Chapter 17

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The Arethians seemed to evaporate, disappearing as I walked past. They blew away like dust, and silence echoed through the corridors of the prison. I walked to what seemed like a large viewing window, pointed towards a lot filled to the brim with confused humans. They didn't seem to understand why the Arethians were fading like they were. I walked to the door next to the window, entering into the same room I had been in for my execution. I pressed a button on the wall, rolling back the wall itself to reveal the stage I had died on. The people quickly caught sight of me, most recognizing me. Plodding to what seemed to be a microphone, I tapped on it. A loud knocking sounded throughout the lot, then I spoke, "As most of you have noticed, I am the girl who was executed in this very stage not long ago. My name is Holly Connerson, I'm 22, born in Sullivan, Indiana. And on this day, it is my pleasure to announce the death of the Arethian leader, Kieran, ending the war." A roar of cheers, whoops, and applause deafened me, temporarily. I smiled, scanning the crowd. Suddenly, a familiar figure scampered over the side of the stage, running towards me. Following her were four other people. The small figure wrapped her arms around my waist, "Big sister! Big sister!" She wailed, pressing her face against the armor on my stomach. "Yuumi!" I cried, picking her up. Another figure wrapped his arms around us, squeezing us both tightly. "Andrew! Big brother!" I cried, burying my face into his chest. I cradled Yuumi, Andrew held me. My family, reunited again. After a few minutes, I set Yuumi down, and glanced behind them. There was Melody and Benson, followed by Delilah who held a young girl. I later found out that was Maki, their little sister.

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Hours later, the people had poured out of the prison, flooding back into the rubbled cities. Mankind everywhere was free, prisons now empty. We had found Damien after my announcement, releasing him from the restraints. He immediately tackled me, lifting me off my feet in an embrace. I laughed, kissing him over and over again. After he put me down, he ran to his sisters. I watched him, examining his bare, bruised back. Andrew rested his hand on my shoulder, "You did good, sis. you really proved yourself." He smiled down at me. I laughed, and latched my arms around his waist. He kissed my head, stroking my shoulder.

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About two years after the war, life had settled back to normal. Cities were rebuilt, and humans flourished. Nothin was ever heard if the Arethians again, and the events and deaths of the war were put down in history books. Many questioned about if the Arethians were really gone for good. Some even believed that they would return as soon as Earth was comfortable. I believed it wasn't the last time we would encounter foreign life, but that the Arethians were gone for good. I had settled comfortably back into my schedule, minus the stripping. I quit my job, by Damien's request, and now worked as a waitress at a café down the road. I came home that day, tired and greasy, opening the door to my new apartment. Jumping as a pair of strong, warms arms wrapped around my waist. "Damien?!" I squealed as he buried his face into my neck, planting frantic kisses on the nape. I giggled as he released me, "I'm glad your home, because I have something for you." He turned me around, reaching into his back pocket. He pulled my hand forward, opened my palm, and pressed something hard into my hand. Then, he closed my hand, and took his away. My heart raced, "There's no..." I opened my hand, "...Way....*Gasp* Ahhhh!" I squealed, tackling him to the floor. He flipped me onto my back, climbing on top of me. He laughed, and a tear dribbled down my cheek. He smiled sincerely, then cleared his throat, "Ms. Holly Connerson, Savior of Earth, Defender of Mankind, Mistress of Protection." I whimpered impatiently, and he chuckled, "Will you do me the great honor of becoming Mrs. Holly Lee? Will you marry me?" I was speechless, but nodded like an idiot, tears of joy blinding me. Damien laughed, pulling me into a deep, passionate kiss. "Thank you." I murmured onto his lips. He smiled, "No, thank you for finding me. My baby girl." We lay there for hours, wrapped in each other's embrace. Earth was safe, I was alive, healthy, and now I had a perfect future. Life was better than before the war, and now I had Damien by my side, forever...