With the immediate threat gone, the real work began.
The valley was a wreck. The fields were trampled. The walls were breached. But the people were alive.
We had a steady stream of survivors coming in now. People who had seen the flash of the battle, the fall of the Titans. They came looking for the ones who had killed a god.
We didn't turn them away. But we were stricter now.
"You want in?" I told the group at the gate. "You work. You train. You follow the rules. This isn't a charity. It's a sanctuary."
They agreed.
Dr. Okoye worked wonders with the crops. Using the Spirit Stone dust mixed with the soil, she coxed the plants back to life within days. The tomatoes were bigger than ever, glowing faintly with healthy energy.
I stood in the garden, watching Lily and Ryan training. Lily was lifting rocks with her barriers, her control getting finer every day. Ryan was practicing his aim, hitting targets from fifty yards away with pinpoint precision.
They were growing up.
"My mom used to say that gardens need pruning," a voice said behind me.
I turned. It was Claire.
She stood at the open gate, hands in her pockets. No guards. No tank. Just her.
"You have guts coming here," I said.
"I heard you killed him," she said. "I came to say... good job."
"Get out, Claire."
"I'm not here for a fight," she said quickly. "I'm here because... my people are starving. The Citadel is in ruins. You won, Evie. You won the valley."
I stared at her. "What do you want?"
"A trade deal," she said. "We have labor. You have food. We can help you rebuild the wall. In exchange... you let us live."
I thought about it. I thought about the war we had just fought. I thought about the Summit of Worlds.
"Okay," I said. "But you sign a contract. You are a subordinate territory. Not a partner. Not an ally. A subsidiary."
Her jaw tightened. "Fine."
I held out my hand.
She shook it.
The alliance was born.