The inside of Rodrick’s home was a stark contrast to the battered city outside. Warm, inviting, and filled with life, it carried a sense of resilience that was almost tangible. The walls were lined with photographs of his family, interspersed with various Vanguard commendations and a few pieces of handcrafted decor. It felt alive, like a place that had weathered storms and remained unshaken.

  Wily, ever the tinkerer, quickly found himself surrounded by Rodrick’s younger kids. Callum tugged at his sleeve, asking about his cane, while Mila showed off her stuffed animal, which was missing an ear. Wily kneeled down with a warm grin, his hands deftly exploring the mechanics of a small toy one kid handed him. “Let’s see what we can do here,” he said, his voice patient. “Maybe we can make this thing better than it was.”

  Across the room, Evie cornered Jorin, her eyes sparkling with determination. “You’re a sniper, right?” she asked, crossing her arms like she was ready to challenge him. “I’ve been reading about long-range ballistics. If you’re shooting at a moving target at 1,000 meters, wouldn’t you aim just a little higher to account for bullet drop?”

  Jorin blinked, taken slightly aback by her directness, but smiling. “That’s... a good observation,” he said, crouching slightly to meet her gaze. “But it depends on a lot of things—wind, humidity, elevation. It’s not just about aiming high or low; it’s about reading the entire environment.”

  Evie raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. “So, it’s not just math?”

  Jorin chuckled, shaking his head. “Math’s part of it, but experience is the bigger teacher. You can read all the books in the world, but until you’re out there, pulling the trigger, feeling the conditions change second by second, you won’t really get it.”

  She frowned thoughtfully, but nodded, absorbing his words. “I want to be like my dad,” she said after a moment, her voice quieter. “Strong. Brave. And like my mom, too. She’s amazing.”

  Jorin’s smile softened. “If you’ve got even half their spirit, you’ll do just fine.”

  On the other side of the room, Sariah approached Terra and Lana with a purposeful stride, her cybernetic leg moving with a precision that almost made it seem natural. She waved off Andy and Tobin, who had instinctively followed. “I’ve heard plenty about you two,” she said in a warm but firm tone, motioning them toward the kitchen. “It’s time I got to know the girls who’ve been making waves in the Vanguard.”

  Andy and Tobin exchanged glances, clearly curious, but backing off as Sariah led Terra and Lana away. “I think we’re being dismissed,” Tobin muttered, and Andy nodded, though his eyes lingered briefly, watching Terra’s reaction.

  Rodrick, meanwhile, was setting up the dining table, laying out plates and utensils with practiced ease. The younger kids darted around him, giggling and playing, their laughter filling the space. Andy noticed the hardened security system embedded near the entrance—high-tech panels with blinking lights and reinforced locking mechanisms.

  Rodrick caught Andy’s gaze and nodded toward it. “Had the boys in the lab design that,” he said, his voice steady but carrying a weight of gratitude. “My family was here during the battle. Didn’t want to take any chances.”

  Andy looked back at the kids, now chasing each other in circles around Wily, who was holding up a makeshift toy drone he’d tinkered together in record time. The scene was chaotic, but it was the kind of chaos that felt... right. It was life. Resilient, determined, and unbroken.

  “You’ve done a good job keeping them safe,” Andy said, his voice low but sincere.

  Rodrick paused, his hands resting on the edge of the table. “That’s the job,” he replied, his tone softening. “Whether it’s out there on the battlefield or here at home—it’s all about keeping them safe.”

  Andy nodded, feeling the truth in those words as he glanced around the room. For the first time in what felt like ages, the weight of the world outside seemed a little lighter, if only for a moment.

  The living room hummed with lively energy as the table slowly came together. Plates clinked softly as they were set down, utensils gleamed under the warm overhead light, and the faint aroma of a simmering stew wafted from the kitchen. Rodrick moved effortlessly between tasks, guiding the kids to help set up while still making time to greet everyone properly. His youngest, Mila, darted between guests, beaming with excitement as she handed out napkins.

  “Here, Mr. Andy!” she chirped, holding out a folded napkin like it was a precious treasure.

  Andy crouched slightly, accepting it with a smile. “Thanks, Mila. I’ll make sure it’s put to good use.”

  She giggled and ran off, her energy infectious as she joined Callum in arranging the chairs. Wily sat on the couch, surrounded by the younger kids, regaling them with a tale of how he once jury-rigged a water purifier out of scrap parts.

  Tobin leaned against the wall, watching the organized chaos with a bemused expression. “You’ve got quite the crew here, Rodrick,” he said, nodding toward the kids. “It’s a wonder you get anything done.”

  Rodrick smirked, placing a hand on Tobin’s shoulder as he passed. “They keep me on my toes, that’s for sure. But they’re good kids. They make it all worth it.”

  Wily glanced up from his story, his eyes twinkling. “Kids keep the world moving forward, don’t they? We build, we fight, but it’s for them.”

  Andy stood nearby, quietly observing the scene. The warmth of the moment was almost disorienting after everything they’d been through. The weight of the last battle and the revelations in the catacombs still lingered in his mind, but here, in Rodrick’s home, there was a sense of normalcy—a glimpse of what they were fighting for.

  Then, softly in his mind, Elyra’s voice broke through the hum of activity. “This is… nice,” she said, her tone lighter than usual, but still carrying a hint of introspection. “They’re all so alive. It’s… grounding, isn’t it?”

  Andy’s lips twitched into a faint smile, though he didn’t respond aloud. Instead, he mentally reached out to her. Yeah. It is. Something worth protecting.

  Elyra hesitated, as if gathering her thoughts. “I’ve been… processing, Andy. Everything we went through. Lorelai, the throne, the connection we shared during the battle—it’s a lot.” Her voice softened, a rare vulnerability slipping through. “I’m still trying to understand it all. What we are now. What it means.”

  Andy’s gaze dropped to his hands. The faint scars from the battle were still visible. We’ll figure it out, he thought. One step at a time.

  Elyra’s voice warmed slightly, her usual teasing edge returning. “You know, you’re a lot more insightful when you’re not dodging explosions or fighting mutants.”

  Andy smirked faintly. I have my moments.

  Rodrick’s voice cut through the chatter, snapping Andy out of his thoughts. “Alright, everyone, grab a seat! Dinner’s ready, and we’ve got plenty to go around.”

  The kids cheered, their voices bright and infectious, as they scrambled to take their places at the table. Sariah appeared from the kitchen, carrying a large pot of steaming stew, which she set down in the center of the table with practiced ease. Rodrick followed with a basket of bread, the smell of it fresh and comforting.

  As the group gathered around, Andy found himself seated between Tobin and one of the younger kids, who was eagerly chattering about the excitement of having guests over.

  The kitchen door creaked open, drawing the attention of everyone at the table. Terra and Lana stepped into the room, their expressions guarded, as though they’d just finished a conversation neither of them was quite ready to share. Their gazes flickered toward Andy almost simultaneously, a quiet, unreadable exchange passing between them before they took their seats at the table.

  “Finally,” Tobin teased, breaking the moment. “Thought you two were planning to skip dinner entirely.”

  Lana rolled her eyes, her usual sharp wit softening the tension. “Someone had to make sure the bread didn’t burn.”

  Terra shot him a sidelong glance, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. “And someone else had to make sure Lana didn’t eat it all before it got to the table.”

  The playful banter drew a ripple of laughter from the group, easing the undercurrent of unease as plates were passed around. Sariah served everyone with practiced grace, ensuring no one left the table hungry. Rodrick sat at the head, his presence grounding and steady, his face softened by a rare expression of contentment as he watched his family and comrades share the moment.

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  As the meal unfolded, the air grew lighter. Stories were shared—Jorin recounting a particularly harrowing shot he’d made during the battle, Wily chiming in with a dry remark about how he’d engineered half the weapons they’d used. Even Lana laughed at Tobin’s exaggerated tales of heroism. Terra’s gaze occasionally flicked toward Andy, her guarded demeanor relaxing slightly as the evening wore on.

  Andy, for his part, mostly listened. The warmth of the meal, the steady hum of conversation, and the sense of normalcy wrapped around him like a protective blanket. It was… nice. Comfortable, even. Something he hadn’t realized he’d missed.

  As the plates emptied and the conversation mellowed, Sariah began herding the younger kids toward their rooms. Mila clung to Rodrick for an extra hug, Callum made a dramatic show of not wanting to leave the adults, and Evie paused at the door to give Jorin one last question about ballistics, earning a chuckle from everyone.

  Finally, the house quieted, save for the faint sound of the kids settling upstairs. The remaining group gathered in the living room, the dim glow of the lamps casting a warm light over their tired faces. Rodrick and Sariah sat together on the couch, their hands intertwined, while Lana and Terra settled into armchairs. Wily reclined in a corner, a faint smile on his face as he nursed a drink. Tobin and Jorin sprawled on the floor, their earlier energy giving way to contented exhaustion.

  Andy leaned against the door frame, arms crossed, his gaze drifting over the room. It was rare to see everyone like this—at ease, together, without the weight of battle pressing down on them. For a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to simply be, to let the warmth of the moment seep into his battered soul.

  But the weight of everything he’d been holding onto was still there, lingering at the edges of his mind. Lorelai, the throne, Vin… the truths he’d uncovered, the revelations he’d yet to share. They pressed against him like an unseen hand, insistent and unrelenting.

  His thoughts swirled as he looked at the surrounding people—the ones who had fought beside him, who had survived with him, who trusted him. He knew he couldn’t keep it to himself any longer. They deserved to know. They needed to understand what they were up against.

  Andy exhaled slowly, his decision made. It’s time.

  The moment stretched, the weight of his thoughts settling like a stone in his chest. The room around him felt still, almost expectant, as if the air itself knew what was coming.

  He straightened, his resolve hardening. Tomorrow, he would tell them. Everything.

  But for now, he let the moment linger, savoring the rare peace before the storm.

  As the evening wore on and the warmth of the shared meal settled over them, Sariah glanced at Rodrick, who gave her a small nod. She turned to the group with a welcoming smile.

  “You’re all welcome to stay here tonight,” she said. “It’s late, and the city’s a mess right now. We’ve got just enough room if we shuffle things around a bit.”

  The group exchanged looks, the weariness of the day’s events clear on their faces. It was an offer none of them could reasonably refuse, and the thought of staying together after everything they’d been through brought an odd sense of comfort.

  “There’s a spare room upstairs,” Sariah continued, “and the couch here is free. Lana, Terra—there’s a guest bed you can share.”

  Terra and Lana exchanged a glance, their expressions guarded but unreadable. After a moment, Lana shrugged. “We don’t mind,” she said lightly.

  Terra nodded in agreement. “Yeah, we’re fine.”

  Before anyone could respond, Tobin chimed in with a mischievous grin. “Wait a second. You two are sharing a bed? No fair. You can’t leave Andy out like that.”

  Jorin, ever the instigator, added, “Yeah, yeah, Andy’s totally got dibs on the couch. Can’t have him playing favorites now.”

  Andy groaned, running a hand down his face as his cheeks turned red. “No one’s sleeping on the couch but me,” he said firmly, glaring at the two. “Knock it off.”

  The playful banter earned a few chuckles from the group, and even Terra and Lana couldn’t help but smirk, their earlier tension easing in the lighthearted moment. Andy quickly claimed the couch, his tone making it clear he wasn’t about to entertain any more jokes at his expense.

  The rest of the group settled into their assigned spots. Rodrick and Sariah moved quietly around the house, setting out extra blankets and pillows, while Wily, with a faint grin on his face, offered to help where he could.

  As the house slowly quieted for the night, Andy lay on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. The fabric beneath him was lumpy and uncomfortable, but his restless thoughts made it impossible to care. The hum of the day’s events buzzed in his mind—the battles, the destruction, the fleeting moments of peace around the dinner table.

  But it was the city that dominated his thoughts. The destruction they had passed on their way to Rodrick’s home replayed like a loop, the ruined streets and shattered buildings etched into his memory. His mind raced with ideas, half-formed plans of how he could help rebuild, how he could design better defenses, stronger infrastructure, tools to make the city not just survive, but thrive.

  And then there was the weight of what he needed to tell the group. Lorelai’s revelations. The throne. The truth about Vin, the Talons and the city’s future. It all felt so heavy, so enormous, and yet he couldn’t let it overwhelm him. They deserved to know. They needed to understand what they were fighting for.

  Elyra’s voice was quiet in his mind, a soft presence that didn’t intrude but lingered like a steady anchor. She said nothing, but he could feel her there, processing just as he was, sorting through the weight of their shared experiences.

  Andy shifted, trying to get comfortable, but his thoughts refused to settle. He glanced toward the stairs, hearing the faintest murmurs of conversation drifting down from the guest rooms. He couldn’t make out the words, but the sound brought him a strange sense of calm.

  Tomorrow, he thought, his eyes closing as exhaustion finally crept in. Tomorrow, we rebuild. Together.

  And with that, he let himself drift into a fitful sleep, the echoes of the day fading into the quiet hum of the house.

  Andy jolted awake, his breath catching in his throat. His combat-honed instincts flared, his heart pounding as his eyes darted around the dimly lit room. The soft creak of the stairs had pulled him from his restless sleep, and for a moment, his mind screamed danger. But as his vision focused, he saw two familiar figures descending quietly—Lana and Terra.

  “It’s just us,” Lana said softly, her voice steady but apologetic as she noticed the tension in his posture. “Sorry if we startled you.”

  Andy exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair to calm himself. “No, it’s okay,” he murmured, his pulse gradually settling. “Guess I’m still on edge.”

  The two women made their way to the chairs across from him, sitting down with an ease that suggested they had spent hours together like this. Andy noticed their expressions—serious, contemplative, but tinged with something else.

  “We couldn’t sleep,” Terra admitted after a moment, her voice quiet. “We’ve been talking... a lot. Sariah gave us a lot to think about.”

  Lana nodded in agreement, her gaze meeting Andy’s. “We wanted to talk to you. About everything.” She hesitated, as if choosing her words carefully. “We’ve been thinking about what we can do to help you, Andy. So you don’t feel like... like the weight of the world is on your shoulders all the time.”

  A small, grateful smile tugged at his lips. “You guys have already done more than I could ever ask for,” he said honestly. “Just knowing you’re here... it means everything.”

  Terra and Lana exchanged a glance, something unspoken passing between them before Terra turned her attention back to Andy. Her expression softened, though her voice held a weight that made Andy sit up a little straighter.

  “When we were at the hospital with you,” Lana began, her voice trembling slightly, “it felt like... like we couldn’t leave. It felt wrong. We spent so much time there, waiting, hoping you’d wake up. And now that we’re here... being apart feels strange.”

  “We almost lost you,” Terra added, her tone low but charged with emotion. “It terrified us. Both of us.”

  Andy felt a lump form in his throat, his mind racing to process their words. He didn’t know what to say, how to respond. He had always considered himself strong, capable of bearing the weight of the fight, of the world. But hearing their voices tremble, seeing the emotion in their eyes, made him realize just how much he mattered to them.

  Terra hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor as she seemed to struggle with her next words. Finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. “When I saw Vin... when I saw him impale you, it was like... like my world shattered. I thought I was going to lose you, Andy.”

  Her words hung in the air, heavy and raw, and Andy felt his chest tighten. He glanced at Lana, who nodded silently, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. The weight of their emotions, their fear, and pain, pressed against him, but so did their unwavering presence, their willingness to share the burden.

  Andy swallowed hard, his heart a tangled mess of gratitude, confusion and something deeper he couldn’t quite name. He didn’t know what he had done to deserve friends like them—if they were just friends. His feelings toward both of them were a chaotic storm, and in that moment, he realized just how much he couldn’t imagine losing them.

  The three sat in silence for a moment, the room heavy with unspoken emotions and the quiet hum of something more profound connecting them.

  Andy let out a shaky breath, the weight of their words sinking into him like anchors in a storm. He ran a hand over his face, his voice cracking slightly as he spoke. “When I couldn’t find you... when everything was falling apart, and you weren’t there—I was going mad. It was tearing me up inside, and I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t think straight. All I could imagine was...”

  His voice trailed off, the memory of that raw, desperate panic clawing at his chest. He looked down, his hands clenched tightly in his lap, and felt a flood of emotions he couldn’t contain. He wasn’t the type to wear his heart on his sleeve, but here, with them, it felt like he couldn’t do anything else.

  Terra and Lana exchanged a glance, their expressions softening. Without hesitation, they moved to sit beside him, one on each side. The couch creaked under the shifting weight, but the room was silent save for their quiet movements. Andy felt the warmth of their presence, the way their closeness eased the ache in his chest.

  “We just don’t want to lose each other,” Lana said softly, her voice tinged with vulnerability. She leaned into him slightly, her head brushing against his shoulder. “The world is such a mess, so unpredictable... and after everything that’s happened, after we almost lost each other... how can we be apart?”

  Terra nodded, her gaze downcast but her voice steady. “It feels like the only thing that makes sense anymore is... this. Us. Being here, together.” She shifted closer, her head coming to rest on his other shoulder.

  Andy sat there, his breath catching as their words settled over him like a blanket. The world outside was broken and unforgiving, but here, in this moment, he felt a quiet, undeniable comfort. He let his head dip slightly, resting gently against theirs, and closed his eyes. The warmth of their closeness, the sound of their soft breathing, and the shared silence between them felt like an anchor in the middle of a storm.

  For a while, none of them spoke. They didn’t need to. The unspoken bond between them, forged in fire and chaos, said everything words couldn’t. Andy felt a lump in his throat, his emotions threatening to spill over, but he swallowed it down. He didn’t have the answers to everything—they were still navigating the mess of feelings, the aftermath of all they’d been through—but for now, this was enough.

  The three of them sat there, heads resting together, the quiet moment stretching out like a sanctuary from the chaos of the world. For the first time in what felt like forever, Andy felt something he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in a long time.

  Peace.

  Announcement!

  Echoes of Aurelia book — covering the full 96 chapters plus the three upcoming chapters — is available for preorder!

  Check out the link if you’d like to grab the eBook version.

  paperback and hardcover editions will be available starting December 5th the same day that the eBook will be released.

  Echoes of Aurelia as my career keeps me busy, but rest assured, I’ll always release books only when they’re complete, edited, and polished to the best of my ability.

  Echoes of Aurelia will begin with Chapter 100, so we’ve still got a few chapters left before that transition. I’ll post an update in Chapter 99 to let everyone know when the continuation goes live.

  Thorns of the Brass City, a fantasy novel, filled with action, intrigue, and tighter pacing.

  Uploads for Thorns of the Brass City begin December 8th, 2025. Right here on Royal Road.