Eleonor was dead. Maxwell got his revenge.

After the battle, the Hunters Order took Eleonor's body and cremated it, the same procedure they used with all of our fallen enemies, while the survivors were transported to the hospital.

Adrian was unconscious when they took him and the officer that tried to handcuff Eleonor had third-degree burns but would survive. Overall, I was the luckiest of them all, only feeling a slight pain compared to them. There were a lot of deadly victims but more people were saved by the field medical teams.

A week later, the government made a public event to honor the people who died in combat. We weren't only honoring our fallen heroes but also Eleonor's victims who were transformed into monsters and compelled to kill. The cries accompanied the symphony played by the violins. A wall was raised in the town center with the names our heroes sculpted in it.

"I can't believe it's all over," I whispered, making Adrian place his arm around my shoulders and pull me close before placing a soft kiss on my temple.

"Me neither. It's bittersweet huh? We won and yet we also lost."

I couldn't agree more with him, we lost so many brothers and sisters that day that our victory didn't give us happiness or pride. The people, however, were proud of us and grateful as they didn't understand that, while the families of the dead were the ones suffering the most. No words, no gestures and no honor could soften their pain.

Some Weirdos escaped the battlefield as soon as they realized they were losing while others surrender. Some of them were crying for mercy, others from relief that they no longer had to end innocent lives. I pitied them, they were not as strong as Max and were easily manipulated to fight us, and some were even controlled by a spell to follow Eleonor's orders.

They were taken to the Order where they would be lock up and receive treatment until their trial. It was later ruled that they were as many victims as the people they killed, however, since Max got a conscience and was able to fight against Eleonor's orders it was decided that they were also capable to make a conscious choice and choose to follow her. For this, they were sentenced to five years on parole.

Adrian's company started to develop a treatment to reverse the Weirdo's state, or at least reduce the symptoms and allowed me to join his team of researchers. We didn't know if we would be able to find a way to turn them back to 'normal', but we wanted to do our best to help them be accepted by the society that fears them.

Some Weirdos joined the Brotherhood which has become a new special force that worked alongside the Hunters Order, however, we had to release our prisoners so they would be judged by the law. This time things were different and justice was made as the laws changed and the people's pressure force judges to take responsibility and make it difficult for corruption to take place.

A year later everything was calmer, we were back at Adrian's manor laughing and living a somewhat carefree life, but we never forgot those we had lost.

"Have you decided what you will do with the sword yet?" Adrian asked me while we were snuggling on the couch.

"I know William and his family were threatened because of the sword but I wanted to keep it close in case we need it."

"I don't think will need it anymore though."

"Eleonor said that it wouldn't end with her and others want justice, so I can't help but believe that at some points new threats would come."

"You shouldn't worry about what Eleonor said, she's gone, and until now nothing happened that would suggest she was telling the truth."

"Well in any case it can also be useful to the Brotherhood's missions"

"Just admit you want to keep it just because you like it and stop making up reasons for you to do so." He let out a small laugh.

"You know me so well." I smiled. "Anyway, I'm sure your vault is safe enough, so I'm keeping it there until I need it."

He kissed my forehead and at that moment I couldn't feel happier. "They're here," he stated as he probably heard the cars passing the gates.

Soon after the door opened letting Levy and Emily enter followed by Violet and Max. We got up and I greeted everyone with a hug, and I mean everyone including Max. After getting to know him better I couldn't help but feel sorry for him, grateful for all his help, especially when protecting Violet, and we quickly became friends. He was now dating Violet, which didn't surprise me as she is perfect, besides I could see the way she looked at him when they all stayed here after we captured him. To be honest when I didn't like him yet it disgusted me seeing Violet drool over him while being all shy and gentle with him, but now I can see the love between them.

"Isn't Olivia coming?" I asked as we all sat down, remembering how painful it was for her when I told her Igor's last words. It was awful, especially because she only realized then how much she cared about him, but like they say: after the storm comes the calm.

"She said she would be late since she's meeting Igor's parents today," Levy said.

"Right, they're going to announce their marriage. Igor's mom is going to be mad for not being the first to know." I laughed.

"They're probably going to hide that from her, they don't want big mama mad. The last time that happened she destroyed their kitchen."

"Speaking of which," Emily spoke, "We wanted to wait for them, but I can't wait anymore to tell you," she said, glancing at Levy who nodded in response. "I'm pregnant!"

"Oh my God!" Violet and I said at the same time. I quickly got up to hug the new parents.

The room was filled with joy, and Emily and Levy bombarded with questions.

"Mom is going to be thrilled," Adrian said.

"She is! She and dad are flying back here tomorrow," Emily informed us.

"Oh, we have to prepare everything!" I started panicking.

"It's fine sweetheart, we have time, besides she would be too happy with both news to care whether the house is properly ready to receive them or not," Adrian said trying to calm me down.

"Both news?"

"I'll tell you about it later," he smiled.

We all kept talking, mostly about Emily's pregnancy and at some point, I think Max was worried that Violet already wanted to have children due to her enthusiasm.

After they left, Adrian took me by the hand and led me outside. We went to the garden in the back of the manor, which had an antique romantic style. He took me to the pergola built on the lake of his estate and my eyes shined at the lights that illuminated it. It was my favorite spot in the property. I loved sitting on the cushions, surrounded by clear water and feeling the breeze and the smell of the trees around it. It was such a peaceful place and I knew it will also become a special place as I saw Adrian holding my hand on one knee and smiling brightly as he held a small box on his other hand.

"Lisa, if I may say we had an unusual start, and yet, since the beginning, I knew there was something special about you. From the first time I saw your eyes I knew you would be trouble as there was nothing strong enough to hold me back. I fell in love with you before I knew and today, I know you are the only one for me. I want to cherish you and live my whole life with you, so would you give me the honor to become my wife?" He said, and I could feel tears rolling down my cheeks. It was the most beautiful declaration of love.

"Yes!" I said and jumped into his arms making him fall in the ground.

I knew right then that no matter what Eleonor said or what challenges and dangers were to come we would be okay and we would live the most amazing and happy life possible.

The End

So... This is it: The End.

It's a bittersweet as I am happy to have finished this story but sad that it's over.

💓 I want to thank you all for reading this until the end and for all the support you gave me. 💓

I hope you enjoyed this adventure and that you will enjoy what's coming next. 😁

Would enjoy reading a spin-off from this story based on Maxwell a.k.a Captain Weirdo story?

I have a few stories planned but this time I will only upload the chapters once the stories are already completed (it will make it easier for me to keep a regular publishing schedule).

For now, I give you the titles of some of them:

- Life Tomorrow
- The Protector
- Captain Weirdo

P.S: I am not happy with the beginning of the story, some parts of the plot and the characters development, I think it could be much better, so I will edit this story eventually. The story itself will not change much though, it will still have the same ending, only a few details and scenes would change to make it better.  

Thank you all,Alex