Spes Novis

Savior - 15

"Thank you so much for everything you've done for us," Head Justice Proctor said. "Without your unit, I don't know what we would have done." The justice shook the unit deputy's hand and smiled at the rest of the unit.

"And I'm terribly sorry for the confusion. Chavez put on an excellent show, making you look like the culprit," Dep responded.

"It all worked out in the end, shame he didn't survive the fall, though. I would have liked to oversee his trial," Proctor said with a shake of his head.

Dep nodded slowly and replied, "I'm just glad Justice Statera is okay. Who would have thought the D.C.s kidnapping of her from the gondola would actually save her life."

"Indeed, she should make a full recovery soon, thanks to your team," Justice Proctor turned to face Lavender, Corey, Veda, and the others. Then he moved down the line, shaking everyone's hands.

When he reached Lavender he seamlessly switched to his left hand and shook hers. "That was a true act of bravery. I suppose the rumors about you were true after all," Justice Proctor said with a smile.

"What rumors?" Lavender asked, grasping his hand tightly. "That I'm dumb and lucky?"

"No, that you're selfless. And a great soldier. Rest that arm and hopefully, I'll have the pleasure of working with you in the future. The UMR Militia has great plans for you," Proctor let go of Lavender and moved down the line.

Lavender looked down at her right arm in the sling. The theurgist estimated it would take a little while to heal and recommended giving it a week, just in case the magic didn't heal it all the way.

Corey nudged Lavender and offered a small smile. "Ready to hop back on the elevator to get out of here?

"I don't think I would be upset if I never had to ride another elevator," Lavender admitted to Corey.

He laughed and responded, "I wouldn't like them much either, especially after having to get fished out of the elevator shaft by an entire crew."

Lavender rolled her eyes and said, "I just want to get to the electric train station so we can go home, I need to get out of these clothes."

"Is that because you didn't pack enough or because you're eager to see Finn-"

Lavender smacked Corey's arm with her bad arm and winced.

"Okay, easy there. I'm done teasing," Corey sighed.

"Good," the deputy interrupted. "Because it's time for us to go. Your loved ones are meeting us at the train station. So the faster we get to the transit pods, the faster you can go home."

"Sounds like a plan to me," Lavender responded. She passed an angry glare onto Corey before joining her unit.

The group made their way back into the elevators and eventually arrived at the train station.

True to Dep's word, Finnikin, Diana, and Corey Jr. were all waiting at the station, along with an unforeseen guest. A small girl, with a suitcase bigger than she was, waited on the platform next to Lavender's friends.

"Tamara? What are you doing here?" Lavender asked, stepping on the platform.

Tamara looked up at Lavender with her big weathered eyes. "I'm here to catch a train to Lux. My aunt and uncle live there," She said in her tiny voice.

"You know, I heard they have one of the best schools in the country there," Lavender told her. "You should attend, then maybe consider joining the police or military. We could really use you."

"You think so?" Tamara asked.

"You could help make sure people are safe and happy," Lavender offered.

"I would like that. Making sure no one gets hurt like I did. Making sure no one dies like my mom did," sighed Tamara. "Thank you. I'll think about it. Bye, Miss Necros." Tamara turned to get on her train.

"Ready to go, Lavender?" A gentle voice asked.

Lavender felt a warm hand on her shoulder and knew exactly who it was. Without even looking, she turned around to hug Finn. "Yes, I think I am. I miss Bellum... Ow." She let go of him, realizing that she was stressing her arm.

"Me too." Finnikin returned Lavender's hug, carefully avoiding her injured arm. "I miss my shop and the sensation of not almost dying." He laughed heartily and let go of her. "Want me to take your bags?"

Lavender wanted to decline, but Finn had already taken the luggage.

He said with a smile, "Doctor's orders say you have to rest that arm so..."

Lavender followed Finnikin into their booth and collapsed tiredly on the seat. "I need a hot cup of... something and a long, long nap. Maybe a vacation."

"We could do that," Finnikin suggested, sitting down next to her.

"We?" Lavender asked, turning her head. "I don't recall inviting you."

Finnikin chuckled, "Sorry, I'm just eager to meet the savior of Spes Novis. Are you going to keep a travel book of all the cities you save?"

"Oh God no, I did not save Nix Terra... But Spes Novis, I'm willing to take credit for." Lavender felt a laugh bubbling from her mouth.

Their laughter filled the carriage as the train carried them home to Bellum. But behind them, the abyssal city glimmered, still standing tall thanks to information, investigation, and an unlikely savior.

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