An hour later, Rory finished packing everything she would need. She carefully cradled Yuel, who remained firmly rooted in his flowerpot, while Nix carried Burnt Dumpling tucked securely under one arm, the bird grumbling softly.
Together, the three of them followed Jasper out of the Interstellar Hunter Alliance grounds, the air still faintly scented with smoke and lingering heat.
As the small hover vehicle lifted smoothly off the ground and glided forward, Rory leaned closer to the window, her breath catching.
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
The forest within the repair zone—where only yesterday there had been scorched earth, shattered trunks, and smoking craters—was whole again.
Lush greenery stretched as far as she could see. Trees rose tall and unbroken, their canopies interlacing overhead. Grass rippled like a living carpet beneath the passing wind, vibrant and undisturbed, as though destruction had never touched the land at all.
