The sunlight hurt.
After weeks of underground facilities, artificial lights, blood, fear, and collapsing tunnels
real sunlight almost didn't feel real anymore.
Camille squinted hard as emergency responders rushed toward the elevator shaft shouting instructions at once.
Everything sounded chaotic.
Sirens. Helicopter blades overhead. People yelling. Cameras flashing somewhere beyond the barricades.
The real world.
They were finally back.
Dante stepped out of the ruined elevator first despite Elena immediately snapping
"You should absolutely still be unconscious."
"I'm fine."
Camille watched him carefully as he steadied himself against the side of the rescue platform for half a second before straightening again.
Still protective. Still controlled.
Still Dante.
But different somehow.
Softer around the edges.
The mountain facility behind them burned violently against the dark sky while smoke rose endlessly into the air.
Helixor was dying beneath the ground.
And this time
