With a determined pull of her finger, Brenda released the pin, the seconds that followed stretching into an eternity as she held her breath. The grenade clattered to the ground, and Brenda turned and ran, her heart pounding in her chest as she fled from the imminent explosion.The world erupted in a blinding flash of light and deafening noise. The force of the blast sent shockwaves through the corridor, tearing apart debris and enemy soldiers alike. The flames and smoke billowed, consuming the darkness and chaos that had once enveloped them.Brenda's consciousness was drifting, caught in a blurry world between wakefulness and dreams. Her head was throbbing with pain, and her vision was unfocused. She blinked repeatedly, trying to clear her vision, but everything remained hazy and indistinct. She shook her head vigorously, struggling to regain her senses.A wave of panic washed over her as memories began to flood back. The explosion, the chaos, the sacrifice she had made. But she wasn'

Adele looked up at Edward, her eyes filled with a mix of shock, awe, and gratitude. She couldn't believe what she had just witnessed. The man she loved, the man who had come to rescue her, had unleashed a fury unlike anything she could have imagined. She had seen a side of him that was both terrifying and awe-inspiring."Home? You mean, we're going back to York City?" she asked.Edward smiled and said nothing. With a gentle brush of his fingers against her injured shoulder, Edward activated his Healing Touch. A warm and soothing energy enveloped Adele, seeping into her wounded body. The pain in her injured shoulder began to subside, and she felt the torn fabric of her clothes mend back together. It was as if the injuries were being erased by an otherworldly force.As the Healing Touch worked its magic, Adele's body started to return to its previous state. The sensation was strange but not unwelcome. She felt her strength returning, the soreness fading away, and her injured shoulder be

Edward's eyes widened in realization. He had never heard of her before, and his mother had never mentioned any relatives aside from his grandparents. His thoughts swirled with questions, and he found himself unsure of how to approach this unfamiliar presence.As Alma extended her hand, Edward hesitated for a moment before cautiously accepting the handshake. His grip was firm, but there was a hint of guardedness in his touch. He scrutinized Alma's features, searching for any resemblance to his mother or himself. He was met with an older, more mature version of his own facial features, and it gave him pause.Alma's smile remained kind, her gaze steady as she held Edward's hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Edward."Edward's response was measured. "Likewise, I suppose. But I have to admit, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around all of this. Why are you here? Who brought you here?"Alma's expression turned thoughtful. She could understand his skepticism, given the circums

Before they could continue their conversation, Alma's attention was caught by the approach of a few surviving members of Edward's team. These individuals had managed to escape the attack and regroup.Edward turned his attention to them. "Take Alma to safety. Use one of the remaining functional aircraft to get her out of here."One of the team members nodded in acknowledgment and turned to Alma. "Please come with us, ma'am. We'll ensure your safety."Edward spoke to Alma. "You should return to grandpa and let him know what's happening. We'll be in touch."Alma nodded. "Please be careful.""I will. Take care of yourself as well."As Alma left with the team, Edward turned his focus back to the situation at hand. He called over another team member and asked, "Where's Garret?"The team member's expression darkened. "I last saw him fighting in section 3."Edward's brows furrowed. "Section 3? That's where the attack was the most intense."The team member nodded grimly. "Yes, Boss, it was cha

Edward's gaze shifted to a point approximately 200 meters away at around the 10 o'clock direction from their current position. "I want you to fly the helicopter over there and use all the bombs we have left."Adele's eyes widened in surprise, and Brenda looked both intrigued and puzzled. "Bombs? What are you talking about, Ed?"Edward smiled, a confident look on his face. "I've analyzed the terrain and believe that there's an underground spring beneath that point. The explosion from the bombs should trigger a collapse, creating an opening for the water to come up."Adele and Brenda exchanged glances, and Robert, however, seemed a bit hesitant. "But what if the explosion is too powerful? It could cause significant damage, Boss."Edward reassured him, "Just do as I say."With a nod, Robert headed towards the helicopter without further questions. As he took off, Edward, Adele, and Brenda found a safe spot to observe from a distance. Moments later, a series of explosions resonated through