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 attention shifted to Robert as they descended, the helicopter kicking up a cloud of dust as it touched down on the barren wasteland. The landscape that stretched before them was a stark contrast to the lush and green surroundings they were used to. Here, in the heart of Chia, the land was dry, cracked, and parched, as far as the eye could see.As the helicopter's rotor blades slowed and the dust began to settle, the three of them disembarked, their boots making faint crunching sounds against the gravelly ground. Edward's gaze swept across the desolate landscape, his mind grappling with the purpose of their visit to this unforgiving terrain.The silence of the wasteland was broken only by the soft whistling of the wind as it swept through the cracks and crevices of the land. It was a reminder of the solitude and isolation that this place exuded.Brenda glanced around. "This is..."Adele nodded in agreement. "Definitely not what I expected."Robert, their pilot, stood nearby, k
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
Before Brenda could react to Edward's question, Adele interrupted with a teasing tone, her expression feigning exasperation. "Hold on a second, Mr. Heroic. Have you really thought this through?"Edward looked puzzled by Adele's interruption, prompting her to raise an eyebrow in mock annoyance. "I mean, seriously, Ed. Are you absolutely sure about this water's miraculous effects? Have you tried it yourself? What if it's toxic? As the responsible person that you are, shouldn't you be the guinea pig before Brenda gives it a shot?"Edward blinked, the realization dawning on him, and he scratched his head sheepishly. "Well, I... I actually haven't tried it myself, but---""Ah-ha!" Adele's expression was triumphant, and she crossed her arms with a knowing grin. "See? You're probably going to make Brenda go into a pool of poisonous water. So as a responsible man, it's only right for you to be the first one to experience its magic. Right?"Edward chuckled. "Okay, okay, I get your point."Bren
Edward nodded, his admiration for her strength evident.Adele, now standing close to Brenda, offered a reassuring smile. "Bren, if at any point during the process you're feeling uncomfortable or something seems wrong, just let me know. I'll be right here by your side."Brenda's gaze softened, touched by Adele's unwavering support. "Thank you. Having you here makes all the difference."With a nod, Brenda took a deep breath and made a decision. She reached for the strap that held her prosthetic hand in place and slowly began to remove it. As the hand came off, she set it aside with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. It was a symbol of her journey, and she was ready to embrace the next chapter.Adele's eyes sparkled with admiration for Brenda's courage. "You're amazing, Bren."Brenda's smile grew, and she stepped forward, her toes dipping into the water. It was cool and inviting, and she relished the sensation. With Adele by her side, she continued walking deeper into the pool un
In the serene aftermath of their laughter-filled water fight, the three of them stood in the Pool of Life, its radiant glow casting a gentle light on their faces. Adele and Brenda shared a moment of unspoken understanding. With a simple look, they communicated their unanimous agreement with Edward's desire to build a home in the vast, barren landscape surrounding them.Their eyes lingered on the expansive terrain, taking in the endless horizon. To an outsider, it might have seemed like a desolate wasteland, but to them, it held the potential for something extraordinary. The land stretched as far as the eye could see, offering a clear line of sight that could easily detect any approaching danger.Four days later, right beside the Pool of Life, a simple wooden house stood. It was a modest structure, designed with practicality and comfort in mind.Just a short distance away, a bustling scene unfolded as a group of men worked diligently on another project, building a house that had been p
As the conversation reached a comfortable pause, a chilly breeze swept through the air, causing Brenda to shiver involuntarily. She glanced at the house and then back at Edward. "It's getting a bit cold now. I think I might head inside and warm up. Are you coming?"Edward's gaze followed hers to the house, and then he looked back at the crackling fire. He hesitated for a moment before shaking his head with a soft smile. "I think I'll stay out here a bit longer."Brenda nodded, understanding his desire for solitude. She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Alright then. Just don't stay out too long and catch a cold, okay? I'll make sure the bed is warm when you come in."As Brenda made her way toward the house, Edward watched her retreating figure. Once she was out of earshot, he let out a deep sigh, his gaze fixated on the flickering flames.He took another drag from his cigarette, his mind drifting into contemplation. It wasn't lost on him that he sometimes lacked sensitivity when it
Underneath the starry night sky, the firelight danced in their eyes as they shared that tender, unexpected kiss. For Adele, Edward's words were like a love song, and she felt as if she were floating on a cloud of affection. "Looks like Brenda was right," she whispered softly, her voice barely audible over the gentle crackling of the fire, "You have a way of turning even the simplest moments into something magical."Edward smiled, before leaned in once more, their lips meeting in a kiss that spoke of commitment. As Edward and Adele shared that passionate kiss, little did they know that Brenda, who had just moments ago been closing the wooden shutters of their cabin, had paused in her tracks. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the scene unfolding before her.She watched as Edward and Adele shared an intimate moment, their affectionate exchange evident in every touch and stolen glance. Her feelings were a complex mix of jealousy, insecurity, and the realization that she was at a cros