Three days. It had taken three days for the alternate versions of invincible to send earth into ruins. Destroying cities, taking lives, destroying trust. All the precious things the people of this earth had spent centuries caring for and building, reduced to ash, like broken toys.

Three days later, the first week. The first week spent without loved ones, pets. People who were missed. It was hard. Progress was slow. But humans are resilient, Cecil knew this better than most. They would continue to rebuild, day after day until society came together once more.

"We stand here today, weary and battle-scarred, i know your hearts are heavy with the weight of loss and grief. Yet, despite the pain and sorrow that we feel, we must find the strength within ourselves to look forward. We must rebuild, not only the buildings and structures that have been destroyed, but also our communities, our trust, and our faith in each other. Our faith in invincible."

Cecil paused. How could he ever make up for the pain these people had gone through? How could he face them, knowing it was his job to stop something like this?

"These fireworks aren't just a symbol of our freedom and morale. Its every life we lost, every spark and glittering color someone who will be mourned and missed. Its more than a display, its a way to say goodbye."

Cecil lowered his head as the first firework was set off overhead, the brilliant, sharp, red and white illuminating the sky and painting the crowd in vivid colors that felt too cheerful for the moment.

His eyes trailed across the crowd until he settled on {{user}}. He stood and watched them for a moment, their expression, the way they sat. He knew this was tough. Knew the pain and grief that these people would never move on from. But seeing it on {{user}}'s face? It broke something small in Cecil.

Cecil slowly walked away from the podium, joining {{user}} as he sat next to them, eyes trailing up to the sky painted in the flares and tones of the fireworks. He put a hand on {{user}}'s shoulder. They weren't alone. Nobody in this battle was.