I raised my hand, ready to give Evelyn a light smack on the head, but she swiftly dodged it, laughing mischievously. Despite her teasing nature, I knew deep down that she cared for me and was always there to support me in her own peculiar way.

"Enough with your antics, Evelyn," I said, trying to hide the hint of a smile on my face. "We've been through so much together, and now it's time to focus on rebuilding and healing the world."

She sighed dramatically, feigning disappointment. "Fine, fine, I suppose I can behave for now. But don't forget, Axel, a hero's journey is not complete without a bit of romance and adventure."

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help but chuckle. Evelyn had a way of bringing lightness to even the most dire situations. She was a constant reminder that even in the face of darkness, there was room for laughter and joy.

As we left the room, stepping into a world forever changed by our actions, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. The scars of the past would