29
Xander’s Revelation
Xander gathered his troops around him after the dust had cleared, and there were hugs and back pats all around. They had survived! Their relief made them feel like butterflies, finally realizing they had been reborn from their beginnings as lowly caterpillars.
Bixby and Jasper picked their way uphill to cheers from the group. They were filthy and exhausted, their clothes ragged and b****y. Xander greeted them with open arms as they reached the top, his thoughts as crushing as the rocks that killed the Greelox.
“We’ll take as much time as we need to remember and honor our fallen comrade. Graham was a wonderful friend to all of us,” Xander said. His eyes, already bloodshot from the wind, dust, and battle, teared up, glassy, increasing the redness, in spite of his i
