Nate slowly exhaled, watching the flames that still lingered around his knuckles flicker out. The air around him was hot, the ground cracked beneath his feet where his power had burned through the soil. But as the smoke cleared and the ruined battlefield lay quiet, Nate's eyes softened as he turned back toward the others.
He began walking toward the group, his boots crunching over scorched dirt and shattered debris. His expression, once sharp and ready for war, now shifted to calm relief.
Behind him, Jack quickly stood up, brushing off the dust from his knees. "Alright, people! Start packing!" he called out, voice loud and clear. "We're leaving. Now."
Everyone snapped into motion. Amara, Bella, Ray, and the others rushed to grab what little belongings they had managed to salvage from their hideouts. They were quick but methodical, having learned the hard way how important it was to be ready for anything.
