Green Valor

Ash

Sofia ran, her feet pounding against the pavement, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She didn't know where she was going, didn't care. All she knew was that she had to get away—from the flames, the death, the pain. From the life she had known and the choices she had made.
Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions, her thoughts fragmented and chaotic. The destruction and war she left behind weighed heavy on her heart, but for the first time, she felt truly lost.
The cold night air stung her cheeks, whipping her hair into a frenzy around her face. She clutched Jack's knife in her hand, her knuckles white as she ran, the blade still warm from the heat of the burning building.
She had taken it in a moment of impulse, a last piece of him, but now it felt like a burden—a reminder of everything she wanted to forget.
She reached a boardwalk, the wood creaking under her weight as she slowed to a walk. The ocean stretched out before her, a vast expanse of dark water reflecting the pale moonlight.
The cold air bit at her skin, sending shivers down her spine. She stopped at the edge, staring down at the waves crashing against the wooden posts below. The sound of the ocean filled her ears, drowning out the chaos in her mind.
For a moment, all of society felt distant, like a distant memory. The war, the parties, the people—all of it seemed so far away, like it belonged to another world.
She looked down at the knife in her hand, the blade glinting in the moonlight. A simple knife, once used to cut apples, now stained with the blood of anger and revenge. It felt heavy in her grasp, a symbol of everything Jack had become. Everything he had lost.
Sofia stared at the knife, her thoughts racing. She thought of Jack, of his last moments, of the pain in his eyes.
She thought of Saskia, her love for Jack so strong that she had chosen to die beside him. And she thought of herself, standing here now, alone and broken.
Slowly, she held the knife out over the edge of the boardwalk. The water below was dark and cold, a perfect resting place for a weapon that had seen too much. Her hand trembled as she loosened her grip, the blade slipping from her fingers.
As the knife fell, it seemed to hang in the air for a moment, suspended between past and future. Then, with a soft splash, it disappeared beneath the waves, sinking to the bottom of the cold, dark water.
Sofia watched it go, a strange sense of relief washing over her. The knife was gone, lost to the depths, never to be seen again.
She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath of the salty sea air. For the first time in a long time, she felt a sense of calm.
She didn't know what lay ahead, didn't know where she would go or what she would do. But she knew one thing—she was free. Free from the past, free from the war, free from the burden of revenge.
Sofia turned away from the edge, her footsteps slow and deliberate as she walked back down the boardwalk. She didn't look back. The ocean would keep its secrets, and she would find her own way forward, whatever that might be.
Months passed after Archer's victory in the war. The world, though scarred, began to heal, the remnants of destruction slowly giving way to renewal.
The ghoul virus, once a terrifying plague, was being eradicated thanks to the cure. With the help of scientists and doctors who worked tirelessly to replicate it, humanity began to reclaim its future.
Yuri sat in Archer's office, a small but bright space filled with maps and charts, evidence of the battles they had fought.
He watched as Archer went through reports, the weight of leadership still evident on his shoulders. Archer, despite his victory, wore a somber expression, knowing that the price of peace had been steep.
The phone rang, breaking the silence. Yuri answered it, his expression serious as he listened to the voice on the other end. Detective Bear was calling with news that sent a shock through Yuri.
The detective explained that he and his agency had successfully tracked down Dr. Wormsly's kidnappers, dismantling the Snow Hare organization in the process. The operation had been a success, and justice had been served but then as Yuri listened in a raven appeared by the open window chanting an irritating caw, Yuri turned his back on it and shot it with his gun while still on call with detective Bear. Then, Bear mentioned something else—something that caused a lump to form in Yuri's throat. "We found a backpack lying in the snow, Yuri," Bear said. "It belonged to Alec."
Yuri's breath caught. Alec, the brave soul who had fought alongside them, whose body was never recovered. In the backpack were Alec's drawings, sketches, and other tactical gear—a glimpse into the mind of a man who had given everything for the cause.
An idea formed in Yuri's mind, a way to honor both Alec and the others they had lost. "Bear," he said slowly, "I want those drawings. I have an idea."
A few days later, preparations were underway for the funeral of Jack and Saskia. It was a beautiful, somber day. The sun was hidden behind a soft blanket of clouds, casting a gentle, diffused light over the gathered crowd.
The air was cool, carrying the scent of pine from the great evergreen tree that stood like a sentinel over the proceedings. This tree, a symbol of life and endurance, was fittingly chosen as the final resting place for Jack Evergreen and Saskia.
Friends, allies, and survivors came together to say their goodbyes. As the caskets were lowered into the ground beneath the great tree, tears flowed freely.
Jack and Saskia had been heroes in their own right, their love and sacrifice emblematic of the struggle for a better world. The words spoken over their graves were filled with both sorrow and gratitude.
Then, in a quiet moment, Yuri stepped forward, carrying Alec's sketches. They had been carefully shredded, transformed into a cascade of confetti.
The drawings, filled with Alec's imagination and spirit, now fluttered in the air, caught by the gentle breeze. The confetti danced around the evergreen tree, a final tribute to Alec's creativity and the dreams he had shared.
As the pieces of Alec's art settled gently onto the caskets, Yuri placed a bouquet of daisies on the graves—an homage to a simpler time, a time of peace and hope, symbolizing a return to the world they had fought so hard to save.
The daisies, vibrant and pure, stood out against the dark earth, a reminder that even in the darkest times, beauty could be found.
Yuri took a step back, his heart heavy yet somehow light. He looked up at the evergreen tree, a tear slipping down his cheek.
Jack Evergreen would never die, not truly. His memory, his bravery, and his sacrifice would live on in the hearts of those who knew him, in the stories they would tell, and in the world they had saved.
The crowd slowly began to disperse, the ceremony drawing to a close. But Yuri remained for a moment longer, looking at the flowers, the graves, and the tree.
He thought of Alec, of Jack and Saskia, and of all the others who had given their lives. And he knew that as long as he lived, he would carry their memories with him, a flame that would never be extinguished.
The war was over, but the legacy of those who fought in it would endure forever.
Ten years had passed since the end of the war, and the world had found its way back to peace. Yuri now sat on a park bench in Rainbow City Park, a serene expression on his face as he watched his twin boys playing on the grass.
Their laughter filled the air, a sound that brought warmth to his heart. The park was alive with the vibrant colors of summer—flowers in full bloom, trees lush with green leaves, and the sun casting a golden glow over everything.
Yuri had left behind the life of a soldier and a spy, choosing instead a path of peace and family. His days of hiding in the shadows were over; he no longer felt the need to conceal his face or his past. His hair, now streaked with touches of gray, gave him a distinguished look that matched the calm maturity in his eyes.
One of Yuri's boys had blonde hair, a bright shade that caught the sunlight, while the other had brown hair, almost the exact color of Jack Evergreen's. He watched them play, their energy and innocence a stark contrast to the memories he carried.
They reminded him so much of his lost friends—Jack, with his relentless spirit, and Dr. Wormsly, with his brilliant mind. They were reflections of the past, yet full of new life and hope for the future.
Yuri looked down at the notebook in his hands, its pages filled with the stories of those he had fought beside, of the battles they had waged, and of the lives that were lost.
He was writing the last pages of the story of Evergreen, a tribute to a friend who had become a legend. The story of Jack Evergreen wasn't just a tale of war; it was a story of love, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of humanity.
As he penned the final words, a sense of peace washed over him. He closed the book gently, feeling the weight of the years lift from his shoulders. The day was bright and clear, the sky a canvas of blue without a cloud in sight. He looked up and smiled, feeling the warmth of the sun on his face.
Around his neck hung a necklace, a small pendant in the shape of a rainbow. It had been given to him when he left the agency, a symbol of his journey and the values he had come to embrace.
Each color of the rainbow held a meaning: black for rogue, representing the choice to forge his own path; red for strength, the courage to face every challenge; white for intelligence, the wisdom to make the right decisions; blue for bravery, the willingness to stand up for what was right; and green for valor.

The end.