"Brother! You're finally back!"
Isabella burst out of the building, her eyes red with emotion, and threw herself into Alan's arms, clinging to him tightly as if she never wanted to let go.
When the illusion zone had first appeared and old Gayle sensed danger, he had immediately sent Francis and the others to investigate. Isabella had pleaded to go too, desperate to help.
But Gayle had firmly refused.
That battlefield was too perilous, he said. One wrong move could mean serious injury—or worse. As much as Isabella hated feeling helpless, she understood. And so, she waited. Alone. Anxiously. Until now.
Seeing her brother return safe and sound, her heart filled with a chaotic mix of emotions—relief, joy, and worry.
Relief because Alan had once again survived against impossible odds. No matter how many challengers came his way, he remained undefeated, unyielding.
But worry gnawed at the edges of her happiness.
He was strong, yes. But he was also human. Not a machine.
