Bonus Epilogue:

2 1 0
                                    

Bonus Epilogue: A New Life, A New Beginning

Years had passed since the fall of the Overseer and the defeat of the monstrous hordes. Ashfall City had transformed beyond recognition. What was once a broken shell of a place was now a thriving metropolis, brimming with life. The streets were lined with trees, new homes stood tall, and the markets buzzed with the sounds of people exchanging goods. The world, though still scarred by the apocalypse, had slowly returned to a peaceful rhythm.

Alex had changed, too.

The intense power he had wielded with the magical pencil had long since settled, no longer a force that threatened to consume him. He had learned to control it, using it only when necessary. But the power that truly defined him was the bond he had formed with the people around him—the friendships, the love, and the sense of belonging that had replaced the chaos.

Alex had found his place in this new world, and that place had always been beside Eliza and Xander. Together, they continued to lead their people, ensuring that the mistakes of the past were never repeated. But there was something more now, something that had grown naturally in the aftermath of their shared trials.

One sunny morning, the city gathered in the square to celebrate the renewal of Ashfall City and the commitment to its bright future. The air was filled with laughter, music, and the joyous sounds of children playing. At the heart of it all stood Alex, smiling brightly, his hand gently holding Eliza’s.

Their journey had not been easy. They had fought to survive, to rebuild, and to protect what they loved. But through it all, Alex and Eliza had grown closer, and in the years that followed, their connection had blossomed into something deeper—something that couldn’t be undone by the shadows of their past.

In a small ceremony surrounded by their closest friends—Xander, their fellow survivors, and the citizens of Ashfall City—Alex and Eliza exchanged vows, promising to continue their fight together, not with weapons, but with love and determination to build a world worthy of their hard-earned peace.

Eliza’s eyes glistened with tears as she said, “I never thought we’d have a day like this. But now, I can’t imagine my life without you.”

Alex smiled, brushing a lock of hair from her face. “I’ve always known we’d get here. We made it through the darkness together.”

As they kissed beneath the banner of a restored world, a cheer rose from the crowd. Alex, for the first time in a long while, felt a deep sense of peace settle in his chest. The battle was over, but the story of their world was just beginning.

---

The Reader in Apocalypse Where stories live. Discover now