The helicopter landed with a heavy thud on the makeshift pad. Gunjan stepped out first, still leaning on Ritik for support. Vanya followed, eyes hollow. Aavya, Ryuki, Alexander Vane, and Kuroda Haruki were already waiting. The group stood together in silence, the weight of loss and the ongoing purge pressing down on all of them.
Kurana Alexanderia arrived moments later, his face grim. He didn't waste time. "The east region of Vaelion is destroyed completely. It is uninhabitable. Even if not right now, in a few months the new monster raids will finish whatever is left."
Gunjan's voice was raw. "What should we do then?"
Kurana met her eyes. "The entire population or at least those who can must immigrate to the western region."
The words landed like a sin. Everyone stared at him. Aavya's mouth opened in disbelief. Ryuki's fists clenched. Alexander looked stunned. Even Kuroda Haruki raised an eyebrow. They all knew the western leaders were self-obsessed narcissists who would sooner let easterners die than share resources.
Ritik broke the stunned silence first. "You're serious."
"I am," Kurana replied quietly. "It's the only option left."
Aavya stepped forward, voice sharp. "How would we even immigrate that many people? The borders are walled. The west barely tolerates us on good days."
"I will handle it myself," Kurana said. "With the people acting as my army."
Ritik nodded without hesitation. "Then I will be here with you." Gunjan squeezed his hand, stepping forward too. "And I'll assist in the immigration mission."
Alexander started, "I will also help in it, uncl..."
"No." Kurana cut him off firmly. "Apart from Ritik and Gunjan, everyone else here should head toward the western plains."
The decision was final. Kurana's tone left no room for argument. He pulled a sealed letter from his coat and handed it to Alexander. "I trust you. Open it when you reach the western plains." His voice was peaceful, almost gentle, despite the chaos around them.
Alexander took the letter, fingers tightening around it with a bunch of emotions. "Understood."
Aavya, Ryuki, Vanya, Alexander, and Kuroda Haruki boarded the waiting hydra plane. Gunjan hugged Vanya tightly before she left. "Stay safe. Look after each other."
Vanya nodded, eyes wet. "You too. Don't do anything stupid... mother."
Hearing the word "Mother" from Vanya's lips filled Gunjan's heart with overwhelming happiness. Though she wasn't Vanya's biological mother, she had always been a mother figure to her, making that single word more precious than anything she could have wished for.
The plane took off, carrying them toward the west. Ritik, Gunjan, and Kurana watched it disappear into the purple-streaked sky. Ritik put an arm around Gunjan. "We'll make this work."
Kurana's expression remained resolute. "We have to."
The immigration had begun. The east was dying. The west waited unwelcoming, but alive.