Acknowledgment

As the first light of dawn painted the battlefield in soft, radiant hues, the clatter of approaching horses broke the quiet. From the horizon, a company of around fifty country soldiers arrived, their armor glinting in the morning light. Their leader, a stern but fair man named Captain Derin, surveyed the scene — the battered and weary villagers, the bodies of the fallen undead, and Amukelo, who stood tall but visibly exhausted.

The villagers, their faces lined with fatigue but alight with relief, gathered around as Captain Derin approached Amukelo.

The soldiers, as they dismounted and fanned out to secure the area, were visibly taken aback by the scene before them. Their eyes widened as they counted the numerous fallen undead. In hushed tones, they whispered to one another, their words imbued with awe and disbelief.

"I heard only two youngsters were defending this place," one soldier muttered to another, his eyes darting between Amukelo and searching for Eliss.

"And they killed that many?" his companion replied, his voice tinged with incredulity as he surveyed the littered bodies of the undead. "By the gods, it's like a tale from the old legends."

Another soldier, overhearing the conversation, chimed in with a nod of deep respect. "I've been in many battles," he said, "but this... this is something else. Those two must be extraordinary."

Captain Derin, catching snippets of his men's whispered conversations, turned to address them before focusing his attention on Amukelo. "Enough with the whispers," he commanded, though his voice carried a note of pride. "You are looking at the result of true bravery and skill. We are here to support, not to gawk."

Captain Derin, his arms crossed and his stance firm, continued to speak to Amukelo. "Your defense was brave and extraordinary," he commended, his voice carrying a weight of genuine respect. "We were not sure what we would find when we arrived. I did not expect this."

"We promised to hold," Amukelo replied, his tone steady but his concern for Eliss evident in his eyes. "And we did, with the villagers' courage and resolve."

Captain Derin nodded, taking a moment to glance towards the hut where Eliss was being cared for. "And your companion? How is she?" he inquired with a softer tone, clearly understanding the bond between the two defenders.

"She's strong," Amukelo responded, his voice tinged with both pride and worry. "She just needs rest, as do we all."

One of the villagers, an elder woman with a stern face softened by recent events, stepped forward. "These young ones," she said, gesturing to Amukelo and the direction of Eliss's hut, "they showed us what it means to stand and fight. We owe them our lives."

Captain Derin smiled warmly at this, clearly moved by the villagers' change of heart and newfound respect for the young warriors. "It seems you've done more than just fend off the undead," he said to Amukelo. "You've inspired these people, given them hope in a dark time. That is no small feat."

Amukelo, not one for excessive praise, simply inclined his head respectfully. "We did what anyone with the heart to help would do," he replied modestly. "Now, our focus should be on securing the safety of this place for the future."

Captain Derin clapped a firm hand on Amukelo's shoulder, a clear sign of camaraderie and respect. "You're right," he agreed. "And know this: the valor you both have demonstrated here will not be forgotten. We will reinforce this village, and I will personally see to it that your bravery is known."

With those final words, Amukelo offered a courteous nod and made his way toward the huts. Feeling the weight of the night finally catching up to him, he chose a different room adjacent to where Eliss was resting. As he entered the modest, straw-thatched room, he could see the villagers had set up a simple but comfortable space for him to rest. His thoughts, however, were still with Eliss.

Pausing at the doorway of her room, he peeked inside to find her sleeping peacefully. Her face, though pale and worn from exhaustion, but he could see pride in her expression. Seeing her like this, Amukelo felt a deep, quiet surge of protective warmth.

With a small, content sigh, he retreated to his own room. Settling onto the straw mattress, he closed his eyes and finally allowed himself to surrender to much-needed rest.

A full day passed in this way, with the defenders of Larenth Village deep in recovery. Amukelo, naturally more resilient, was the first to wake. As he stirred, he became aware of the soft sounds of the village outside — the distant clatter of a hammer, the gentle murmur of voices. Life was returning to normal, slowly but surely.

Upon waking, Amukelo's first action was to check on Eliss. Quietly, he entered her room and found her still asleep but clearly in a stable condition. Her steady breathing was a sweet melody to his concerned heart.

By the time Eliss awoke, refreshed and with her usual vibrant energy returned, the village was well on its way to healing. Seeing her up and about brought a genuine smile to Amukelo's face, one that she warmly returned.

By the afternoon, after both had recovered and the village was stable once more, Amukelo and Eliss, now hailed as the Saviors of Larenth, made their way back to Torvill. They traveled under the escort of the country soldiers, a mark of their earned respect. Their bond, stronger than ever, was palpable, and their journey together was still unfolding beautifully as they departed.