Chapter 25: A New Dawn

Eldridge Falls lay in ruin. There was no stone standing, courtesy of the Order of the Veil building still upright and no street unscarred. What once was an entire community pulsating with life, now existed as a ghostly part of things that used to be. Emma and Nathaniel stood amidst this, her heart heavy with sorrow. They had won the good fight against the Order, but at what cost? It had stressed them out. Life had been sucked out of them over these past weeks before that, and neither knew how to adapt. The next day, trying to find a way through the Deserted Square, they met a new character: Elias. He was a young man, but his eyes showed determination. He had lost his home and family but never the hope for a better future. "We can rebuild this town," Elias said. "Together, we will be stronger than ever before." By this, Emma and Nathaniel had taken his optimism to mean a new assessment of their future and rebuilding. Aided by Elias, they marshalled the townspeople into work crews, which in turn began cleaning the debris. Whatever little supplies they did have, they mobilized and made temporary shelters. Slowly but surely, Eldridge Falls was getting back on its feet. The people worked untiringly, buoyed by the promise of a better tomorrow. Emma and Nathaniel were right at the heart of rebuilding. Days passed working side by side, their relationship growing and strengthening. It did not last too long because their happiness was short-lived. Yet another threat emerged, much more dangerous than the Order of the Veil. A mystical figure comes into town, and now he is going to take over Eldridge Falls. His name is Gabriel, and now he is just about to commit some nefarious plan. Gabriel knows there is something buried beneath this town, some sort of treasure buried down there. He could feel this power that the treasure had, and it was just something he must possess. He had a small following, and they were going to take over the town. They were going to rebuild it with the found treasure, but according to their vision regarding Eldridge Falls. And Emma and Nathaniel knew that they must do something before it would be too late. They banded together some of the townspeople and got ready to counterattack. A grim struggle persisted: the villagers fought valiantly, but they were outnumbered and outmatched. When all hope seemed to melt away, a figure emerged from behind the scenes. It was Eleanor. Eleanor had survived the fall of the ballroom. All this time, she had been in the secret passage, waiting for precisely the right time to strike. Eleanor joined the fight, her sword flashing in the moonlight. She fought with a savagery that sent everybody astounded. The interference caused by Eleanor overthrew the forces of Gabriel; he was taken as a captive and thrown in prison. Finally, the town of Eldridge Falls was saved. The secret society was defeated, and the treasure was safe. Emma and Nathaniel stood side by side, watching the rejoicing of the town's people for their victory. They knew well that long in pain the path taken had been; finally, though, they had stopped in peace. Morning broke over ruination, Emma turned to Nathaniel, and he to her. They knew nothing that would happen in life would matter; everything was all right because they loved each other. They had finally put some semblance of life together, and then this new menace appeared. Sometime during that time, someone had come into town, with an express purpose in taking over Eldridge Falls. Would they be able to defeat him this time, or would it all go down the drain?