The morning sun rose over the mountains, painting the valley in shades of gold and amber. The birds were singing. The breeze was gentle. The world was peaceful.
And for Ethan, this peace was a reflection of everything they'd built. Everything they'd fought for. Everything they'd become. It was a peace that had been earned through years of struggle, sacrifice, and unwavering hope. A peace that was now strong enough to weather any storm that might come. A peace that felt permanent and real and lasting.
He stood on the porch of the global council building, watching the light spread across the buildings below. It had been three weeks since the first exchange students had graduated and returned to their home regions. Three weeks of watching the connections deepen in ways they'd never imagined
