Chapter 223: Rescue Mission Completed

The group regrouped in the corridor where they had escaped from the Sand Guardian.

When Liam and the others arrived, they found the rest of the squad waiting beside a collapsed wall. Nora had sent her shadow creatures to scout the surrounding area, while Jordan and Ray checked to make sure the path was clear.

Emma was sitting on a rock with a bottle of water in her hands. Lydia approached her and gently stroked her hair.

"How are you feeling, sweetheart?"

"Better. My leg doesn’t hurt as much anymore."

"I’m glad to hear that. We’ll be out of here soon."

Emma looked up at Liam as he approached with Lucas and Eve.

"Did you defeat the monster?"

Liam smiled.

"Yes. You don’t have to worry about it anymore."

The girl let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you..."

"You don’t have to thank us just yet. First, we need to take you back to your dad."

Emma nodded enthusiastically and stood up, though she needed Lydia’s support to keep her balance.

Liam looked at his companions.

"Do we have a safe route to the entrance? The dungeon should be disappearing soon."

Nora opened her eyes and pointed toward one of the corridors.

"My creatures checked the nearby passages. I didn’t detect any other monsters along our route, although I can’t guarantee that every room is empty."

"We don’t need to explore the rooms. We just need to get out."

Liam looked at Emma to make sure she was ready.

"Can you walk a little farther?"

"Yes."

"Good. If you get tired, let us know. We can carry you."

Jordan approached with a smile.

"I can carry you, too. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve carried someone out of a dungeon."

Emma looked at his enormous body, then at Lydia.

"Won’t you get tired?"

Jordan burst out laughing.

"Not at all! I’ve got plenty of energy to spare."

"That’s because you eat as if you’re preparing to feed the entire squad," Chuck commented.

"And that’s what lets me protect you all when things get rough!"

Their laughter helped ease the tension a little. Even Emma managed a shy smile.

Liam took advantage of the moment to organize their march.

Nora would lead the way, using her creatures to scout the corridors. Zayn would stay close to her, ready to return quickly if they encountered any obstacles. Ray and Jordan would protect the rear, while the rest would move around Emma.

Once everyone was ready, they set off.

◇◆◇

The journey back turned out to be more peaceful than expected.

Although the ruins remained just as unsettling as before, they encountered no new monsters. The corridors they had passed through during their search seemed to be gradually collapsing.

Every now and then, Emma recognized a place and pointed out the direction she had run when she got lost.

"I think I passed through here," she remarked when they reached a room filled with broken pillars.

Liam examined the footprints still visible in the sand.

"That’s possible. Don’t worry about remembering every detail. We’ve already found the way."

The girl lowered her gaze.

"I’m sorry for causing you all so much trouble."

Lydia bent down slightly to look her in the eyes.

"You don’t need to apologize for that. What matters is that you’re safe."

"But you had to come all the way here because of me."

"We came because you needed help," Liam replied.

"And if you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation again, I want you to remember something."

Emma looked at him attentively.

"What?"

"Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak. Sometimes, the best way to protect someone is to find a person who can help you."

The girl remained thoughtful for a few seconds.

"So, can I ask my dad for help next time?"

"Of course. That’s what parents are for."

Liam exchanged a glance with Lydia.

For a moment, they both thought of Lionel and Liana.

The twins were still far too young to understand the dangers of the world. However, someday, they would grow up and begin making their own decisions.

Liam knew he wouldn’t be able to protect them from absolutely everything.

But he could teach them to recognize when they needed help and remind them that they would never have to face their problems alone.

’I hope I can do a good job when that time comes.’

Lydia’s hand brushed against his.

She didn’t need to say anything. Liam understood that she was thinking the same thing.

A short while later, Nora stopped at the end of a corridor.

"I can see the entrance."

The hunters quickened their pace slightly.

After passing through the final stone archway, they found the enormous opening through which they had entered the tower.

Emma froze, staring at the exit as if she couldn’t quite believe they had actually made it there.

"Can we leave now?"

Lydia gently squeezed her hand.

"Yes, sweetheart. You’re safe now."

The girl began walking faster.

When they crossed the entrance, the outside landscape came into view. The tower was gradually disappearing, turning into sand.

Liam took a deep breath.

They had spent hours exploring those ruins, fighting monsters, and searching for a little girl who might have been lost forever.

At last, the mission was over.

◇◆◇

Some distance from the tower, several people were waiting behind the security perimeter established by the local hunters.

Among them was a man who paced back and forth, unable to stand still.

He was Emma’s father.

When he saw the group emerge, he stopped abruptly.

His eyes scanned the hunters until he spotted the small figure walking beside Lydia.

"Emma!"

The girl raised her head.

"Dad!"

Letting go of Lydia’s hand, she ran toward him with the little strength she had left.

Her father dropped to his knees and opened his arms just in time to catch her.

He hugged her so tightly that Emma buried her face against his chest.

"Emma! Oh, God, Emma!"

The man’s voice broke as he stroked her hair and desperately checked for any serious injuries.

"Are you okay? Did anyone hurt you? Does anything hurt?"

Emma began to cry.

"I’m sorry, Dad. I’m so sorry..."

"No, no, sweetheart. You don’t need to say that right now."

The man pulled her into another tight embrace.

Over the past few hours, he had imagined every kind of tragedy. He had thought that perhaps he would never see his daughter again, and the uncertainty had consumed him from the moment he discovered she was missing.

Now he could feel her in his arms.

She was alive.

"I thought I’d never see you again," he whispered, tears in his eyes.

Emma clung to his clothes.

"I was scared..."

"I know, sweetheart. I know."

The man remained kneeling on the ground, holding her without caring who might be watching.

Liam and his companions observed the scene in silence.

Even Chuck, who could usually find something to say in any situation, remained quiet.

After a while, Emma’s father lifted his head and looked at the hunters.

"Thank you. I don’t know how to repay you for what you’ve done. When they told me that a squad had agreed to go in, I thought there might still be a chance. But seeing her come out of there..."

His voice broke again.

Liam stepped closer.

"We were just doing our job. We’re glad we were able to bring her back."

"No, you did much more than that."

The man looked at his daughter, who was still clinging to him.

"I gave her freedom because I trusted her. But I should have done a better job of teaching her how to recognize danger."

Liam listened without interrupting.

"I’m going to talk to her. I don’t want her to lose that kindness, but I never want to go through something like this again."

"I think that’s a good decision," Liam replied.

"Emma wanted to help her friend. That’s something worth holding on to. She just needs to learn that she doesn’t have to put herself in danger to prove it."

Her father nodded slowly.

"I’ll remember that."

Emma lifted her face.

"Dad, can we go home?"

The man smiled through his tears and picked her up in his arms.

"Of course, sweetheart. We’re going home."

Before leaving, he thanked the hunters once again. Then he walked away with Emma in his arms, holding her close as she rested her head against his shoulder.

Lydia watched them until they disappeared among the people waiting behind the perimeter.

Then she turned to Liam.

"I’m glad we were able to find her."

Liam nodded and took her hand.

"Me too."

Around them, the members of the squad began to relax.

At last, they could go home.