But their banter was cut short as a voice rang out from beyond the barricades, sharp and taunting. "Come out, Blonde Death! Let’s see if you’re as fierce up close!"

Ava’s smile faded, her grip tightening on her rifle. Her eyes, once filled with humor, now turned cold and calculating. She scanned the horizon, searching for the source of the voice.

"Looks like your fan club’s here," Talon said, his tone darkening as he readied his own weapon.

Ava exhaled slowly, her expression hardening. "Guess we’re putting on a show then." She glanced at Talon, her lips curling into a determined smirk. "Time to give them a performance they won’t forget."

"Just how I like it," Talon replied, his voice brimming with excitement as he reloaded his rifle. "Let’s make this memorable."

As the two of them prepared for the next wave, the defenders rallied around them, drawn by the unshakable confidence of their leaders. The laughter from earlier was gone, replaced by a grim readiness as they braced themselves for what was to come. Ava and Talon stood side by side, their friendship and unspoken bond a force stronger than any raider that dared to challenge them.

"Alright, everyone," Ava shouted, her voice ringing out over the battlefield. "Get ready. They’ll be back. And when they come, we’ll be ready."

With their weapons raised and their spirits united, the defenders of Green Arbor steeled themselves for the storm that was sure to come.

Chapter 122: Goran.

The dust had barely settled, and the air was thick with the lingering scent of gunpowder and charred debris. Ava and Talon made their way to the remains of the gates, their silhouettes framed by the flickering fires scattered across the battlefield. The tension was palpable, the quiet before the next storm. Every breath they took felt weighted with the anticipation of what was coming.

As they reached the gap where the gates once stood, Ava surveyed the terrain with a strategic eye, noting the broken barricades and the hastily fortified defenses. "We’ll pull them through here," she instructed, pointing toward the narrow choke point the blown gates had created. "They’ll bottleneck, and we can pick them off more easily from the sides."

Talon nodded, his eyes tracking her line of sight. But as he glanced at Ava, he noticed her gaze fixed intently beyond the wreckage, her expression one of cold determination. He knew that look all too well. "Where are you going to be during all this?" he asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.

Ava gave him a small, knowing smile. "I’m off to meet the fans," she quipped, though the humor didn’t reach her eyes. Beneath the joke was an unspoken intent—something personal, something dangerous.

Talon's concern deepened, his brow furrowing. "Ava, you don’t have to do this alone," he urged, his tone edged with the worry of someone who had fought by her side too many times to count.

Ava’s response was quick, but not dismissive. She reached out and briefly squeezed his hand—a rare gesture of affection that conveyed everything she wasn’t saying. "I’ll be fine," she said, her voice steady, though the intensity in her eyes told a different story.

Without waiting for Talon’s protest, Ava slipped through the wreckage of the gates, her figure disappearing into the darkened battlefield beyond.

Outside, under the dim light of the fires, Goran stood with his men, his imposing frame towering over them like a living symbol of brute strength. His sneer was evident even from a distance, a twisted blend of disdain and arrogance. As Ava approached, his eyes gleamed with a cruel sort of amusement.

"So, you're the infamous Blonde Death?" Goran called out, his voice thick with mockery. "Can’t say I expected someone like *you*," he added, taking in Ava’s smaller frame and calm demeanor.

Ava stopped just a few feet away, her posture deceptively relaxed, though every muscle in her body was coiled, ready for whatever came next. Her blonde hair, damp with sweat and rain, clung to her face, but her blue eyes shone with an unsettling calm. "Are you in charge?" she asked, her voice cool, cutting through the tension like a blade.

Goran's sneer deepened. "Yeah, I’m in charge now," he spat. "Thanks to your Sentinel friends and his little fireworks show. You took out our leadership—and my son—when you destroyed those vehicles."

Ava’s mind raced back to Talon’s daring assault on the raiders’ vehicles. She pieced it together quickly. "Your son was with that patrol," she stated, her voice softening for just a moment, though there was no sympathy in her tone.

Grief and rage contorted Goran’s face. "Yes, *my* son," he snarled. "And now I’m going to make you watch your town burn. And when it's over, you’ll die by my hand."

Ava stood her ground, unfazed by his towering presence or his threats. She let his anger wash over her like water over stone, absorbing it, letting it fuel her resolve. Her lips curled into a slight smile—one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Or we could settle this right now," she suggested, her voice calm but daring. "Just you and me. One on one."

For a moment, Goran’s eyes flashed with surprise, but then he laughed—a deep, menacing sound that echoed across the broken landscape. "Oh, I don’t think so," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "I’ll enjoy watching you try to save your pathetic little village first. But don’t worry, Blonde Death, I’ll find you in the end."

Ava’s smile never faltered as she turned her back on Goran, walking back toward the gates with the same measured calm she had approached him with. Over her shoulder, she called out, "I’ll be looking for you too."

As she rejoined Talon and the defenders behind the gates, her face hardened, the gravity of the confrontation with Goran settling in. The man wasn’t just after Green Arbor—he was after her, specifically. And now, every life in the village felt like it was tied to her shoulders.

"We have to hold them off," she told Talon, her voice low and fierce, the weight of leadership pressing down on her. She glanced at the defenders, many of them tired, but resolute. "We pull them through the bottleneck. It’s the only way."

Talon, standing close beside her, watched her with a mix of concern and respect. He knew what she was facing—knew the burden of being both the leader and the target. "And I’ll be right here with you," he said, his voice steady as ever.

Ava didn’t need to look at him to know he meant it. Together, they prepared for the coming assault, the raiders' leader still looming in the distance, a dark shadow against the flickering fires of the battlefield.

Chapter 123: Hero's Resolve.

Under the dim glow of lanterns and the smoldering remnants of battle-scorched earth, Ava stood at the front of Green Arbor's last line of defense. Her mud-caked boots, bloodstained armor, and piercing blue eyes told the story of a night filled with relentless violence. Despite her smaller frame, she commanded attention—her presence was a force unto itself. Next to her, Talon double-checked his weapons with a methodical calm, the quiet before the storm brewing in his eyes.

The defenders—farmers, shopkeepers, and militia alike—stood shoulder to shoulder, their faces etched with exhaustion, yet their gazes hardened with resolve. Ava could feel their fear, their doubt, but she also saw something more—a flicker of determination that refused to die, even as the odds stacked against them.

"Look at us," Ava began, her voice clear but strong, carrying over the crackle of distant fires and the tension-laden silence. "You've all become more than anyone could have expected. You didn’t sign up to be warriors, but here you are. Your courage, your grit—it's not just commendable. It's something far greater."

She moved closer to the front line, her eyes scanning the crowd—pausing on the younger faces, their hands gripping their weapons tighter than ever. These were people she had trained, people she had fought beside, and now, they were her shield, her sword, and her family.

"Out there," she gestured toward the blasted remains of the North Gate, "the raiders think they’ve already won. They think we’re just a town of merchants and farmers, easy prey. But what they’ve found is a people who refuse to fall."

Her voice grew louder, filled with defiance. "Green Arbor isn’t just buildings or walls. Green Arbor is us! And as long as we stand, this town stands. As long as we fight, this home endures."

The energy in the air shifted, the once nervous whispers fading as the group locked their eyes on her. The gravity of Ava’s words washed over them, and what had been flickering embers of determination roared into a fire of defiance.

"This," Ava continued, her voice steady but fierce, "is our final stand. When the sun rises, it will shine on us. We will make sure of that." She stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on the shoulder of a young militiaman, whose eyes burned with a mix of fear and admiration. "You’ve trained for this. You’re ready. We will send a message that echoes far beyond these walls: Green Arbor doesn’t bow. Green Arbor fights. And we will show them what that means."

Nods of agreement turned into muttered oaths, then into full-throated cheers. The defenders, once uncertain, now steeled themselves for the onslaught that awaited them. The weight of Ava’s speech had transformed them, uniting them in a shared purpose.

Ava stepped back beside Talon, who smirked, his usual humor softened by the seriousness of the moment. "You sure know how to stir the pot," he commented.

Before Ava could respond, the ground beneath their feet trembled as a deafening explosion rocked the North Gate. The air filled with smoke, dust, and the distant shouts of raiders charging forward with savage intent.

The wooden barricade splintered, and through the smoke, the silhouettes of raiders poured into the gap.

“Positions!” Ava shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos like a blade. She raised her rifle, her expression shifting into the cold, calculated focus of a warrior prepared for battle. “Show them what it means to challenge Green Arbor!”

The defenders fell into position like clockwork, raising their weapons with a newfound fury. Gunfire erupted as the first wave of raiders hit the barricades, bullets tearing through the night. The sharp crack of rifles, the clash of steel, and the defiant war cries of Green Arbor’s defenders blended into a brutal symphony of survival.

Ava moved through the smoke with lethal grace, her pistols spitting fire as raiders dropped in her wake. Her movements were precise, every shot deliberate. Talon was at her side, his blade and pistol working in tandem as they carved through the enemy lines. They fought like a well-oiled machine, each movement complementing the other.

"Blonde Death! Come face me!" A taunting voice rang out over the battlefield, cutting through the sounds of battle. Ava turned toward the challenge, eyes narrowing as she spotted a hulking raider standing amidst the chaos. His sneer twisted with confidence, mistaking her for someone to be toyed with.

Without hesitation, Ava stepped forward, her blue eyes gleaming coldly in the firelight. "You want to dance?" she muttered under her breath, her fingers tightening around the grip of her pistol. "Then let’s finish this."

Talon caught her look, his smirk widening into a grim smile as he followed. "Blonde Death, huh?" he called out, deflecting a raider's strike before burying his blade in the man’s chest. "Guess you’re living up to that name."

Ava didn’t respond, her focus locked on the raider who had called her out. "I’ll see you soon," she whispered, charging into the fray once more. Her movements were lightning fast, lethal and fluid as she pushed through the chaos with Talon at her side.

As the fighting grew fiercer, Ava could feel the resolve of her defenders holding strong. Each of them fought not just for survival, but for the home that lay behind them—the home they had vowed to protect, no matter the cost.

"For Green Arbor!" Ava shouted once more, her voice rising above the din, a rallying cry that echoed through the night. It was a call to arms, a declaration of war.

And the defenders answered.

Chapter 124: We Don't Fall.

The battle reached its fever pitch as waves of raiders pushed through the destroyed gates, flooding into Green Arbor like a torrent of malice and fury. Screams and the clash of steel filled the air, blending with the steady rhythm of gunfire. The sky above, darkened by smoke, seemed to press down on the chaos below. Blood and sweat mixed with the rain-slicked earth, turning the ground into a treacherous battlefield.

Ava and Talon stood at the heart of the fray, their presence the anchor holding the town’s defenses together. Ava's eyes were sharp, her body moving with lethal precision. Her pistols emptied with a deafening click, but she wasted no time, hurling them at an oncoming raider with bone-shattering force. The man crumpled, and Ava's sword was out in an instant, the gleam of steel slicing through the madness.

Beside her, Talon was a storm of aggression. His knife flashed in and out, leaving a trail of fallen enemies in his wake. But the sheer volume of raiders pressing against them was suffocating. They moved like a swarm, their weapons striking out from every angle, threatening to overwhelm.

In the maelstrom, Talon grunted as a raider caught him off guard, knocking him to his knees. The attack was relentless, forcing him to fend off blows from all sides. Ava, sensing the shift, turned to help her brother-in-arms, but before she could reach him, a searing pain ripped through her shoulder. Her body jerked forward from the impact, followed by another sharp agony as a blade found its mark in her back.

Through the haze of pain, a voice echoed—a low, mocking growl that sent a chill down her spine. “Got you, Blonde Death,” Goran sneered, his massive frame looming over her, his eyes gleaming with twisted satisfaction.

Ava staggered, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Time slowed as she processed the cold reality—she was hurt, bleeding, vulnerable. Her vision narrowed, the sounds of the battlefield fading into the background. She caught fleeting glimpses of her comrades fighting with desperate resolve, the flames of Green Arbor’s defense flickering but not yet extinguished.

With a snarl, Ava forced herself to turn, her eyes locking onto Goran’s towering figure. His face twisted with sadistic delight as he raised his weapon, confident in his victory. But Ava’s resolve, forged through countless battles and unrelenting hardship, burned hotter than ever.

"Is that all you've got?" she spat, her voice laced with venom, even as blood trickled down her arm.

She deflected his next strike with a fierce parry, countering with a vicious slash aimed at his weapon hand. Goran, startled by her ferocity, stumbled back, his eyes momentarily wide with disbelief. He hadn’t expected her to keep fighting—certainly not with such brutal precision.

“You’re a tough one, aren’t you?” Goran snarled, circling her like a predator, wary now, the grin wiped clean from his face.

Ava, her breathing labored, managed a grim smile through the blood and pain. "You have no idea." Her grip tightened on her sword, and with a surge of defiance, she steadied herself. “This is Green Arbor,” she shouted, her voice carrying over the din of battle, resonating with a strength that stirred those around her. “We don’t fall easily!”

Her words were like a spark to dry tinder. The defenders, who had begun to falter under the sheer onslaught of the raiders, found new strength. Their battle cries joined hers, their blades and bullets flying with renewed determination. The tide, once threatening to drown them, shifted ever so slightly in their favor.

Talon, recovering from the weight of the raiders who had pressed him down, wiped blood from his mouth and forced himself back to his feet. His eyes locked onto Ava’s battered form, and despite the chaos, a fierce grin crossed his face. "Let’s finish this, Ava," he called out, his voice steady, the bond between them unspoken but strong.

Together, they stood, unyielding against the tide, their movements a deadly dance of survival and vengeance. For every raider that came at them, they met them with steel and unrelenting force. Blood splattered across their faces, their clothes torn and stained with the grime of battle, but they didn’t stop. They couldn’t. They wouldn’t.

And through it all, Ava’s mind remained sharp, her heart pounding with the singular drive to protect Green Arbor, her home, and the people who depended on her.

Ava, bleeding but unbroken, stood her ground against Goran, the towering brute who had made it his mission to kill her. Around them, the battle stilled, as if the war itself held its breath. Raiders and defenders alike stopped fighting, their eyes drawn to the center of the chaos where Ava and Goran faced off, each determined to end the other.

Talon, perched high on a crumbling barricade, could feel his pulse hammering in his ears. His hand gripped the hilt of his knife so tightly his knuckles turned white. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to intervene, to rush to Ava's aid. But he knew Ava—knew her pride, her resolve, and her need to finish this herself. Still, his mind raced with fear, his inner voice growling, *Come on, Ava. Don’t push it too far...*

Goran stepped forward, his massive frame casting a long shadow over the battlefield. His taunts boomed across the space like thunder, dripping with contempt. "Blonde Death, huh? I don’t see it," he sneered, his lips curling into a savage grin. "More like a limp fairy tale." His raiders cackled behind him, their laughter hollow, feeding off their leader’s cruel energy.

Ava’s right arm hung limp at her side, her shoulder bruised and bleeding, but her sword was steady in her left hand. Every breath was agony, every heartbeat sent a wave of pain through her body. But she stood tall, glaring up at Goran with unflinching defiance.

"You'll find I'm harder to kill than your average bedtime story," she shot back, her voice low and hoarse, but filled with venom.

The tension rippled across the battlefield. For a moment, even the wind seemed to die down, as if nature itself waited for what would come next.

Goran lunged, a bear of a man moving with surprising speed, his heavy axe swinging towards Ava’s side. She deflected the strike with a sharp clang, the impact reverberating down her spine. But Goran pressed harder, each strike faster, heavier, a storm of violence that threatened to overwhelm her.

Ava ducked beneath another wide swing, the blade whistling past her ear. Using her momentum, she spun low, slicing at Goran's legs, her blade biting into his calf. He roared in pain but didn’t fall, instead lashing out with a backhanded strike that Ava barely dodged. She stumbled, her feet slipping in the mud, but she quickly regained her footing, twisting her body to evade the next onslaught.

Talon’s chest tightened as he watched, his every muscle coiled, ready to spring. *Hold, Ava. Just hold...*

Blow after blow rained down on her, pushing her back step by step, each one chipping away at her defenses. Blood poured from her wounds, mixing with the mud beneath her boots. Her vision blurred from exhaustion, but she refused to give ground. She was no longer just fighting for herself—she was fighting for the people of Green Arbor, for Eli, for Talon, and for every defender who stood behind her, their hope tied to her blade.

Goran’s axe slammed down, hitting Ava’s sword with such force that her knees buckled. She hit the ground hard, mud splattering up around her, but she forced herself up again, her legs trembling with the effort. Goran’s laughter echoed in her ears, mocking her. "Not so legendary now, are you?" he jeered, his face twisted with sadistic delight.

He grabbed her injured arm, twisting it with brutal force. Ava gasped, her vision flashing white with pain. His knife hovered just inches from her throat, the cold steel glinting in the dim light. Goran leaned in, his breath hot and rancid against her skin. "I’m going to enjoy watching the light leave your eyes."

*No...not today,* Ava thought, her mind racing. With a surge of adrenaline, she slammed her head backward, connecting with Goran’s nose with a sickening crack she twisted her body, slamming her knee into Goran's side, forcing him to release her arm. She spun low, sweeping his legs with a quick strike. The giant of a man stumbled but didn’t fall. Ava, her body screaming in protest, followed up with a powerful upward slash across his chest, her blade cutting deep.

Goran snarled in pain but was relentless. He swung wildly, forcing Ava to backpedal again. She ducked under a brutal overhead strike and drove her sword into his side, the blade sinking into muscle and bone. Goran bellowed in agony, swinging his arm in a wild arc, knocking Ava back with the force of a hammer.

Talon’s heart pounded in his chest, and his hand itched towards his weapon. *No... no... don’t make me break my word, Ava...*

But Ava wasn’t done yet.

Before he could react, Ava spun and headbutted him again, this time with enough force to send him reeling. The battlefield fell eerily silent, every eye trained on the two combatants. Raiders watched in stunned disbelief as their leader, a man of monstrous strength, stumbled backward, blood pouring from his nose.

Ava’s chest heaved as she regained her balance, her sword steady once more. Her right arm hung useless at her side, but her left held the blade firm, unwavering. “Legends never die easy,” she snarled, her voice filled with fury and exhaustion. She charged forward, her sword flashing as she drove it deep into Goran’s abdomen, twisting the blade with a grunt of effort.

Goran gasped, his eyes wide with pain and shock. Blood bubbled from his lips as he looked down at the blade buried in his gut. His massive form wavered, then crumpled to his knees before Ava.

Talon exhaled a breath he didn’t know he was holding, his chest tight with a mix of pride and relief. *That’s my battle boo.* He smiled grimly, his respect for Ava growing even deeper. *Blonde Death, huh? Damn right she is.*

Ava stood over Goran, her body trembling with pain and exhaustion. But she didn’t flinch. She didn’t waver. She yanked her sword free from his body and looked up at the remaining raiders, her face a mask of determination and wrath. “Who’s next?” she growled, her voice carrying across the battlefield like a war drum.

The raiders hesitated, their jeers and taunts silenced. They looked at the fallen body of their leader, then back to Ava, who stood bloodied but unbroken before them. The myth of the Blonde Death had become real, and it filled them with fear.

Behind her, Talon shouted, his voice filled with both warning and pride. “Think twice before you take on a Sentinel!”

Ava’s chest rose and fell with heavy breaths, her sword gleaming with Goran’s blood. “This is Green Arbor,” she declared, her voice steady, filled with an iron will. “We bend, we break, but we always rise again. Any takers?”

The silence stretched, tension thick enough to cut with a knife. The raiders, shaken and leaderless, began to falter. One by one, they backed away, their resolve crumbling under the weight of her unyielding spirit and the rallying cries of the defenders.

Chapter 125: The Aftermath.

The battlefield had fallen eerily silent as the last remnants of the raider forces retreated, their morale crushed and their leader, Goran, lying dead at Ava’s feet. Green Arbor’s defenders, bloodied but unbowed, began to pick themselves up, the adrenaline that had fueled them now ebbing away, leaving only exhaustion and relief in its wake. The air, once thick with the sounds of battle, now carried the softer echoes of victory—shouts of triumph, the sobs of relief, and the quiet murmur of those tending to the wounded.

Ava, still leaning heavily on her sword, looked out over the village she had fought so fiercely to protect. Every breath sent a sharp pain through her side, her body reminding her of the wounds she had sustained, but her mind was elsewhere. The weight of the battle and the lives lost hung over her like a cloud, but there was also a flicker of pride—pride in the villagers who had stood their ground, in Talon who had fought beside her, and in herself for leading them to victory.

Talon approached, his steps heavy but steady. With a half-smile, he bent down and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, his support firm but not overbearing. "I don't know how you keep doing this, blondie," he said, his voice a mix of admiration and concern. "You're like a damn force of nature."

Ava smirked, but it was tinged with exhaustion. "I’m running on fumes at this point," she admitted, letting him help her to a set of crates that had been hastily stacked as makeshift seats.

Just as she sat, her gaze shifted to a medic where Eli was being treated. Despite the bone-deep exhaustion settling into her limbs, she shook off Talon’s arm and stood, her stubbornness still burning strong. "I need to check on Eli," she muttered, limping toward him.

Talon followed close behind, shaking his head with an exasperated grin. "She's like a damn storm that doesn’t stop, isn’t she?" he muttered to the young defender next to him.

When Ava reached Eli, he was sitting up, rubbing his head with a pained expression, a medic checking his vitals. Relief flooded through her at the sight of him conscious and relatively unharmed. "What happened to you?" she asked, her voice a little softer than usual.

Eli blinked up at her, his eyes widening as he took in the state of her—mud, blood, and bruises covering every inch of her body. "What happened to you?" he shot back, his concern overriding his discomfort.

Talon, not missing a beat, let out a chuckle. "Really, mate? Did you miss everything she’s just done, that’s the first thing you ask?"

Ava, ignoring the banter, knelt beside Eli, her movements slow and deliberate, as she gently hugged him, mindful of both their injuries. Her hands trembled slightly as they brushed against him, checking for any serious wounds. The medic nearby quickly stepped in to reassure her. "He’ll be fine. Knocked out cold, but no lasting damage."

The relief on her face was palpable. Ava closed her eyes for a brief moment, allowing herself a single breath of peace. Eli, sensing her tension ease, wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her as they both sat in silence for a beat longer than they probably should have.

“We need to check on Miko,” Ava whispered, pulling herself up, her body protesting with every movement.

Talon, always by her side, stepped forward to help, offering Eli a hand as well. Together, the trio made their way to the makeshift hospital where Miko had been rushed after being wounded. The building was filled with the injured—cries of pain mingled with soft reassurances, the scent of blood and antiseptic filling the air.

As they entered, they found Jess seated at Miko’s side, her hand tightly gripping his. The tears on her face glistened in the low light, but her eyes were filled with relief. Miko, though pale and bandaged, was breathing steadily, his chest rising and falling with a strength that gave them all hope.

Lucas, working alongside the other medics, glanced up as they approached and offered a tired but relieved smile. "He’s going to make it," he said, his voice a balm to their frayed nerves. "He’s strong, and we’ve managed to stop the bleeding."

Jess looked up, her eyes meeting Ava’s. "He kept asking for you," she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions.

Ava stepped forward, her hand resting on Jess’s shoulder. "He's going to be fine, Jess. You both are." Her voice was firm, but underneath it was a softness she rarely let show. Jess, still holding Miko’s hand, nodded through her tears.

As Ava turned, one of the medics rushed toward her, clearly intent on tending to her wounds. Ava, still stubborn despite everything, waved him off, intent on focusing on Miko and the others. But Talon, never one to let her off easy, intervened. "Stop being a hero for one minute, blondie. You’ve done enough. Let them help you."

Reluctantly, Ava let the medic guide her to a chair, where he began dressing her wounds. Her mind was still buzzing with everything that had happened, but for a brief moment, she allowed herself to sit back and breathe. The battle was over—for now.

Outside, the sound of celebration began to rise. Villagers, despite their exhaustion and the losses they had suffered, were cheering. Cries of “Ava! Talon! Miko!” echoed through the streets, the names of their leaders carrying on the wind like a chant of victory and survival.

Ava, hearing the chants, allowed herself a small smile. She looked over at Talon, who was grinning ear to ear. "Looks like the fan club’s grown," he joked, nudging her gently.

Ava laughed softly, wincing slightly at the pain. "Yeah, well, let’s hope they don’t expect autographs."

Talon smirked. "You might be too famous to avoid it now, ‘Blonde Death.’"

Ava rolled her eyes, but the warmth in her chest was undeniable. For a moment, the weight of her responsibilities lifted, replaced by the gratitude and admiration of the people she had fought so hard to protect.

As the sounds of celebration grew louder, Ava, supported by her friends and the medic who was still patching her up, allowed herself to sit back. The battle was over, but the fight wasn’t done. Green Arbor had survived this onslaught, but Ava knew more challenges would come. Yet, in this moment, surrounded by the people she cared about, she allowed herself to savor the victory.

For tonight, Green Arbor stood strong. They had fought, they had bled, but they hadn’t fallen. And as long as she and her allies were there to defend it, they never would.