Luke, Edwin, and Light made their way toward the army of humanity.Everyone was gathered around Thomas's unconscious body silent, terrified, praying.Asad stepped forward, lifted Thomas gently, and felt for a pulse.Nothing.He raised Thomas's limp body high and said:"Humanity… here is your hero."They carried Thomas like a crowd surfing champion every hand reaching to touch him.Men and women wept openly. Some whispered prayers. Some whispered "thank you." Some whispered "wake up."Others whispered "we love you."The army was silent the kind of silence that feels like the world holding its breath.They brought Thomas to Sophie, Pooch, Ice, Blaze, Albert, Ace, Water — all the surviving heroes.They laid Thomas down gently.Sophie ran forward collapsed onto him sobbing."No… no no no… Thomas!"She slapped his cheeks, pounded his chest."Wake up, damnit! It can't end like this! You promised! WAKE UP!"Heroes cried. Some looked away. Some stared at the ground.Others watched the heartbreaking scene of losing someone they truly loved.Edwin and Luke carried Light over and laid him beside Thomas.Light didn't speak just stared with his burnt face a single tear falling.Edwin fell to his knees."Brother… you were always my hero."Luke cried silently.Steve placed a hand on Luke's shoulder."He was your best friend… and my student. He fulfilled destiny. He accomplished what we all dream of."Luke nodded, head down, tears falling.Steve removed his cowboy hat honoring the greatest person he ever knew. Sophie rested her head on Thomas's chest, sobbing.Then A pump.Then another.Sophie lifted her head Thomas still motionless.She pressed her ear to his chest.Another pump.Another."Thomas… Thomas has a pulse!"Everyone froze shocked hopeful.Sophie checked his neck.His wrist.A faint pulse."Thomas has a pulse!"Edwin's face lit with tears he immediately began chest compressions.Sophie breathed air into Thomas's mouth.Everyone watched praying wishing holding their breath.Then Thomas coughed blood and gasped."Huuuh!"His head fell back into the dirt.He saw everyone staring down at him tears, sadness, and now… hope.In a raspy voice he whispered:"Damn… who died?"Sophie hugged him tight crying with anger and joy."Don't ever scare me like that again!"Thomas blinked, confused."Okay…"Sophie whispered:"I love you."Thomas whispered back:"I love you too."Edwin laughed through tears."Thomas… you did it, brother!"The army erupted cheering, hugging, crying their hero alive.Asad approached with a smile. Thomas whispered, "Asad…"Asad raised a paw."No need to speak, Thomas. I came to say my thanks… and my goodbyes.""You have to return?" Thomas asked."Yes. My place is in the heavens."Thomas looked at Blaze, Ace, Water, Steve, Edwin all the heroes who had died before."Will I see you again?"Beams of blue light descended from the sky pure, holy.Every soul who had passed began to rise.Blaze, Ace, Water all ascending.Ace shouted:"I'll keep your seats warm!"Everyone laughed through tears.Blaze saluted."Militia till we meet again. Blaze out."Water nodded."The Militia is in good hands."A beam fell on Steve he began to float."Luke, Thomas… keep training. Next time we meet, I'm showing you a REAL sparring session."Thomas laughed weakly."I'm not holding back either, teacher."Steve grinned."I hope you don't."He waved goodbye as he ascended. Thomas turned to Edwin. Edwin watched the beams of light, watched the heroes rise to paradise. Luke, Light, Ice all knew what this meant.Thomas whispered:"Edwin…"Edwin turned."I didn't make it to paradise, Thomas."Thomas froze."Does that mean…?" Edwin nodded."Yes. I was in the fire before I returned."Everyone went silent.Edwin continued:"The Almighty sent me a message when the battle started. I was allowed to leave… to help you. But I had to fight my way out of hell. That's why I came later."He smiled."But if I have to fight through hell to see you again, Thomas… I'll do it every time."No one judged.Everyone understood.Everyone hoped.Thomas whispered:"So what now?"Edwin said:"I have to return to the fire. I made enemies there… and I'll have to face them again. But don't worry about me. I've learned to live with the consequences of my actions."Asad placed a paw on Edwin's shoulder."It's time."Edwin nodded."Till we meet again, Thomas. I'll always be rooting for you."A beam landed on Asad — he began to rise.Edwin stood looking toward the heavens then at Thomas."Promise me you'll never change being you."Thomas whispered:"I promise."Edwin turned to the heroes.Everyone wondered what do you say to someone destined for hell?Edwin walked toward the direction the demon army had taken.He turned sideways — sunset behind him — and gave a two‑finger salute."Militia out."Everyone returned the salute out of respect, love, and honor.Pooch cried he barely knew Edwin but understood him deeply.He saluted proudly. Edwin disappeared into the sunset making his way back to the fire. Luke walked up to Ice, who lay injured and unable to stand.Ice asked:"What do we do now?"Everyone stared at the sunset — at the path Edwin took — at the battlefield that had cost so much.Luke answered:"We rebuild."
