The endless walk through the tunnel had been going on for days, and physical exhaustion was beginning to give way to thoughts Ayana had not had the time or energy to consider before. Intense hunger and oppressive darkness made her mind wander, questioning details that once seemed irrelevant. Among these thoughts, a question began to form with increasing strength: how did Lina, Yasmin, and Amira end up in that truck where they found her?

As they moved forward with slow, heavy steps, Ayana could no longer contain her curiosity. She glanced at Lina, who was walking beside her, her expression tired but determined. Summoning the remaining strength she had, Ayana finally decided to ask.

"Lina," she began, breaking the silence that hung between them. "I... I was thinking. How did you end up in that truck? What happened before that?"

Lina stopped for a moment, surprised by the question, but seeing the genuine interest in Ayana’s eyes, she sighed and began to tell her story. Yasmin, who had been walking a little behind, noticed the heavy silence that had formed and approached the two, curiosity etched on her tired face.

"What are you talking about?" Yasmin asked, as she reached them.

Lina looked at Yasmin and then at Ayana, seeing that both were waiting for her answer. She knew that the scars she carried were not just physical; they were deep, emotional ones, and although painful, it might be time to share her story.

"I was telling Ayana about... how I ended up in that damned truck," Lina said, her voice heavy with the memory. Yasmin fell silent, her eyes attentive, waiting for Lina to continue.

Lina took a deep breath, her eyes filling with tears she tried to hold back, but the pain was palpable. Her voice trembled as she began to recount what she had kept so deeply in her heart. "My younger sister, she was everything to me. Since our parents passed away, I became responsible for her, and I promised... I promised that I would always take care of her." Lina paused for a moment, trying to find the strength to continue, while Ayana listened in silence, her heart heavy. "When the explosion happened, the Harbinger of the End... we were together. The world around us crumbled, and everything we knew turned to dust. But somehow, we managed to escape the ruins, fleeing death, holding onto each other. She was so scared, but even then, she never let go."

Lina paused, her hands trembling as she relived those moments. "We wandered for days, not knowing where to go, not knowing if we would survive. She was so tired, so weak... and I... I didn’t know what to do. All I could do was keep walking, hoping we would find a safe place. But then... they found us." Lina closed her eyes tightly, and a solitary tear finally escaped, rolling down her cheek. "The enemy patrol surrounded us. They treated us like prey, as if we were no longer human. They tied us up, threw us to the ground as if we had no value. My sister... she was trembling with fear, but still tried to be brave, tried to protect me, even though she was so small."

Lina swallowed hard, her voice breaking. "They took us to a soldier, someone who seemed to be in charge. He looked at us... assessing us as if we were goods. And then... he decided that they only needed one of us." The pain in Lina’s voice was overwhelming, each word carrying the weight of indescribable suffering. "My sister... she tried to fight, tried to stay with me, but he separated her from me so easily. She screamed my name, tried to cling to me... but he pushed her away and said she was too weak, that she was of no use. And then... he simply... he shot her." Lina began to sob, unable to hold back the tears any longer. "I saw her body fall... the blood... I saw her life drain away, and I couldn’t do anything. She died in front of me, and I... I couldn’t even tell her how much I loved her, how proud I was of her for being so strong." She covered her face with her hands, the tears flowing freely now. "They put me in the truck, alone, and I was in shock. All I could think was... why her? Why not me? She was so young, so full of life... and now she’s gone. And I... I was left to carry this guilt, this pain. She trusted me... and I failed her."

The silence that followed was dense and heavy, each of Lina’s words echoing in Ayana’s heart. The tunnel seemed darker, almost as if Lina’s pain had filled the entire space around them. Ayana, feeling the weight of the story and her friend's anguish, decided it was time to share a bit of what she felt, even without revealing her own story in detail.

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"I think I can understand a bit of your pain, Lina," Ayana began, her voice soft but filled with emotion. "I’ve also been through terrible things. I don’t have words to describe how much it has marked me. I felt the same sense of loss and despair. The pain you feel now is something I know well."

She wrapped Lina in a tight embrace, offering sincere comfort. "Even though we haven’t lived through the same things, I want you to know that you’re not alone. You’re not alone in this pain. We’re here for you, to help carry this weight."

Yasmin, observing the scene with concern, decided to try to lighten the mood a little. She approached and, with a gentle smile, placed a hand on Lina’s back. "You know, Lina, life can be cruel and full of challenges. But despite everything, I promise that we’ll be by your side. It’s not just you who carries a burden. We’re all on this journey together."

Yasmin’s light tone brought a bit of relief to the tension in the air, and Lina looked at her with gratitude. Her eyes were still full of pain, but there was a glimmer of hope beginning to appear.

As the three embraced, a new understanding began to form. It was clear that Amira was wrong in saying that these girls had no goal. They had always had one, from the beginning: to end the suffering of Nadira under Vorynia. Each of them, with their own experiences and pain, had found a reason to fight.

Ayana, with a voice full of determination, looked at her friends and spoke firmly. "Lina, Yasmin, we have something bigger than just our own pain. We have a purpose. Together, we will face this war, end the suffering that plagues Nadira, and bring the peace we so desperately need. It’s not just about us; it’s about all those who have suffered and need hope."

Yasmin nodded in agreement, her eyes shining with renewed determination. "We will fight for the suffering to end. For what we went through not to be in vain. For Nadira to find the peace it deserves."

Lina, feeling the warmth of solidarity and determination around her, lifted her head with a new light in her eyes. "Yes, let’s end this. Let’s make it worth it. For all of us."

With renewed commitment, the group continued their journey through the tunnel, now with a clear purpose and a deep connection. The pain and suffering were still present, but the promise of a better future and the determination to fight for peace provided the strength needed to face what was to come.

After four days of exhausting travel, the group's steps resonated with a new sense of purpose. Hunger and thirst were still acute, but the bond between the girls and their focus on their mission provided renewed strength. They continued to advance, each sustained by the hope that the exit was near.

During these days, the forks they had encountered were abandoned with the certainty that the most direct path was the best, even though the fear of the unknown was palpable. As they moved forward, the tunnel seemed to narrow, making each step a greater effort.

Then, as they turned a new corner, something unexpected happened. The forks began to disappear. With each new turn, the tunnel continued to extend in a single direction, with no new escape options. It was as if all the previous passages were converging into a single path. The sensation of being finally guided out of the labyrinth brought a mix of relief and apprehension.

The hope of finding an exit made the girls quicken their pace, despite their exhaustion. The tunnel, once oppressive, now seemed like a path of hope. The echo of their steps, which had previously been distressing, now seemed like a sign that they were nearing something.

Finally, after a few more hours of walking, daylight began to pierce the darkness of the tunnel. The sight of a long staircase carved into the tunnel walls was a clear sign that an exit was near. The staircase seemed like a bridge between darkness and freedom, and seeing it brought a wave of relief.

"It’s a staircase," Ayana said, her voice carrying a mix of exhaustion and hope. "Finally, a chance to get out of here."

Yasmin, trying to keep the mood light despite visible fatigue, smiled. "Let’s see what’s up there. It can’t be worse than what we’ve already been through."

Lina, now with renewed determination, looked at the staircase with a resolute gaze. "Let’s climb. If this staircase is here, there must be something beyond it. And we need to keep moving forward."

With newfound strength, they began to climb the staircase. The effort was grueling, each step a challenge, but the sight of the light at the top gave them the motivation needed. As they ascended, the oppressive darkness of the tunnel gave way to the brightness of the outside world, and each step brought them closer to freedom and the unknown land that awaited them.

Their hearts were filled with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The end of the tunnel was nearing, and with it, the hope of a new beginning and the continuation of their fight for the peace they sought for Nadira.