The battlefield, once chaotic and shrouded in shadows, now lay quiet. Faint wisps of dissipating darkness curled into the air, leaving behind the soft glow of victory. Mukul lowered his hands, shoulders still tense, but relief ran through him. For the first time in hours, the team could breathe without fear of immediate attack.
Priya sank to the ground, letting her aura dim, exhaustion evident in every line of her body. "We… did it," she whispered, her voice a mix of disbelief and triumph. The pulse of her energy, once frenzied and chaotic, now hummed softly, a comforting rhythm in the stillness.
Kavya leaned against a fractured wall, smiling despite the bruises and fatigue. "I can't believe we pulled through," she said, shaking her head with a laugh that was half relief, half incredulity. "I thought the lieutenant was going to… You know, end us all."
Ansh chuckled, wincing as he stretched muscles tight from hours of tension. "Yeah, but look around. We survived. Not just survived—we won." His eyes met Mukul's, filled with quiet admiration. "And it's because we stuck together."
Mukul allowed himself a small smile, though his mind still raced with strategy and potential threats. "This was a victory, but it's also a reminder. Shadows adapt, and they'll never stop coming. Today, we held our ground. Tomorrow… we'll be ready."
Priya looked up at him, determination shining through the weariness. "You're right. But for now, can we just… celebrate? Just for a moment?"
Mukul nodded. "For a moment."
The team gathered in the centre of the battlefield, careful not to lose the hard-earned energy they had preserved. Laughter and light conversation slowly replaced the tense, rapid breaths of combat. They exchanged nods, pats on the back, and small smiles, each moment reinforcing the unspoken bond that had carried them through.
Priya picked up a small fragment of shadow residue and examined it with a wry smile. "We beat it. Together. No matter how many tricks it tried, we were smarter, faster, and… united."
Kavya added, "I don't think I've ever felt more alive—and terrified—at the same time. But this… this is the reward for all that chaos."
Ansh leaned back, letting out a long, relieved sigh. "It's rare to get a victory like this without loss. We have to remember it—the teamwork, the trust, the strategy. That's what made the difference."
Mukul looked around at his team—Priya, Kavya, and Ansh—and felt a swell of pride. They had faced shadows that seemed unstoppable, and yet they had prevailed. It wasn't just skill or power; it was their unity, their trust, and their courage that had tipped the scales.
As the sun began to rise, casting golden light over the battlefield, the team allowed themselves a moment to feel human again. No tension. No shadows. Just a shared sense of accomplishment.
"Alright," Mukul said finally, a grin tugging at his lips, "we've celebrated enough. Shadows may rest, but we never do. Let's get ready for what comes next."
Priya laughed, Kavya nodded, and Ansh flexed his hands, energised once more. Though victory was theirs, the future loomed large—and they were ready to face it, together.
For now, though, they simply allowed themselves to bask in the hard-earned warmth of triumph.