The battlefield was filled with corpses and blood, but as the sun's first rays broke across the horizon, the silence was shattered—not by roars of beasts, but by the voices of men and women.
A ragged cry went up from one soldier, his face streaked with grime and tears."He did it! The beasts are retreating!"
Another voice followed, then another, until the weary ranks of Greenhollow's guards and adventurers lifted their weapons high into the dawn.
"Victory! We're alive!"
"Blessed be the Eternal Light!"
"The Holy One has saved us!"
The cheer rolled across the ruined fields, trembling voices breaking with relief and gratitude. Men clutched each other and laughed through sobs. Women fell to their knees, thanking the heavens. Some simply collapsed, overcome by exhaustion.
Captain Harwen, bloody and limping, raised his sword to the sky, his voice raw but proud.
"Remember this day! We stand because of him!"
