The storm had passed.
The battlefield, once filled with **rage, destruction, and chaos**, was now eerily quiet. The heavy rain had washed away the blood and dust, leaving only scars in the ground—**reminders of the war that had just ended.**
Vinay stood in the center, his golden aura completely gone. For the first time in his life, **he was free.**
Manav stood across from him, expressionless as always.
Ryan Jim, Dain, Elyas, Liora, Thane, and Karael had all recovered, standing at a distance. Their wounds were deep, but they were alive.
The battle was over.
But what came next would shape the future.
The Silver Plains were the perfect place for negotiations. A vast, open land untouched by war, surrounded by **glimmering silver trees** that shined under the morning sun.
Here, **a new era would begin.**
A **large stone table** was set in the middle of the plains. Manav, Vinay, Ryan Jim, and the recovered warriors gathered around. The tension was there, but it was different.
Not of hatred.
But of **change.**
A parchment lay on the table—**the Peace Treaty.**
Vinay looked at it, then at Manav.
**"This is funny,"** Vinay chuckled. **"After all that bloodshed… we're ending it with a piece of paper?"**
Ryan Jim crossed his arms. **"A piece of paper that'll prevent another war."**
Vinay sighed, smirking. **"Yeah, yeah. I know."**
Manav remained silent, staring at the treaty with his usual blank expression.
Vinay **signed first.**
Then, without hesitation, **Manav signed.**
It was done.
The war **was over.**
But…
The world **was not at peace.**
After the signing, the warriors sat around the silver trees, **recovering.**
Vinay leaned against a trunk, staring at the sky. **For the first time in his life, he wasn't consumed by revenge.**
He turned to Ryan Jim. **"Guess you're my friend now, huh?"**
Ryan smirked. **"Guess so."**
Vinay let out a small laugh.
Then, his expression turned serious.
**"I'll send some of my commanders to your side,"** he said. **"Because of Rudra, many commanders from your side have died. You're weaker now, and we'll need to be ready for whatever comes next."**
Ryan nodded. **"You're not afraid of Rudra anymore?"**
Vinay shook his head. **"No."**
He smiled—**not a smirk, not a grin filled with arrogance—but a true, genuine smile.**
Like a child **free from a nightmare.**
**"I won't live my life in fear anymore."
As everyone prepared to leave, Vinay turned to Manav.
He smirked, raising his fist. **"C'mon. Fist bump?"**
Manav stared at him. **Emotionless.**
Vinay sighed. **"Dude, you're so boring."**
Still, he held his fist up, waiting.
After what felt like an eternity…
Manav slowly raised his fist.
And with a **silent tap,** they connected.
Vinay grinned. **"See? That wasn't so hard, was it?"**
Manav showed **no reaction.**
As the warriors prepared to go their separate ways, Vinay turned back to Manav one last time.
**"I forgive you."**
Manav remained still.
Then, after a brief pause, he finally spoke.
**"The wise see the same soul in a learned priest, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and an outcast."**
Vinay blinked. **"Huh?"**
Manav turned, walking away. **"Bhagavad Gita. Chapter 5, Verse 18."**
Vinay scratched his head. **"Yeah, yeah. Keep being mysterious, whatever."**
He turned to Ryan Jim, smiling. **"Let's go."**
The war had ended.
But the **future war was coming.**
And this time—
**They would be ready.**