"You did it! You actually did it!" Lukas threw his arms around Jesse and Petra, the three of them falling into a group hug.

"Did you really doubt us?" Petra joked, even though there was obviously relief in her voice as well.

"Where's Romeo?" Lukas asked as he pulled away from them His smile faltered slightly. "Did he... did he not make it?"

"I'm afraid we couldn't save everybody." Jesse replied, rubbing her arm. "We're lucky to be standing here right now."

"You did the best you can." Jack replied, giving Jesse a half-hearted slap on the shoulder from behind.

"What Jack said." Petra added, nudging Jesse. "After all, did he really deserve to see the daylight again after what he did?"

"Point taken." Jesse replied softly, smiling. She still didn't look completely convinced.

"Come on." Lukas said, putting a hand on Jesse's shoulder and mustering a cheerful smile. "I'm sure the three of you are absolutely beat after this battle. Let's head home."

Nobody objected, faces lighting up as they started walking down the levels of the floating tower together.

"I think I'm going to bed, and not getting up for a week." Jesse joked, pretending to yawn.

"An entire week? I thought we were hitting the road after this!" Petra replied playfully.

"Yeah, after some well deserved rest." Jesse deadpanned, trying to hide her grin. "We've had enough adventure for now. Once we wound down a bit, you and me can go look for more trouble."

"Did you have to state it like that?" Petra gave Jesse a playful shove.

"So, the two of you aren't done fighting yet, huh?" Lukas asked curiously. "No settling down after this?"

"Nope." Petra replied matter-of-factly. "I'm not settling down for at least another decade."

"And as always, I'm getting dragged along." Jesse added, winking.

Everybody chuckled, even Jack. Jesse had to admit, it felt nice to have the unbearable weight of pressure off her shoulders. She knew it wasn't over yet, Romeo had left Beacontown in an awful, traumatized state.

She knew there was a lot of recovery in the town's future. It probably wasn't the best idea to leave, and Jesse had considered staying behind to keep an eye on things. But a promise was a promise, and she wasn't about to let her best friend go off alone.

Jesse smiled to herself. Why was she so worried? Radar would still be there to look after the town. She trusted that he wouldn't let her down.

Alas, Jesse was just looking forward to taking a break. Even if it was only a few days before Petra dragged out out of town again, Jesse just wanted to relax. She hasn't had a proper night's sleep since the battle with Romeo, too many thoughts and fears weighing her down. Now she could finally take things slow again.

"Jesse!"

All of a sudden something flew up to them like a bullet, crashing straight into Jesse. She staggered a few feet back to stop both her and Radar from tumbling to the ground.

"Easy there, buddy." Jesse laughed, returning the hug. "It's all good, the battle is over."

"I knew you could do it, Jesse!" Radar squealed, wrapping his arms around her and nearly squeezing all the oxygen out of Jesse. "I knew you'd beat Romeo!"

"Thanks for having faith in me." Jesse said, ruffling her intern's black hair. "But you know it wasn't just me. Petra and Jack were in there with me."

Petra just rolled her eyes playfully, while Jack chuckled. "We all know who landed the final hit on Romeo." He said, grinning at Jesse. "Stop rubbing the credit off on other people and relish in it for once."

"No, that's just how Jesse is." Petra replied, shaking her head. "Too humble for her own good."

"Have you seen Axel and Olivia?" Jesse asked when Radar finally let her go, and she was able to properly breathe in again.

Radar shook his head. "I'm sure they're somewhere. Romeo left the stage almost immediately after you broke into his tower, he didn't even look at them twice."

"That's good to hear." Lukas said, crossing his arms. "They're probably waiting for us somewhere."

"We should go." Jesse said excitedly, taking the lead. "I have so much I want to tell them!"

The others followed as well, equal excitement on Lukas and Petra's faces. Jack and Radar were tagging along at the back, Radar practically skipping. Jesse's smile faded slightly as she managed to catch a glimpse of the outside through the window.

The Beacontowners were all gathered around in crowds, as if they were waiting for something... or someone. Jesse increased her pace slightly, an uneasy feeling settling in the pit of her stomach. She wondered what Romeo had done to her citizens.

"Holy cow, anybody else seeing the crowds outside?" Petra asked, jogging slightly up to Jesse at the front. "Seems like your people are really looking forward to seeing their leader again."

"After what Romeo did to them, I can only imagine." Jesse muttered, her joyful attitude gone with the wind. "They've been put through hell while Romeo trapped me underground."

"We'll get Beacontown back to what it was, Jesse." Radar said, grinning excitedly. "If it can rise from the ashes of the Wither Storm battle, so can it now."

"I'm with little Mr Optimism here." Jack replied gruffly. "Beacontown has been through a lot, Jesse. They can handle it."

Jesse relaxed slightly, though it barely showed on her face as she strode down the tower's hallway. As tired and worn through as she felt, as hot and uncomfortable she was inside her armour; She needed to know that her people were OK."

"This way." Radar said, darting to the front and enthusiastically dragging Jesse along. "I'll show you an easy way to get out."

Jesse didn't argue, allowing Radar to pulling her along by her wrist, dragging her to one of the back exit's of the tower. There was a very short drop onto a roof, which has a ladder leading down to the ground. Jesse went first, followed by her friends. The crowds she saw ahead of her were starting to grow concerning.

"Is the entire world's population here?" Petra asked, raising her eyebrows.

"And crowding Beacontown like hungry vultures." Lukas added to the redhead's statement in a loud whisper.

"I think Stella's people are here too." Jack explained. "Since Romeo practically incinerated their town.

Jesse didn't pay attention to her friends, uncomfortably scanning the surroundings. Once one person noticed her, it felt like hundreds of heads turned towards her. Eyes burning into her.

Whispers sounded in the crowds, people pointing at the group. Jesse could feel sweat breaking out on her face. There was more than just fear in this crowd.

"There she is." Somebody hissed, a finger pointing right at Jesse. The hushed whispers rose. Jesse had to resist from taking a timid step back.

"Traitor!" Somebody called out, their voice sawing through the tense air.

"Who said that?" Petra asked threateningly, Lukas putting a hand on her arm to shush her.

"You!" One of the citizens called, pointing at Jesse. "You ruined this town!"

"Me?" Jesse asked in shock, now taking a step back. She wasn't sure what had triggered this to happen.

"We trusted you!" Another citizen called. "We loved you!"

"But you broke apart this town!" Somebody else chimed in.

"Pulled down our builds and replaced them!"

"Swapped out Beacontown's colourful complexion for reds and blacks!"

"Used lava for decor, no matter the safety hazard!"

"W-wait, hold up!" Jesse called out, taking a step back and holding up her hands desperately. "That wasn't me!"

"It's your faced plastered across buildings! You were the one on stage yesterday night!"

The bellowing citizens started drowning out Jesse's desperate excuses, neither she or her friends audible above the commotion.

And then Jesse saw them pull out swords... Bows... Axes... Daggers...

She could hear Petra draw her golden sword, Lukas reaching for an arrow from his quiver. But she couldn't bring herself to reach for her blade... these were her people.

So as the citizens approached, Jesse ran.

___

And there we have it, the start of it all! You have no idea how excited I was to get into this book! 

I am really excited for everything to play out from here, and I hope you're all excited for it as well!

I'll see you all with the first official chapter, in 5 days!